EFL Youth Alliance: Walsall 4 Morecambe 0 EFL Youth Alliance: Walsall 4 Morecambe 0

EFL Youth Alliance: Walsall 4 Morecambe 0

Walsall Under-18s were back in EFL Youth Alliance (North West) action on Saturday afternoon as they played host to Morecambe at Ray Hall Lane.
The young Saddlers, who are managed by former Sheffield Wednesday defender Miguel Llera, have enjoyed an average start to their 2019/20 alliance campaign - winning three and losing two of their opening four outings.

Llera's lads went into this weekend's clash with the Shrimps on the back of last weekend's Alliance Northern Cup - Group 4 victory over Chesterfield, the young Saddlers notching four goals without reply.

Morecambe have drawn four and lost two of their opening six Alliance games and were no doubt keen to secure their first win of the season as they made the trip to the West Midlands on Saturday afternoon.

Walsall XI: Rogerson; Coogan, Lynch, Perry, Foulkes, Zona, Moss, Willis, Pearce, Campbell, Mukadam

Substitutes:  Clapp; Sharp, McSkeane, Perry, Allamby-John

After fending off an early corner kick - hot prospect Joe Foulkes doing well to clear the danger with a header - the Saddlers began to take control of the game, with their passing style on display.

With around eight minutes on the clock Jack Lynch went close to opening the scoring as he sent a rocket of an effort just wide of goal. The scores remaining level as both sides continued to search for an opener.

Saddlers captain Joe Willis also went close to open the scoring as a free-kick stung the palms of the opposition 'keeper. The home side producing some nice football but still unable to open the scoring.

The best opening of the half arrived just after the midway point as Willis showed a burst of pace to break into the box where he found Perry Moss in space. Moss would go on to feed Luke Pearce, who saw a shot saved.

Moss was soon back in the heart of the action as he sought to lob the 'keeper with a cheeky chip. Sadly he was unable to open the scoring as his effort crept over the bar.

Morecambe looked to open the scoring themselves and went fairly close as Freddie Price broke down the wing, but he was unable to test the 'keeper as Foulkes was on hand to clear the danger.

Walsall almost grabbed the game's opening goal in first-half injury time as Jayden Campbell showed both neat control and a bust of pace as he beat his man before seeing a shot saved.

WALSALL
0 - 0
MORECAMBE

Walsall began the second-half in some style as Campbell's control was on display once again as he turned his marker inside out before forcing the stopper into a save, earning the first of a succession of corners.

The Saddlers kept up the pressure and were soon rewarded for their hard work as Willis' curling free-kick found the head of midfielder Sam Perry, who guided the ball into the back of the net.

Miguel Llera made his first substitution as the match reached the hour mark as Alex McSkeane replaced Luke Pearce in attack.

The substitution proved to be an inspired one as McSkeane was alert to get on the end of a near-post free-kick before knocking the ball past a stranded Shrimps stopper to double the Saddlers' lead.

The Saddlers' second substitution of the match saw Perry Moss replaced by Jayden Allamby-John. The third saw Willis, who had earlier been booked for a cynical foul, replaced by Kyle Sharp.

Allamby-John wasted little time in making his mark on proceedings as he showed plenty of pace, leaving his marker standing, before slipping the ball past the 'keeper from a fairly tight angle.

The Saddlers went on to make another couple of changes before the match reached full-time as Joe Perry replaced Sam Perry and 'keeper Tom Clapp replaced Dom Rogerson in goal.

Morecambe were powerless to resist the Saddlers as they went on to grab a fourth goal in the final minutes of normal time. Jayden Campbell picked up the ball in midfield before driving at the defence and slotting the ball lo into the back of the net.

There were no further chances of note as the Saddlers were able to hold their lead, securing a welcome clean-sheet and three much-needed points.

WALSALL
4 - 0
MORECAMBE
Perry (51')
McSkeane (63')
Allamby-John (78')
Campbell (87')




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