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Walsall Under-18s returned to action on Saturday morning as they welcomed Oldham Athletic U18s to Ray Hall Lane in their latest EFL Youth Alliance (North West) outing of the season.After winning just two of their eight Youth Alliance outings of the season so far, including last weekend's 3-2 triumph over Port Vale, the young Saddlers were hoping to secure more welcome points as they took on the Latics.
WALSALL TEAM
Kilroy; Vaughan, Poskitt, Bennett, Cox, Straw, McNulty-Hartnett, Thomas, Wragg, Juliff, Leydon
Substitutes: Foster; Lawal-Olumegbon, Preece, Uchenna, Roberts
Saturday's match was an eventful affair with both teams finding the back of the net, but, sadly for the young Saddlers, they were unable to make it two wins from two as the visitors ultimately took all three points.
Despite sitting at the foot of the table after winning none of their opening seven Alliance outings, it was Oldham who would put themselves into a comfortable position as they scored three goals (35', 42', and 52') before the Saddlers were able to make any impact upon proceedings.
Walsall's goal arrived with an hour on the clock, as Jaiy Leydon continued his fine spell of form, the youngster adding to the goal he scored during last weekend's win over Port Vale, to at least give his side some hope heading into the final thirty-minutes.
Unfortunately for the Saddlers, their task was made that little bit harder just moments after Jaiy's goal as Will Uchenna picked up two quick yellow cards, one for a coming together with an opposition player and the other for having words with a match official, with the youngster having to make his way to the dressing room.
There were no further goals but the result has to go down as a disappointing one for the Saddlers as their opponents picked up their first win of the 2023/24 Youth Alliance campaign.
FULL-TIME
| WALSALL | 1-3 | OLDHAM |
| LEYDON (60') | |
| AT | RAY HALL LANE |