The young Saddlers are managed by former Sheffield Wednesday defender Miguel Llera, with the 39-year-old taking charge of the team for the first time since replacing Graham Biggs, who left the club towards the end of last season.
Walsall XI: Rogerson; Coogan, Lynch, Perry, Petrovics, Foulkes, Campbell, Willis, Francis, Moss, McSkeane
Substitutes: Walker; Taylor, Friel, Sharp
Substitutes: Walker; Taylor, Friel, Sharp
The new gaffer named a strong side with several familiar faces named in the side whilst also featuring sixteen-year-old scholar Joe Foulkes, who is coming off a couple of friendly appearances with the first-team as he enjoys an eventful start to his two-year scholarship.
The match itself was a competitive one which saw the Saddlers fall behind in the early goings as goalkeeper Dominic Rogerson was unable to keep his sheet clean as a poorly-cleared corner ultimately resulted in the opening goal of the game.
City would go on to double their lead midway through the first-half but were prevented from easing too far away as midfielder Joe Willis was able to halve the deficit on the stroke of half-time, giving Llera and his team something to build upon in the second forty-five.
The Saddlers were soon back on the wrong end of a two-goal deficit as Lichfield's experience began to shine through with the home side bagging their third via a long ball. Something the new gaffer will no doubt be keen to cut out before the season gets underway.
Not willing to sit back and take their medicine, Walsall were soon back on the goal trail as captain Joe Willis stepped up and calmly slotted home from the spot to put his side within a goal of their opponents.
Following Willis' penalty the young Saddlers continued to push for goals and were soon rewarded as midfield man Sam Perry levelled the scores as he pounced following a goalmouth scramble.
Walsall weren't done there as they completed the turn around with just moments remaining as striker Alex McSkeane slotted the ball into the back of the net following a low right-wing cross.
A superb second-half from the Saddlers as they earn a victory on a warm evening in Staffordshire.
LICHFIELD CITY
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3 - 4
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WALSALL
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Willis (2)
Perry McSkeane |