Walsall Under-18s were back in EFL Youth Alliance — North action on Tuesday afternoon as they took on Blackpool's academy side in Bamber Bridge.Making their way to the SFC Stadium in Preston, Ryan Simmonds' side were looking to build upon their opening day draw with Doncaster Rovers.
BLACKPOOL TEAM
Crowe; Leliendal, Oshodi, Upton, Nwankwo, Quinn, Mannix, Hunter, Bondo, Butterworth, Williamson
Subs: Brier, Wylezol, Richardson, Jonas-Dowling, Etuhu
WALSALL TEAM
Harrison Barber; Ellis Harris, Marley Roberts, Archie Bunn, Jakub Pawlowski, Sam Oliver, McLloyd Oben, Louie Webb, Lincoln Hunt, Will Etheridge, Ethan Khan
Substitutes: Fraser Hamilton-Wright; Levi Wain, Finn Teesdale, Paul Mackavore, Olly Nash
It turned out to be something of a difficult afternoon for the young Saddlers, as their opponents raced onto a three goal lead before half-time.
Scoring via Harry Williamson, Oli Hunter, and James Butterworth, the young Seasiders piled on the pressure and, after being thwarted on several occasions, were ultimately able to build a commanding lead at the break.
Walsall boss Ryan Simmonds made several changes in the second forty-five, but was unable to guide his team back to parity as they suffered their first defeat of the new campaign.
| WILLIAMSON HUNTER BUTTERWORTH |