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Walsall began their 2025/26 pre-season campaign with a short trip to Royal Leamington Spa on Tuesday evening as they took on National League North side Leamington.Naming a team compromising of a handful of debutants, a few of last season's remaining stars and two trialists, the Saddlers were the more attacking side during the opening stages of the contest.
With sixteen minutes on the clock, Evan Weir created the first shot of the evening as his half shot, half cross forced home 'keeper Eddie Brearey into an early save.
Walsall continued their attacking endeavours as Albert Adomah found Trialist B at the back post, though the journeyman could only send a header wide of goal.
The action continued to be quite subdued, with little in the way of attacks, though Mat Sadler did see fit to make changes as, not long after a hydration break, Levi Amantchi and Charlie Wragg came on for Jonny Stuttle and Jamille Matt.
The gaffer made several changes at the break as he looked to give match minutes to as many players as possible as he looks to build fitness ahead of the new campaign.
The first goal of the evening arrived some eight minutes into the second-half, when recent arrival Mason Hancock showed good control and awareness to beat his man before finding Charlie Wragg in space.
Scholar Wragg, who recently extended his stay in WS1, didn't quite get control of the initial ball, but Hancock was on hand to redeliver the ball as Charlie went on to stroke the ball over the line and put his team into the lead.
The Saddlers were soon back on the attack and forced the home 'keeper into a save as Levi Amantchi broke down the wing and saw a shot saved. Levi was also involved in the resulting corner, but could only send an effort wide.
Levi went for attempted goalscorer to provider as he helped Wragg grab his and the Saddlers' second goal of the game with a neat pass that saw Charlie left with an easy tap-in.
Continuing to give players time on the field, Sadler made more changes shortly after Wragg's second as Stan Straw, McLloyd Oben, Josh Gordon, and Aaron Pressley replaced Trialist B, Charlie Lakin, Charlie Wragg, and Levi Amantchi.
The Saddlers' next forward foray saw substitutes Gordon and Pressley combine as the former delivered a low ball into the box, but Aaron couldn't hit the target as the score remained the same.
Gordon and Pressley were soon back on the offensive as, following a good attacking run from Hancock, Pressley took over possession before sending the ball into the back post only for Josh to smash an effort over the bar.
Walsall's third goal arrived with just ten minutes of normal time remaining as Dylan Thomas, who still appears to be with the club despite no indication of him penning new terms, found Pressley inside the box, with the recent signing sending a looping header into the back of the net.
The Saddlers continued to push forward and were soon rewarded with their fourth goal as Josh Gordon got on the end of a Connor Barrett cross and made no mistake with the header.
There was just enough time for the Saddlers to make another change, as scholar Paul Makavore took the place of Dylan Thomas in midfield as Walsall opened their pre-season campaign with a comfortable win.
| WRAGG (53') WRAGG (60') PRESSLEY (80') GORDON (86') |