Earlier today, Walsall Football Club's Reserves took on Wign Athletic Reserves in the latest Final Third Development League (West) fixture of the season. You can read our match report below.
SUBS | L.Roberts; Sangha, Peters, Cockerill-Mollett, K.Rowley
SUBS | Absalom, Baxendale, Beaumont, Barrigan, Merrie
The Saddlers, who are managed by a combination of Development Coach John Ward, and First Team and Performance Coach Jon Whitney, defeated Wrexham during their most recent outing as the Saddlers won by four-goals-to-two with Jordan Cook, Levi Rowley, Kory Roberts and Kyle King scoring the all-important goals.
The Latics also won their most recent match as they defeated Port Vale by five-goals-to-one at the start of January, they sat in third position in the Development League table ahead of today's match.
Both the Saddlers and the Latics had goal-scoring opportunities during the opening fifteen minutes, with Wigan's Robles being prevented from getting into the area by some solid defending, while Walsall's Rory Oliver twice tested the 'keeper as he enjoyed a good start to the match.
It was Walsall that opened the scoring as Reece Flanagan's free kick bounced past the Latics' 'keeper Owen Evans and nestled in the bottom left of goal with around eighteen minutes on the clock.
The weather conditions did no side any favours, with plenty of wind and rain along with mud on the pitch making for some interesting defensive issues.
With thirty minutes on the clock Walsall' keeper Dan Jezeph was called into action as he saved well from Sam Cosgrove, the stopper tipping the ball over the bar. Jezeph was also alert to save from a Jack Hendry header, which came from the resulting corner.
There were very few chances as the half continues, although Wigan did earn a couple of free kicks, one of which sailed over the bar, while the other was caught by Jezeph in the Walsall goal.
Wigan's Lingard sent an effort wide of goal and Walsall's Levi Rowley saw a chipped effort cleared off the bar as the half came to an end.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
STARTING XI| Jezeph, Tonks, Kinsella, K.Roberts, J.Smith, Preston, Flanagan, Oliver, Kouhyar, Murphy, L.Rowley
SUBS | L.Roberts; Sangha, Peters, Cockerill-Mollett, K.Rowley
WIGAN ATHLETIC TEAM NEWS
STARTING XI | Evans; O'Brien, Lingard, Burke, Anson, Hendry, Flores, Purzycki, Cosgrove, Robles, Hamilton
SUBS | Absalom, Baxendale, Beaumont, Barrigan, Merrie
The Saddlers, who are managed by a combination of Development Coach John Ward, and First Team and Performance Coach Jon Whitney, defeated Wrexham during their most recent outing as the Saddlers won by four-goals-to-two with Jordan Cook, Levi Rowley, Kory Roberts and Kyle King scoring the all-important goals.
The Latics also won their most recent match as they defeated Port Vale by five-goals-to-one at the start of January, they sat in third position in the Development League table ahead of today's match.
Both the Saddlers and the Latics had goal-scoring opportunities during the opening fifteen minutes, with Wigan's Robles being prevented from getting into the area by some solid defending, while Walsall's Rory Oliver twice tested the 'keeper as he enjoyed a good start to the match.
It was Walsall that opened the scoring as Reece Flanagan's free kick bounced past the Latics' 'keeper Owen Evans and nestled in the bottom left of goal with around eighteen minutes on the clock.
The weather conditions did no side any favours, with plenty of wind and rain along with mud on the pitch making for some interesting defensive issues.
With thirty minutes on the clock Walsall' keeper Dan Jezeph was called into action as he saved well from Sam Cosgrove, the stopper tipping the ball over the bar. Jezeph was also alert to save from a Jack Hendry header, which came from the resulting corner.
There were very few chances as the half continues, although Wigan did earn a couple of free kicks, one of which sailed over the bar, while the other was caught by Jezeph in the Walsall goal.
Wigan's Lingard sent an effort wide of goal and Walsall's Levi Rowley saw a chipped effort cleared off the bar as the half came to an end.
FINAL THIRD DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE (WEST) | HALF TIME
WALSALL 1 WIGAN ATHLETIC 0
The second half started fairly slowly, and the first goal-scoring opportunity came after around fifteen minutes as Wigan's Cosgrove volleyed wide of goal.
Walsall then went on to almost double their lead just after the hour mark as Jordan Murphy chipped the ball over the 'keeper only to see Wigan's Anson get back and clear off the line.
Wigan continued to have chances to get back on level terms as O'Brien and Cosgrove combined well to find Robles, who send an effort wide of goal.
The Saddlers made a couple of subs as Cameron Peters replaced Rory Oliver and Jordon Sangha replaced Maziar Kouhyar.
Soon after the changes, Walsall went on to see a Jamie Smith header saved as Levi Rowley did well to find his teammate in space.
With just over ten minutes remaining, Wigan's Cosgrove once again went close to levelling the scores as he found space on the edge of the area and saw his shot deflected over the bar.
With time ticking down, the Saddlers made their third and final change of the game as Levi Rowley was replaced by Callum Cockerill-Mollett.
Reece Flanagan's first half goal ultimately secured the win for the Saddlers as the Latics were unable to equalise in somewhat difficult conditions at Lilleshall.
Walsall then went on to almost double their lead just after the hour mark as Jordan Murphy chipped the ball over the 'keeper only to see Wigan's Anson get back and clear off the line.
Wigan continued to have chances to get back on level terms as O'Brien and Cosgrove combined well to find Robles, who send an effort wide of goal.
The Saddlers made a couple of subs as Cameron Peters replaced Rory Oliver and Jordon Sangha replaced Maziar Kouhyar.
Soon after the changes, Walsall went on to see a Jamie Smith header saved as Levi Rowley did well to find his teammate in space.
With just over ten minutes remaining, Wigan's Cosgrove once again went close to levelling the scores as he found space on the edge of the area and saw his shot deflected over the bar.
With time ticking down, the Saddlers made their third and final change of the game as Levi Rowley was replaced by Callum Cockerill-Mollett.
Reece Flanagan's first half goal ultimately secured the win for the Saddlers as the Latics were unable to equalise in somewhat difficult conditions at Lilleshall.
FINAL THIRD DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE (WEST) | RESULT
WALSALL 1 WIGAN ATHLETIC 0
GOAL | Reece FLANAGAN
GOAL | Reece FLANAGAN