FA Cup: Walsall 0 Charlton 4: Saddlers' cup exploits come to an end
Walsall crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of a clinical Charlton Athletic, thumped 4-0 at Bescot.
Nathan Jones’ side ruthlessly dismantled the hosts during an underwhelming Walsall first-half, netting from their first chance and capitalising on a Brandon Comley mistake before sealing the deal with two late goals.
Walsall’s excellent unbeaten record against League One sides up until the cup clash came to an end, and the Saddlers failed to make it three third round appearances in a row.
Moreover, adding to Walsall’s misery, both Comley and Jamie Jellis exited with injuries inside the first-half.
Mat Sadler named six changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Bromley in League One last Tuesday. Albert Adomah replaced Jamille Matt in attack while defenders David Okagbue and Donervon Daniels both dropped to the bench, replaced by Oisin McEntee and Harry Williams.
After a scrappy 14-minutes, Walsall’s Charlie Lakin was the first to strike at goal, but found the wrong side of the post.
And, unlike the hosts, Charlton only required one opportunity to grab the lead as Gassan Ahadme met Conor Coventry’s pinpoint cross and headed past Tommy Simkin less than two-minutes later.
