'Adomah century, Okeke shines & young blood' - 5 talking points from Walsall's win at Shrewsbury

Bradley Ihionvien took just four minutes to cancel out Ryan Finnigan's fifth-minute opener, while Will Boyle and Tommy McDermott hit the crossbar for the hosts in the first half. 

Albert Adomah moved onto a century of goals at club level to restore Walsall's lead in the 68th-minute, before debutant Jid Okeke put the seal on the victory 10 minutes from time.

Here are the key talking points from the win in Shropshire.

Adomah's career century 

Adomah admirably described his first half performance as "one of the worst" in the team, but he certainly made amends after the break. 

The 37-year-old pounced on a poor pass across the defence by Luca Hoole and applied a composed finish into the bottom corner. 

He celebrated with a perfectly executed headstand, as the Walsall attacker reached 100 club career goals.

That would not be his last involvement and Adomah appeared to find a whole new burst of energy late in the game to set-up Walsall's third.

Okeke shines in debut cameo

The scorer of their third goal was debutant Okeke who shone from the bench following his introduction just past the hour-mark. 

Okeke, who arrived from Stockport County on a season-long loan on deadline day, was deployed at right wing-back, as Courtney Clarke pushed into midfield.

His pace caused havoc for a tiring Shrewsbury defence. With 10 minutes left, Okeke intercepted a loose pass from John Marquis to combine with Adomah and squeeze his finish beyond the despairing dive of Will Brook.

A night for the academy 

Sadler named Walsall scholars Stan Straw, Mclloyd Oben, Paul Makavore and Charlie Wragg on the bench. 

The Walsall boss has vowed to provide academy players with minutes in this competition and Straw in particular seized his chance on his senior debut. 

17-year-old Straw was forced to step into the breach earlier than expected when Priestley Farquharson hobbled off with a groin issue just before half-time. 

Straw completed more headed clearances (six) than any Walsall player and also made the joint-most clearances (eight). 

Oben, also making his senior bow, was introduced just past the hour and acquitted himself well, before Wragg entered the action late on. 

At that stage, Walsall had no fewer than four academy products on the pitch, including Ronan Maher.

Hollman needs time 

Jake Hollman was handed his first league start and struggled physically at times in a brutal introduction to life in England. 

The Australian was caught on the ball on a couple of occasions, but did look sharper as the game wore on, which suggests time is exactly what he needs.

Hornby heroics 

Sam Hornby started between the sticks and proved just why Walsall are fortunate to have him on standby with a series of excellent saves in the first half.

The 30-year-old made four saves in total including an impressive stop to turn Tommy McDermott's free-kick over the crossbar. 

Myles Roberts has enjoyed a fine start to his Walsall loan but Hornby's performance only reinforced the notion that the club are in safe hands in the goalkeeping department.