Youth team run out worthy victors against Preston North End...
THE SADDLERS' youth team ran out worthy 4-2 winners against Preston North End at the weekend."We started the game very brightly and should have taken the lead within the opening couple of minutes," said Academy Manager, Neil Woods. "We eventually took the lead shortly afterwards when a neat move from one end of the pitch to the other saw Amadou Bakayoko open the scoring.
"It was a deserved lead and for the remainder of the half we showed exactly what we are capable of in terms of passing the ball around.
"We managed to add three more goals before the break with Luke Delaney doubling our advantage, Alex Reid making it 3-0 and then Carlton McKenzie making it four with the pick of the bunch as he finished off another decisive move.
"Our visitors changed things around at the break, but nevertheless we continued to look bright and had further chances to extend our lead.
"Preston were able to pull a couple of goals back; both were penalties which Richard Jones saved only for the rebound to be seized upon.
"To be fair, we struggled to flow for the majority of the second period and, whilst it was nice to be four goals up, we do have to learn how to play when we have such a commanding lead.
"That said, it shouldn't take the shine off what was a good win for us."
WALSALL: Jones, Ashmore, Henry, Kinsella (Garner), K. Rowley, Christopherou, McKenzie (R. Reid), Delaney, Bakayoko (Shakespeare), Rush, A. Reid. Subs not used: Dallison, Lovett.