Carabao Cup: Tranmere 1 Walsall 3 - Report and pictures

In an entertaining clash at Prenton Park, goals from Morgan Ferrier, Josh Ginnelly and Zeli Ismail saw the Saddlers to victory.

Larnell Cole netted a late consolation for the home side but Dean Keates’ men were worthy of the win overall.

The result means, aside from the Checkatrade Trophy, Walsall recorded their first cup win since January 2016.

Analysis

Eager to keep momentum following an impressive start to the season, Keates made just three changes to his team when naming his starting line-up.

With Isaiah Osbourne still working his way back to full fitness, Liam Kinsella partnered George Dobson in central midfield.

There was also a debut in goal for Chris Dunn while Kane Wilson made his first Saddlers start at right-back.

It meant Keates' men continued in their favoured 4-4-2 formation, with Andy Cook and Josh Ginnelly back at Prenton Park after helping the Super Whites win promotion back into the Football League last season.

Tranmere, with an eye on League Two, matched the Saddlers 4-4-2 system but boss Micky Mellon made seven changes from their victory over Cheltenham on Saturday.

It was the home side who started the game on the front foot with Ollie Banks twice going close with long distance strikes.

First, the midfielder hit a rasping drive from 25-yards that clipped the top of the crossbar before flying over.

Then from a similar distance, Banks looked to find the bottom-left corner only to be denied by a brilliant one-handed stop from Dunn.

Walsall had taken their time to find their rhythm but they burst into life as the clock ticked towards the 20 minute mark.

They almost opened the scoring when Cook smartly played the ball out to George Dobson on the right.

The midfielder burst into the box and, using Ferrier as a decoy, squared to the on-rushing Ginnelly.

But instead of hitting the ball first time, the winger took a touch and that allowed a defender to get back and block his strike from 10-yards.

Undeterred, the Saddlers continued to press with Ferrier twice getting in good positions only to be crowded out.

The forward had been electric against both Plymouth and Scunthorpe without managing to score.

But his wait for his first Saddlers goal ended just before the half-hour mark when he collected a pass from Kinsella in the box.

The striker then did brilliantly to spin away from Mark Ellis before drilling a low drive that Shamal George was unable to stop.

Despite being behind, Mellon’s side had given a good account of themselves and they threatened again when Banks clipped the outside of the post with another fantastic 25-yard strike.

The cup tie was proving an open and entertaining affair with both teams going on to create good chances before the interval.

First, a corner fell for Zeli Ismail on the edge of the box - with the winger then seeing a fierce volley deflect wide.

From the resultant set-play, an unmarked Cook headed wide.

Then just before the break, a deep cross was headed back into danger by Wilson.

And it was the lively Banks who collected the ball before seeing a goal-bound shot blocked by Jack Fitzwater.

It was Walsall who started the second-half on top with Cook getting two sights of goal.

After being picked-out by Luke Leahy, the striker scuffed a shot at goal just six-yards when he should have done better.

The former Barrow man then hit a snap-shot on the spin that was well held by George.

Tranmere hit back with Cole Stockton chasing a long-ball forward before firing over.

Banks then went on a mazy run in the box before seeing a shot crowded out.

Just past the hour mark though, the Saddlers doubled their advantage.

A long Leahy throw was headed up rather away from a Tranmere defender.

And it was Ginnelly who reacted quickest to fire in from 10-yards - with the winger opting not to celebrate against his former employers.

Moments later the Saddlers put the game to bed - with Ismail netting a wonderful individual goal.

The winger collected the ball in his own half and then carried it the length of the field before arrowing a drive into the bottom corner and beyond the reach of George.

Walsall were now rampant with Wilson darting into the bo and hitting a curling effort with the outside of his boot which George parried away.

Fitzwater then got his timings wrong after finding himself unmarked at a corner while Ginnelly, in a similar position to which he scored, fired over.

The hosts grabbed a consolation in the 78th minute when the ball fell for Cole in the box who smartly powered in a strike from 12-yards.

Tranmere continued to push in the closing stages with Dunn doing well to keep out a Paul Mullin over-head kick.

But overall, Walsall were good value for a win that continues their unbeaten start to the season.

Teams

Tranmere (4-4-2): George, Caprice, Ellis, Monthe, Bakayogo (McNulty 31), Tollitt (Smith 63), Gilmour, Banks (Harris 71), Cole, Mullin, Stockton.

Subs not used: Wharton, Jennings, Norwood, Spellman.

Walsall: Dunn, Wilson, Fitzwater, Guthrie, Leahy, Ismail (Morris 76), Kinsella, Dobson, Ginnelly, Cook, Ferrier (Gordon 61).

Subs not used: Roberts, Devlin, Kouhyar, Candlin, Osbourne.