Walsall Under-18s' Youth Alliance Cup campaign continued on Saturday morning when they took on Lincoln City Under-18s at Riseholme College.Going into the match on the back of Alliance - North victories over Rotherham United, Salford City and Oldham Athletic, the young Saddlers were full of confidence and looking to continue their recent spell of good form as they faced the Imps in the last 16 of the competition.
The Saddlers started the game brightly and were the first team to create and capitalise upon an opening when Ethan Khan struck the ball into Isaac Shaw's net with twelve minutes on the clock.
Walsall's lead didn't last, however, as the home side would level the score midway through the first-half as Leo Fifield finished off a well-worked attacking move as Riley Clowes-Elson saw his sheet dirtied.
The Imps would go into the lead within ten minutes of the break as Fifield added his second of the game, the striker wasn't done there either as he made it 3-1 with his twenty-third goal of the campaign just before the match entered first-half stoppage time.
The young Saddlers were handed a lifeline just before the break as they were awarded a penalty which Archi Bunn converted to drag his side back to within a goal of their opponents at the break.
Walsall's lead didn't last, however, as the home side would level the score midway through the first-half as Leo Fifield finished off a well-worked attacking move as Riley Clowes-Elson saw his sheet dirtied.
The Imps would go into the lead within ten minutes of the break as Fifield added his second of the game, the striker wasn't done there either as he made it 3-1 with his twenty-third goal of the campaign just before the match entered first-half stoppage time.
The young Saddlers were handed a lifeline just before the break as they were awarded a penalty which Archi Bunn converted to drag his side back to within a goal of their opponents at the break.
FULL-TIME
| LINCOLN | 3-2 | WALSALL |
Lincoln prospect Leo Fifield continued his incredible spell of form early in the second forty-five when he added his and the Imps' fourth of the contest - this one coming from the penalty spot.
Walsall's first change of the afternoon arrived just after the hour mark when goalscorer Ethan Khan was replaced by Olly Nash.
The change did little to impact the direction of the game, as Fifield added a fifth goal to his ever-increasing tally with around seventy minutes on the clock.
The Saddlers opted to make a couple more changes shortly after the home side added their fifth goal as Monty Buckmaster and Sam Griffiths replaced Ron Johnson and Archie Bunn.
Olly Nash's afternoon didn't last long as the second half substitute was forced off, with Younusa Kanyi coming on in his place.
There were no further goals as the Imps went on to secure the win, with hot prospect Leo Fifield taking centre stage as the young Saddlers were ultimately unable to keep pace with their opponents.
FULL-TIME
| LINCOLN | 5-2 | WALSALL |
FIFIELD (22') FIFIELD (37') FIFIELD (44') FIFIELD (P, 50') FIFIELD (70') |
KHAN (12') BUNN (P 45+2')
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| AT | RISEHOLME COLLEGE |
