First-half goals from Dan Vann and Maz Kouhyar earned the Saddlers’ Development Squad a 2-1 victory at Burton in the Central League Cup.
“It was a hard-earned victory,” said Professional Development Coach John Ward.
“We had one or two more chances to extend the lead but we didn’t, which kept the game really interesting.
“We went 2-0 up after about 25 minutes but then we relaxed a bit and got a goal against us.
“It was 2-1 at half-time and even the players themselves admitted that we’d taken the foot off the pedal and paid the price.
“But in the second half they got back on it very quickly and did well, without getting a further goal.
“The performance and the attitude was absolutely first class.
“Dylan Parker was disappointed not to score as he had eight attempts at goal himself! On another day, he’d have got a goal or two.
“There was a lot of positivity about the group and the game was seen by the manager and his first-team coaching staff.
“Hopefully, from the players’ point of view, they’ve given the manager one or two little reminders ahead of the next first-team match.”
Team: Dunn, Wilson, Little, Johnson, Vann, Kinsella, Ronan, Kouhyar, Nolan, McSkeane, Parker.