EFL Trophy: Walsall 1 Portsmouth 2 - Report and pictures

The League One side took the lead in the first half after John Marquis tapped home from close range.

Elijah Adebayo had the chance to equalise just before half-time from the penalty spot but his effort was saved on his 22nd birthday.

Substitute Ellis Harrison doubled Pompey’s lead late on but the home side were given hope when Caolan Lavery converted Walsall’s second penalty of the game.

Despite some pressure from the Saddlers, Pompey hung on for the victory.

Darrell Clarke made five changes to the side that beat Salford in the league on Saturday, starting in a 5-3-2 formation.

Zak Jules made his first start since early November while 18-year-old midfielder Sam Perry made his Saddlers debut.

Adebayo made his return from injury after missing two games and 17-year-old defender Joe Foulkes made his first Walsall first team.

Former Wolves manager, and current Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett made seven changes to the side that beat Fleetwood in the FA Cup on Saturday, playing a 3-4-1-2 formation.

Craig MacGillivray, who played for the Saddlers between 2014 and 2017, started for Pompey.

Perry’s first touch in professional football saw the youngster dribble away from three Portsmouth players in a tight area as his manager encouraged him from the sidelines.

Despite his good start, as a team the Saddlers struggled in the opening five minutes as they failed to keep the ball.

Walsall’s first chance came from a Cameron Norman cross which found Adebayo in the box, but his header was caught.

Marquis came closest for Pompey when some good build-up play put him through on goal. His shot was saved by Liam Roberts, but the chance came after a poor kick from the goalkeeper.

Walsall began to grow into the game and some good football allowed Cameron Pring to swing in a cross. It again found Adebayo who didn’t make enough contact with his header.

Marquis should have scored when he was again sent through on goal but Roberts saved well with his feet. However, the resulting corner was met by Christian Burgess and Marquis tapped home on the line to put Pompey 1-0 up.

Portsmouth looked good going forward and were causing the Walsall back line some problems, with Oli Watkins the next to go close but his shot on the turn was lifted over the bar.

Minutes later Adebayo tried to force the issue when he did well to drive into the box and cross, but the ball was cleared just ahead of Rory Gaffney.

Just before half-time Walsall should have been level. Gaffney was bundled down in the box to earn the Saddlers a penalty but MacGillivray saved well down to his left from Adebayo.

Pompey went into the break leading 1-0.

Neither side created a clear chance in the opening 10 minutes of the second half, with Rory Holden’s long-range shot coming the closest after some good work from Perry in midfield.

Shortly after the Saddlers changed to 4-4-2 with the introduction of Wes McDonald and Lavery.

The substitutes combined to create the next chance with McDonald feeding Lavery before the latter shot from range. His effort whistled just past the post.

Hawkins should have done better with a chance after 67 minutes. The striker met a cross on the half-volley from six yards out but didn’t catch the ball correctly, allowing Roberts to collect his effort.

Minutes later Burgess was the first to meet a corner but he sent his header over the bar.

Academy midfielder Joe Willis, aged 18, joined Perry in making his Saddlers debut after 73 minutes when he replaced Adebayo.

Lavery should have scored when he was sent through on goal. The striker was one-on-one with the goalkeeper but sent his effort over the bar.

With the Saddlers starting to create some good chances McDonald should have done better moments later. Holden produced an excellent through ball for the winger who cut in onto his right foot to pass to the edge of the box, but he found a Pompey player.

Roberts again kept Walsall in the game after making his third save from a Marquis one-on-one chance.

But from the resulting corner Pompey doubled their lead. The initial cross was cleared but the ball was recycled out to Ben Close who delivered a delightful cross for substitute Harrison to score.

After 85 minutes, Walsall got a goal back. Holden was bundled over for the Saddlers’ second penalty of the game and Lavery buried it into the corner.

But it wasn’t enough as Pompey hung onto their lead to advance in the EFL Trophy.

Teams

Walsall: Roberts, Norman, Clarke, Scarr (McDonald 56), Jules, Pring, Holden, Kinsella, Perry, Adebayo (Willis 73), Gaffney (Lavery 56).

Subs not used: Rose, Foulkes, K.Roberts, Bates.

Portsmouth: MacGillivray, Downing, Burgess, Hawkins (Harrison 71), Marquis, Hackett-Fairchild (Naylor 62), Harness, Raggett, Evans, Close, Mnoga (Seddon 62).

Subs not used: Bass, Bolton, Cannon, Casey.