Forest Green Rovers 0-3 Walsall: Saddlers ease to victory in final pre-season outing

Jonny Stuttle and Aaron Pressley netted first half headers from a pair of excellent deliveries by Mason Hancock to give Walsall a two-goal cushion at the break. 

Chances were limited in the second half but Charlie Lakin produced a moment of quality with a stunning strike from 25 yards out into the top corner late on.

New signing Aden Flint made his first start for the club while Jamie Jellis retained his place despite being charged for alleged betting offences.

The hosts made a bright start and came close inside the opening three minutes when Myles Roberts managed to beat away Kairo Mitchell's downward header at his near post. 

Pressley had the best chance for Walsall during the opening stages when his effort from the edge of the box stung the palms of Forest Green goalkeeper Luke McNicholas. 

Walsall hit the front in the 20th minute when Stuttle scored his second goal in as many games. It was a lovely, patient passing move, which culminated in Hancock delivering a pinpoint cross for Stuttle to glance his header into the far corner. 

Rovers nearly got back on level terms after an electrifying move down the right channel. Tre Pemberton delivered a low cutback and Kyle McAllister's finish looked destined to ripple the net until Harrison Burke threw his body on the line to divert the ball behind.

But it was Walsall who doubled their advantage just past the half-hour mark with a goal that was pretty much a carbon copy of the first. 

Stuttle used his body really smartly on the edge of the box to win his duel and work the ball out to the left. Hancock delivered another spectacular cross and Pressley climbed highest to nod his effort into McNicholas' left-hand top corner.

Hancock was inches away from stretching the Saddlers' lead further when his free-kick whistled just over the crossbar on the cusp of half-time. 

Somewhat of a slow start by Walsall but they impressed once they found their stride. Two very well taken goals by Stuttle and Pressley, both served on a plate by Hancock. Defence has been solid and Flint's aerial supremacy in the centre of that back-line was very imposing.

Harrison Burke went down twice in quick succession either side of the hour-mark and was forced to limp off to be replaced by Derby County loanee Dan Cox. 

Jamie Robson had a prime chance to half the deficit when he failed to direct his near post header towards the target. They came even closer when Christian Doidge was denied at close quarters by Roberts after a quick counter-attack, before Jayden Clarke inexplicably blasted over the rebound. 

Walsall added a third 10 minutes from time when Lakin took aim from just outside the box and picked out the top corner with a powerful strike.

Lakin had a presentable chance to bag his brace but failed to keep his effort down from Vincent Harper's low cutback. 

Next, Walsall kick-off their League Two campaign when Swindon Town visit Bescot on Saturday next week.

Teams 

Walsall (3-1-4-2): Roberts; Burke (Cox 62), Flint (Farquharson 71), Browne; Comley (Sawyers 79); Barrett (Adomah 79), Jellis (Clarke 71), Lakin, Hancock (Harper 79); Pressley (Matt 79), Stuttle (Gordon 71). 

Unused: Hornby, Weir, Maher.

Forest Green: McNicholas, Pemberton (Long 46), Kanu (Moore-Taylor 67), Bunker (Knowles 46), Kengni, Mendy (Robson 54), McCann (May 67), McAllister, Clarke, Bamba, Mitchell (Doidge 60). 

Unused: Pagel.

Attendance: 992 (195)