The latest action from the reserves...
THE SADDLERS' reserves faced our second game of the week as we played host to Tranmere Rovers.Neither 'keeper was tested in the opening ten minutes as both teams looked to stamp their authority on the game.
James Belshaw pushed away a powerful drive from Oscar Durnin in the 14th minute and that signalled a series of corners for the visitors that ultimately came to nothing.
An intelligent ball by George Bowerman played in Jake Jones whose strike was deflected away.
With 22 minutes on the clock, Jake Jones was felled inside the area for a penalty. Bowerman put the ball on the spot and saw his effort well saved by the visiting 'keeper.
James Belshaw was alert to gather at the feet of Joe Conchie just before the half-hour and then moments later he did well to push out a Durnin drive as Rovers started to get into their stride.
A Tranmere raid was dealt with by The Saddlers rear-guard as the half ended goalless.
HALF-TIME: Walsall Reserves 0 Tranmere Rovers Reserves 0
The early action saw Josh Hawker look for Omari Sterling-James but Sam Ramsbottom was alert to the danger to clear.
Some trickery by Carlton McKenzie saw him weave his way into the area but Rovers got men back to deal with the threat.
An ambitious curling effort from distance by McKenzie landed just wide in the 62nd minute.
Another neat ball from Durnin found Liam Davies who lashed his effort just wide of the target in the Spring sunshine.
There was an excellent save from Belshaw soon afterwards as he tipped over a powerful strike from Conchie.
At the other end, Sterling-James' strike was well saved by Ramsbottom as the two young sides on show served up some good football at times.
With 20 minutes to go, Jamie Ashmore replaced George Bowerman.
There were appeals for another penalty waved away when Sterling-James went down just inside the area.
A foul on McKenzie gave The Saddlers a free-kick in a promising position which Richard Taundry put well over.
There was a second change as McKenzie was replaced by fellow youth teamer, Amadou Bakayoko on 83 minutes.
The lively Durnin looped an effort over before linking up with Conchie for the latter to drag his effort wide of the target.
The Saddlers took the lead somewhat out of the blue in the final minute when a long ball forward evaded the Rovers defence and fell to Aaron Williams who planted a powerful strike into the far corner to make it 1-0.
The scoreline ended in victory for Walsall.
FULL-TIME: Walsall Reserves 1 Tranmere Rovers Reserves 0
WALSALL: Belshaw, Taundry, C. Williams, Garner, George, Hawker, Sterling-James, J. Jones, Bowerman (Ashmore), A. Williams, McKenzie (Bakayoko). Subs: Kinsella, Sinton, R. Jones.