AFC Telford 0 Walsall 0 - Report and pictures

AFC Telford proved a match for League One opponents Walsall in their first home friendly of the pre-season.

Bucks boss Andy Sinton had predicted the game would provide a test of his team as they continue to build up to the new Blue Square Bet Premier season, writes Matt Viney.

And they rose to the challenge in a largely entertaining game in front of more than 600 supporters at The New Bucks Head.

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Sinton fielded an unchanged starting line-up from that which defeated The New Saints on Saturday, albeit with the bench again made up entirely of trialists.

Walsall boss Dean Smith also played several trialists – including former Birmingham midfielder Ashley Sammons and Adam Chambers' twin brother James – while also handing a useful 45 minutes to 12 first-team players. It was an even affair with both sides creating chances, the first of which fell to Telford's Jake Reid from Luke Hubbins' right-wing cross after two minutes.

The former Newport County striker could only nod into the turf though, allowing David Grof an easy save.

At the other end, former Manchester United striker Febian Brandy, who is currently a free agent, had a decent chance deflected behind for a corner before Reid dragged wide for Telford 14 minutes in.

Reid then saw another effort turned wide for a corner after a free-flowing midfield break a minute later.

But Brandy continued to threaten for the Saddlers, drilling narrowly wide with 20 minutes gone after cutting in skillfully from the left.

Chances continued to come for the hosts though as Dan Preston saw a firm header blocked for a corner, Ryan Valentine's long-range volley was pushed behind by Grof and Nathan Rooney also saw an effort turned wide. Former Walsall man Steve Jones also showed two superb flashes of skill in midfield for the Bucks – a clever dribble and a quick turn – the second earning a free-kick shortly before half time which Jay Smith failed to really test Grof with.

At the break James Spray, Christian Smith, Tom Roberts and an unnamed trialist came on for Reid, Jones, Hubbins and Smith, while Walsall fielded an entirely different Xl to the one that played the opening 45 minutes.

Walsall's George Bowerman tried his luck with a long-range chip which was comfortably saved within two minutes of the restart.

Florent Cuvelier then drilled wide for the Saddlers but at the other end Bucks full-back Will Salmon nodded a glorious chance wide.

Bowerman could have clinched victory with a well-timed drive from the edge of the box which flashed past the post late on. Phil Trainer then had a firm effort blocked with seven minutes remaining.

And Spray just failed to get a toe on to a dangerous-looking Roberts cross which was grabbed by second-half goalkeeper Jimmy Walker just in time to ensure the game remained goalless.

Telford: Young, Salmon, Hubbins (Roberts 45), Valentine (Rothwell 73), J Smith (C Smith 45), Preston (Lane 79), Reid (Spray 45), Trainer, Sharp (Cole 61), Jones (trialist 45), Rooney.

Attendance: 652