Matt Sadler pleased with Walsall’s ‘clinical edge’ in cup win against Eastleigh

Mat Sadler praised a professional display from Walsall as the League Two leaders beat National League side Eastleigh 3-0 in the FA Cup first round.

Evan Weir opened the scoring in the early stages before Daniel Kanu and Jamille Matt were on target in the second half at the Silverlake Stadium.

“It was pleasing for me the clinical edge that we showed,” said Sadler. “We probably could have scored a couple more as the game wore on.

“I have to be very pleased with that performance because the reason why everyone’s here is for an upset to happen and there’s been some brilliant games over the weekend that we’ve all seen.

“I spoke to the lads before the game about creating our own memories and our own stories and the next part of our journey.

“I want us to tell our own story, that’s what we’re on as a group together, so I’m delighted with weathering a storm, as it definitely was, and then showing that professional and clinical edge in the second half.”

Eastleigh boss Scott Bartlett rued his side’s missed chances after they put in an impressive first-half display but could not find an equaliser at 1-0.

Bartlett said: “We’ve come up against a really good team, really well coached, really good individuals.

“We had our moments. I thought the first half was as good as we’ve been since I’ve been here and we opened them up a few times and we made it a proper cup tie.

“But we needed to do that for longer really. The second goal knocked the stuffing out of us a little bit and after that I thought they were comfortable in the end.

“We have to say it how it is, I thought they were very good, very professional, because we didn’t really want the whistle to go at half-time, we needed to take one of those chances but we’ve learned a lot today.”