Notts County Football Club

Notts took early lead through in-form forward Romello Nangle but the visitors levelled to send the teams into the break on even terms. 

In the second half, Walsall showed why they were flying high in the North West Youth Alliance and hit four times, before Nangle made it 5-2.  

The visitors secured their place in the Area Final with two more goals late on and rounded off a 7-2 victory. 

Youth team coach Brett Adams was proud of his team’s efforts throughout the competition but was frustrated to be knocked out in the Area Semi-Final after a disappointing second period. 

He told the official site: “There was nothing in it at half time but we can’t give away goals the way we did. 

“We gifted them a goal and they scored again straight after, which led to the heads dropping.

“We lost focus and discipline and if you do those things you get punished. 

“It was a disappointing defensive performance, we froze for the occasion and we didn’t do what we were good at, despite the preparations and having won eight out of nine. 

“Credit to them, they deserved it and we wish them all the luck in the Area Final, but you can’t lose a Semi-Final 7-2.

“It’s a wake up call, the lads can take the credit when it comes but they’ve got to deal with this as well. 

“We’ve got to bounce back from Burton next Saturday.” 

He added: “Although it was a disappointing day, we’ve got to be proud of the achievements. 

“We’re climbing the table and we’ve reached two Semi-Final, but when you get to these games you need players to step forward, which we didn’t do on Saturday.” 

Adams was eager to praise the supporters that turned out for the game.

He said: “Some of the fans did both the youth and first team games and, although it was a bad day at the office, it was great to see them down here. 

“Even at the end they were spurring us on and we’d like to thank them for that.” 

To view the youth team’s 2012.13 progress, click here.