Youth team hit five in Midland Youth Cup...
THE SADDLERS' youth team breezed into the next round of the Midland Youth Cup following a 5-1 victory at Burton Albion."We actually started the game very slowly," said Academy Manager, Neil Woods. "Full credit to Burton because they put us under early pressure and closed us down well.
"We managed to get our noses in front as Jamie Ashmore finished off a well-worked move, but our hosts were back on level terms 15 minutes later and we never got into our stride for the remainder of the opening period.
"Our play was not intense enough against hard-working opposition and words were said during the half-time interval.
"To be fair to our lads, we came out brighter for the second half and did well both with and without the ball. We enjoyed plenty of possession as a result and regained the lead when Reece Flanagan chased the ball to force an own goal.
"After that, we didn't look back and was in full control, playing the football that I know we are capable of. Further goals from Jacob Hobbis, Jake Heath and Dan Griffiths followed to make it a convincing-looking final scoreline.
"The lesson that came out of the game was that we have to earn the right to play and on this occasion, our quality came through in the end."
WALSALL: Roberts, Ashmore, Williams, Sinton (Kinsella), Preston, Christopherou, Hobbis, Heath, Griffiths (Bakayogo), Rush (Reid), Flanagan. Subs not used: Garner, Jones.