Youth team draw at Vale...
THE SADDLERS' youth team shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at a wet and soggy Port Vale."We started the game brightly," said Academy Manager, Neil Woods. "We deservedly took the lead on 20 minutes when Jordan Garner found the net with a free-kick.
"We worked hard after that, but having faced each other in the FA Youth Cup during the week, both teams lacked a bit of sharpness, to be fair.
"We went in at the break one goal to the good without making the most of some of the situations that we found ourselves in.
"I was pleased with the way in which we started the second period. We created a number of good chances which would have put the game out of sight, but we failed to take advantage of them.
"With ten minutes to go we conceded an unfortunate goal when the ball took a lucky deflection and landed at the feet of a Vale player who made no mistake.
"There could be no blame attached to anyone, it was just one of those things.
"Nevertheless, we continued to press and had a couple of late opportunities to nick it.
"In the end we had to settle for a point. The effort and work-rate was certainly there in what was a hard week for our boys."
WALSALL: Jones, Ashmore, Henry, Kinsella, Dallison, Christopherou, McKenzie, Garner (Probert), Bakayoko (Shakespeare), Rush, L. Rowley (A. Reid). Subs not used: Lovett, R. Reid.