Walsall 3 Wimbledon 1 - Report and pictures

A brace from striker Simeon Jackson and a wonderful Erhun Oztumer free-kick saw the Saddlers race into a three goal lead at the Banks's Stadium.

Wimbledon, who won promotion via the League Two play-offs last season, pulled a goal back in the closing stages when striker Lyle Taylor won and then converted a penalty.

The Dons – with their direct game plan – were a test for Jon Whitney's side throughout.

But Walsall took their chances when they came along to ensure they made a flying start to the new campaign.

In naming his starting line-up, Whitney handed full debuts to six players with Joe Edwards, Jason McCarthy and Oztumer appearing in a competitive Saddlers game for the first time.

Opting for a 4-2-3-1 formation, Simeon Jackson started as the lone striker, with Flo Cuvelier wide left and Kieron Morris wide right.

Isaiah Osbourne partnered Adam Chambers in central midfield, 24 hours after signing a new contract to extend his stay at the Banks's Stadium by a further 12 months.

For Neal Ardley's Dons, last season's top scorer Taylor started up front with the talented Jake Reeves in midfield.

Despite the optimism, nerves and excitement that come with the opening day, Walsall made a flying start to the match and took the lead inside seven minutes.

Jackson produced a lovely bit of skill to bring the ball down on the edge of the box, before being cynically fouled by Chris Whelpdale.

Oztumer stood over the resultant free-kick and curled an outstanding effort that clipped the inside of the post, before nestling into the net to give goalkeeper Ryan Clarke no chance.

Walsall had settled well with the Oztumer almost grabbing a second shortly, after when he flashed a strike wide following good work by Edwards.

In the 21st minute, Saddlers fans took part in a minute's applause in memory of Joel Richards.

Walsall: Etheridge, Edwards, McCarthy, O'Connor (Preston 61), Henry, Chambers, Osbourne, Cuvelier (Moussaat 75), Oztumer (Bakayokoat 69), Morris, Jackson.

Subs not used: MacGillivray, Dobson, Ginnelly, Makris.

Wimbledon: Clarke, Fuller, Robinson,Charles,Kelly,Whelpdale (Parrettat 71),Bulman,Reeves, Elliott (Poleon 67),Taylor, Barcham (Barnett 67).

The talented referee would have celebrated his 21st birthday this Wednesday, but died in the Tunisia terrorist attack last year.

Slowly but surely, Wimbledon were growing into the game and they should have pulled level as the clock ticked towards the half-hour mark.

Reeves sent a lofted ball into the box which Whelpdale controlled, before producing a smart turn to escape the attentions of James O'Connor.

The Dons midfielder looked destined to slot the ball into the bottom corner, but instead snapped at his effort and fired wide.

Just moments later, the visitors came even closer with Walsall hugely indebted to goalkeeper Neil Etheridge for a fantastic double save.

First, the goalkeeper kept out a fierce strike from Taylor who was well-placed 12-yards from goal.

But the ball fell kindly for Andy Barcham, who looked set to tap it home but the Philippines international got back to his feet to block again from point-blank range.

Wimbledon, with their direct game plan, were looking dangerous but with a little over five minutes of the half remaining, Whitney's men doubled their lead.

Oztumer delivered a free-kick wide on the right which the Dons couldn't clear – and following a goalmouth scramble – Jackson bundled the ball over the line from a yard out.

Having won six promotions since their formation 14-years ago, Wimbledon came flying out the blocks at the start of the second-half as they looked to impose themselves on League One.

They came a whisker away from pulling a goal back, when Reeves delivered a wonderful free-kick which Tom Elliott glanced wide.

Walsall were forced into a change on the hour when Matt Preston replaced James O'Connor, after the defender took a knock to the head and was struggling with his vision.

The visitors were continuing to dominate proceedings but Ardley made a double change midway through the half, with Tyrone Barnett and Dominic Poleon replacing Elliott and Barcham.

Whitney responded by switching Amadou Bakayoko with goalscorer Oztumer.

The change proved a masterstroke, with the young striker immediately creating Jackson's second.

After initially doing well on the edge of his own box, Osbourne sent Bakayoko galloping down the left where he delivered an inviting cross which Jackson smashed home on the volley.

Now with the wind in their sails, Walsall went close again when Morris nipped past his man before hitting a rasping drive which Clarke tipped over.

With a little over five minutes remaining, Wimbledon threatened again with Taylor heading wide after reaching Poleon's cross ahead of Etheridge.

But, in the 89th minute, The Dons did get a goal back when the otherwise outstanding Rico Henry pulled down Taylor in the box, with referee Charles Breakspear pointing to the spot.

Taylor, who was Wimbledon's top scorer last season, dusted himself down to fire the resultant spot-kick into the right corner.

Ardley's side went in search of another in six minutes of stoppage time, but Walsall held out to make a winning start to the new campaign.