WALSALL, England (Interstat) — Substitute Daniel Kanu’s first-half goal proved decisive as Walsall opened its League Two campaign with a 1-0 victory over Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park on Wednesday.

The match, contested between two sides seeking a positive start to the 2025-26 English Football League season, was settled by a 27th-minute strike from the visiting forward. The result defied a pregame projection from Interstat, whose game simulator had forecast a 1-1 draw and gave Walsall a narrow 50.70 percent probability to win.

Walsall’s winner was a product of effective teamwork following a set piece. A corner kick was only partially cleared by the Oldham defense, falling to Walsall midfielder Tom Pett near the edge of the penalty area. Pett quickly played a low pass into the path of an advancing Jamie Robson on the left flank. The defender’s first-time cross found Kanu, who had entered the match as a substitute earlier in the half, for a close-range finish past the goalkeeper.

The assist was one of several notable performances in the build-up. Pett was credited with the secondary assist, while Robson’s cross earned him the primary helper. Lewis Warrington, another substitute who also entered the game before the goal, was involved in the possession leading to the chance, earning him an assist in the official statistics.

The game’s physical tone was established early, with five yellow cards issued by the referee. Walsall’s Warrington was booked in the 22nd minute, followed by teammate Pett in the 36th. Oldham’s Daniel Cox received a caution just before halftime in the 45th minute. The second half saw further bookings for Oldham forward Mike Fondop-Talom in the 77th minute and Walsall’s Robson in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.

Oldham Athletic, playing before its home supporters, struggled to create consistent scoring opportunities against a disciplined Walsall defense. The Latics’ best efforts were repelled as the Saddlers maintained their narrow advantage through the final whistle.

With the victory, Walsall begins its League Two season with a record of one win and no losses, also moving to 1-0 across all competitions. Oldham Athletic starts its campaign with a record of no wins and one loss in both league and overall play.

The teams will continue their League Two schedules this weekend.