Walsall 0 Birmingham 1: The Saddlers were narrowly beaten in their pre-season outing

The Saddlers were narrowly beaten by their League One opponents on the road before their new campaign kicks off in a fortnight’s time.

Mat Sadler named a stronger Walsall side than previously seen during pre-season as several senior players returned to the team sheet.

Liam Gordon and David Okagbue were two of many to feature in the starting line-up which included striker Josh Gordon, on-loan goalkeeper Tommy Simkin and Jamie Jellis, who has impressed Walsall fans so far this pre-season campaign .

Meanwhile, the Blues fielded a split team at Bescot as one side also traveled to Aldershot Town in an afternoon double-header for the club. However, their starting line-up against the Saddlers was full.

Birmingham have spent over £10m this summer and their quality has been evident in compensation – in controlling possession.

But Walsall successfully fended off the Blues’ early chances before running down the other end and creating the most visible opportunity of the first half four minutes from time. Josh Gordon’s through ball found Charlie Lakin, who was brilliantly denied by Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s double save.

Walsall showed flair and continued to move the ball quickly. Jellis fired wide with his ambitious but well struck volley after 13 minutes.

Meanwhile, defensively, the home side continued their excellent start and Ethan Laird headed past the Blues approaching 25 minutes.

After a quiet period and what had been a great first half for the Saddlers, a mistake and a wrong header by Connor Barrett was almost punished, but Alfie May’s untethered lob spared the defender approaching half-time.

And, minutes later, the Walsall man made amends, firing just wide with the final drive of the half.

Backed by nearly 2,000 fans, the Blues started the second half on the front foot as Siriki Dembele was denied by the post with an open goal in front of him after rounding goalkeeper Simkin.

A clearance for Walsall – it should have been the opener for the visitors and they were almost punished by the Saddlers when Jellis and Ryan Stirk both saw efforts saved.

But Birmingham found their opening just after the hour mark as Jordan James surged forward and crossed from the right for Alfie May to head home from close range.

The forward almost grabbed a second later, but May’s shot from outside the box hit the bar. A triple change then followed for Walsall, with substitute Evan Weir heading wide.

Park Seung-Ho and Wilhum Willumsson were also both off target with their efforts for Birmingham in the last ten minutes, as was Walsall’s try-scorer with his curling effort.

The Saddlers will return to Bescot in a fortnight for their League Two season opener against Morecambe.

bands

Walsall: Simkin, Barrett, L Gordon (Weir, 70), McEntee (Farquharson, 70), Lakin (Wragg, 88), J Gordon (Trialist, 70), Maher (Thomas, 88), Allen, Jellis, Stirk, Okagbue .

Subs not used: Hornby, Williams.

Birmingham City: Peacock-Farrell, Laird (Khela, 77), Sanderson, Bielek, Dembele, Miyoshi, Seung-Ho, Cochrane, James, May (Bateman, 88), Willumsson.

Subs not used: Mayo, Home.

Referee: Lewis Smith

Attendance: 4,334 (1,850 away)