George Bennett gives his take after Walsall held Stoke to a goalless draw before going out on penalties. The Saddlers kept the home side at bay for 90 minutes - but were undone and bowed out on spot kicks.
00:00Hi Sadler's fans, I just got back in the car after Walsall faced the first round exit in the League Cup
00:06following a 4-3 shootout defeat against Championship Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium.
00:12But it was a spirited performance from Walsall and, you know, they can really leave Stoke with their heads held high.
00:21Matt Sadler talked about his pride when I spoke to him after the full-time whistle.
00:25And he made 10 changes from the 1-0 defeat against Gillingham with only Connor Barrett keeping his place.
00:34There were debuts for Harrison Burke, Dan Cox, Vincent Harper.
00:38Courtney Clarke made his full debut and there was also a first start to the season for Ronan Mayer.
00:45Stoke had the first chance. Courtney Clarke was pickpocketed on the edge of the penalty area by Jamie Donnelly.
00:52He then forced a low save out of Sam Hornby, but chances were limited really.
00:59Walsall's best was around midway into that first half.
01:02A good move down the right-hand side, a little cutback from Connor Barrett and Josh Corden fired into the side netting.
01:09Stoke had a chance just on the cusp of half-time and it was Robert Bosynik with a glanced header just wide as a target.
01:17And he then knocked the ball down just after the restart for Donnelly and he crashed in effort from the edge of the penalty area onto the crossbar.
01:27But Walsall continued to frustrate him with disciplined out of possession.
01:30There were some good performances across the 90.
01:33Brandon Conley in particular was a standout in the holding role.
01:36Ronan Mayer also made real good use of his start with a bright performance.
01:44And yeah, I mean, Sadler changed things as the game went on.
01:47Substitute Johnny Stuttle had two chances in stoppage time.
01:51He struck one which deflected wider than near post and then stabbed the resulting corner wide.
01:55And that was in the air.
01:56Seven minutes of stoppage time in the end.
01:58It went down to penalties.
01:59And unfortunately, that was where Walsall's journey in the competition ended.
02:04Jimmy O'Mant stepped up, scored his first.
02:06But then Johnny Stuttle blazed over the crossbar.
02:09Aidan Flint kept Walsall's hopes alive, as did Jamie Jealous.
02:14And yeah, it was down to the fifth penalty.
02:16Albert Odoma was denied by Jack Bonham, who then stepped up and converted the resulting penalty kick to consign Walsall to elimination.
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