Earlier this afternoon, Walsall Football Club's Under 18s side will play host to Carlisle United in the latest Football League Youth Alliance (North West) fixture of the season.
Ahead of today's match, Neil Woods' Saddlers' most recent game took place last weekend and saw the youngsters defeat Preston North End by four goals-to-nil. Goals from Cameron Peters (2), Kory Roberts and Kyle King secured an easy victory at a rain-soaked Ray Hall Lane.
Carlisle's previous game also took place at the weekend, but the young Cumbrians could not match the Saddlers as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Fleetwood Town. A goal from Mike Quigley was not enough to grab a point as goals from Mamadou Djabi and Michael Tetteh either side of the break secured the win for the Cod Army.
Today's match was a close affair, and neither side managed to score a goal during the opening forty-five minutes, although both had several chances.
Carlisle went close after eleven minutes as Joe Robson headed just wide of Dan Jezeph's post following Aaron Bradbury's cross.
Bradbury went close to scoring a few minutes later as Mike Quigley found him with a floated pass.
The Saddlers' first real chance of the half came just before the mid-way point as Cameron Peters dragged a shot wide of goal, a nice move from the youngsters.
As a United attack broke down following a blocked Quigley shot, Walsall countered and saw a Nathan Owen drive saved by goalkeeper Morgan Bacon.
With just over ten minutes of the half remaining, William Shorrock sent a left-footed effort just over the bar following neat play from Nathan Owen.
Just a few minutes later Walsall's Kyle King headed the ball just past the post following a Shorrock corner.
Kory Roberts was the next Saddler to have an attempt on goal as he saw a header saved, the scores level heading into the break.
Today's match was a close affair, and neither side managed to score a goal during the opening forty-five minutes, although both had several chances.
Carlisle went close after eleven minutes as Joe Robson headed just wide of Dan Jezeph's post following Aaron Bradbury's cross.
Bradbury went close to scoring a few minutes later as Mike Quigley found him with a floated pass.
The Saddlers' first real chance of the half came just before the mid-way point as Cameron Peters dragged a shot wide of goal, a nice move from the youngsters.
As a United attack broke down following a blocked Quigley shot, Walsall countered and saw a Nathan Owen drive saved by goalkeeper Morgan Bacon.
With just over ten minutes of the half remaining, William Shorrock sent a left-footed effort just over the bar following neat play from Nathan Owen.
Just a few minutes later Walsall's Kyle King headed the ball just past the post following a Shorrock corner.
Kory Roberts was the next Saddler to have an attempt on goal as he saw a header saved, the scores level heading into the break.
HT | FOOTBALL LEAGUE YOUTH ALLIANCE (NORTH WEST)
WALSALL 0 CARLISLE UNITED 0
The Saddlers started the second half strong and went on to create the opening goal-scoring opportunity of the second period as Maziar Kouhyar sent a shot over the bar from distance, a good spell of possession from Neil Woods' men.
Walsall's Callum Cockerill-Mollett was the next to have a shot as he cut inside from the wing and curled an effort over the bar, a good spell from the Saddlers.
As the half continued, the Saddlers made a change just after the hour mark as Tobias Hayles-Docherty replaced Kyle King.
Walsall continued to enjoy a solid spell as both Shorrock and Hayles-Docherty had shots blocked, the Cumbrians doing well under a good level of pressure.
The Saddlers made another change with twenty minutes of the half remaining as Lezion Cela replaced William Shorrock.
Walsall continued to search for the opening goal of the game and saw a low Hayles-Docherty shot saved, Cameron Peters' follow up was also saved as the visitors remained on level terms.
Hayles-Docherty soon had another shot on goal as he is found in space and lashes a shot wide of Bacon's near post.
Brendan Pooni was brought on to the field as Neil Woods made his third and final change, Cameron Peters the man to make way.
Pooni was soon involved in the action, as he rounded off a good passing move by lifting the ball over the bar from the edge of the area.
Carlisle also went close to scoring in the latter stages as Ellis Pearson's cross is directed into the path of Jordan Holt, who could only direct a header wide of Jezeph's goal.
Walsall grabbed the only goal of the game during injury time as Maz Kouhyar's shot was turned home by Carlisle's Joe Robson, unlucky for the visitors as the Saddlers secured all three points.
A solid second half display from Woods' men, another victory and yet more experience for the Saddlers starlets.
FT | FOOTBALL LEAGUE YOUTH ALLIANCE (NORTH WEST)
WALSALL 1 CARLISLE UNITED 0
GOALS | Robson OG (90+1')