Walsall's 2026/27 EFL Youth Alliance - North campaign continued on Tuesday afternoon as they welcomed Wrexham to Ray Hall Lane.Looking to build upon their recent Youth Alliance Cup - Round One victory over Notts County, the young Saddlers were in confident mood heading toward kick-off.
Opponents Wrexham, meanwhile, have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season after following up on their opening day thumping of Grimsby Town with a 1-1 draw away to Chesterfield last weekend.
The match got underway to a fast start as both the Saddlers and Dragons saw efforts on goal, as Henry Jones flashed an effort wide of Fraser Hamilton-Wright's goal with two minutes on the clock.
Walsall's response came just four minutes later when Jaden Kandemiri forced Wrexham stopper Jake Hall into a save after creating space inside the area.
The visitors were soon back on the attack and saw another effort go off target when 15-year-old Cynan Holdsworth sent an effort over the bar.
Kandemiri continued to be the Saddlers' biggest threat and saw another effort saved by Hall, this one coming in the form of a shot from outside the 18-yard-box.
As the match edged closer to the half-time break, the visitors were able to create another opening as Jayden Smyth became the latest player to send an effort off target.
Wrexham, however, were ultimately able to find the target before refreshments were served as youngster Holdsworth smashed the ball into the back of the net with a powerful effort from the edge of the area.
The visitors would go on to double their lead on the stroke of half-time when Kian Nolan scored from close range, the Saddlers reeling as the referee called for the break.
Walsall's response came just four minutes later when Jaden Kandemiri forced Wrexham stopper Jake Hall into a save after creating space inside the area.
The visitors were soon back on the attack and saw another effort go off target when 15-year-old Cynan Holdsworth sent an effort over the bar.
Kandemiri continued to be the Saddlers' biggest threat and saw another effort saved by Hall, this one coming in the form of a shot from outside the 18-yard-box.
As the match edged closer to the half-time break, the visitors were able to create another opening as Jayden Smyth became the latest player to send an effort off target.
Wrexham, however, were ultimately able to find the target before refreshments were served as youngster Holdsworth smashed the ball into the back of the net with a powerful effort from the edge of the area.
The visitors would go on to double their lead on the stroke of half-time when Kian Nolan scored from close range, the Saddlers reeling as the referee called for the break.
HALF-TIME
| WALSALL | 0-2 | WREXHAM |
The Saddlers started the second-half quickly and were soon back in search of a goal of their own as Kandemiri forced the visiting 'keeper into a save after getting on the end of a cross into the box.
Wrexham's first effort of the second forty-five saw Holdsworth go close to scoring his second of the game when he saw an effort blocked behind for a corner - the resulting flag-kick also being cleared.
The visitors continued to look for more goals and saw another effort deflected for an ultimately unsuccessful corner when Julian Widecki-Estima tried his luck from close range.
Widecki-Estima was soon back on the attack as he was afforded too much space outside the area and forced Walsall stopper Hamilton-Wright into a smart save.
Wrexham's push for more goals continued when Smyth broke into the box and curled an effort towards the Walsall goal, his shot cannoned off the crossbar before being cleared.
Second-half substitute Lennon Biggs was the next visiting player to have an effort on goal when, after he broke his way into the area, he saw a shot clear the crossbar.
Walsall's drive to score a goal of their own was eventually rewarded when Ellis Harris headed home from a Sam Oliver ball into the box with around five minutes of the second-half still to play.
The visitors were soon back on the attack and in search of a third goal of the game. This time it was Jac Jones who would see an effort go wide of the target.
There were no further goals or efforts of note as the visitors grabbed all three points on the way to their first away win of the season.
Wrexham's first effort of the second forty-five saw Holdsworth go close to scoring his second of the game when he saw an effort blocked behind for a corner - the resulting flag-kick also being cleared.
The visitors continued to look for more goals and saw another effort deflected for an ultimately unsuccessful corner when Julian Widecki-Estima tried his luck from close range.
Widecki-Estima was soon back on the attack as he was afforded too much space outside the area and forced Walsall stopper Hamilton-Wright into a smart save.
Wrexham's push for more goals continued when Smyth broke into the box and curled an effort towards the Walsall goal, his shot cannoned off the crossbar before being cleared.
Second-half substitute Lennon Biggs was the next visiting player to have an effort on goal when, after he broke his way into the area, he saw a shot clear the crossbar.
Walsall's drive to score a goal of their own was eventually rewarded when Ellis Harris headed home from a Sam Oliver ball into the box with around five minutes of the second-half still to play.
The visitors were soon back on the attack and in search of a third goal of the game. This time it was Jac Jones who would see an effort go wide of the target.
There were no further goals or efforts of note as the visitors grabbed all three points on the way to their first away win of the season.
FULL-TIME
| WALSALL | 1-2 | WREXHAM |
HARRIS
|
HOLDSWORTH NOLAN |
| AT | RAY HALL LANE |