Arriving at Tuesday afternoon's clash on the back of Saturday's 6-1 Alliance Cup drubbing at then hands of Preston North End, Llera's Lads had an opportunity to return to winning ways as they faced the struggling Dale at Ray Hall Lane.
Walsall XI: Jackson; Coogan, Mukadam, Friel, Zona, J.Perry, Moss, Willis, Pearce, Campbell, McSkeane
Substitutes: Francis, Derry, Allamby-John, Sarvari, Walton
Substitutes: Francis, Derry, Allamby-John, Sarvari, Walton
Tony Ellis' Rochdale arrived at the match on the back of a 2-1 defeat to mid-table Accrington Stanley, a result which saw them register an eighth defeat in ten Alliance outings. The young Dale only kept off the foot of the table by Port Vale's terrible goal difference.
Dale 'keeper Oliver Brockbank was treated to a tough afternoon in the West Midlands with his team often forced back as Walsall searched for goals.
Thankfully for the Saddlers they were ultimately able to add to their opponents woes as they dominated proceedings, netting four times in the first-half of play with a couple of other chances also going begging.
Goals from Luke Zona (17'), a Jayden Campbell assisted own goal (41'), Luke Pearce (44'), and Alex McSkeane (45') gave Miguel Llera plenty or reasons to be cheerful heading into the break.
Aside from Luke Nock's saved effort, the second-half wasn't much better for the visitors as they again saw the home side push for more goals. Captain Joe WIllis firing an effort onto the crossbar as he sought to join the list of goalscorers.
Despite the young Saddlers' endeavours there were no further goals in the second-half as they returned to winning ways in style!
WALSALL
|
4 - 0
|
ROCHDALE
|
Zona (17')
OG (41') Pearce (44') McSkeane (45') |