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Walsall Under-18s returned to cup action on Tuesday evening when they welcomed AFC Dunstable to the Pallet-rack Bescot Stadium for their FA Youth Cup, First Round clash.Being played in damp, dreary weather in WS1, the match got off to a slow start, with neither side able to create a real opening for the first fifteen minutes or so.
It was the young Saddlers who would create the first goal-scoring opportunity of the evening when Olly Nash got on the end of an Ellis Harris cross, though the net was never really troubled.
Walsall also developed the second chance of the contest when Paul Makavore got on the end of a corner before sending a powerful header rise over goalkeeper Jayden Mitchell's crossbar and into the stand behind the goal.
The visitors also went close to opening the scoring as they saw an effort cleared off the kine as the match reached the twenty-minute mark with both clean sheets intact.
After a half-time break that no doubt involved plenty of warm drinks, the Saddlers created the first opening of the second-half when a Marley Roberts cross was headed over the bar by Harris.
The visitors also went close to opening the scoring when Levi Nicholson forced Walsall 'keeper Harrison Barber into a save, the stopper tipping a powerful effort over the bar.
Dunstable's goalkeeper was the net to before into a save as Makavore turned his marker before ending a low effort towards the net, the 'keeper doing well to gather the ball and keep the scores tied.
Walsall boss Ryan Simmonds opted to make his first change of the contest after around an hour, as Olly Nash was replaced by Jaden Kandemiri.
As the match became somewhat stretched in the latter stages, Walsall defenders Stan Straw and Jakub Pawlowski were both cautioned for tactical fouls.
Ryan Simmonds was soon looking back at his bench and opted to make a double change as Marley Roberts and Archie Bunn were replaced by Louie Webb and Levi Wain.
Ellis Harris continued to be a pain for the Dunstable defence as he almost grabbed what would likely have been the winner deep into second-half stoppage time as he spotted the 'keeper off his line but couldn't quite hit the target.
After going ninety minutes without a goal, the rules stipulate that another thirty are required, so the two teams, who had begun to look tired in normal time, kicked-off once again.
Despite their growing levels of fatigue, Walsall continued to push for the opening goal when Levi Wain saw an effort sail over the bar after being played through by McLloyd Oben.
Extra time reached its mid way point without a goal, and Walsall opted to make another change before the action got underway once again, with second-half substitute Jaden Kandemiri coming off for Finn Teesdale.
Walsall were back on the attack as the game got underway and probably should have scored when Stan Straw got on the end of a free-kick to send the ball back across goal where Sam Oliver crashed a header off the post.
Refusing to let their heads drop, the Saddlers were finally able to take the lead with 110 minutes played when Will Etheridge stabbed the ball over the line from a Levi Wain pass.
Walsall made the score look a little more comfortable towards the end of extra-time when Finn Teesdale was found in space by Etheridge, who added an assist to a strong evening.
The Saddlers looked to take a bit more time off the clock as they made a double change late on with Sam Oliver and Paul Makavore made way for Lincoln Hunt and Finn Batham.
There were no further goals as the young Saddlers booked their place in the Second Round where they face an away trip to Wigan Athletic already confirmed.
| ETHERIDGE (110') TESDALE (117') |
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| AT | BESCOT STADIUM |
| REFEREE | JAMES HALL |