Walsall were back in pre-season action on Saturday afternoon as they made their way to the SEAH Stadium in Wellington and took on nearby National League North side AFC Telford United.The game got underway to a stuttering start as the home side were briefly reduced to eleven men as one of their trialists clashed with Saddlers midfielder Courtney Clarke and required treatment form the Bucks' medical team.
Walsall's medical team were also called into action during the early stages of the match when Elicha Ahui required some treatment after taking a hit to the head.
The first real attacking moment of not didn't arrive until around sixteen minutes of play when Albert Adomah saw a free-kick dip over the wall and cannon off the post, the home 'keeper left flat-footed.
Walsall's next promising attack saw Ahui show plenty of determination to stop a Harrison Burke long ball going out of play before sending a high ball into the Telford area where Tai Sodje and Lewis Simper linked up before Simper sent an effort over the bar.
Despite being on the back foot for much of the half, it was the home side that would go on to open the scoring as one of their trialists crashed an effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, Jed Ward looking frustrated with his backline.
Walsall tried to level the scores just moments after the Bucks scored when Adomah was found in plenty of space but was unable to get the ball under control, with the home 'keeper not really threatened.
The first real attacking moment of not didn't arrive until around sixteen minutes of play when Albert Adomah saw a free-kick dip over the wall and cannon off the post, the home 'keeper left flat-footed.
Walsall's next promising attack saw Ahui show plenty of determination to stop a Harrison Burke long ball going out of play before sending a high ball into the Telford area where Tai Sodje and Lewis Simper linked up before Simper sent an effort over the bar.
Despite being on the back foot for much of the half, it was the home side that would go on to open the scoring as one of their trialists crashed an effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, Jed Ward looking frustrated with his backline.
Walsall tried to level the scores just moments after the Bucks scored when Adomah was found in plenty of space but was unable to get the ball under control, with the home 'keeper not really threatened.
The Saddlers went into the break a goal down but, in truth, should have established a lead well before the home side struck.
Walsall boss Lee Grant opted to make some changes at the break as Jed Ward, Clarke. Albert Adomah, Courtney Clarke, Isaac Moore, and James Connolly were replaced by Jenson Kilroy, Alex Pattison, Aaron Pressley, Declan Skura, and Sven Sprangler.
As is often the case, the second half was peppered with substitutions, the Saddlers following up their half-time changes with more as Elicha Ahui, Mason Hancock, Tai Sodje made way for Andrew Dallas, Rico Browne, and Will Etheridge.
The medical team were also kept bust as Alex Pattison required treatment before being forced off. Ronan Maher was the man to be called into action as he made his return from injury. Rico Browne also received treatment but was OK to continue.
Ryan Leak was soon on the sidelines as he came on for Harrison Burke, the second-half seeing little in the way of goal-mouth action, not helped by the steady churn of changes.
The medical team were also kept bust as Alex Pattison required treatment before being forced off. Ronan Maher was the man to be called into action as he made his return from injury. Rico Browne also received treatment but was OK to continue.
Ryan Leak was soon on the sidelines as he came on for Harrison Burke, the second-half seeing little in the way of goal-mouth action, not helped by the steady churn of changes.
Aaron Pressley had the best chance of the second-half when a Lewis Simper free-kick was lofted into the area where Pressley was only able to send a header over the bar.
More minutes in the tank as the Saddlers' slow build towards the new season continues.
| TRIALIST (30') | |
| AT | SEAH STADIUM |