Reserves Open with Win

By Neil Ravenscroft
August 18 2003

The reserves emulated the feats of the first team today, by getting their campaign off with a 3 - 1 defeat of Barnsley at Bescot Stadium.

The Reserves made a winning start to their Pontin's League Premier Division campaign this afternoon.

There were two goals from Gary Birch and one from Matty Fryatt to see us through to a 3-1 victory over Barnsley.

The first goal came when Matty Fryatt played the ball back into the path of Kris Taylor set up Gary Birch for a powerful shot on the turn.

Isaiah Rankin hit the post for the visitors, before Matty Fryatt doubled the advantage as he picked up a long ball and guided the ball home.

Barnsley pulled a goal back with ten minutes to go when Aaron Kerr failed to properly deal with a cross and the ball fell out to the edge of the area and Dixon fired home.

The third goal finally came near the end when a over hit back-pass came back out off the post to Birch, who shot home.

WALSALL: Kerr, Wrack (Smith), K. Taylor, Oakes (Harkness), Caines, Bennett, Birch, Wright, Hawley, Fryatt, Matias. Subs not used: D. Taylor, Atieno, Coleman.