AFC Telford 0 Walsall 0 - match report
[gallery] Walsall's first outing of the pre-season ended in a goalless stalemate at Blue Square Bet Premier AFC Telford last night, writes Matt Viney.
Walsall's first outing of the pre-season ended in a goalless stalemate at Blue Square Bet Premier AFC Telford last night,
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But the game provided Saddlers boss Dean Smith with a few plus points as he blooded several trialists – including former Birmingham midfielder Ashley Sammons and Adam Chambers' twin brother James – while also handing a useful 45 minutes to 12 first-team players.
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The match, at New Bucks Head, also saw club debuts for Ashley Hemmings and Dean Holden.
It was an even affair with both sides creating chances, the first of which fell to Telford's Jake Reid from Luke Hubbins' right-wing cross after two minutes.
The former Newport County striker could only nod into the turf, though, allowing David Grof an easy save, At the other end, former Manchester United striker Febian Brandy, currently a free agent, had a decent effort deflected behind for a corner before Reid dragged a decent effort wide for Telford 14 minutes in.
Reid saw another effort turned wide for a corner after a free-flowing midfield break a minute later. But Brandy continued to threaten for the Saddlers, drilling narrowly wide with 20 minutes gone after cutting in skilfully from the left.
Chances continued for the hosts as Dan Preston saw a firm header blocked for a corner, Ryan Valentine's long-range volley was pushed behind by Grof and Nathan Rooney's effort was turned wide.
Former Saddler Steve Jones also showed two superb flashes of skill in midfield for The Bucks – a clever dribble and a quick turn – the second earning a free-kick shortly before half-time from which Jay Smith failed to test Grof.
At half-time James Spray, Christian Smith, Tom Roberts and an unnamed trialist came on for Reid, Jones, Hubbins and Jay Smith, while Walsall fielded an entirely different Xl to the one that began the first half.
Walsall's George Bowerman saw a long-range chip comfortably saved. Florent Cuvelier drilled wide and Will Salmon spurned a glorious headed chance at the other end.
