Walsall enjoy more Senior Cup success

In front of 749 spectators at the Banks’s Stadium, an entertaining final saw the Saddlers go into the break a goal to the good through Milan Butterfield.

Strikes from Amadou Bakayoko and Tobias Hayles-Docherty then put Walsall into the ascendancy before Kyle Perry grabbed a consolation for Rangers.

The Saddlers showed how seriously they were taking the competition by naming a strong starting XI that included first-teamers Kory Roberts, Liam Kinsella, Maz Kouhyar and Bakayoko.

And it was John Ward’s side who started on the front foot with Butterfield a whisker away from breaking the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes.

The Bermudian rose highest to powerfully meet a Jordon Sangha corner but his header was brilliantly kept out by a diving Adam Whitehouse.

Having taken their time to settle, Rangers slowly began to grow into the game and, after a few half chances, Izak Reid was presented with glorious opportunity to break the deadlock.

The winger got himself in behind the Saddlers defence only to be denied by the onrushing Brandon Ganley, who stood tall to expertly block his effort.

The game was now proving a more even affair but it was the Saddlers who went ahead in the 35th minute.

A brilliant Bakayoko pass split Stafford’s defence with Butterfield latching onto the delivery and calmly guiding the ball past Whitehouse.

Neil Kitching’s side hit back just before half-time with Perry flashing a strike inches wide from 20 yards.

But shortly after the interval Walsall doubled their advantage when Hayles-Docherty smartly swept home a low Bakayoko cross.

The Saddlers made it 3-0 on the hour – Bakayoko guiding the ball into the corner after Sangha sent in a low free-kick.

Undeterred, Stafford were a whisker away from pulling a goal back shortly after when Perry raced through on goal and lifted the ball over Ganley

But Roberts was in the right place to hack clear off the line.

Kitching’s men continued to press and they did pull a goal back in the 75th minute when Perry powerfully headed in an excellent Jake Heath cross.

The visitors then went in search of a second with Perry heading another whipped delivery wide.

And they went even closer inside six minutes of stoppage time when Matthew Bailey headed a deep cross back into the danger area with Heath producing a fierce strike that was brilliantly blocked by Roberts.

Overall though it was the Saddlers who deserved to lift the trophy with the likes of Kinsella, Hayles-Dockerty and Roberts particularly impressive.

Walsall: Ganley, Tonks (Kendrick 26) , Cockerill-Mollett (Fisher 46), Vann, K.Roberts, Butterfield, Sangha, Kinsella, Hayles-Docherty (Shorrock 77) , Kouhyar, Bakayoko. Subs not used: Dawe, Candlin

Stafford Rangers: Whitehouse, Lyttle, Bowen, Morris, Bailey, Tolley (Reid 54), Reid, Sherratt (Taylor 60), Perry, Haseley (Batchelor 54), Heath. Subs not used: Griffiths, Curtis.