Reserves chalk up 8-0 success...
THE SADDLERS' reserves chalked up an 8-0 victory over Wrexham at The Scholars Ground on Wednesday afternoon.Walsall started as brightly as the weather with Jordan Murphy firing home an impressive goal on ten minutes before Amadou Bakayoko doubled our advantage five minutes later.
There was no let-up from Richard O'Kelly's side as we scored three further goals in a five-minute spell as Bakayoko completed his hat-trick with Reece Flanagan firing home in between.
It was 6-0 at the break thanks to a neat lob from Murphy and although the second period started with a neat save from Craig MacGillivray from a deflected free-kick, the seventh goal was just around the corner as Bakayoko headed home.
The visitors rattled the crossbar before Jake Heath added his name to the scoresheet with the eighth.
The closing stages saw the lively James Baxendale strike the crossbar as we recorded an 8-0 win.
"We were extremely committed, organised and professional," said second-string boss, Richard O'Kelly. "It was an incisive and creative performance where we were ruthless and took our opportunities.
"A new system was thrown at the lads and they adapted really well to it. To score eight goals at any level is an achievement and it was pleasing to see.
"I thought that first-year Scholar, Korey Roberts, adapted to his role well; if was an unfamiliar position for him, but he put his own slant on it and made his own decisions, which bodes well for us.
"Likewise Raekwan Smith did well. He grew into the game as it went on and will only benefit from playing alongside the likes of Paul Downing and Matt Preston.
"Up front, Ama and Jordan Murphy linked up extremely well, particularly in the first half. They scored six goals between them and that will do their confidence the power of good.
"It's been a good week for the club with the youth team winning the Midland Youth Cup on Monday, the first-team performing well at Swindon on Tuesday and now this."
WALSALL: MacGillivray, K. Roberts (Reid 73), Heath, Downing, Preston (Oliver 86), R. Smith, Baxendale, Flanagan, Murphy, Kinsella, Bakayoko (Owen 86). Sub not used: Jezeph.