Friendly ends in defeat for Saddlers

Saddlers battled hard this evening but ultimately fell to a 3-2 defeat at Cheltenham.

7 out of the 8 new signings this season started for the visitors, Grof started in goal and Chambers was on the bench.

The Robins narrowly missed out in the playoffs in the league 2 playoffs last season and showed that bit more edge to claim the victory.

Jimmy Spencer opened the scoring for the home side but Alex Nicholls soon levelled on 19 minutes after some good work by Mat Saddler on the wing.

The first half unfolded with a string of fruitless Walsall corners before Peterlin’s effort was scooped up by the Robins’ goalkeeper Scott Brown

However, Cheltenham went ahead again on the stroke of half time with some skill by Kaid Mohamed.

Soon after play reopened, Saddlers found themselves 3-1 down when Joshua Low found his position and finished nicely.

The Saddlers pushed to reduce the deficit as the game was drawing to a close and substitute Paterson came up with the goods on 87 minutes with an inspiring effort, full of ambition.

Saddlers: : Grof, Beevers, Smith, Butler, Sadler; Gnakpa (Paterson 81), Taundry, Peterlin (Chambers 69), Hurst (Jones 80) Nicholls (Grigg 69), Jarvis (Bowerman 81)

It is disappointing that Walsall were not able to to get more out of the game, but with two goals all is not lost. With an overhaul to the squad it will take these games for them to be at their best.

We now look ahead to the game at Port Vale on Saturday.

Up The Saddlers!

Source: www.ctfc.co.uk