Walsall's academy was the focus of attention on Wednesday evening as they took on Stourbridge in the Third Round of the Birmingham Senior Cup.Making their way to the Glassboys' War Memorial Athletic Ground in Amblecote, Ryan Simmonds' side were looking to build upon their Second Round victory over Rugby Town out of the Second Round in December.
Naming a team that included Under-16s Zion Tuitt and Jaden Kandemiri, the Saddlers were up against a Stourbridge side that included plenty of experience, a great learning opportunity for the prospects.
STOURBRIDGE
Price; White, Bood, Sumnall, Carter, Verma, Fletcher, Bishop, Sutherland, Olaleye
Substitutes: Ofoka, Peer, Solanke, Reeves, Cooper
WALSALL
Barber, Tuitt, Roberts, Oliver, Pawlowski, Harris, Kandemiri, Thomas, Makavore, Etheridge, Teesdale
Substitutes: Hamilton-Wright; Batham, Sjoerdsma, Wain, Hunt
The match was a competitive affair, with both sides creating openings in their opponents' final third, though Stourbridge probably created the better of the chances as they battled against inexperienced opposition.
Young Walsall goalkeeper Harrison Barber was called into action a few times as the first-half progressed, and was equal to the challenge as he looked to add to a string of recent strong showings.
However, with less than five minutes of the first-half remaining, the Glassboys broke the deadlock when Zidan Sutherland was quick to react after seeing an initial effort hit the crossbar, Barber could do very little as the ball was slammed into the back of the net.
If went from bad to worse for the young Saddlers as they were soon two goals down as an unfortunate own goal gave the home side a comfortable looking two goal lead, as referee Jack Shepherd called for half-time.
Marley Roberts was replaced by Levi Wain at the break, as Under-18s boss Simmonds looked to his bench to change the pattern of the game. More changes soon followed, with Lincoln Hunt and Finn Batham coming on for Zion Tuitt and Finn Teesdale.
The changes did little to stop the Glassboys as they added a third goal as the match neared the midway point of the second-half, when Jack Fletcher was allowed to turn inside the area. He was only too happy to stick the ball into the corner of the Walsall goal.
Jaden Kandemiri was replaced by Ryan Sjoerdsma as the game entered the final ten minutes, but the goal scoring wasn't over as Ethan Peer netted Stourbridge's fourth goal after getting on the end of an Aaron Bishop pass.
Walsall were ultimately able to get on the scoresheet, as the Glassboys secured their place in the next round with a comfortable win.
| SUTHERLAND (41') OWN GOAL (45') FLETCHER (66') PEER (87') |
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| AT | WAR MEMORIAL GROUND |
| REFEREE | JACK SHEPHERD |