Squad
Andrew Ailton (Brownhills), Paul Finn (Shire Oak),
Nick Hadley (Aldridge), Daniel Hoey (Barr Beacon), Ben Lund (Shelfield), Harry
Mason (Streetly), John Painter (Shire Oak), Josh Pickard (Streetly), Matthew
Pinder (Sneyd), Josh Scott (Walsall Academy), Freddie Sheriden-Mills
(Willenhall), Mark Taylor (Streetly), Chad Wells (Sneyd), Luke Wilson
(Streetly), Matthew Wood (Shelfield), Matthew Yates (Streetly).
Walsall SFA Under-12 squad 2003-04
Press Reports
Erdington and Saltley U-12 1 Walsall U-12 2 (West Midlands Final) 1.05.04
Walsall under-12s came from behind to win this West
Midlands final. The Erdington and Saltley side was mostly made up of players
from last season’s highly successful Sutton Coldfield under-11 team and they
started the game as strong favourites to win. Walsall were under pressure from
the start and it was no surprise when Erdington and Saltley grabbed an early
lead. Walsall equalised when a Josh Scott (Walsall Academy) free kick found
Andrew Ailton (Brownhills) whose shot was parried by the keeper and Ben Lund (Shelfield)
was on hand to slot the ball home. With Walsall playing a 5-man midfield and
Daniel Hoey (Barr Beacon) and Luke Wilson (Streetly) outstanding at the centre
of the defence, the home side found it difficult to create worthwhile chances
from all their possession. Walsall keeper Matthew Pinder (Sneyd) also played
solidly and produced some good saves. Walsall’s winner came midway through the
second half when John Painter’s (Shire Oak) 20-yard free kick found the top of
the net.
Kings Norton and South Birmingham U-12 1 Walsall U-12 4 - 20.03.04
Walsall under-12s produced one of their best performances of the season to
win this West Midlands semi-final. Following early pressure from Kings Norton
and South Birmingham, Ben Lund (Shelfield) slotted the ball past the keeper to
put Walsall in front after 10 minutes. The home side equalised five minutes
later when a free kick from well outside the box found the net. Walsall
controlled the game after the break and Andrew Ailton (Brownhills) soon found
the net. Minutes later he was on the mark again to increase Walsall’s lead.
With five minutes left John Painter (Shire Oak) scored Walsall’s fourth. In an
outstanding team performance Daniel Hoey (Barr Beacon) played well in the
Walsall defence. Walsall now wait to play either Erdington and Saltley or
Brierley Hill and Dudley in the final.
Wolverhampton U-12 2 Walsall U-12 1 - 28.02.04
Walsall under-12s qualified for the semi-final stage of the West Midlands
competition despite losing this league section game to local rivals
Wolverhampton. A superior goal difference gave Walsall second spot behind
Brierley Hill and Dudley.
Walsall took an early lead when Ben Lund (Shelfield) scored following a good
move. Walsall still led at half time but Wolverhampton were clearly the better
side. Josh Scott (Walsall Academy) and Daniel Hoey (Barr Beacon) stood out in
what was a poor Walsall performance. Wolverhampton found it difficult to turn
their dominance into goals and only wrapped the game up ten minutes from the end
with two goals inside a minute.
Brierley Hill and Dudley U-12 3 Walsall U-12 2 -
7.02.04
Walsall
under-12s were involved in a second successive thriller and again found
themselves on the wrong end of a 3-2 score line. Daniel Hoey (Barr Beacon) gave
Walsall an early lead against the run of play when his shot found the top
corner. Brierley Hill and Dudley hit back with two goals in a minute from George
Bowerman (High Arcal). Andrew Ailton (Brownhills) grabbed an equaliser before
half time. The second half saw Walsall under severe pressure and keeper Matthew
Pinder (Sneyd) made several outstanding saves. He could do nothing about the
decisive late goal as Richard Hill (Summerhill) latched onto a ball chipped over
the Walsall defence. The win confirms a place in the West Midlands semi-final
for Brierley Hill and Dudley with Walsall almost certain to join them.
Erdington and Saltley U-12 3 Walsall U-12 2 - 24.01.04
Walsall under-12s slipped to their first competitive
defeat of the season against a strong Erdington and Saltley team in this
divisional cup game. Walsall were fortunate not to go behind early on, when the
home side hit the bar and the rebound was blasted over from close-range. Minutes
later the home side pressure told when the Walsall defence retreated and were
undone for the first goal. Paul Finn (Shire Oak) put Walsall back in with a
well-struck free kick that crept under the bar. Daniel Hoey (Barr Beacon) denied
Erdington and Saltley with a perfect last-ditch tackle. Walsall’s Ben Lund
(Shelfield) saw a shot blocked by the keeper before a harsh free kick saw the
home side regain the lead. A well-taken third goal should have put paid to
Walsall’s challenge but a tremendous passing move between Lund and Finn was
cut short by a marginal offside flag. Finn also just failed to get to a rebound
off his own free kick and Lund saw a lob kicked off the line. Finn grabbed a
deserved second goal five minutes from time but it was just too late for
Walsall.
Telford U-12 1 Walsall U-12 7 - 17.01.04
Walsall
under-12s maintained their 100% record in competition games when they completely
outclassed Telford in this West Midlands game. Ben Lund (Shelfield) scored a hat
trick before half time and a brace each from Andrew Ailton (Brownhills) and Paul
Finn (Shire Oak) completed the seven-goal demolition. It could have been more
but Walsall introduced all five allowed substitutes to give everyone a chance to
show what they can do before next week’s important English Schools’ F.A.
game away to Erdington and Saltley.
Halesowen and Stourbridge U-12 1 Walsall U-12 2 - 29.11.03
Walsall under-12s opened their West Midlands campaign
with a hard fought victory at Halesowen and Stourbridge. The home side took the
lead after 20 minutes of an even first half. Walsall looked the most likely to
score in the second half but were denied until ten minutes from time when Paul
Finn (Shire Oak) equalised with a good shot from the edge of the box. With two
minutes left Andrew Ailton (Brownhills) grabbed Walsall’s winner when he
cleverly lobbed the keeper.
Walsall U-12 3 Worcestershire North U-12 2 - 15.11.03
Walsall under-12s turned in a promising performance
in only their second outing of the season to beat Worcestershire North in this
divisional cup game. Harry Mason (Streetly) set Walsall on the way when he got
on the end of an Andrew Ailton (Brownhills) cross. The visitors equalised
minutes later but John Painter (Shire Oak) restored Walsall’s lead. Painter
grabbed a second with a fierce cross shot to give Walsall a two-goal cushion but
the visitors pulled a goal back before the break. Both defences tightened up in
the second half and Walsall held on to claim a second round place against
Erdington and Saltley.
Walsall
schools' football