Leamington 0-0 Walsall: Saddlers start pre-season with goalless stalemate

Lee Grant started his Walsall reign with a goalless stalemate in their pre-season opener at non-league Leamington. Summer signing Andrew Dallas had a goal ruled out for inside late in the first half, while Albert Adomah was twice denied by the Leamington goalkeeper. Rico Browne, Ryan Sjoerdsma and Courtney Clarke forced further saves after the break, but the breakthrough never arrived. Grant named different XIs in each half, as summer signings Jed Ward, Sven Sprangler, Andrew Dallas, Isaac Moore and Lewis Simper made their Walsall debuts across the 90 minutes. Elicha Ahui also made his first Saddlers appearance since joining the club in January 2025. Academy midfielder Archie Bunn impressed during his 45-minute cameo and threaded a beautiful pass into the path of Albert Adomah, who was foiled one-on-one by Leamington’s trialist shot-stopper. Bunn came close to breaking the deadlock himself when he checked inside and curled a delightful shot inches wide from distance. Adomah was denied again by the Leamington goalkeeper when he met Mason Hancock’s free-kick with a poked finish. Dallas then had a goal ruled out seemingly for an offside on the cusp of half-time. Pattison, who was wearing the armband in the first half, floated an enticing cross into the box for Bunn. It eventually ricocheted into the path of Dallas to drill a low finish into the far bottom corner, but his celebrations were dashed by the flag. Walsall started the second half on the front-foot and forced yet another stop from the Leamington keeper. Simper played a stunning reverse pass into the path of Browne, whose powerful effort was expertly repelled. The breakthrough continued to evade Walsall when youngster Ryan Sjoerdsma forced another excellent reactive save. Sjoerdsma had another golden chance after Leamington gave the ball away cheaply in their defensive third. Pressley pounced and slotted a through ball into the path of Sjoerdsma, but he sliced his finish over the crossbar. Clarke almost provided a late winner when he slalomed his way inside from the left, but his low curling shot was tipped behind. Walsall winger Clarke repeated the feet in stoppage time with another powerful run, although his eventual effort swerved narrowly wide. Next, Walsall host Premier League side Aston Villa on July 21, before travelling to AFC Telford United on July 25. First Half XI: Ward, Hancock, Trialist A (Harris 30), Oliver, Ahui, Bunn, Sprangler, Etheridge, Pattison, Adomah, Dallas. Second Half XI: Trialist B, Harper, Harris, Burke, Browne, Worrall, Moore, Sjoerdsma, Simper, Clarke, Pressley. Referee: Carl Baker Attendance: 545