Pre-season: AFC Telford United 0-2 Walsall - Report
Paul Carden felt AFC Telford United did not do themselves justice and were 'waiting to be beaten' by League Two Walsall.
Goals either side of half-time by Andy Williams and Isaac Hutchinson earned the win for Michael Flynn's Saddlers to inflict a first friendly defeat in four on the Bucks.
Carden, who was missing four first-teamers through illness and injury and had another come off early through the bug, was critical of his team's performance – after National League North Telford had earned plaudits in holding League One neighbours Shrewsbury last week.
The manager said: "I didn't think we were at it, I didn't think we were anywhere near what we were on Tuesday night.
"But Walsall came and were strong, athletic, good with the ball, good movements and we were the opposite, we looked apprehensive from minute one.
"When you put yourselves on the back foot and encourage a good side, good sides take advantage.
"I felt it was only a matter of time before we conceded because of the things we were doing with and without the ball.
"Maybe I'm being harsh, but you learn more from that than Tuesday night. When everything's going for you, you're playing well, one player triggers something good it's easy for others to cling to.
"But when one takes a step back and allows his man to have an extra touch, it filtered through.
"Being honest I don't think we did ourselves any justice with what we're about and what we've got. I felt we were waiting to be beat."
Telford, still without Jason Oswell (calf), missed Nathan Blissett, Harry Flowers and Luke Pilling due to illness, which also caught up with Kobe Jae Chong early on. There was a start for new midfield signing Sam McLintock.Walsall had the lion's share of possession early on in the sunshine, but Telford had the first proper chance.
Jordan Piggott wriggled free of the Walsall backline and got on the end of a floated free-kick, sending a volley wide of the far post.
Peter Clarke looked solid at the back for the Saddlers as he won a series of headers. Brandon Comley was doing a tidy job in midfield as well, showing lots of energy and breaking up play with a few well-timed tackles.
In the final third, however, Flynn's men were not having a great deal of joy.
Flynn Clarke got on the end of a low cross from Hutchinson but was denied by Robbie Evans before he could pull the trigger.
The Bucks were giving a good account of themselves and could have easily taken the lead as centre-forward Byron Moore released fellow attacker Devarn Green.
He rounded Walsall keeper Owen Evans before the shot-stopper recovered quickly and spread himself to deny Green's low strike.
The Saddlers were guilty of several stray passes throughout the half and had struggled to fully find their rhythm, but they displayed a much-welcome clinical edge to go in front just before the interval.
Flynn Clarke worked his way to the byline and sent a cut-back onto the head of Williams, who gratefully nodded the ball into the bottom corner for his second goal of pre-season.
Walsall would go on to double their advantage shortly after the restart.
A massive header from Donervon Daniels almost set Williams free. The veteran was denied, but Hutchinson pounced on the loose ball as he curled home from 20 yards.
Telford's trialist keeper got a hand to it but was unable to keep out the sweet left-footed strike.
The Saddlers had made three changes for the start of the second period as Liam Kinsella, Douglas James-Taylor and trialist Green replaced Flynn Clarke, Maher and Taylor Allen, switching to a 3-5-2 formation in the process.
They made another triple substitution on the hour mark as Abraham, Livermore and Liam Bennett entered the fray.
Young trialist Mukuna then came on along with Brendan Kiernan – the winger getting his first workout of the summer.
Those changes and another drinks break in the heat disrupted the flow of the game, as is often the case with pre-season friendlies.
Both teams eventually began to offer more going forward again.
One of the Bucks' trialists tried his luck from range and forced Evans to parry the ball behind for a corner.
Mukuna soon used his speed to create a yard of space at the other end but dragged his attempt wide of the near post.
A rare mistake from Kinsella then allowed Evans in, who could only hit the side netting for the home side.
Abraham – the younger brother of England and Roma star Tammy – did his best to get on the scoresheet towards the end but a toe-poked attempt from close range was tipped wide.
Teams
Telford (4-3-3): Trialist A; Dugmore (Nolan, 51), Piggott, Brown, Bood (Bailey, 76) ; Evans, Jae Chong (Ekpolo, 29), McLintock (Trialist B, 65); Green (Baker, 76), Moore (Abbey, 76), Daniels (Trialist C, 65)
Walsall (4-3-1-2): Evans; White, Daniels (Bennett, 60), P Clarke (Livermore, 60), Monthe; Hutchinson (Mukuna, 65), Comley (Kiernan, 69), Allen (Green, 46); F Clarke (Kinsella, 46); Williams (Abraham, 60), Maher (James-Taylor, 46)
Not used: Przybek (gk)
Goals: Williams (45), Hutchinson (49)
Attendance: 1,080 (430 Walsall fans)
