The Sky Blues were looking to build on their victory away at Rochdale last weekend as their push for a promotion place was reignited.

The Sky Blues began the game of the front foot and within seven minutes had created their first half chance.

Luke Thomas received the ball on the right wing with just Scott Laird between him and the goal. The winger faked the shot, got to the by-line and eventually got a cross come shot off which was deflected for a corner kick. Amadou Bakayoko headed over the subsequent corner at the back post.

After a bright opening 10 minutes, the Sky Blues were in full control of the game having the large majority of possession with a good chunk of that being in the final third – it was just a case of remaining patient as they looked to break down the Saddlers defence. 

After patient build-up play that was started by Bakayoko on the right, the ball made it’s way to Liam Kelly on the edge of the box who had the goal in his sights and unleashed a 20-yard effort.

The shot was deflected and Liam Roberts did well to re-adjust himself and divert the shot away from goal. 

The deadlock was broken on the half-hour mark as Bakayoko haunted his former club.

Dujon Sterling superbly delivered a pinpoint cross straight onto the head of Bakayoko who was unmarked in the Saddlers box. All Bakayoko had to do was divert the ball goalward and watch it nestle in the back of the net, in front of the jeering away fans.

Only seven minutes later, and the Sky Blue lead was doubled by the other former-Saddler in the Sky Blue ranks.

Jordy Hiwula stuck to his defensive duties and won the ball back deep into the opposition half, and found himself with yards of space to run into. 

Hiwula entered the Saddlers box, flat-footed a pair of Walsall defenders and slid the ball past Roberts in the visitors’ goal and into the bottom corner.

HALF-TIME: Sky Blues 2 – 0 Walsall

The second half got underway and the game slipped into the same pattern as the first half. 

The Sky Blues were once again dominant, and Tom Bayliss nearly increased their lead. The youngster curled an effort goalward from the edge of the box and it looked destined for the top corner, but for the fantastic finger-tip save from Roberts. 

The hour mark was approaching, and the Sky Blues were wondering how they were not three goals in front.

Hiwula had the beating of Nicky Devlin every time, and this time was no different as the winger dropped his shoulder and fired the ball across the box.

Roberts got a touch on it and sent it back into the box where Enobakhare was unmarked. All the midfielder had to do was stab the ball into the empty net from six yards, but he could not get over the bouncing ball and sent it high over the crossbar. 

Minutes later, and it was Hiwula who was denied from close range.

Bakayoko fed the winger through the middle who got his shot off from the edge of the box. Roberts got down superbly well to divert Hiwula’s strong effort around the post for a corner, as City were comfortably dominant.

With a quarter of an hour to go, the Sky Blues finally found their third goal.

It was brilliant build-up play. Bright Enobakhare started off the move as he slipped the ball into Hiwula in the middle of the park, who picked up the ball and gained 20-yards as he approached the Saddlers penalty area. 

Hiwula picked his head up and slid the ball back into Enobakhare who was free on the left side of the Saddlers six-yard box now. The midfielder chopped inside of the defender as he looked to get a shot away and was brought down in the process to win a penalty.

Enobakhare picked himself up to slot the ball to the right of Liam Roberts who could only manage to get fingertips to the ball.

The Sky Blues began the game in dominant fashion and ran out deserved winners in the end. A great team performance was highlighted by the score margin, but the away side still have goalkeeper Liam Roberts to thank for an inspired performance which kept the score reasonably respectful for the Saddlers.

FULL-TIME: Sky Blues 3 – 0 Walsall

Sky Blues Xl: David Stockdale (GK), Dujon Sterling, Jordan Willis, Dom Hyam, Brandon Mason, Liam Kelly (C), Tom Bayliss (David Meyler ’83), Luke Thomas (Charlie Wakefield '90+1), Jordy Hiwula, Bright Enobakhare (Conor Chaplin ’76), Amadou Bakayoko

Unused Subs: Corey Addai (GK), Jack Grimmer, Tom Davies, Jordan Shipley.

Walsall XI: Liam Roberts (GK), Joe Edwards (C), Nicky Devlin, Andy Cook, Zeli Ismail, Matthew Jarvis, Liam Kinsella, Jack Fitzwater, Scott Laird, Dan Scarr, Aramide Oteh (Corey Taylor ’56)

Unused Subs: Chris Dunn (C), Luke Leahy, Jon Guthrie, Cameron Norman, Josh Gordon, Isaiah Osbourne

Yellows: Bright Enobakhare ‘35 

Goals: Amadou Bakayoko ’30, Jordy Hiwula ’37, Bright Enobakhare ‘74

Attendance: 10,646 with 821 away fans.