Jed Ward’s saves and 50-yard assist help keep Walsall unbeaten

Walsall keeper makes his mark at both ends of the pitch

Jed Ward’s impressive start at Walsall reached a new high point on Tuesday, when the goalkeeper produced a 50-yard assist and several important saves in a 3-0 victory over Oldham Athletic.

Ward launched a low, precise pass through the Oldham defence to set up Tai Sodje for the opening goal. Walsall top scorer Aaron Pressley was full of praise for the delivery. “The pass from Jed is different level,” he said. “It was Premier League stuff, that.”

The 23-year-old joined from hometown club Bristol Rovers in the summer. In his first 13 appearances for Walsall across all competitions, he has kept eight clean sheets. In League Two this season, he has saved 43 of the 50 shots on target he has faced—an 86% save rate—and recorded six clean sheets. Only Swindon goalkeeper Connor Ripley has made more saves in the division, while Exeter’s Jack Bycroft has more League Two clean sheets.

Ward also made three stops against Oldham, including saves at key moments while the score was still close. Walsall manager Lee Grant said the goalkeeper’s performance featured “a big save at 0-0, a big save at 1-0” as well as “distribution in the second half which is just so well thought-out and executed.” Grant added: “His level of performance has been so high.”

Unbeaten Walsall rely on squad depth

The victory left Walsall as the only unbeaten side in the English Football League after 11 games. They sit fourth in League Two, with four wins and seven draws, and have routinely changed their starting line-up under Grant, who has yet to name an unchanged side.

Walsall played the final half-hour against Oldham with 10 men after Elicha Ahui was sent off. Pressley scored twice, including from the penalty spot, to complete the win after Sodje’s opener.

Grant said the match showed both the side’s attacking control and its resilience under pressure. He credited the wider squad, saying: “I’ve just trusted my whole group.” Pressley, who has scored eight times since joining in the summer, also pointed to the impact of the substitutes and the ability to rotate the team.

Walsall have led League Two at Christmas in each of the past two seasons but failed to secure promotion. Their next home game, against league leaders Salford on Monday, will offer an early test of whether this start can be sustained.