EFL Trophy: Walsall 3 Shrewsbury 0 - Report

The Saddler's 3-0 victory at Bescot Stadium was enough to see them top the Southern Group A ahead of Birmingham City.

Walsall boss Mat Sadler had made 10 changes to his starting XI, but that made no difference against a poor, managerless Town side whose miserable season got worse.

Tommi O'Reilly went close to opening the scoring for Shrewsbury when his effort from outside the box was tipped around the post by Sam Hornby.

Moments later, George Lloyd missed an absolute sitter from eight yards out when he smashed the ball into the stands when through on goal.

Albert Adomah was bright on the right for the hosts, and he volleyed a cross-field ball straight at Toby Savin.

Walsall had been in good form in this competition after beating Fulham under-21s and drawing at Blues.

The home side had two free-kicks in dangerous positions on the edge of the Town box, but they were unable to turn those promising situations into clear-cut chances.

Charles Sagoe Jr's left-footed effort at the end of the first half was well-saved by Hornby as Shrewsbury went close once more.The Saddlers took the lead within eight minutes of the restart via West Brom loanee Reyes Cleary. 

He smashed Evan Weirs' deep ball to the back post home from close range.It was Cleary's first goal in a Walsall shirt but a terrible one to concede from a Shrewsbury perspective.

The second came not long after when Rico Browne won the ball back for Mat Sadler's side and played in George Hall, who lobbed it over the helpless Savin.Walsall showed their dominance in the second period and should have added a third as Jamille Matt and Nathan Lowe missed opportunities.

.Lowe did then get his goal when he headed home Taylor Allen's cross from the left five minutes before the end.

Walsall: Hornby; McEntee, Browne, Weir; Adomah, Lakin (Stirk 69), Earing, Hall (Jellis 80), Maher (Allen 69) Johnson (Lowe 69), Cleary (Matt 69).

Subs not used: Kilroy, Barrett.

Shrews: Savin, Hoole, J Feeney, Nurse, Shipley, Gilliead, Winchester (Bloxham 63), Ojo, O'Reilly (Godwin 80), Sagoe Jr (Rossiter 63), Lloyd.

Subs not used: Young, Marquis, Nsiala, Castledine.