The latest match report from our Young Reporters...
WALSALL FC has once more teamed up with The Saddlers Learning Centre to provide talented and gifted youngsters with the opportunity to report on our matches this season.
Throughout the season, a different youngster for each home game will be given the opportunity to be the Official Walsall FC Young Reporter.
They will be asked to provide a 500-word report on the match by a set deadline and will also attend the after-match Press Conference. Their report will then appear here on www.saddlers.co.uk with a by-line.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for the youngsters," said Saddlers Learning Centre Manager, Sue Lane. "When they are here, they will be treated like any other member of the press, watching the game from the Press Box and attending the post-match Press Conference. They will then have to provide copy by a set deadline.
"Their work will be used on the Official Walsall FC Website and occasionally in the Matchday Programme, so this is something real and worthwhile for them and will form part of their coursework and personal development."
Here is Tom Bloor's report on our final home game of the season against Oldham Athletic...
I am very happy to be submitting my match report for the final home game of the season.
Ahead of today's game we began with a minute's silence as we remembered the Bradford City fire disaster and the 56 people that tragically lost their lives, 30 years ago on 11th May 1985.
So kick off, and from the start Walsall were playing well and tried for a couple of goals, first Michael Cain but he misses to the left, closely followed five minutes into the game by Tom Bradshaw but the attempt was saved in the centre of the goal.
Then at 18 minutes there was A GOAL! The fantastic Tom Bradshaw tries again and right footed a shot from the centre of the box, brilliant!
Walsall 1 Oldham 0
22 minutes foul by Jordy Hiwula of Walsall
At 24 minutes penalty conceded by Liam Kelly (Oldham) after a foul in the area on Malvind Benning.
GOAL! The legend that is Tom Bradshaw scores again, straight into the centre of the goal. Perfect
Walsall 2 Oldham 0, we were all feeling relieved and proud by now.
Walsall continued to keep good possession of the ball and although Oldham were trying we were not budging, an attempt by Philliskirk for Oldham is missed.
Walsall come back with another attempt by Jordy Hiwula which is saved in the centre of the goal.
After an extra 2 minutes the first half is over and we are winning nicely.
Quite a bit was going on during half time on the pitch, awards were given to Academy players of the month and a very good friend of mine from Infant and Primary school was the fabulous Oliver Waddison, he won player of the month for the Under 12's, well done Oli.
So second half begins and Walsall make a substitution and bring on Reece Flanagan who replaced Adam Chambers, Oldham do too and Carl Winchester replaced Timothee Dieng.
56 minutes in and another attempt by Michael Cain of Walsall misses to the left, closely followed by a try from Michael Jones from Oldham but it was a bit too high.
Another substitution by Oldham Jordan Bove replaces Dominic Poleon.
78 minutes now and Sam Mantom of Walsall just misses the goal, nice try.
Tom Bradshaw, number 9 is announced as Man of the Match, very well deserved, that last goal was the 20th of the season.
Walsall then replace Michael Cain with Romaine Sawyers, closely followed by Jordan Cook replacing the great Tom Bradshaw.
And after an extra 2 minutes of time the match ends
Walsall 2 Oldham Athletic 0
Brilliant, really exciting game!
After a few fans being cleared from the pitch the players returned to do a Lap of Appreciation to thank the fans for their support.
Manager Dean Smith said; "There were plenty of positives and seeing Tom Bradshaw reach 20 goals was one of them, its a fantastic achievement for the lad. Our performance levels have been high in recent weeks. The players have deserved to keep their place and that's why I havent made many changes."
Well done Walsall, it was great to watch, and the bonus was I got a photo with Tom Bradshaw, cool!
Attendance was 4,699 today.
By TOM BLOOR
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A YOUNG REPORTER THIS SEASON, AND ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 16, PLEASE EMAIL slenterprises@btinternet.com WITH A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF WHY YOU FEEL THAT YOU SHOULD BE SELECTED FOR THE ROLE...
Ahead of today's game we began with a minute's silence as we remembered the Bradford City fire disaster and the 56 people that tragically lost their lives, 30 years ago on 11th May 1985.
So kick off, and from the start Walsall were playing well and tried for a couple of goals, first Michael Cain but he misses to the left, closely followed five minutes into the game by Tom Bradshaw but the attempt was saved in the centre of the goal.
Then at 18 minutes there was A GOAL! The fantastic Tom Bradshaw tries again and right footed a shot from the centre of the box, brilliant!
Walsall 1 Oldham 0
22 minutes foul by Jordy Hiwula of Walsall
At 24 minutes penalty conceded by Liam Kelly (Oldham) after a foul in the area on Malvind Benning.
GOAL! The legend that is Tom Bradshaw scores again, straight into the centre of the goal. Perfect
Walsall 2 Oldham 0, we were all feeling relieved and proud by now.
Walsall continued to keep good possession of the ball and although Oldham were trying we were not budging, an attempt by Philliskirk for Oldham is missed.
Walsall come back with another attempt by Jordy Hiwula which is saved in the centre of the goal.
After an extra 2 minutes the first half is over and we are winning nicely.
Quite a bit was going on during half time on the pitch, awards were given to Academy players of the month and a very good friend of mine from Infant and Primary school was the fabulous Oliver Waddison, he won player of the month for the Under 12's, well done Oli.
So second half begins and Walsall make a substitution and bring on Reece Flanagan who replaced Adam Chambers, Oldham do too and Carl Winchester replaced Timothee Dieng.
56 minutes in and another attempt by Michael Cain of Walsall misses to the left, closely followed by a try from Michael Jones from Oldham but it was a bit too high.
Another substitution by Oldham Jordan Bove replaces Dominic Poleon.
78 minutes now and Sam Mantom of Walsall just misses the goal, nice try.
Tom Bradshaw, number 9 is announced as Man of the Match, very well deserved, that last goal was the 20th of the season.
Walsall then replace Michael Cain with Romaine Sawyers, closely followed by Jordan Cook replacing the great Tom Bradshaw.
And after an extra 2 minutes of time the match ends
Walsall 2 Oldham Athletic 0
Brilliant, really exciting game!
After a few fans being cleared from the pitch the players returned to do a Lap of Appreciation to thank the fans for their support.
Manager Dean Smith said; "There were plenty of positives and seeing Tom Bradshaw reach 20 goals was one of them, its a fantastic achievement for the lad. Our performance levels have been high in recent weeks. The players have deserved to keep their place and that's why I havent made many changes."
Well done Walsall, it was great to watch, and the bonus was I got a photo with Tom Bradshaw, cool!
Attendance was 4,699 today.
By TOM BLOOR
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A YOUNG REPORTER THIS SEASON, AND ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 16, PLEASE EMAIL slenterprises@btinternet.com WITH A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF WHY YOU FEEL THAT YOU SHOULD BE SELECTED FOR THE ROLE...