EFL Trophy: Shrewsbury 2 Walsall 1 - Report and pictures
Walsall crashed out the Checkatrade Trophy after falling to a 2-1 loss to West Midlands rivals Shrewsbury.
In what was manager Sam Rickett’s first game in charge of the Shropshire side, goals from Alex Gilliead and Doug Loft put the hosts in charge at the Montgomery Waters Meadow stadium.
Walsall pulled a goal back through Kieron Morris in a second half that also saw Joe Edwards make his eagerly anticipated return after injuring the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee last season.
But while the Saddlers went on to apply lots of late pressure, they were unable to find a winner with Shrewsbury, overall, deserving winners.
ANALYSIS
Keates sprung a surprise when naming his starting line-up with the boss opting to play with a back three for the first time under his reign.
Russell Martin, Jack Fitzwater and Jon Guthrie were the three centre-backs with skipper for the night Luke Leahy at left wing-back and Kane Wilson on the right.
Up front, Morgan Ferrier was deployed as a lone striker with Kieron Morris and Connor Ronan just behind in what was effectively a 5-2-2-1 system.
Shrewsbury made 10 changes from their FA Cup clash with Scunthorpe with Lee Angol and Lenell John-Lewis up front in a traditional 4-4-2 formation.
The visit of Walsall got Shrewsbury’s new era under Ricketts under way and, like under his predecessors, the boss made wholesale changes for the competition.
Last season’s finalists Town made 10 changes from the side that beat Scunthorpe 1-0 in Sunday’s FA Cup clash.
The only player to remain was Alex Gilliead, who moved back out to his traditional wide position in an orthodox 4-4-2.
There were rare outings for Kieran Kennedy and youngster Ryan Sears as a centre-half pairing, with Doug Loft and Charlie Colkett getting the nod in central midfield.
Lee Angol, left out of the matchday squad in recent weeks, partnered skipper Lenell John-Lewis in attack.
