Honours ; West Midlands County runners-up (losing finalist)
Squad
Alex Deeming, Matt Jones, Lewis Poppitt, Richard Taundry (Aldridge);
Mathew Christodoulou, (Arthur Terry); Chris Hanna, (Barr Beacon); Ricky Hackett (Brownhills); Richard Hough,
Josh Wilkes (Darlaston); John
Griffiths (Pool Hayes); Lee Mills, David Phillips (Shire Oak); Matthew Kent
(Streetly); Aaron Green (Queen Mary's);
Phil Birkett, Scott Burns, Ryan Howe (Willenhall).
The Walsall under-13 team lost 2-0 to
Erdington and Saltley in the West Midlands final.
Press Reports
Erdington and
Saltley U-13 2 Walsall U-13 0 (West Midlands County Final) - 30.04.02
Walsall under-13s were up against it in this West Midlands
final after Andrew Crossfield put Erdington and Saltley in front in the third
minute when he headed in following a corner. Walsall’s first effort on target
came after 20 minutes when a Richard Taundry (Aldridge) shot was safely gathered
by the keeper. Walsall keeper Lewis Poppitt (Aldridge) then came to the rescue
with three splendid saves in the space of five minutes before another corner
resulted in a scrambled second goal from Nathaniel Howell on the half hour.
Walsall posed more of a threat up front in the second half with the tireless
Ryan Howe (Willenhall) going close. A good Walsall move ended with Richard Hough
(Darlaston) shooting just wide. Matthew Kent (Streetly) capped a fine
performance when his looping shot from wide of the goal hit the bar. Walsall
forced three successive corners near the end but were unable to pull a goal
back.
Coventry U-13 0 Walsall U-13 1 - 20.04.02 (West Midlands
semi-final)
In the under-13 semi-final Walsall made it a double
over Coventry with a depleted team and their first game for six weeks.
An appearance in the final is a bonus for a team whose season seemed to be over
at Easter until a surprise defeat for Stoke left them in a semi-final spot after
the league section. Walsall’s goal came after Lee Mills (Shire Oak) was
brought down in the box and Scott Burns (Willenhall) made no mistake from the
spot. Richard Taundry (Aldridge) filling in at centre back had an outstanding
game for Walsall, as did Aaron Green (Queen Mary’s) in midfield.
Wolverhampton U-13 0 Walsall U-13 2 -
9.02.03
Walsall under-13s kept up the pressure on Staffordshire table
topping Wolverhampton by claiming all the points in one of their best
performances of the season. Walsall defended well in the first half against the
wind and took the lead ten minutes into the second half when Phil Birkett
(Willenhall) slotted home a left wing cross. Walsall continued to dominate large
parts of the game and Scott Burns (Willenhall) sealed victory for Walsall with
ten minutes left.
Walsall U-13 2 Wolverhampton U-13 2 - 2.03.02
The under-13s grabbed a point off Staffordshire league leaders
Wolverhampton after a terrific second half fight back. Chris Morris gave Wolves
the lead five minutes before the break when the Walsall defence failed to clear
their lines. Luke Gough increased the lead in a hectic spell and Walsall nearly
pulled a goal back when Lee Mills (Shire Oak) and Scott Burns (Willenhall)
combined well on the stroke of half time. Burns and Ryan Howe (Willenhall)
looked dangerous for Walsall early in the second half and Alex Deeming
(Aldridge) saw a shot turned round. John Griffiths (Pool Hayes) took a free kick
on the edge of the box for Walsall and his shot went in off the post. Birkett
set up Richard Hough (Darlaston) for Walsall’s equaliser.
Halesowen and Stourbridge U-13 2 Walsall U-13 4 - 23.02.02
The
under-13s also kept their West Midlands semi-final hopes alive with this win at
Halesowen and Stourbridge. Scott Burns (Willenhall) was a hat trick hero for
this team and opened the scoring with a tremendous goal. Richard Hough
(Darlaston) increased Walsall’s advantage only to see the home side reduce the
arrears. Burns hit back to restore Walsall’s two-goal cushion but once again
Halesowen fought back with a second goal before Burns completed his hat trick.
Centre backs Matt Jones (Aldridge) and Josh Wilkes (Darlaston) and Ryan Howe
(Willenhall) in midfield were outstanding for Walsall.
Wolverhampton U-13 2 Walsall U-13 0 - 12.01.02
Wolverhampton under-13s came out on top in this top of the
table clash in the West Midlands league section. Both sides were unbeaten in
this competition but Walsall turned in a poor performance as Wolves ran out
deserved winners. Wolves dominated the first half but only had a single goal to
show for their efforts. In a scrappy second half Walsall keeper Mathew
Christodoulou (Arthur Terry) did his best to keep the home side out and was
again beaten just once. Walsall could not manage a single shot on target in what
must rate as their worst performance of the season so far.
Stoke U-13 4 Walsall U-13 4 - 8.12.01
The under-13s were involved in an eight-goal thriller at Stoke
after going 3-0 down in the first five minutes. Chris Hannah (Barr Beacon) gave
Walsall some hope before half time when he grabbed a goal back with five minutes
left. Stoke had other ideas though when they made it 4-1 early in the second
half. Walsall refused to give up and at last found some form as Scott Burns
(Willenhall) reduced the arrears. He then produced a 30-yard stunner into the
top corner before completing his hat trick with the equaliser. Walsall almost
capped an amazing fight back with a winner near the end.
Walsall U-13 2 Worcestershire North U-13 0 - 24.11.01
The under-13 game was a much more scrappy affair but again
Walsall always looked the most likely winners. Lee Mills (Shire Oak) opened the
scoring for Walsall in the first half with a strike from the edge of the area
that found the top corner. Ten minutes into the second half Chris Hannah (Barr
Beacon) gave Walsall a much-needed two-goal cushion. The game remained tight as
the visitors snuffed out Walsall’s attacks whilst producing few chances
themselves.
Walsall U-13 4 Cannock U-13 0 - 10.11.01
The under-13s turned in their best performance of the season
to record another welcome win in this Staffordshire league clash. Walsall
dominated the first period with Richard Taundry (Aldridge) leading the way but
only had a single goal from Ryan Howe (Willenhall) to show for their efforts.
With centre backs Matt Jones (Aldridge) and Chris Woakes (Barr Beacon) in
commanding form for Walsall, Cannock rarely looked like scoring. A brace from
Scott Burns (Willenhall) put Walsall in control in the second half and Lee Mills
(Shire Oak) added a fourth near the end.
Walsall U-13 3 Burton U-13 0 - 3.11.01
The under-13s recorded their first win of the season with a
much-improved performance against Burton. In a closely fought game Scott Burns
(Willenhall) gave Walsall a first half lead. Richard Taundry (Aldridge)
increased the lead in the second half as Walsall created several good scoring
chances. Burns grabbed his second goal and Walsall’s third with just two
minutes left. This was a welcome win after a long lay-off following the shock
4-0 defeat by Rugby in the Walsall F.C. Cup.
Walsall U-13 0
Rugby U-13 4 (ESFA Walsall Cup) - 13.10.01
Walsall under-13s crashed out of the Walsall Cup at the first
attempt with a bad performance at home to Rugby. Walsall were two down in twenty
minutes and after that there was no way back as they struggled to find any form.
The Rugby keeper had a quiet morning as Walsall were pinned back in their own
half for most of the game. The result leaves this Walsall team still looking for
a first win of the season.
Stoke U-13 1 Walsall U-13 1 - 6.10.01
Stoke threatened to run away with this under-13 West Midlands
game in the first half as they spurned several good scoring chances. Walsall
keeper Lewis Poppitt (Aldridge) was in outstanding form and played his part in
keeping Stoke down to the single goal before the break. In the second half
Walsall had a good start when substitute Scott Burns (Willenhall) grabbed an
early equaliser on his debut. With Matt Jones (Aldridge) also in commanding form
at the centre of the Walsall defence, Stoke found it difficult to find a way
through and Walsall bravely held on for the draw.
Walsall U-13 1 Warley U-13 1 - 29.09.01
This
West Midlands under-13 game was a disappointing affair with few chances for
either side. Warley took the lead midway through the first half when Andy Dudley
(Bristnall Hall) picked up the ball 20 yards out and beat two defenders before
slotting the ball past the keeper. Walsall equalised five minutes later when a
goal kick was intercepted and Chris Hannah (Barr Beacon) hammered the ball past
the keeper. Aaron Green (Queen Mary’s) nearly grabbed the lead for Walsall
minutes later but his shot was narrowly over. Warley keeper Jamie Taylor (Heathfields) was the star of the second half with good saves from Lee Mills
(Shire Oak) and Hannah.
Walsall U-13 0 Stoke U-13 2 - 15.09.01
A depleted Walsall under-13 side was up against a
well-organised Stoke side in this Staffordshire league game. Lee Mills (Shire
Oak) threatened for Walsall early on with a break from the half way line but the
Stoke keeper turned his final shot away at full stretch. Scott Ford gave Stoke
the lead midway through the first half to leave Walsall trailing at the break.
In the second half Walsall continued to find it hard to break through the Stoke
defence and it was no surprise when Ford added a second following a good move
down the right. Another good run by Mills gave Walsall hope as Sean Millington
(Willenhall) met the cross but a good block by a defender foiled him. Aaron
Green (Queen Mary’s) then saw his free kick drift just wide of the far post.
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