Walsall FC XI run out 2-0 winners at Dales Lane...
A WALSALL FC XI ran out worthy 2-0 winners at local non-League club, Rushall Olympic.In a game that was played in front of a good crowd on a pleasant summer's evening, it was the home side who created the first opportunity only for former Rushall loanee, Liam Roberts, to save well.
At the other end, Liam Kinsella - who played and scored for the Walsall FC Veterans team on this ground as a 14 year-old - played an intelligent ball through to Levi Rowley who was wayward in his final effort.
It was developing into a competitive battle with Kinsella and Rico Henry seeing plenty of the ball and it was the latter who went close as he was denied by the alert Pics 'keeper.
There was another save moments later when Jordan Murphy turned well before getting in a low strike that was pushed around the post.
It was goalless at the break as Rushall started the second half with real purpose and went close on a couple of occasions, the second effort coming from former Saddlers' youth teamer, Alex Reid.
The opening goal soon arrived and it came for The Saddlers when substitute, Maziar Kouhyar, saw his effort blocked and Jordan Murphy was on hand to head home from close range.
It didn't take long for the second goal to follow as second-year scholar, Nathan Owen, tried his luck and as the ball deflected off the 'keeper, Amadou Bakayoko was in the right place to apply the finish.
The Saddlers remained in control for the remainder of the game as we ran out worthy winners in what was a good pre-season test for us.
WALSALL: Roberts, Oliver, Henry, K. Rowley, Preston, Trialist, Kinsella, Flanagan, Murphy, L. Rowley, Bakayoko.