Walsall Under-18s were back in EFL Youth Alliance – North action on Saturday morning as they took on Port Vale at the Birmingham County FA headquarters on Ray Hall Lane.The young Saddlers have been in disappointing form over recent months and were looking to rebound from last weekend's 4-3 defeat to Oldham Athletic as they took on the Valiants.
WALSALL
Harrison Barber; Ellis Harris, Marley Roberts, Sam Oliver, Jakub Pawlowski, Archie Bunn, Paul Makavore, Louie Webb, Finn Teesdale, Dylan Thomas, Jaden Kandemiri
Substitutes: Zion Tuitt, Lincoln Hunt, Jude Worrall, Levi Wain
The match got underway at around 11.00am, and the Saddlers wasted little time in creating space for an effort on goal as Marley Roberts had not one but two opportunities, the second of which struck the side netting.
With little to separate the teams, the next real chance didn't arrive until the second half when Archie Bunn fired wide from an enticing Finn Teesdale cross.
Walsall's endeavours were eventually rewarded as, just before the match reached the hour mark, Dylan Thomas got on the end of a Marley Roberts cross to tap the ball home – Roberts continuing to be a thorn in the side of the Valiants.
Young winger Jaden Kandemiri was the next player in a red shirt to try his luck as he forced the visiting goalkeeper into a save with a powerful, driven effort on goal.
Following a series of substitutions, Jude Worrall almost made an immediate impact as he also made the Vale goalkeeper spring into action with an effort from outside the area.
Though only scoring one goal, the match was a good one for the young Saddlers as they returned to winning ways, with a welcome win over a near rival.
| THOMAS (58') | |
| AT | RAY HALL LANE |