Earlier today, Walsall Football Club's Reserves took on Wrexham Reserves in the latest Final Third Development League (West) fixture of the season. You can read our match report below.
Walsall, who arrived at the match in second place having won three of their opening seven league games, started the game well and went on to have several chances in front of goal.
Jordan Cook was lively throughout the match, and was involved in the Saddlers' first two shots as he sent a shot wide of goal after charging down the 'keeper's clearance.
Shortly after that opening chance, Jordan was again involved as he was found in space by a Craig MacGillivray long ball, he would go on to lift the ball just over the bar as the defence forced him to rush his effort.
Jordan would also have the Saddlers' next effort on goal, again sending the ball just over the bar after he had found space on the edge of the area.
Jordan Murphy was the next Saddler to have a shot as he moved into space following a well worked free kick, his effort also going over the goalkeeper's bar as the hosts looked dominant.
A few minutes after Reece Flanagan had sent a dipping effort wide of goal, Walsall took the lead. Striker Jordan Cook did well to respond to a loose pass by the opposition 'keeper as he dispatched the ball into the back of the net.
Wrexham didn't have many opportunities on goal during the opening stages, however they did see a Davies shot drift wide of goal following a nice passage of play.
With thirty-minutes on the clock, Walsall's Amadou Bakayoko, who recently penned a new short-term deal and joined Worcester City on loan, hit the outside of the post after finding space on the edge of the area.
Walsall continued to be much the better side as the half went on,but did see a Jackson effort saved, and also enjoyed short spells in control of the ball.
The Saddlers doubled their lead before the break as Levi Rowley, who this week joined Stafford Rangers on loan, slammed the ball home from the edge of the area, a deserved half time lead for Jon Whitney's side.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
STARTING XI | Craig MacGillivray; Jamie Smith, Kory Roberts, Matt Preston, Kyle Rowley, Reece Flanagan, Jordon Sangha, Jordan Murphy, Jordan Cook, Amadou Bakayoko, Levi Rowley
SUBSTITUTES | Dan Jezeph; Raekwan Smith, Rory Oliver, Nathan Owen, Kyle King
SUBSTITUTES | Dan Jezeph; Raekwan Smith, Rory Oliver, Nathan Owen, Kyle King
WREXHAM TEAM NEWS
STARTING XI | Liam Sharpe; Ross White, Blaine Hudson, Aaron Simpson, Jordan Davies, Jonathan Royle, Lee Fowler, Iwan Cartwright, Johnny Smith, Kayden Jackson, Leo Smith
SUBSTITUTES | Reece Airey; Danny Roberts, Rakim Newton, Leroy Jennings
SUBSTITUTES | Reece Airey; Danny Roberts, Rakim Newton, Leroy Jennings
Walsall, who arrived at the match in second place having won three of their opening seven league games, started the game well and went on to have several chances in front of goal.
Jordan Cook was lively throughout the match, and was involved in the Saddlers' first two shots as he sent a shot wide of goal after charging down the 'keeper's clearance.
Shortly after that opening chance, Jordan was again involved as he was found in space by a Craig MacGillivray long ball, he would go on to lift the ball just over the bar as the defence forced him to rush his effort.
Jordan would also have the Saddlers' next effort on goal, again sending the ball just over the bar after he had found space on the edge of the area.
Jordan Murphy was the next Saddler to have a shot as he moved into space following a well worked free kick, his effort also going over the goalkeeper's bar as the hosts looked dominant.
A few minutes after Reece Flanagan had sent a dipping effort wide of goal, Walsall took the lead. Striker Jordan Cook did well to respond to a loose pass by the opposition 'keeper as he dispatched the ball into the back of the net.
Wrexham didn't have many opportunities on goal during the opening stages, however they did see a Davies shot drift wide of goal following a nice passage of play.
With thirty-minutes on the clock, Walsall's Amadou Bakayoko, who recently penned a new short-term deal and joined Worcester City on loan, hit the outside of the post after finding space on the edge of the area.
Walsall continued to be much the better side as the half went on,but did see a Jackson effort saved, and also enjoyed short spells in control of the ball.
The Saddlers doubled their lead before the break as Levi Rowley, who this week joined Stafford Rangers on loan, slammed the ball home from the edge of the area, a deserved half time lead for Jon Whitney's side.
FINAL THIRD DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE (WEST) | HALF TIME
WALSALL RES. 2 WREXHAM RES. 0
Walsall would make their opening substitution before the the second half got underway as Jordan Cook was replaced by Rory Oliver.
The half started a little slower than the first, but the Saddlers did enjoy an extended spell of pressure, and would go on to extend their lead as Kory Roberts found the top corner of Wrexham's net.
Amadou Bakayoko was the next to have an opportunity on goal as he was fed by a Jordan Murphy free kick, sadly he could only send the ball wide of the post as the 'keeper scrambled.
Wrexham's Kayden Jackson was again the main threat for the visitors as he sent the ball wide of goal following a long ball from his own half.
Not long after Walsall had replaced Jordan Murphy with Nathan Owen, the visitors grabbed a goal of their own as Lee Fowler flicked the ball on to Leo Smith as the forward went on to find the corner of the Saddlers' goal,a nicely taken effort.
Wrexham would soon get their second goal of the game as Jackson took the ball off Kyle Rowley and sent a shot past Craig MacGillivray, a good finish from the ever-present attacker.
Walsall again continued to be the better side and would go on to make their third and final change a few minutes before full time as Kyle King replaced Levi Rowley, a brief chance for King as he looks to force his way into the starting XI.
Kyle was soon involved in the action as he and Reece Flanagan combined in the opposition's penalty area, Dragons goalkeeper Liam Sharpe doing well to prevent the goal.
King went on to extend the Saddlers' lead during added time as he dispossessed his man and sent the ball past the goalkeeper, a deserved lead for the reds as their fitness advantage looked to have given them the edge.
Walsall again continued to be the better side and would go on to make their third and final change a few minutes before full time as Kyle King replaced Levi Rowley, a brief chance for King as he looks to force his way into the starting XI.
Kyle was soon involved in the action as he and Reece Flanagan combined in the opposition's penalty area, Dragons goalkeeper Liam Sharpe doing well to prevent the goal.
King went on to extend the Saddlers' lead during added time as he dispossessed his man and sent the ball past the goalkeeper, a deserved lead for the reds as their fitness advantage looked to have given them the edge.
FINAL THIRD DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE (WEST) | RESULT
WALSALL RES. 4 WREXHAM RES. 2
GOALS | Cook, L.Rowley, K.Roberts, King -- Smith, Jackson
GOALS | Cook, L.Rowley, K.Roberts, King -- Smith, Jackson