Home

Press Reports Season 2000-01

Walsall U-12 1 Erdington and Saltley U-12 2 (West Midlands County Cup Final) - 12.05.01
The under-12s made it a double heartbreak for Walsall when an extra-time goal 20 seconds from the end of extra-time denied them a share of the West Midlands Bob Smith trophy. Erdington and Saltley always had the edge up front but keeper Lewis Poppitt (Aldridge) was in inspired form and the back line of John Griffiths (Pool Hayes), Alex Deeming (Aldridge), Ricky Hackett (Brownhills) and David Phillips (Shire Oak) all played their part. Erdington and Saltley missed a first minute penalty but took the lead midway through the first half when Darren Campion turned a corner kick into the net. Heroics from Poppitt and a clearance off the line running back by Griffiths prevented any further goals before the break. Aaron Green (Queen Mary’s) equalised for Walsall from the spot after Chris Hannah (Barr Beacon) was brought down with five minutes left. Extra-time failed to separate the teams until Joe Halsall broke Walsall’s hearts in the dying seconds.

Walsall U-12 5 Brierley Hill and Dudley U-12 1 (West Midlands County Semi-final) - 5.05.01
Walsall under-12s booked a place in the West Midlands Final against Erdington and Saltley with a tremendous performance against Brierley Hill and Dudley. John Griffiths (Pool Hayes) got on the end of a David Phillips (Shire Oak) free kick to put Walsall in front. Within five minutes Walsall scored two more with a long-range effort from Chris Woakes (Barr Beacon) and a through ball to James Cook (Arthur Terry) that he slotted past the keeper. Brierley Hill and Dudley pulled a goal back before the break but Cook went on to complete a memorable hat-trick with two more goals in the second half. The first was a superb individual effort and the second was another clinical finish after Griffiths pumped the ball high into the box.

Walsall U-12 0 Cannock U-12 1 - 24.03.01
The first half saw some good football played especially from walsall. There was plenty of penetration on the left and some good combinations of passing from Phil Birkett and John Griffiths.  The early possession went to Cannock but Walsall soon came back into the game to dominate the the final twenty minutes of the first half. The second half started much the same but it was not long before Cannock took control of the game.  They had some good chances wich were not converted and even hit the bar with a long range effort.  Walsall came backinto the match, Also hitting the bar themselves from very close range. The game was settled with a timely strike from Cannock just moments before the final whistle to make the final scoreline 0 -1.

Walsall U-12 1 Wolverhampton U-12 1 - 10.03.01
Walsall under-12s are still looking for their first Staffordshire victory after this fourth draw in five games in the league. A draw was probably the fairest result in a scrappy game with few chances for either side. Chris Hanna (Barr Beacon) put Walsall in front on ten minutes but Danny Round equalised for Wolves shortly after half-time following some good build up work. Both sides hit the bar before the end with Phil Birkett (Willenhall) the unlucky Walsall player with a fierce shot from outside the box.

Burton-on-Trent U-12 1 Walsall U-12 1 - 24.02.01
Walsall under-12s had lost their shooting boots in this their first game for over a month. Several one-on-one situations went begging as Walsall had to settle for a third draw in four Staffordshire league outings. The Burton keeper was in inspired form but could do nothing about the first of two Walsall penalties. Stefan Farquasan (Alumwell) was brought down and Aaron Green (Queen Mary’s) stepped up to give Walsall the lead. Burton equalised with a good strike before Farquason was brought down in the box for a second time. Green stepped up for his second spot kick only to see it saved. There was better news for Walsall in the West Midlands competition where other results mean that they will finish in the top two in their league section to land a semi-final spot.

Coventry U-12 0 Walsall U-12 1 - 13.01.01
The under-12s were also involved in a tough game at Coventry in the West Midlands league but a first half goal from Stefan Farquason (Alumwell) was enough to settle the issue. He rounded two defenders before hammering the ball into the roof of the net. Coventry fought back but Alex Deeming (Aldridge) and Ricky Hackett (Brownhills) were on top form in the centre of Walsall’s defence to break up most of the attacks. Man of the match Aaron Green (Queen Mary’s) controlled things from the centre of midfield as Walsall saw further efforts from Farquason and Chris Hanna (Barr Beacon) cleared off the line. With three wins out of three in the four match league stage Walsall look good for a semi-final spot.

Wolverhampton U-12 3 Walsall U-12 3 - 16.12.00
Walsall under-12s played their part in an exciting Staffordshire derby against Wolverhampton, coming from behind on three occasions to claim a deserved share of the points. Adam Burns (Smestow) put Wolves in front but Chris Woakes (Barr Beacon) got on the end of a cross to score Walsall’s first equaliser. Daniel Round (Smestow) restored the lead, but with Richard Taundry (Aldridge) in superb form, Walsall pegged Wolves back again when Chris Hanna (Barr Beacon) levelled things with a clever lob from inside the box. Jonathon Burgwyn put Wolves in front again only for Walsall centre half Ricky Hackett (Brownhills) to equalise with an overhead kick. Walsall had been denied further goals by a string of superb saves by Wolves keeper John Bateman (Parkfields).

Cannock U-12 5 Walsall U-12 1 - 2.12.00
Walsall under-12s suffered their first defeat of the season in this Staffordshire game against Cannock. The game was closer than the scoreline suggests as Walsall fought hard in the early stages and missed some early chances. Cannock took the lead in the first half against the run of play following a defensive mix-up. Chris Hanna (Barr Beacon) equalised early in the second half when he got on the end of a pinpoint cross from Lee Mills (Shire Oak). Walsall then made the mistake of giving Cannock time and space on the ball and they took the initiative with a succession of goals to leave Walsall reeling.

Burton U-12 0 Walsall U-12 2 - 18.11.00
The under-12s recorded their second successive West Midlands victory with a good attacking display at Burton. James Cooke (Arthur Terry) and Chris Hanna (Barr Beacon) caused constant problems with their probing runs many of which were set up by man of the match Aaron Green (Queen Mary’s) and Lee Mills (Shire Oak) who dominated midfield. Green set Walsall on the way with a well-taken penalty and Hanna scored the second. Walsall’s dominance should have produced more goals for a team that has made a promising start with the new additions to last year’s under-11 squad proving to be an asset.

Erdington and Saltley U-12 3 Walsall U-12 4 - 11.11.00
The under-12 game produced an identical scoreline and a good double for Walsall. Phil Birkett (Willenhall) gave Walsall the lead but Erdington and Saltley hit back with an equaliser. Goals from man of the match Richard Taundry (Aldridge), Stefan Farquason (Alumwell) and James Cooke (Arthur Terry) seemed to have put the game out of reach for the home side at half time. The second half saw a fight-back by Erdington and Saltley as they pulled it back to 4-3 but good defending by Alex Deeming (Aldridge) and Ricky Hackett (Brownhills) helped to secure the points for Walsall.

Walsall U-12 3 Burton U-12 3 - 4.11.00
The star of the show for Walsall under-12s in their first game was James Cooke (Arthur Terry) who played for Sutton Coldfield under-11s last season. He latched onto a poor goal kick to put Walsall in front early on. Within a minute Marshall Golaub replied for Burton with a similar strike. Another Walsall newcomer Chris Woakes (Barr Beacon) was unlucky when his shot went the wrong side of the post. John Griffiths (Pool Hayes) put Walsall in front when he headed home following a free kick. Walsall again lost the lead within a minute when Golaub levelled after the defence failed to clear a corner. Aaron Green (Queen Mary’s) was unlucky not to put Walsall back in front when his free kick shaved the post. James Furniss put Burton ahead and Walsall’s Lee Mills (Shire Oak) was unlucky when he shot wide. Cooke rounded off a good debut with a great finish for a deserved Walsall equaliser.

Home    Latest News    Primary Championship    Secondary Competitions    Season 2000-01