NOTTS COUNTY v WALSALL
THE SADDLERS stepped out against our East Midlands rivals determined to extend our unbeaten run.There was a pre-match storm involving thunder, lightening, hail and high winds and so on a very slick surface, it was Walsall who had the first attempt when Sam Mantom fired wide.
At the other end, Richard O’Donnell did well to deny Callum McGregor as he low effort skidded along the surface.
The opening goal came on 24 minutes when The Saddlers played the ball out of defence to set Brandy away and he rounded the ‘keeper to tuck home.
With our tails between our legs, Brandy was denied before Westcarr and Andy Butler both had chances that were scrambled away.
The second goal arrived just past the half-hour mark when an inviting cross from Westcarr found Brandy who made no mistake.
Westcarr then saw an effort saved before Brandy completed his hat-trick in first half stoppage time when he headed home another teasing ball from Westcarr who did well on the by-line.
It gave Walsall a commanding lead from an impressive first half showing.
HALF-TIME: Notts County 0 Walsall 3
The Saddlers carried on where we left off at the start of the second period when Sam Mantom’s free-kick was headed home by Andy Butler.
Shortly afterwards it was 5-0 when a goal-kick found its way through to Westcarr who made no mistake against his former club.
There was a change as Nicky Featherstone replaced Adam Chambers before his twin, James, did well to deny the home side as they looked for a consolation goal.
The home side reduced the arrears with a free-kick from Callum McGregor that looped home.
It wasn’t long before Milan Lalkovic broke through one-on-one with the ‘keeper who blocked as Brandy fired the rebound over.
There was another shooting chance for Mantom that he put over as Ben Purkiss replaced James Chambers.
As Brandy twisted and turned inside the area, his strike was saved.
Richard O’Donnell did well to save low down to deny Andre Boucaud whilst at the other end, James Baxendale fired a low strike wide with the ‘keeper beaten.
There was another good stop by the ‘keeper to deny Westcarr and Lalkovic before Butler missed a great opening at the far post The Saddlers launched another raid.
In the end we ran out convincing 5-1 winners in a game where we had no fewer than 30 attempts at goal.
FULL-TIME: Notts County 1 Walsall 5