John Ward's Walsall Development side were back in Central League (North) action on Wednesday afternoon as they played host to York City at the Birmingham County FA's Headquarters on Ray Hall Lane.
Walsall XI | Gillespie; Tonks, Vann, Donnellan, Devlin; Shorrock, Flanagan, Sangha; Kouhyar; Agyei, Jackson
Substitutes | Ganley, Hayles-Docherty, Candlin, Oliver, Peters
Substitutes | Ganley, Hayles-Docherty, Candlin, Oliver, Peters
York City XI | Simpson, Thompson, Lawrence, Wharton, Rogerson, Sukar, Jackson, Walton, McNaughton, Haswell, Muggleton
Substitutes | Kemp, Wilton, Watson, Berry
Substitutes | Kemp, Wilton, Watson, Berry
The Saddlers have only played two Central League games so far this season, and sit mid-table having secured just three points. Opponents York City have also played just two fixtures and sit near the foot of the table.
John Ward named a strong side with several first-teamers, including Mark Gillespie, Shaun Donnellan, Simeon Jackson and Dan Agyei getting a chance to impress alongside their younger teammates.
Ward's Walsall started the game well and saw a Shaun Donnellan header and a Simeon Jackson shot go over the bar within the opening ten minutes of play.
The Saddlers opened the scoring after thirteen minutes as Will Shorrock slotted home following Maz Kouhyar's superb attacking drive, the midfielder getting free down the wing before cutting the ball back for Will to hit the back of the net.
Walsall doubled their lead almost instantly as Kouhyar and Shorrock combined once again. York's defence allowing Maz to break down the wing once again. The midfield man hitting the byline before crossing to Shorrock, who does the rest.
The Saddlers continued to dominate the match and further stretched their lead after twenty-six minutes as Will Shorrock crossed the ball for Simeon Jackson, who stabbed the ball home after his initial effort was blocked.
York 'keeper Luke Simpson didn't have much time to regroup as the Saddlers continued to look for more goals. Maz Kouhyar rattled the crossbar after thirty-two minutes and Simeon Jackson forced him into a superb save just three minutes later, the stopper doing well to get to the low driven effort.
Shaun Donnellan saw an effort curl over the bar while Jordon Sangha,who is currently on loan to local side Rushall Olympic also fired the ball off target with City simply unable to stop the Sadlers getting forward.
Simeon Jackson had an opportunity to add to his goal after forty-one minutes but was once again denied by an alert Simpson. Reece Flanagan with a superb pass to create the initial opening.
Dan Agyei was the next Saddler to have an effort, this time the ball drifted past the post following Jackson's neat pass. The game would reach the break with the Saddlers comfortably leading by three-goals-to-nil.
Ward's Walsall started the game well and saw a Shaun Donnellan header and a Simeon Jackson shot go over the bar within the opening ten minutes of play.
The Saddlers opened the scoring after thirteen minutes as Will Shorrock slotted home following Maz Kouhyar's superb attacking drive, the midfielder getting free down the wing before cutting the ball back for Will to hit the back of the net.
Walsall doubled their lead almost instantly as Kouhyar and Shorrock combined once again. York's defence allowing Maz to break down the wing once again. The midfield man hitting the byline before crossing to Shorrock, who does the rest.
The Saddlers continued to dominate the match and further stretched their lead after twenty-six minutes as Will Shorrock crossed the ball for Simeon Jackson, who stabbed the ball home after his initial effort was blocked.
York 'keeper Luke Simpson didn't have much time to regroup as the Saddlers continued to look for more goals. Maz Kouhyar rattled the crossbar after thirty-two minutes and Simeon Jackson forced him into a superb save just three minutes later, the stopper doing well to get to the low driven effort.
Shaun Donnellan saw an effort curl over the bar while Jordon Sangha,who is currently on loan to local side Rushall Olympic also fired the ball off target with City simply unable to stop the Sadlers getting forward.
Simeon Jackson had an opportunity to add to his goal after forty-one minutes but was once again denied by an alert Simpson. Reece Flanagan with a superb pass to create the initial opening.
Dan Agyei was the next Saddler to have an effort, this time the ball drifted past the post following Jackson's neat pass. The game would reach the break with the Saddlers comfortably leading by three-goals-to-nil.
Central League (North) | HT
Walsall 3 York City 0
Walsall started the second-half the way they finished the first as they put their opponents to the sword, further extending their lead just two minutes after the game got back underway.
Reece Flanagan's corner fell to Jordon Sangha who saw an effort cleared off the line only for the ball find Simeon Jackson, who smashed home to secure his second goal of the game.
The Saddlers made it five just three minutes later as defender Dan Vann stooped low to head Flanagan's corner past Simpson in the York goal. A difficult afternoon for the stopper who was being offered very little support by his defensive teammates.
Walsall grabbed their sixth goal of the game after sixty-six minutes as Shorrock and Jackson combined for the Canadian international to flick the ball home and complete his hat-trick. A superb display from the duo who will no doubt give first-team manager Jon Whitney a selection dilemma at the weekend.
The match pace slowed as the game went on.Both sides making several substitutions as they looked to add fresh legs and give more of their fringe players a chance to impress.
The Saddlers grabbed their seventh goal of the game with eighty-three minutes on the clock as Simeon Jackson sent a low drive across goal and into the bottom corner. A fantastic display from the striker, who must now be in contention for a starting role.
York City managed to grab a goal back shortly after the Saddlers seventh as Flynn McNaughton powered his way through and sent an effort in off the post.A disappointing goal for Gillespie who once again fails to keep a clean sheet.
Central League - North | FT
Walsall 7 York City 1
Shorrock (13', 14') Jackson (26',47', 66', 83') Vann (50') // McNaughton (86')
Shorrock (13', 14') Jackson (26',47', 66', 83') Vann (50') // McNaughton (86')