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Luton 0 Walsall 1 - Report and pictures

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Striker Tom Bradshaw scored the only goal as Walsall finished their pre-season with a 1-0 win over Luton at Kenilworth Road.

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The Welsh striker, the Saddlers top scorer last season, fired home in the sixth minute after outfoxing Luton's off-side trap.

In a match which was short on the incident in the first-half, the friendly fixture came alive after the break with Walsall goalkeeper Neil Etheridge producing a number of good stops.

Walsall boss Dean Smith will be pleased with the performance of his shot-stopper as well as Jason Demetriou and Rico Henry, who continue to impress in wing-back roles.

He will also be delighted with a clean sheet and that Bradshaw is back on the goal trail, just seven days before Walsall host Oldham on the opening day of the League One season.

Smith opted to keep faith with the 3-5-2 system used to good affect against Premier League side Albion on Tuesday night.

It meant Demetriou and Henry continued to operate as wing-backs, while Jordan Cook partnered Tom Bradshaw up front.

Walsall starting line-up: Etheridge, Henry, Pazo, Preston, Downing, Demetriou, Mantom, Chambers, Morris, Cook, Bradshaw.

Attendance: 2180 (149 Walsall)[/breakout]

At centre-back, the Saddlers boss named Spanish trialist Adrian Pazo alongside Paul Downing and Matt Preston.

For Luton, Craig Mackail-Smith started up front, the former Brighton and Peterborough striker signing for the Hatters just prior to kick-off.

It was Walsall who started the game on the front foot and they took the lead in the sixth minute, through their first meaningful attack.

A long ball over the top saw Bradshaw out-fox Luton's offside trap, the forward then cutting inside the last defender before drilling a low shot past Mark Tyler from eight yards.

Undeterred, Luton looked to hit back immediately. Danny Green did well to get to the byline and deliver a teasing cross, which sat up perfectly for the onrushing Cameron McGeehan.

But, despite having the goal at his mercy, the midfielder side-footed over the bar when it was easier to score.

The game very much had a pre-season friendly feel to it and it wasn't until the 40th minute that either side would threaten again.

And it was the Hatters who came closest, when Green whipped in another good ball which was met by Paul Benson.

He looked to plant his header into the bottom corner, but Etheridge produced a fine diving save to push the ball to safety.

As the clock ticked towards half-time, Luton continued to see more of the ball.

But John Still's side were struggling to create any clear cut chances, with a 25-yard drive from right-back Stephen O'Donnell the best they could muster.

Smith made his first changes at the break, with James O'Connor and Andy Taylor coming on for Adrian Pazo and Rico Henry.

It was the Saddlers who again started on the front foot with Adam Chambers, Cook and Demetriou all going close with long-range efforts.

The game was now proving a more lively affair and Walsall came a whisker away from doubling their lead in the 53rd minute.

Demetriou twisted and turned his way into the box before cutting the ball back to Morris, who saw his fierce strike from 12-yards beaten away by goalkeeper Mark Tyler.

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Both sides were now playing a more expansive game and Luton almost pulled level when Mackail-Smith ghosted his way past Preston in the box.

He then sent a teasing ball across the six-yard but nobody was on hand to tap it home.

Determined to regain the initiative, Walsall hit back with Taylor galloping away down the left flank before delivering a fine ball, which Scott Cuthbert had to clear over his own crossbar.

From the resultant corner, Adam Chambers saw a half-volley cleared off the line.

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Chances were now coming thick and fast and the Hatters should have equalised with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Mackail-Smith robbed Preston of the ball inside the box and then hit a rasping drive towards the top corner, which Etheridge spectacularly tipped over the bar.

Both sides made a raft changes in the closing stages with Luton sub Ryan Hall stinging the palms of Etheridge with 10 minutes remaining.

But the rest of the game ticked away without incident to see Walsall pick up a confidence boosting win, before the competitive action gets underway next week.