Walsall continued to close in on the new campaign on Tuesday evening when a young Xi made their way to Sixways Stadium in Worcester and took on Southern League Premier Division Central side Worcester City.The match got underway slightly later than advertised, and it was the home side that settled first as they created a handful of openings as Charlie Lutz forced Fraser Hamilton-Wright and his backline into action.
Worcester continued to pepper the Saddlers' defensive third for much of the opening stages of the game, the youngsters getting plenty of time to practice their defensive shapes as their more experienced opposition looked for the opening goal of the game.
Unsurprisingly, it was the home side that grabbed the game's first goal as an as-yet-unnamed trialist headed the ball home following a long throw midway through the first-half.
Worcester continued to force the young Saddlers into a defensive formation and were soon able to double their lead when a Harry Burns effort caught the Walsall 'keeper flat-footed as the ball was fumbled over the line.
Walsall weren't completely without attacks of their own and made the most of one as the game edged closer to the break when Lincoln Hunt unleashed a first-time finish after some nice play down their opponents' left wing.
The home side added to their lead just before the match reached the hour mark, when one of their handful of trialists slammed the ball into the top corner of the Walsall goal after being found in space by Harry Burns.
Worcester's fourth goal came with around eleven minutes of the match remaining when Liam Lockett remained alert during something of a scramble inside the Walsall area after Brandon Smalley had seen an effort saved.
As is often the case during pre-season, the second half was filled with substitutions, as the managers consider their options with the new season looming large.
A good run out for the young Saddlers as they look ahead to their clash with Swindon Town Under-18s at the weekend.
| TRIALIST (21') BURNS (32') TRIALIST (58') LOCKETT (78') |
HUNT (41') |
| AT | SIXWAYS STADIUM |