YOUTH ALLIANCE | Peters on Point as Walsall Take All Three YOUTH ALLIANCE | Peters on Point as Walsall Take All Three

YOUTH ALLIANCE | Peters on Point as Walsall Take All Three

On Saturday afternoon Graham Biggs' Walsall Under 18s side returned to action as they played host to Bury Under 18s in the latest EFL Youth Alliance (North West) fixture of the season.
On Saturday afternoon Graham Biggs' Walsall Under 18s side returned to action as they played host to Bury Under 18s in the latest EFL Youth Alliance (North West) fixture of the season.

WALSALL XI | Ganley, Mason, Fisher, Tonks, Kendrick, Cockerill-Mollett, Maddocks, Cela, Candlin, Hayles-Docherty, Shorrock

SUBS | Peters, Caswell, O'Sullivan, Cairns, Freemantle

Ahead of kick-off, the Saddlers sat in second position in the Youth Alliance, having won ten of their seventeen fixtures, including their most recent outing, a 3-2 victory over Carlisle United, Graham Biggs' side securing the win thanks to a Mitchel Candlin hat-trick.

Fifth-placed Bury were looking to get back to winning ways after being thrashed by Rochdale during their most recent fixture, the Dale winning by four-goals-to-nil. Heading in to today's match, the young Shakers had lost their last three Alliance fixtures, conceding fifteen goals in the process.

Walsall enjoyed a good start to the game, moving the ball around on the less-than plush playing surface as they sought to bag the game's opening goal, Stefan Mason ended a bursting run by dragging a shot wide of Cameron McCulloch's goal.

As the half reached the midway point William Shorrock forced McCulloch into a fine save as he bent a free kick over the wall but failed to find the back of the net.

Calum Cockerill-Mollett was the next Saddler to have a goal-scoring opportunity as he sent a header over the bar following Shorrock's cross. Another good chance for the Saddlers, but still no goals.

Hayles-Docherty went close to scoring just before the end of the first-half but couldn't make the most of the space afforded to him as he volleyed the ball of the bar following Shorrock's neat pass.

EFL YOUTH ALLIANCE | HT
WALSALL 0 BURY 0

The second-half was slow to get underway,with the pitch continuing to play a part. Mitchel Candlin almost added to his recent treble as the Bury 'keeper was put under pressure by a short backpass, the stopper fortunate that the rebound eventually fell at his feet.

Bury forward Nathan Turner almost opened the scoring as he met a corner with a volley, thankfully for the Saddlers he could only send his effort over the bar.

Walsall went on to win a corner of their own but also failed to make the most of it as Cody Fisher sent a header over the bar, the youngster had more space and time than he realised as the Bury defence looked to be beaten.

Bury continued to be a threat and almost opened the scoring after around an hour as a deflected shot almost found the back of the net, the young Saddlers lucky to see the ball slip past the post.

Walsall continued in search of the game's opening goal and were rewarded with just over twenty-minutes of the game remaining as Cameron Peters reacted well to a parried Hayles-Docherty effort as he slipped the ball home to give his side the lead.

The Saddlers went close to doubling their lead a few minutes after they'd opened the scoring as Joseph Cairns sent an effort straight at the 'keeper, a nice pass form Peters to find his teammate in space.

Ciaran Best was the next Shaker to have a goal-scoring opportunity as he tested Ganley with a fine free kick, the young Saddler alert to keep his sheet clean.

Graham Biggs' side had a couple more efforts on goal as Cairns met Hayles-Docherty's cross but couldn't test the 'keeper.

The next chance fell to William Shorrock following a Peters pass,the attacker unable to test the 'keeper as he fails to control the bouncing ball as 'keeper made a nuisance of himself, the score remaining one-nil to the Saddlers.

A solid result for the Saddlers as they continue to chase the title, on to next weekend!

EFL YOUTH ALLIANCE | FT
WALSALL 1 BURY 0
GOALS | Peters (68')
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