Walsall 1 Brentford 0 - match report

An early debut goal from Ashley Hemmings booked Walsall's place in the second round of the Capital One Cup as they saw off 10-men Brentford.

The former Wolves forward marked his first competitive Saddlers appearance with the only goal as his new club opened the new season with a win at the Banks's Stadium.

But Dean Smith's men had to withstand some second-half pressure from Brentford despite the visitors having Jake Reeves sent off on 25 minutes for a high challenge on Adam Chambers.

Brentford made the brighter start and might have opened the scoring on three occasions before Walsall struck.

David Grof did well to save Harry Forrester's long-range shot, Kevin O'Connor sent a free header over the crossbar from a Sam Saunders free-kick and Richard Taundry has to be alert at the far post to block a Reeves effort.

But it was the Saddlers who broke the deadlock on eight minutes.

Florent Cuvelier's clever pass found Will Grigg just inside the area and, when he was tackled well by O'Connor, the ball broke for Hemmings, who produced a fine left-footed finish from a tight angle across keeper Simon Moore and into the far, bottom corner.

The goal settled Walsall and they threatened again when Grigg saw a powerful shot blocked well by Moore.

But the hosts' chances increased hugely on 25 minutes when Reeves was dismissed for a studs-up challenge on Chambers.

Referee Andy Woolmer took his time to consider his decision and consulted with an assistant before brandishing the red card.

Grof did well again to dive bravely at Myles Weston's feet and smother his shot to preserve Walsall's lead.

But in the dying moments of the half it was Moore who twice made saves, although his blocks from Cuvelier and Grigg were less than convincing.

Grof made a fine save early in the second half, flying to get his finger-tips to a long-range Forrester shot and turn it over the crossbar.

And moments later Richard Taundry went close at the other end with a curling shot that drifted high and wide.

But Brentford piled on pressure despite their numerical disadvantage with substitute Toumani Diagouraga somehow blasting over from six yards out after a powerful run and cross from Clayton Donaldson.

And another Brentford substitute, Adam Forshaw, was denied smartly at the near post by Grof in the closing stages as Walsall held firm.

And Grigg went close in the final moments with a cross-shot that flew just wide of the far post.

By Steve Madeley