Bescot Banter - Walsall FC News

Lee Grant in Positive Mood Despite Cup Exit

2026-11-11T08:00:00.000+00:00

Walsall boss Lee Grant has sought to focus o the positives after seeing his side exit the Jersey Mike's Trophy with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

Going into the game in need of a win, Grant's side snatched the lead via Andy Dallas' second goal in as many games, and looked to be giving themselves the best opportunity to progress, but were unfortunately unable to convert their lead into a win.

Dragged back onto level terms by John Lundstram midway through the first-half, the Saddlers fell behind some twelve minutes later when Will Smallbone fond the back of Tom Wooster's net, seeing the Foxes through to the next stage.

Speaking to the media shortly after full-time, Lee said: "I really enjoyed the way the boys stuck to their task and the way that it started to get a little bit nervous with five minutes to go.

"There were so many positives to take. I’m proud of the group, and of course we’re disappointed that we’re out of the competition.

"But at the same time, we knew very well that this competition had different goals at the end of it for us as a football club.

"We’ve certainly achieved those goals with the minutes we’ve been able to get into our young players."

Quotes: Express & Star.

Match Report: Leicester City 2-1 Walsall

2026-11-10T21:05:00.000+00:00

Walsall returned to action on Tuesday evening as they visited the King Power Stadium and took on Leicester City in their third and final Jersey Mike's Trophy, Southern Group B outing.

Leicester began the game brightly, winning the first corner of the evening just two minutes into the contest, as James Furlong turned the ball out of play, though nothing would come of that.

The hosts then created two decent chances to open the scoring, in the third and fifth minutes, but on both occasions Admir Bristric was caught offside so no goal would have stood.

City continued to enjoy a bright spell, with Will Smallbone crossing the ball in for Will Alves, in the seventh minute, but the midfielders effort on goal was blocked.

Walsall began to grow into the game as play continued, and opened the scoring in the tenth minute, as Andy Dallas' initial effort struck the woodwork before his follow-up found the target.

Leicester could have levelled the scores in the thirteenth minute, as Luke Thomas crossed the ball in for Bristric, but the effort on goal sailed over the crossbar.

The home side continued to press, with Kamari Doyle setting up Bristric, in the fifteenth minute, but the strikers effort from outside the area sailed inches over.

With twenty minutes on the clock, Leicester restored parity, as Roman Dixon conceded a corner to them, from which Alves picked out John Lundstram, whose overhead effort found the top corner.

The home side looked to add a second just two minutes after their first, but Tom Watson was unable to turn Conor Chaplin's cross home, as his effort was blocked.

Things settled a little after that, with Leicester continuing to see much of the ball, without creating anything of note, until the twenty-seventh minute, when a cross into the box from Chaplin found Smallbone, whose effort on goal sailed narrowly wide of the upright.

There was a brief halt to proceedings, in the twenty-ninth minute, allowing Ryan Leak to receive some attention from the Walsall medics, and it was soon determined that he would be unable to continue, with Elicha Ahui brought on in his place.

Thirty-two minutes into the contest, Leicester took the lead as a well placed ball into the box found Smallbone, who coolly fired home, past Walsall shot-stopper, Tom Wooster.

The hosts continued to press, seeking further goals, and they went close again in thirty-fifth minute, as Smallbone looked to turn provider, crossing the ball into the box for Chaplin, whose headed effort sailed narrowly wide.

The game settled into something of a midfield battle after that, with the Foxes continuing to see much of the ball, without creating anything to trouble the Walsall defences.

Three additional minutes were added to end the first-half, during which time, Walsall won their first corner of the evening as Alves turned the ball behind, though nothing would come of it as the Leicester defences cleared.

That would prove to be the final action of note, and the sides headed off to enjoy their half-time refreshments with Leicester leading by two-goals-to-one.

HALF-TIME

LEICESTER

2-1

WALSALL

The teams returned unchanged after the break, and play got back underway. Walsall began the second-half brightly, winning a free-kick just outside the area, one minute after the restart, but Connolly was unable to direct his header on target, as he got on the end of Furlong's ball in.

Things settled after that, with both sides enjoying spells with the ball without creating anything of note.

Olabade Aluko became the first player to see yellow, in the fifty-sixth minute, as he was cautioned following a foul on Tai Sodje.

As we reached the hour mark, Leicester had a chance to increase their lead, as Chaplin crossed the ball into the box for Watson, but the Walsall defences stood firm and the effort was blocked.

With sixty-two minutes on the clock, Walsall chose to make a double change to their line-up, with Ryan Sjoerdsma and Roman Dixon making way for Charlie Crew and Lewis Simper.

Leicester continued to look the brighter of the two sides, going close again in the sixty-third minute, as the ball fell to Doyle inside the box, but he was unable to control his effort, sending the ball sailing over from close range.

Walsall chose to make their final two changes of the evening, in the sixty-ninth minute, with Andy Dallas and James Furlong making way for Reece Smith and Aaron Pressley.

City also took the opportunity to introduce some fresh legs, as Conor Chaplin and Will Smallbone were replaced by Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Sammy Braybrooke.

Things remained settled as play continued, with neither side able to create anything of note that would trouble their opposition defences.

With seventy-seven minutes on the clock, Leicester chose to make another change to their line-up, with Tom Watson making way for Woyo Coulibaly.

Walsall looked to get back on level terms as play continued, but were never able to create a chance which might actually achieve that aim.

At the other end, the hosts won a corner, in the eighty-sixth minute, as Wooster pulled off a fine save to deny De Cordova-Reid from close range, though nothing would come of the flag-kick.

Leicester chose to make their final change of the game, in the eighty-ninth minute, as Kamari Doyle was replaced by Tommy Neale.

Three additional minutes were added to end the match, but there was little further action of note, and the game was brought to its conclusion with Leicester winning by two-goals-to-one, with City advancing in the competition, as Walsall bowed out.

FULL-TIME

LEICESTER

2-1

WALSALL

LUNDSTRAM (20')

SMALLBONE (32')

DALLAS (10')

KING POWER STADIUM

REFEREE

MICHAEL BARLOW

Match Stats: Leicester City 2-1 Walsall

2026-11-10T20:55:49.495+00:00

Walsall were back in cup action on Tuesday evening when they made the short trip to the King Power Stadium where they took on Leicester City in their third and final Jersey Mike's Trophy Southern Group B outing.

After weathering the early storm, it was Walsall who scored the opening goal of the game when Andy Dallas capped off a quick counter attack to strike the ball into the back of the net after his initial effort hit the post.

The home side levelled the scores some ten minutes after the Saddlers' opener when John Lundstram hooked the hall over his head and beyond the reach of Tom Wooster in the Walsall goal.

Leicester took the lead with thirty-two minutes played when Will Smallbone finished off a Foxes counter attack, the former Southampton man getting on the end of a deflected cross to volley the ball into the back of the net.

EFL TROPHY

LEICESTER	2-1	WALSALL
LUNDSTRAM (20') SMALLBONE (32')	GOALSCORERS	DALLAS (10')
ALVES (20')	ASSIST
72	POSSESSION (%)	28
16	SHOTS (TOTAL)	4
4	SHOTS (ON TARGET)	1
0	GOALKEEPER SAVES	2
10	CORNERS	2
15	FOULS	14
1	YELLOW CARDS	0
0	RED CARDS	0

AT	KING POWER STADIUM
ATTENDANCE	3,083
REFEREE	MICHAEL BARLOW

LEICESTER CITY

Cornell, Aluko 🟨, O'Hora, Thomas, Alves, Lundstram, Smallbone (Braybrooke, 70'), Watson (Coulibaly, 77'), Chaplin (De Cordova-Reid, 70), Doyle (Neale, 89'), Bristrić
Unused: Ravizzoli, Okoli, Fletcher

WALSALL

Wooster; Burke, Leak (Ahui, 31'), Connolly; Dixon (Simper, 62'), Sprangler, Moore, Furlong (Pressley, 69'); Sjoerdsma (Crew, 62'); Sodje, Dallas (Smith, 69')
Unused: Kilroy; Adomah

Leicester City v Walsall: Team News Confirmed

2026-11-10T17:49:45.442+00:00

Don't forget you can 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 take on Leicester City in their third and final Jersey Mike's Trophy, Souther Group B game.

LEICESTER CITY

Starting XI: Cornell, Aluko, O'Hora, Thomas, Alves, Lundstram, Smallbone, Watson, Chaplin, Doyle, Bristrić

Substitutes: Ravizzoli, Okoli, Coulibaly, Braybrooke, Neale, De Cordova-Reid, Fletcher

WALSALL

Starting XI: Wooster; Burke, Leak, Connolly; Dixon, Sprangler, Moore, Furlong; Sjoerdsma; Sodje, Dallas

Substitutes: Kilroy, Crew, Simper, Smith, Pressley, Ahui, Adomah

Aaron Pressley Among October's League Two Player of the Month Nominees

2026-11-10T06:05:33.032+00:00

Walsall striker Aaron Pressley has been nominated for the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month award for October.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a productive month in front of goal for the Saddlers, netting five goals in five games, including a brace against Oldham Athletic, in what is now his best goals return in a single season.

Pressley has already beaten his best goals return in a single season and shows no signs of stopping. Dominant in the air, the Walsall target man’s five goals in five games rewarded his sharper timing and decision-making this campaign.

Kabongo Tshimanga (Barnet) - Whenever Barnet need a goal, Tshimanga is so often the man to provide it. Always looking to find a yard of space in which to get a clear sight of goal, the striker scored in five successive matches in October, ending with six goals and an assist.

Brendan Wiredu (Salford City) – Wiredu has been central to Salford’s rise to the top of League Two. From breaking up opposition attacks to driving forward with the ball, he sets the tone for his team, contributing an assist and a whipped 20-yard finish at Bristol Rovers.

Josh Woods (Accrington Stanley) - Three commanding headers and a 20-yard low finish were an impressive return from Woods’ 290 minutes on the pitch in October. A versatile bundle of energy hassling defenders, he is flourishing in a central role behind Accrington’s two strikers.

The winner will be announced on Friday, 13th November. The judging panel for the Sky Bet Player of the Month comprises Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Chief Executive Trevor Birch and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.

Ticket News: v Newport County (A)

2026-11-09T09:00:00.000+00:00

Tickets for the Saddlers' Sky Bet League Two clash with Newport County on Tuesday, 1st December are now on sale to Season Ticket Holders.

Walsall have been issued with an initial allocation of 1,062 tickets, which includes 400 covered seats in the Bisley Away Stand & 662 uncovered tickets in the PureVans.com South Stand, along with five pairs of wheelchair and carer tickets.

Bisley Stand (Covered Seating)

Adult: £25 (Advance) / £27 (Matchday)
Senior (65+): £21 (Advance) / £23 (Matchday)
Under 18: £19 (Advance) / £21 (Matchday)
Under 14*: £13 (Advance) / £15 (Matchday)
Under 6*: FREE (Advance) / FREE (Matchday)

Purevans.com South Stand (Uncovered Seating)

Adult: £22 (Advance) / £24 (Matchday)
Senior (65+): £20 (Advance) / £22 (Matchday)
Under 18: £16 (Advance) / £18 (Matchday)
Under 14*: £13 (Advance) / £15 (Matchday)
Under 6*: FREE (Advance) / FREE (Matchday)

Please note, Under-14s and Under-6s must be accompanied by a fully paid adult or senior.

All tickets are digital; prices will increase by £2 on matchday, and uncovered tickets will only be available once all covered tickets have sold out.

Supporters looking to purchase tickets on matchday will be able to do so from Newport's away-end ticket booth Gate 6, with collections also available from there. Please note that Rodney Parade is a cashless venue, so all on-the-day sales will be card only.

Season Ticket Holders are able to purchase up to two tickets. Tickets will then go on sale to Members, who will be able to purchase one ticket from 9.00am on Wednesday, 11th November, before they go on general sale at 9.00am on Friday, 13th November.

To snap up your seat, or if you require further information, call the Ticket Office at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on 01922 651416 or visit the official e-ticketing website, here.

Darren Beckford

2026-11-08T20:30:00.000+00:00

We are saddened to learn that former Walsall forward Darren Beckford has died at the age of 59.

Born in Moss Side, Manchester, on Friday, 12th May 1967, Darren Richard Lorenzo Beckford began his career with Manchester City after rising through the ranks to sign professional terms in 1984.

Playing for over twelve clubs during a professional career that saw him make almost four hundred first-team appearances across fourteen years, Darren joined the Saddlers during the 1996/97 campaign and went on to make eight first-team appearances.

His most successful spell of football came during his time with Port Vale, where he would play 214 games and score 81 goals between 1987 and 1991, including winning promotion to the Second Division via the Play-Offs in 1988/89.

Darren also made appearances for Norwich City and Oldham Athletic, with clubs such as Heart of Midlothian, Preston North End, Fulham, Southport, Total Network Solutions, Bury, and Bacup Borough also featuring in his extensive playing career.

We would like to offer our sincere condolences to Darren's family and friends during this sad time.

Match Preview: v Leicester City (A)

2026-11-08T16:00:00.000+00:00

Walsall will be back in action on Tuesday evening as they make the short trip to the East Midlands and the King Power Stadium where they're due to take on Leicester City in their third and final EFL Trophy, Southern Group B outing.

The Saddlers have enjoyed a varied start to the 2026/27 campaign so far. Sitting near the top of the Sky Bet League Two table having only lost one of their thirteen outings, their form in cup competitions has been a different kettle of fish.

Going out of the Carabao Cup in Round Two and the FA Cup in the First Round, the Saddlers opened their Jersey Mike's Trophy campaign with a 6-1 thumping at home to Stevenage before squeezing past Fulham's Under-21s 3-2, leaving them needing a win to advance.

Making their way to Rodney Parade, the Saddlers took on Newport County in the First Round of the FA Cup and, after opening the scoring via Andy Dallas early in the first-half, looked to be heading in the right direction.

But, after conceding twice in the first-half, another goal in the second forty-five sw the Exiles advance, with Walsall boss Lee Grant later admitting his side deserved to be eliminated after struggling to make an impact in the final third.

With the gaffer likely to ring the changes once again, we're not sure what to expect this midweek, but all we do know is a better performance is needed if progress is to be made.

THE OPPOSITION

Opponents Leicester City enjoyed a much more successful weekend as they secured their place in Monday evening's FA Cup Second Round draw with a 4-2 victory over Oxford City.

Taking the lead via Louis Page, the Foxes were dragged back onto level terms via Scott Pollock's superb curling corner kick that drifted into the back of the net.

Two more goals from Emil Riis and Kamari Doyle looked to have secured Leicester's place in the next round, only for Josh Ashby to give the National League North side hope before Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Tommy Watson came off the bench to settle the nerves.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

There have been just twenty-one competitive meetings between Walsall and Leicester City, and, along with four draws, it's the Foxes who hold an overall lead, having won on fourteen occasions compared to the Saddlers' three.

Their first meeting took place at Walsall's short-term home of West Bromwich Road on Saturday, 8th December 1894, and saw Leicester Fosse emerge victorious over Walsall Town Swifts by three-goals-to-two.

THE LAST TIME WE MET

The most recent clash between the Saddlers and Foxes was a Carabao Cup - Third Round clash that took place at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Tuesday, 24th September 2024.

After playing out a goalless game, it was the visitors who would book their place in the next round, winning the post-match penalty shoot-out 3-0.

PLAYED FOR BOTH

Over the years, a number of players have represented both Walsall and Leicester City, creating an interesting link between the two Midlands clubs. Among the most notable are strikers Matty Fryatt and Steve Claridge, who both enjoyed spells at Leicester before later turning out for the Saddlers.

Trevor Benjamin and Julian Joachim also featured for both sides, adding further attacking talent to each club's history.

Elsewhere, players such as James Chambers, Jamie Lawrence, Ryan McGivern, Franck Moussa, Stefan Oakes, Gavin Ward, Tommy Wright, Michael Cain and Australian midfielder Steve Corica all wore the colours of Walsall and Leicester at different stages of their careers.

MATCH OFFICIALS

The EFL confirmed that Michael Barlow, who represents the Lancashire Football Association, will take charge of the match, with Jake Topp and Matthew Sowerby being named as assistant referees, whilst Robert Evans has been selected as Fourth Official.

CATCH THE MATCH

Tuesday evening's match is due to kick-off at 7.00pm, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+

Match Officials: v Leicester City (A)

2026-11-08T14:00:00.000+00:00

Walsall return to cup action on Tuesday evening as they visit the King Power Stadium where they'll take on Leicester City in their third and final EFL Trophy, Southern Group B game.

The EFL confirmed that Michael Barlow who represents the Lancashire Football Association will take charge of the match with Jake Topp and Matthew Sowerby being named as assistant referees, whilst Robert Evans has been selected as Fourth Official.

GAMES

YELLOW CARDS	RED CARDS
30	1

PENALTIES

Loan Watch: Saturday, 7th October 2026

2026-11-08T12:00:00.000+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 the first-team.

Stan Straw retained his place in the starting XI and completed the full ninety minutes, as Redditch United visited Latimer Park and took on Kettering Town in the Southern League - Premier Central on Saturday afternoon.

Looking to build upon last weekend's dramatic three-all draw with Needham Market, Redditch found themselves two goals down by the time the match had reached the early stages of the second half as Blaine Rowe (35') and Edward Panter (47') scored for the Poppies.

Although they were able to grab a goal of their own - Tyler Bruck scoring after an hour - United would ultimately be unable to grab another late leveller as the points went the way of the home side.

Ronan Maher was a half-time substitute as Wealdstone were knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup by Dover Athletic at the Crabble Athletic Ground.

Two first-half goals from Jack Bates proved to be enough to see Dover through to the Second Round proper, with the result prompting a post-match apology from Stones boss Gart Waddock.

Replacing Milton Oni at the break, Ronan was unable to help his temporary team to get back into the game as their unfancied opponents made it through.

Will Etheridge was named in the starting XI but was forced off with an early injury as Stourbridge visited Bloomfields and took on Needham Market in the Southern League - Premier Central.

Replaced by Daniel Jarvis with just thirteen minutes on the clock, Will wasn't able to help his side as they suffered a 4-1 defeat away from home.

The Glassboys went four goals down as, following Luke Ingram's opener, an own goal in the opening nine minutes of the second-half was added to by Ryan Miles, and Kyle Hammond before Charlie Pavey scored a late consolation on the way to a disappointing defeat.

Vincent Harper was a late second-half substitute as Exeter City knocked Huddersfield Town out of the Emirates FA Cup at the John Smith's Stadium.

Taking the lead via Jack Taylor with twelve minutes on the clock, the Grecians were dragged back onto level terms in the second half via Ibane Bowat's header before Charlie Cummins snatched a late winner to send City through to Monday's Second Round draw.

Harper replaced Reece Cole with just five minutes of the game remaining.