Walsall's 2026/27 pre-season campaign got underway on Saturday afternoon as they made their way to Warwickshire and took on Southern League Premier Division Central side Leamington.Lee Grant named a first-half XI that included new arrivals Jed Ward, Sven Sprangler and Andy Dallas as well as academy prospects Sam Oliver and Archie Bunn as he gets his first look at his squad in competitive action.
The match was officiated by former Coventry City midfielder Carl Baker, who is making his way through the PFA and Professional Game Match Officials' Player to Referee scheme.
Given the intense heat of mid-afternoon, it was probably unsurprising that the game took a little time to settle down, with each team looking forward to a cold drink during the inevitable hydration break.
The first real effort of the game came via the foot of the oldest player on the field when Albert Adomah got beyond the Brakes' backline to force the trialist goalkeeper into a save.
Adomah was soon back on the attack and forced the trialist stopper into a rather panicked save when he almost got on the end of a ball over the top – his movement causing the defence a few issues.
Walsall continued to look for the opening goal of the game and went close when Archie Bunn saw an effort whistle past the post. The youngster turned inside his man before unleashing an effort from the edge of the area.
The Saddlers made a change shortly after the midway point in the first-half when Trialist A was replaced by Ellis Harris, the youngster getting an opportunity to show what he can do by the new gaffer.
Albert Adomah and the on-trial Brakes keeper's battle continued as the game reached the 30-minute mark, as Uncs got on the end of a Mason Hancock free-kick to force the stopper into a strong reflex save – the 'keeper doing plenty to attract the interest of any scouts in attendance.
Walsall thought they'd opened the scoring with four minutes of the half remaining when recent arrival Andy Dallas sent the ball into the bottom corner after Bunn had got on the end of an Alex Pattison cross to divert the ball into the apparently offside Dallas' path.
The final opening of the half also went the way of the Saddlers when Sven Sprangler capped off a quick attacking break by sending a low ball across the box, where Adomah was just unable to make contact as the players went to take on some refreshments.
Walsall made a raft of changes at the break with new signings Isaac Moore and Lewis Simper joining youth prospects Boris Worrall and Ryan Sjoerdsma alongside several of last season's squad.
The Saddlers went close to opening the scoring with around five minutes of the second half played when Lewis Simper's superb reverse pass found the on-rushing Rico Browne, who forced the goalkeeper into a smart save.
Though less action-packed than the first-half, the second forty-five wasn't without its moments as the two sides searched for a goal.
Walsall's dominance continued, although Simper will want to do better when something's on the line, as he saw an effort sail over the bar just before referee Baker called for the hydration break.
Half-time substitute Sjoerdsma was almost the man to break the deadlock when he was found by fellow sub Aaron Pressley, but the youngster could only slice an effort over the bar as the scores remained tied.
Courtney Clarke was the next to try his luck as he tried to catch the home goalkeeper off guard with an effort from distance after working his way past a couple of challenges. Sadly for Clarke, the stopper was alert enough to get down and smother the ball.
As the match went into stoppage time, Carke again went close to opening the scoring as he saw an effort flas wide of the goal, the match ending all-square.
| AT | NEW WINDMILL GROUND |
| REFEREE | CARL BAKER |