Report: Walsall U18s 1-1 Iron U18s

The Iron’s Under-18 side drew 1-1 away to their Walsall counterparts on Saturday lunchtime, in the Youth Alliance Cup.

Joey Dawson scored for United in the early stages but the hosts hit back to level the scores.

Academy manager Tony Daws said: “It was a very tough game, and our lads worked hard. We took the lead but couldn’t quite hold onto it. It was a fair result in the end.”

Aidan Train attacked early on, driving forward and finding Harry Jessop, but his cross was cleared.

The visitors soon took the lead though when Dawson slotted home from close range after Jessop’s shot was cleared into his path.

There was a chance for the hosts soon after, as a Saddlers striker broke the offside trap, only to fire wide.

With 24 minutes gone, Tom Collins made a save as a Walsall player took aim and the ball took a deflection before reaching him.

Three minutes later, Walsall levelled as a player nodded in from close range. Then, just after, one of their players skied over the crossbar from inside the box.

Collins made a great save with his feet to deny a powerful strike from a Walsall player with 37 minutes gone.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, the home goalkeeper was called into action, tipping Jessop’s effort from range over the bar.

It was a second period of few real opportunities, with nine minutes added on in the end, but the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the finish.

IRON: Collins, Baker (D Gallimore, 90), Train, Shrimpton, Kemp, Lobley (Virgo, 82), Wilson, Silva, Dawson (L Gallimore, 45), Jessop, Chadli.

UNUSED SUB: Balme.