THE SADDLERS' youth team made Midland Youth Cup progress on Monday evening with a 1-0 quarter-final win at Rushden & Diamonds.

A second half strike from George Bowerman following a neat move was enough to earn victory on a chilly and wet evening in Northamptonshire in front of a crowd of 108.

"We started the game brightly and passed the ball well in the opening exchanges," said Head of Youth, Dean Smith."We became rather sloppy as the first half went on and never really came to terms with the conditions.

"Chances were few and far between at either end, although I felt that Rushden kept possession the better of the two teams.

"We carved open a good chance mid-way through the second period but Jordan McCourt was off target, but our hosts also went close shortly afterwards.

"Our best passing move of the game resulted in the only goal when Rory Wood found Tom Overfield out wide and he in turn fed Jordan McCourt who made progress into the penalty area before teeing up George Bowerman who found the net from six yards.

"In the end it was a good result, but with the standards that we have set ourselves this season, I expected a better performance."

WALSALL: Cooney, Wood, Keenan, Geddes, Hickman, Partridge, Overfield, Forde ( Jones), Bowerman, Paterson, McCourt. Subs not used: Haynes, Cresswell, Butlin, Wren.