Walsall fell to a narrow one-nil to Sky Bet League One side Barnsley in a behind-closed-doors contest at the Saddlers' Essington training ground.
Splitting the contest into three 30-minute stages, with a variety of line-upps taking to the field, the Saddlers enjoyed some early match minutes as they continue to prepare for their 2022/23 campaign.
Featuring several as-yet-unnamed trialists, Michael Flynn got his first glimpse of his twelve new arrivals as they looked to catch the eye against higher-league opposition.
Though Walsall weren't without goal-scoring opportunities; Taylor Allen almost opened the scoring following Ronan Maher's neat pass, it was the visitors who bagged the game's only goal as, fifteen minutes after Maher had fired over the bar, Devante Cole slotted the ball home from close range.
The Saddlers continued to create opportunities, Brendan Kiernan firing over the bar before Andy Williams saw two efforts go to waste, but were unable to level the scores in what must be remembered as a fitness exercise.
First 30: Evans, Bennett, White, Monthe, Allen, Kinsella, Comley, Maher, Hutchinson, Trialist, James-Taylor
Second 30: Evans (Przybek 45’), Riley, Daniels, Trialist, Menayese, Trialist, Perry, Trialist, Trialist, Kiernan, Trialist
Third 30: Przybek, Foulkes, Clarke, Menayese, Sawyers, Trialist, Trialist, Shaw, Trialist, Trialist, Williams
Main image: Barnsley FC
