Bescot Banter - Walsall FC News

Match Officials: v Harrogate Town (A)

2025-11-18T14:00:00.000+00:00

Walsall will be back in Sky Bet League Two action on Saturday afternoon as they take on Harrogate Town in a televised clash.

The EFL has confirmed that Aaron Bannister who is based in Hemsworth, West Yorkshire will take charge of the match with Kevin Mulraine and Paul Newhouse being named as assistant referees, whilst James Bancroft has been selected as Fourth Official.

GAMES

YELLOW CARDS	RED CARDS
50	6

PENALTIES

Vertu Trophy: Stevenage v Walsall Date & Time Confirmed

2025-11-18T13:29:00.001+00:00

Walsall's Vertu Trophy, Round of 32 clash with League One side Stevenage will take place on Tuesday, 2nd December.

Set to kick off 7.00pm, the match will be held at Boro's Lamex Stadium.

Ticket details will be shared in due course.

Fans' Forum Set for Thursday, 11th December

2025-11-17T17:15:00.009+00:00

The Club has confirmed plans to host their first Fans' Forum event of the Saddlers' 2025/26 campaign on Thursday, 11th December 2025.

Taking place in the Jimmy Walker Stadium Suite at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium, Co-Chairman Leigh Pomlett and CEO Ben Sadler will be joined by new board member and Trivela Chief Operating Officer Marc Koretzky to answer supporters' questions.

Entry is FREE of charge and doors will open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Ticket News: v Oldham Athletic (A)

2025-11-17T09:00:00.000+00:00

Tickets for the Saddlers' Sky Bet League Two trip to Oldham Athletic on Wednesday, 10th December are now on sale to Season Ticket holders.

Walsall have been given an allocation of 662 tickets for this fixture, which also includes six pairs of wheelchair and carer tickets.

TICKET PRICES

Adult: £20

Concession (66+/18-21): £15

Youth (14-17): £7

Junior (7-13)*: £6

Child (0-6)*: £3

Ambulant Disabled: AS PER PRICE CATEGORY

Wheelchair: AS PER PRICE CATEGORY

*Must be accompanied by a person over the age of 18

Supporters will be able to pay on the day at the turnstiles but please note that matchday prices increase across all age categories (click here for further information).

Tickets will be able to collect from the ticket desk in Oldham's Club Shop, however supporters are advised to please collect beforehand as the Latics do not have a dedicated away ticket office or collection point.

Supporters can also pre-book car parking by using the NHS car park, which is located behind B&Q and a short walk from the stadium. Wheelchair users are advised to book disabled parking on the Joe Royle Stand car park (postcode OL2 5BL), where they can then enter the stadium via Gate 9.

To pre-book car parking, click here.

A note to supporters also that Boundary Park is a cashless stadium which includes turnstiles, car parking and kiosks.

Season Ticket holders will be able to purchase up to two tickets from 9.00am tomorrow. Tickets will then go on sale to Members who will be able to purchase one ticket from 9.00am on Wednesday, 19th November before they go on general sale on Friday, 21st November.

To purchase tickets, visit the official eticketing website or call the Ticket Office in the week on 01922 651416.

Loan Watch: Saturday, 15th November 2025

2025-11-16T12:00:00.051+00:00

There are a handful of Saddlers currently out on loan, with players from the academy and first-team looking to impress and potentially force their way into Mat Sadler's first-team plans.

Ronan Maher — Tamworth

Ronan was named among the starters as the Lambs made their way to Meadow Park and took on Boreham Wood in the National League.

After losing their last three league games, the Lambs were finally able to record a victory as goals from Ben Milnes and Immanuelson Duku saw them rebound from going a goal down to take all three points.

Ronan didn't complete the full ninety minutes, as he was replaced by Stefan Mols with just over half of the second forty-five remaining.

Charlie Wragg — Halesowen Town

Charlie started as the Yeltz welcomed Spalding United to the Grove for a Southern Football League, Premier Division Central clash.

The match was an eventful affair that saw each side not only share the spoils, but also the number of red cards as each was reduced to ten men in the dying stages of second-half stoppage time.

Jason Cowley twice dragged his team back on to level terms before being dismissed in the tenth-minute of stoppage time as the match produced plenty of drama in wet conditions.

Liam Moore and Jack Roberts scored for the visitors, but neither side was able to secure that all-important winner.

Charlie was replaced by Fin Holmes with seventeen minutes of the game to play, but was involved in plenty of attacking moves, though didn't trouble the scorers on this occasion.

Josh Gordon — Barrow

Josh started as the Bluebirds visited the Copperjax Community Stadium and took on Barrow in League Two.

Sadly for Josh, goals from Marcus Ifill (32') and the ever-dangerous Michael Cheek (88') ensured that Ben Whitfield's 50th minute leveller wasn't enough to help his side go on and take anything from the contest.

Gordon didn't complete the game, as he was replaced by former Saddler Jack Earing with eleven minutes of the game remaining.

Levi Amantchi — Rochdale

Levi was a late second-half substitute, as Harvey Gilmour's goal proved to be enough to see Rochdale bounce back from a midweek 4-1 thrashing by title-rivals York City.

Levi, who has found match minutes somewhat difficult to come by as of late, replaced Emmanuel Dieseruvwe with just seven minutes of the game remaining.

'We Weren't Us': Sadler Reacts as Walsall Slip to Defeat

2025-11-16T10:00:00.006+00:00

Walsall boss Mat Sadler admitted his team weren't themselves as they slipped to defeat against mid-table opposition on Saturday afternoon.

Going into their meeting with Colchester United on the back of a 4-2 triumph over Newport County, the Saddlers were unable to lay a glove upon their opponents as goals from Samson Tovide and Kyreece Lisbie saw the U's make the most of their dominant spells, whilst Walsall struggled to fin their feet.

Speaking to the media shortly after full-time, Sadler said: "We weren't us first half, anywhere near it.

"They changed things around, they did something they hadn’t done before, and I think it caught us on the hop a little bit.

"I say that kind of loosely really because I think regardless of that, we just didn't work hard enough in that first half.

"We didn't work like we work. We didn't work in the way that we expect of each other — that intensity, that drive, that athleticism, and we didn't allow any of that to come into the game because out of possession we were too standoff-ish and then in possession, we were too eager to go forward.

"It wasn't us first half. We own that."

Match Report: Walsall 0 Colchester United 2

2025-11-15T17:10:00.000+00:00

Walsall were back in action on Saturday afternoon as they welcomed Colchester United to the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium, where the Saddlers were looking to continue their reign at the top of the table.

Following an impeccably observed moment of silence, the match got underway. Colchester began the game brightly, winning a corner just three minutes in, as Ryan Finnigan turned the ball behind, but nothing would come of it.

The visiting side continued to press, going close in the ninth minute, as Ellis Iandolo picked up a loose ball at the back post and fired goal-wards from a tight angle, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

After a relatively quiet opening spell, Walsall created their first chance of note, eighteen minutes into the contest, as Courtney Clarke picked up the ball and fired goal-wards from range, but his shot sailed over the crossbar.

Teddy Bishop became the first player to see yellow, in the nineteenth minute, as he was cautioned following a foul on Daniel Kanu.

With twenty-one minutes on the clock, Colchester found the breakthrough, as Harry Anderson crossed the ball in from a free-kick, for Samson Tovide who turned home from close range.

Ellis Iandolo joined Bishop in the referee's notebook, in the twenty-fourth minute, as he was booked for dissent.

The Saddlers won a corner in the twenty-fifth minute, as they looked to draw level, but they were unable to make the opportunity count.

Colchester could have doubled their advantage, in the twenty-ninth minute, as Iandolo crossed the ball in for Kane Vincent-Young, but his headed effort from the centre of the box was well held by Walsall shot-stopper, Myles Roberts.

United continued to see much of the ball as play continued, but Walsall were awarded a corner in the thirty-third minute, as Colchester 'keeper, Matt Macey took too long to take a goal kick, however, nothing would come of the flag-kick, as Macey gathered the ball in.

Walsall continued to enjoy a brighter spell, tinning a free-kick, in the thirty-eighth minute, following a foul by Kyreece Lisbie. The ball in was good and eventually fell to Aden Flint, whose overhead kick caused some issue for Macey, however he was able to get enough of a touch to keep the ball out.

Colchester doubled their lead in the forty-second minute, as Arthur Read combined with Tovide to set up Lisbie, who found the target from close range.

Four additional minutes were added to end the first-half, as Walsall found themselves temporarily reduced to ten men, whilst Evan Weir received treatment after taking an elbow to the face.

There was little further action of note, and the sides headed off to enjoy their half-time refreshments with Colchester leading by two-goals-to-nil at the break.

HALF-TIME

WALSALL	0-2	COLCHESTER

The teams returned unchanged following the break, and play got back underway. Walsall began the second half brightly, winning a corner four minutes in, as Tom Flanagan turned the ball behind, though nothing would come of the opportunity as the ball eventually fell to Finnigan, whose strike from outside the area sailed wide.

Another Walsall corner followed two minutes later, as Lisbie turned the ball out of play, but nothing would come of that either, as Finnigan's tame effort was picked up by the Colchester defence.

Walsall chose to make their first changes of the afternoon, in the fifty-fifth minute, with Aaron Pressley and Vincent Harper made way for Jamille Matt and Jid Okeke. Colchester also took the opportunity to make a change to their line-up, with Kyreece Lisbie departing as John-Kymani Gordon joined the fray.

Evan Weir joined those playing on a caution, as he was shown the yellow card following a foul on Vincent-Young, in the sixty-first minute.

There was a pause in play, in the sixty-fifth minute, allowing both Macey and Matt to receive attention from their respective clubs medical teams, but both were soon back on their feet and able to continue.

The Saddlers bench chose to make two further changes to their line-up, twenty minutes from time, as Connor Barrett and Rico Browne were replaced by Albert Adomah and Priestley Farquharson.

Moments later, the visitors chose to make another change to their side too, with Samson Tovide making way for Micah Mbick.

The Saddlers set about looking to pull a goal back as play continued, with the ball eventually falling for Okeke, in the seventy-third minute, but Macey was able to palm his effort away, before the hosts won a free-kick in a promising position, moments later, which was played into the box for Adomah, who was unable to find the target.

With seventy-six minutes on the clock, the Saddlers chose to make their fifth and final change of the game, with Daniel Kanu making way for the recently signed Kemar Roofe.

That change came as play was paused allowing the Colchester medical team to attend to Teddy Bishop. It was soon determined that he would be unable to continue, and Rob Hunt was brought on to take his place.

The home side continued to seek a goal that would get them back into the game once play resumed, going close in the seventy-ninth minute, as the ball was headed on by Matt for Finnigan, whose header goal-wards deflected into the hands of Macey.

Matt Macey joined those playing on a caution, in the eighty-third minute, as he was booked for time wasting.

Walsall continued to press, but struggled to create further clear cut chances at goal. Though eighty-seven minutes in, Charlie Lakin saw an effort denied by Macey.

The Saddlers won a free-kick on the edge of the area, moments later, but nothing would come of that either, as the United defences stood firm.

Walsall manager, Mat Sadler was shown the yellow card, in the ninetieth minute.

Eight additional minutes were added to end the match, during which time Ryan Flannigan joined those playing on a caution, as he was booked for dissent.

There was little further action of note, and the game was eventually brought to its conclusion with Colchester winning by two-goals-to-nil. A disappointing performance from the Saddlers, who failed to take any of their many chances, playing against a well organised defence.

FULL-TIME

WALSALL	0-2	COLCHESTER

	IANDOLO (21') LISBIE (42')
AT	BESCOT STADIUM
REFEREE	JAMES DURKIN

Match Stats: Walsall 0 Colchester United 2

2025-11-15T17:00:00.000+00:00

Walsall were back in action on Saturday afternoon as they welcomed Colchester United to the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium for their latest outing of the 2025/26 campaign.

The visitors started the game well and eventually made their long spells of possession pay when Samson Tovide opened the scoring midway through the first-half.

Colchester went on to double their lead just a couple of minutes before the break when Kyreece Lisbie tapped the ball over the line following a well-worked counter-attack.

SKY BET LEAGUE TWO

WALSALL	0 - 2	COLCHESTER
	GOALSCORERS	TOVIDE (21') LISBIE (43')
	ASSISTS	ANDERSON (21') TOVIDE (42')
63	POSSESSION (%)	37
14	SHOTS (TOTAL)	3
3	SHOTS (ON TARGET)	2
0	GOALKEEPER SAVES	2
5	CORNERS	1
9	FOULS	18
2	YELLOW CARDS	4
0	RED CARDS	0

AT	BESCOT STADIUM
ATTENDANCE	6,251
REFEREE	JAMES DURKIN

WALSALL

Roberts; Browne (Farquharson, 70'), Flint, Weir 🟨; Finnigan; Barrett (Adomah, 70'), Clarke, Lakin, Harper (Okeke, 55'); Kanu (Roofe, 76'), Pressley (Matt, 55')

Unused: Hornby; Warrington

On the Bench: Mat Sadler 🟨

COLCHESTER UNITED

Macey 🟨, Vincent-Young, Flanagan 🟨, Araujo, Iandolo 🟨, Tucker, Bishop 🟨 (Hunt, 78'), Read, Anderson, Lisbie (Gordon, 56'), Tovide (Mbick, 71')

Unused: Powell, Edwards, Goodwin, Smith

Walsall v Colchester United: Team News Confirmed

2025-11-15T13:49:00.004+00:00

Join us across social media where we'll bring you all the pre-match build-up, in-game updates, and post-match reaction as Walsall look to retain their place at the top of the table.

WALSALL

Roberts; Browne, Flint, Weir; Finnigan; Barrett, Clarke, Lakin, Harper; Kanu, Pressley

Substitutes: Hornby; Farquharson, Okeke, Warrington, Roofe, Adomah, Matt

COLCHESTER UNITED

Macey, Vincent-Young, Flanagan, Araujo, Iandolo, Tucker, Bishop, Read, Anderson, Lisbie, Tovide

Substitutes: Hunt, Powell, Gordon, Edwards, Goodwin, Mbick, Smith

Kemar Roofe Keen to Make the Most of Short-Term Saddlers Spell

2025-11-14T18:15:00.002+00:00

Following the news that he'd agreed terms on a short-term contract at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium, Kemar Roofe has spoken of his desire to push the team forward.

Roofe, who has been training with the first-team at the Essington Training Ground, is keen to build upon the relationships he has already developed and contribute both on and off the pitch.

Born in Walsall, Kemar is no stranger to the Bescot Stadium, and is keen to make his mark, speaking via the club's official website, he said; "I'm really happy to have signed for Walsall.

"It’s my hometown club so it means that little bit more to me and I feel even more at home now having built relationships at the training ground – the staff and players have been amazing with me and I just can’t wait to get stuck in and help the team and the club achieve its goals.

"My football journey probably started at Walsall l when I was five — I've got pictures of me at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium doing the penalty shoot at half-time so to be able to remember that moment and kind of do a full circle is amazing so hopefully I'll be able to do what I did back then and score some goals for the Saddlers.

"I spoke with the gaffer at length, and he’s given me lots of confidence – he’s told me to bring what I usually do with my quality and experience and help the team push forward.

"I’m excited to see what the future brings and I just can’t wait to get started."