*

Brakes gave a good account of themselves in stifling heat against a virtually full-strength Walsall but were unable to prevent the League One side recording their first win of pre-season, writes Paul Edwards.
Richard Batchelor drives at the heart of the Walsall defence during Saturdays friendly clash. Picture: Morris TroughtonRichard Batchelor drives at the heart of the Walsall defence during Saturdays friendly clash. Picture: Morris Troughton
Richard Batchelor drives at the heart of the Walsall defence during Saturdays friendly clash. Picture: Morris Troughton

Saddlers boss Dean Smith took the opportunity to give all of his players a run out and home fans were given the chance to see former loanees Jake Heath, Kieron Morris and Reece Flanagan who was handed the captain’s armband.

Leamington moved ahead in the 13th minute following their first real attack.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A strong burst from midfield by Lee Chilton saw him tripped just inside the box by Matt Preston. Making his first appearance of pre-season, Matt Dodd stepped up and found the net despite former Harrogate Town keeper Craig McGillivray getting a good hand to the ball.

Walsall new boy Ashley Grimes tested Neil Collett with a low drive before Dodd had an opportunity to set up Aron Wint after dispossessing James O’Connor on the right but his pass was cut out as Brakes began to grow into the game.

They were rocked back on their heels nine minutes before the interval, however, when Bradshaw was was adjudged to have been fouled by Tank inside the box. The same player stepped up to send Collett the wrong way.

Walsall were in front soon after half-time, Heath skipping in from the left to set up trialist Borja Prieto Ruiz to fire low through Collett and into the net.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Richard Batchelor almost set up Jamie Tank with a great cross to the far post, only for Malvind Benning to make a timely interception.

A gilt-edged chance to level was spurned when Jordan Goddard blazed his shot high over the bar after Chilton had gone past two defenders.

Kieron Morris turned David McNamee twice on the edge of the Leamington area before firing in a powerful drive that Collett had to push over the bar.

Leamington trialist Kasjieus Piwowarczyk was presented with a chance on the edge of the box when a loose defensive header dropped nicely for him, but he could only volley straight at the keeper.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With eight minutes remaining, substitute keeper Liam Maher had something of a rush of blood as he charged off his line to close down Bakayoko, only to send him crashing to the turf and the striker picked himself up and calmly slotted home the third penalty of the game.

Brakes: Neil Collett (Liam Maher, 77), Luke Connolly, Stephan Morley, Jack Edwards (Martyn Naylor, 88), James Mace (David McNamee, 21), Jamie Tank, Matt Dodd (Kasjieus Piwowarcyk, 58), Jordan Goddard, Aron Wint (Luke Hubbins, 70), Lee Chilton, Richard Batchelor. Substitutes: Callum Powell, Trialist.

Walsall: First half: Craig McGillivray, Andy Taylor, James O’Connor, Dean Holden, Paul Downing, Adam Chambers, Ashley Grimes, Tom Bradshaw, Romain Sawyers, Matt Preston, Reece Flanagan.

Second half: Dan Joseph, Borja Prieto Ruiz, James Baxendale, Dean Holden, Danny Webber, Malvind Benning, James Chambers, Kieron Morris, Jake Heath, Amadou Bakayoko, Liam Kinsella.

Related topics: