Walsall Under-18s were back in EFL Youth Alliance North action on Saturday morning as they welcomed Grimsby Town U18s to the Birmingham County FA's headquarters on Ray Hall Lane.The young Saddlers reached the match on the back of a late defeat to Chesterfield, in a match that saw Stan Straw add another goal to his steadily-increasing tally, before the Spireites scored twice to take all three points.
WALSALL TEAM
Fraser Hamilton-Wright; Ellis Harris, Marley Roberts, McLloyd Oben, Jakub Pawlowski, Sam Oliver, Younusa Kanye, Dylan Thomas, Paul Makavore, Will Etheridge, Jayden Kandemiri
Substitutes: Olly Nash, Finn Teesdale, Anis Ben Hamad, Archie Bunn, Levi Wain
With Straw going off injured during the defeat to Chesterfield, Ryan Simmonds named a team that included several scholars as well as players from younger age groups as the club's pathway continues to produce players with plenty of potential.
There was very little in terms of goalmouth action during the opening forty-five minutes, with the Saddlers' best chance falling to Dylan Thomas, after the midfielder got on the end of Jayden Kandemiri cross, but couldn't open the scoring.
The second-half was a much brighter affair, however, and saw a goal scored within six minutes of the restart when Jayden Kandemiri tucked the ball into the bottom corner, putting the young Saddlers into the lead.
Sadly for the Saddlers, their lead didn't last more than a couple of minutes, as the Mariners went on to level the scores shortly after Walsall's opener. Young stopper Fraser Hamilton-Wright unable to retain his clean sheet.
Grimsby went on to take the lead later in the half, Alex Graham being the man credited with the goal, as the young Saddlers suffered another disappointing defeat.
| KANDEMIRI (51') | |
| AT | RAY HALL LANE |