Walsall 2-0 Grimsby Town
Jayden Campbell and Luke Pearce netted in the second half as Brian Dutton’s side earned a comfortable win.
Walsall’s reserves made it back to back wins in the Central League with victory over Grimsby Town at the Banks’s Stadium.
Jayden Campbell and Luke Pearce netted in the second half as Brian Dutton’s side earned a comfortable win.
The Saddlers made a bright start and got themselves on the front foot early on.
Jack Nolan and James Hardy had early opportunities but were unable to find the target.
Grimsby also posed a threat in the first half and came close when Ahkeem Rose set up Brandon Buckley but the striker’s effort trickled wide.
The best chance of the half came through Hardy who picked the ball up just outside the box and rifled in a shot that stung the palms of Mariners goalkeeper Hugo Banks.
Walsall started the second half strongly and came agonisingly close to taking the lead early in the half when Kory Roberts struck the bar after getting on the end of Alfie Bates’ free-kick.
The Saddlers kept coming and their pressure finally paid when Nolan fizzed in a delicious ball towards the back post towards that was met by Campbell who nodded it into the net.
Walsall doubled their lead 10 minutes later when Nolan found Pearce in the box who touched it past the keeper with his head before slotting the ball home.
The Saddlers remained in control in the final 15 minutes and claimed a deserved victory.
Team: Rogerson; Coogan, Roberts, Leak (Perry), Jules, Lynch, Bates, Hardy (Stephens), Nolan (Moss), Pearce (Francis), McSkeane (Campbell)