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Press Reports Season 2000-01

Brierley Hill and Dudley U-13 3 Walsall U-13 2 (ESFA Area 5 Walsall F.C. Cup Final) - 8.05.01
It was heartbreak for Walsall’s under-13s as they surrendered a 2-0 half-time lead to lose this Walsall cup final. In a vastly improved performance from the previous week’s West Midlands semi-final against the same opposition Walsall went 2-0 up in the first ten minutes with goals from Chris Humphrey (Streetly) and Wayne Moseley (Shelfield). Brendan Poole (Barr Beacon) then saw his shot tipped onto the bar. Neil Reeves (Brownhills) prevented Brierley Hill and Dudley pulling a goal back before the break with a good save from a Ben Davies free kick.  Jason Potter got a goal back early in the second half and keeper Davies equalised from the spot. Alex Richards scored the Dudley winner after Reeves had palmed out a fierce shot from Dan Aston.

Brierley Hill and Dudley U-13 3 Walsall U-13 0 (West Midlands County Semi-final) - 1.05.01
Walsall under-13s found a much bigger Brierley Hill and Dudley side too much to cope with in this West Midlands semi-final. Walsall went behind after five minutes when Liam Riley chipped keeper Jonathon Wood (Shire Oak). Minutes later the home side increased the lead and effectively finished the game as a contest when keeper Ben Davis stepped up to find the top corner with a 25-yard free kick. Wood redeemed himself with a brave interception to deny Riley a second goal. Walsall finished the half with Wayne Moseley (Shelfield) having a half-chance and a shot by Brendan Poole (Barr Beacon) that was safely gathered by Davis. Walsall came close to scoring after the break when Michael Hollyhead (Barr Beacon) got his head on a Chris Humphrey (Streetly) cross but a good move by Brierley Hill and Dudley ended with Craig Marsh sealing the game.

Walsall U-13 4 Kings Norton and South Birmingham U-13 0 - 24.03.01
Walsall under-13s claimed a place in the West Midlands semi-finals with one game still left to play in the league section, thanks to the four goals scored in this game. Chris Humphrey (Streetly) gave Walsall the lead when he latched onto a long ball from defence and rounded a defender before scoring. Brendan Poole (Barr Beacon) increased the lead when he beat two players before finding the top corner with a shot from outside the box. Walsall’s third came when a Kings Norton defender headed a left wing cross into his own net. An excellent defence splitting through ball from Wayne Moseley (Shelfield) found Humphrey who slotted home his second goal and Walsall’s fourth.

Newcastle-under-Lyme U-13 1 Walsall U-13 5 - 17.03.01
The under-13s performed well below par and still ran out comfortable winners of this Staffordshire league game. Goals from Barr Beacon boys Brendan Poole and Michael Hollyhead helped Walsall to a 2-1 lead at half-time. Poole increased the lead with a tap-in before Martin Robinson (Aldridge) received the ball on the edge of the box and took it round the keeper for Walsall’s fourth. Robinson scored another individual goal to complete the scoring.

Wolverhampton U-13 0 Walsall U-13 1 - 10.03.01
Walsall under-13s had their defence to thank for this Staffordshire victory as Wolverhampton should have been 3-0 up before Walsall scored. Martin Robinson (Aldridge) scored Walsall’s goal after twenty minutes but then it was largely backs to the wall stuff to hold on to the lead. Craig Bailey (Aldridge) and David Conroy (Streetly) were outstanding at the centre of Walsall’s defence as Wolves piled on the pressure without any reward.

Stoke-on-Trent U-13 2 Walsall U-13 1 - 17.02.01
Walsall under-13s were two goals down in this Staffordshire league game before they started to turn in a decent performance. A poor first half saw Walsall trailing to a single goal scored midway through the half when a free kick was headed past the keeper. Things got worse for Walsall two minutes after the break when a bad bounce let in Stoke for their second goal. Walsall at last started to show the form that had taken them to the Walsall Cup Final and a good win at Bedford in the previous two games. Wayne Moseley (Shelfield) reduced the arrears with a shot that looped over the keeper from the edge of the box. Walsall then missed several chances to grab the equaliser but on the balance of play Stoke probably deserved the win.

Bedford U-13 1 Walsall U-13 2 - 3.02.01
The under-13s travelled to Bedford to play new opponents in a friendly and came away with a creditable victory. Chris Humphrey (Streetly) opened the scoring for Walsall after a cross was flicked on by Michael Brownridge (Shire Oak). Bedford equalised early in the second half with a scrambled goal but Brendan Poole (Barr Beacon) grabbed Walsall’s winner ten minutes from the end. Walsall experimented with full back Neil Reeves (Brownhills) in goal and he made three good saves during the game. Another player to turn in a good performance was Matthew Broadbent (Shire Oak).

Halesowen and Stourbridge U-13 0 Walsall U-13 3 - 27.01.01
Walsall under-13s gave up home advantage to get this Walsall Cup semi-final played and they arrived with just eleven players and no goalkeeper. Daniel Swan (Barr Beacon) took over in the nets and distinguished himself with two tremendous saves as Walsall produced a memorable performance. Andy Bough (Shelfield) hit a post and Chris Humphrey (Streetly) hit the bar in the first ten minutes as Walsall looked to make the game safe early on. Brendan Poole (Barr Beacon) gave Walsall a slender half time lead when he headed in a cross at the near post. Matthew Broadbent (Shire Oak), playing in his first full game, was pushed up front from his normal midfield role and scored two second half goals to seal Walsall’s place in the final.

Coventry U-13 1 Walsall U-13 0 - 13.01.01
The score was reversed in the under-13 game although Walsall had most of the play and missed several good chances. Coventry scored the only goal midway through the first half and rarely looked like scoring again. The win leaves Coventry at the top of the league and guaranteed a semi-final spot with Walsall fighting it out for the second semi-final spot by trying to finish second 

Cannock U-13 0 Walsall U-13 3 - 2.12.00
The under-13 game saw Walsall turn in another good performance. Wayne Moseley (Shelfield) opened his account following a Michael Hollyhead (Barr Beacon) corner after ten minutes. Cannock put Walsall under pressure after the break but Walsall’s Matthew Broadbent (Shire Oak) broke away and found Chris Humphrey (Streetly) who crossed for Martin Robinson (Aldridge) to score a much needed second goal. Ten minutes from time Humphrey chased a loose ball and the keeper came out of the area to dribble the ball back but Humphrey robbed him to slot the ball home for Walsall’s third.

Walsall U-13 1 Burton U-13 1 - 25.11.00
Walsall under-13s had to settle for a share of the points against Burton in the West Midlands league. The teams had met earlier this month in the Staffordshire league when Walsall suffered their only defeat of the season so far. Walsall started well and took the lead after ten minutes when Chris Humphrey (Streetly) linked well with Brendan Poole (Barr Beacon) who scored his fifth goal in three games in a move started from the back. Burton always looked likely to equalise in a game between two well-matched sides but a Walsall defence well marshalled by David Conroy (Streetly) held out until ten minutes from time. Walsall still had chances to win the game after Burton equalised but a draw was probably the right result.

Walsall U-13 2 Erdington and Saltley U-13 0 - 18.11.00
Walsall under-13s beat Erdington and Saltley for the second week running and booked a place in the semi-final of the Walsall F.C. Cup. Once again Brendan Poole (Barr Beacon) proved to be the thorn in the side of Erdington and Saltley as he grabbed both goals in the first twenty minutes to add to the brace he scored the previous week. Both goals owed much to his partner up front Chris Humphrey (Streetly) as Walsall turned in a good first half display of attacking football. The visitors attempted to turn things round in the second half but Walsall proved to be equally good at defending with Michael Hollyhead (Barr Beacon) and David Conroy (Streetly) both outstanding.

Erdington and Saltley U-13 3 Walsall U-13 4 - 11.11.00
Walsall under-13s returned to winning ways with this good West Midlands result at Erdington and Saltley. Brendan Poole (Barr Beacon) set Walsall on the way with a fine individual goal midway through the first half. The home side equalised just before the break and went in front after the break with a good lob over the keeper. Walsall fought back after making some changes and Poole grabbed his second goal to level matters again. An Andy Bough (Shelfield) free kick from the edge of the box flew in to give Walsall the lead again. Poole was denied his hat-trick by a brilliant save but Bough pounced on the rebound to give Walsall a two-goal cushion. Erdington and Saltley pulled a goal back in the third minute of injury time but it was too late to trouble Walsall.

Walsall U-13 0 Burton U-13 2 - 4.11.00

Report not available.

Walsall U-13 2 Leeds U-13 1 - 28.10.00
Walsall under-13s were the only winners on a day of friendlies for Walsall SFA sides against two of the strongest associations in the country. Martin Robinson (Aldridge) gave Walsall the lead with the first chance of the game when Michael Hollyhead (Barr Beacon) crossed for him to score with a shot from just outside the 6 yard box after fifteen minutes. This kept up Robinson’s record of a goal a game for Walsall since his debut three weeks ago. Walsall were good value for their lead at half time but Leeds hit back after the break when Michael Merrick found the top corner. With ten minutes left Walsall’s Andy Bough (Shelfield) beat two defenders before crossing for Steven Mroczkowski (Arthur Terry) to drive the ball into the top corner for a deserved winning goal

Walsall U-13 10 Newcastle-under-Lyme U-13 0 - 21.10.00
Walsall under-13s made it three wins out of three with this emphatic Walsall Cup win. Chris Humphrey (Streetly) ran riot in the first twenty minutes with four good individual goals. Andy Bough (Shelfield) added a fifth before half time. The Walsall management took Humphrey off for the second half but this failed to stem the flow of goals as the Newcastle defence crumbled. Neil Reeves (Brownhills) opened the second half glut and goals from Martin Robinson (Aldridge), Chris Maxwell (Barr Beacon) and a brace from Scott Cooper (Aldridge) completed the rout. Walsall now face Erdington and Saltley at home in the quarter-final in what should be a much sterner test

Walsall U-13 2 Solihull U-13 1 - 7.10.00
Solihull under-13s were left wondering how they lost this West Midlands game at Brownhills School as they should have put the game out of Walsall’s reach by half-time. As it was the teams remained locked at 0-0 but Solihull finally took the lead in the second half. Walsall keeper Jonathan Wood (Shire Oak) continued to play his part in frustrating Solihull as they searched for a second goal that probably would have made the game safe. Walsall’s Martin Robinson (Aldridge) equalised on his debut with a shot from outside the box with less than ten minutes left. Chris Humphrey (Streetly) then grabbed the winner following a mix up between the keeper and a defender.

Chesterfield U-13 2 Walsall U-13 4 - 30.09.00
The under-13 side travelled to Chesterfield with several changes from last season’s squad due to players being snapped up by the football academies. Chris Humphrey (Streetly) set Walsall on the way after five minutes with a shot from outside the box. Stephen Mroczkowski (Arthur Terry) increased the lead on twenty minutes after a goalmouth scramble. Chesterfield pulled a goal back from the penalty spot a minute into the second half but Humphrey restored the two goal cushion for Walsall a minute later. Brendan Poole (Barr Beacon) scored Walsall’s fourth on his debut. With Michael Hollyhead (Barr Beacon) outstanding at the back for Walsall, Chesterfield found it difficult to create any real chances but they did get a second goal two minutes from time.

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