Leamington 0-4 Walsall: Saddlers romp to victory in pre-season opener
Youngster Charlie Wragg bagged a brace as Walsall romped to a 4-0 victory over Leamington in their pre-season opener at the New Mindmill Ground.
Wragg scored the first of his double eight minutes after the restart when he lifted his finish over Leamington goalkeeper Eddie Brearey from Mason Hancock's low cross.
The teenager netted his second in quick succession when Levi Amantchi broke down the left and set Wragg up for a tap-in at the back post.
Aaron Pressley put the seal on the win late on with a cracking header from Dylan Thomas' delivery and Josh Gordon added a fourth late on after heading home Connor Barrett's lofted cross.
Walsall had the two best chances in the first half. Evan Weir's fizzing low effort was turned behind by Brearey and the Leamington goalkeeper was called upon again when Trialist B directed a free header straight into his gloves.
Sadler named a different XI in each half with Priestley Farquharson, David Okagbue, Brandon Comley and Jamie Jellis among the most notable first team absentees.
Amantchi came close to stretching the Saddlers' advantage when he glanced Hancock's cross narrowly wide of Leamington's right-hand post.
Pressley and Gordon also squandered golden opportunities following their introductions just past the hour-mark, but the pair eventually got on the scoresheet to wrap up a comfortable win.
Teenager Thomas arrowed a delightful cross into the penalty area and Pressley towered highest to guide a sumptuous header beyond the reach of Brearey and into the far corner.
Gordon atoned for his earlier miss when he ghosted into the six-yard box to meet Connor Barrett's cross with a telling touch.
The Saddlers had three trialists on show and Sadler also gave runouts to youngsters Stan Straw, McLloyd Oben and Paul Makavore.
Walsall will next be in action when they travel to Hereford for a behind-closed-doors friendly on Saturday.
Teams
Walsall First Half XI (3-1-4-2): Roberts; Burke, Trialist B, Weir; Trialist A; Clarke, Adomah, Lakin, Harper; Matt (Amantchi 35), Stuttle (Wragg 35).
Walsall Second Half XI: Hornby; Browne, Trialist B (Straw 62), Trialist C; Lakin (Oben 62); Barrett, Maher, Thomas (Makavore 87), Hancock; Amantchi (Pressley 62), Wragg (J Gordon 62).
Attendance: 702
