These play-off games are usually 1st v 1st, 2nd v 2nd etc. but to avoid Walsall A and B playing each other the Walsall sides played the top team in the other group. Surely it would have been better to keep 1st v 1st and have Walsall playing the 3rd placed sides as Gloucester and Bishop Auckland really wanted to play each other. Perhaps at least the spirit of no overall winner in this festival was preserved.

B team Manager's comments - Tim Grimsley

The Walsall B Team might have looked like ‘underdogs’ or ‘the easy game of the week’ but the B Team  were far from that and could have won all their opening games and were never out of the last game when they played the team at the top of Group A.

“To have gone to Jersey and got one or two wins and a couple of draws would have been an achievement for any B Team but to finish equal top of the group, second on goal difference only was more than we could’ve hoped for.  To top that Walsall B only conceded 2 goals in six games to give them the best defensive record in the Festival.” 

“It took four and a half games before we conceded a goal as did the A Team, and we played some quality football, the opposition didn’t know what had hit them.”

“Both Walsall teams were a credit to Walsall Schools Football, their schools, clubs and themselves both on and off the pitch.”

Jersey Festival Press Reports

The Walsall under-11 A and B teams took part in the Jersey Festival over Easter and returned with both sides finishing second in their groups. The A team went into the festival with only two wins in their last 11 games so they performed above expectations. The B team performed magnificently against A team opposition finishing on equal points with top team Gloucester.

A team reports from Bill Law

Walsall U-11A 4 Wanderers U-12 0 - 29.03.02
Walsall opened their Easter Jersey Festival programme with an emphatic 4-0 victory over opponents a year older in glorious conditions at the FB playing fields. The opening exchanges were even when Wanderers created the opening chance but fired over the Walsall bar. Walsall gradually took hold of the game and flowing moves involving Dean Humpage (New Invention), Alastair Holding (Ryders Hayes) and Louis Watts (Rushall) saw each player go close. Ashley Hepples (Walsall Wood) and Matthew Grice (Leighswood) developed Walsall attacks down both flanks and Craig Stevens (Lindens) cut through the home defence with very close control. Humpage was denied twice in a minute when put through by firstly Hepples and then Holding. Just before half-time Holding slipped his marker and created the chance for Humpage who had his back to goal but managed to hit his shot across the keeper into the far corner.
The second half was a minute old when Hepples continued where Walsall had left off. Walsall played excellent football and set piece moves were always dangerous. The back four of Thomas Tonks (County Bridge), Craig Ball (Mossley), Richard Cox (Manor) and Sean Southall (Blackwood) were rarely in trouble. A Hepples corner after 29 minutes was headed over by Stevens but four minutes later a great 3 man move involving Tonks, Hepples and Holding caused panic and Stevens fired high into the net as the keeper failed to hold a shot. From a Tonks long throw Stevens returned the compliment to Holding who belted Walsall's third. Walsall now ran riot and a great run into the box by Stevens created a chance for Holding who made no mistake to cap a fine performance. Hepples even found the energy to run half the length of the field to fire narrowly wide in the closing stages.

Walsall U-11A 2 Jersey U-11 0 - 30.03.02
With their confidence renewed from yesterday's emphatic victory Walsall started well in their annual challenge match against Jersey. Holding created an early chance for Watts who rounded the keeper and put over a perfect cross that Southall just failed to reach. Jersey's competitiveness saw them go close after 7 minutes when Ryan Thompson (Delves) was forced to make a great save. Walsall's ability to soak up pressure and then hit on the counter attack was clearly evident as Stevens, Watts and David Webster (Ryders Hayes) all went close after Holding and Matthew Grice were running things in midfield. From Holding's accurate corner after 12 minutes Webster fired over but Watts's persistence was finally rewarded when he set up a half chance for Webster whose back header looped over the advancing keeper. Holding was everywhere heading out a dangerous free kick after 22 minutes. Attacking throw ins always seem to cause panic in opposition defences and Tonks delivered to Holding and Hepples who both fired wide. Walsall's counter attacking ability again came to the fore just before the end when Webster broke clear down the left, passed to Stevens who squared an inch perfect ball on the edge of the area to Humpage who hit a bullet-like first timer low into the corner with the Jersey keeper never moving. Walsall's forwards were on fire and Webster crowned a fine performance with a chance just before the end that went wide.

Walsall U-11A 2 Orpington U-11 0 - 31.03.02
In their third fixture Walsall found themselves evenly matched against a very determined Orpington side who had drawn 0-0 with the B side on the opening day. Orpington developed well down the right and caused Hepples a few problems at left back. Cox had to be at his best in defence as Walsall failed to get a grip on the game in the opening exchanges. As Walsall battled to get back into the game Humpage and Watts combined well up front and a typical counter attack saw Watts just offside with all 10 Orpington outfield players in the Walsall half. On 21 minutes Thompson pulled off a tremendous save as Orpington's midfield produced the killer ball through the heart of the Walsall defence. However the score remained even at the break.
Straight from the kick off Hepples created a good chance for Humpage who forced a great save down to the keeper's right. From the resulting corner by Hepples, Southall found Michael Lowe (Blackwood) who shot first time from the edge of the box and shaved the far post. A minute later Watts fired Walsall into the lead after Ball's clever free kick found Lowe whose perfectly placed header was dispatched eagerly. The goal turned the game and Holding and Stevens began playing midfield football of the highest calibre. Holding even tried to lob the keeper following a Tonks through ball. Walsall's day was completed when Humpage crowned a tireless performance by being released on the right, cutting into the box and shooting low into the far corner.

Walsall U-11A 0 Hackney U-11 0 - 1.04.02
As early as the first minute a three man move involving Tonks, Humpage and Webster saw the latter's shot well saved. Walsall's usual passing game was clearly not evident in the opening exchanges on a very big pitch. Thompson was called into action just after 13 minutes when he tipped over the bar but the ball had already gone out. Walsall's fortunes changed dramatically after 17 minutes when a left flank move saw the ball fed into the path of Humpage who was upended in the box. However Humpage's spot kick went wide and his obvious disappointment was shared by all in red shirts. Holding then cleverly got the ball out to the left and Hepples fired across goal. Then a Tonks free kick to Ball saw him hit an effort into the corner but no Walsall forward connected with the ball. Walsall made three substitutions at half time with Southall, Watts and Stevens coming on. A Stevens through ball to Watts saw him cleverly lift the ball over the keeper but it was cleared off the line. Cox covered well in defence and Jonathan Grice (Leighswood) had a steady game at full back. Ball was a constant threat during the second period with deep throws and setting people up but Walsall could not break the deadlock.

Walsall U-11A 0 Newbury U-11 1 - 2.04.02
Walsall's A team lost their first game at the festival when the only goal of the game was scored just before the end after they had dominated for long periods. Up to half time Walsall had had 14 shots at the Newbury goal without success. Walsall's overall play was the best of the week. It was an enthralling match with quick ball played to feet and Walsall's midfield creating chance after chance. Perhaps one of the best efforts of the first half was a Hepples free kick from fully 30 yards which the keeper just tipped over the bar. With the game petering out for a likely draw Newbury managed the winner when two Walsall players failed to call for the ball in midfield and Newbury's movement off the ball pulled the two central defenders out of position and the forward then beat Thompson. This defeat left Walsall in second place behind Bishop Auckland.

Walsall U-11A 0 Gloucester U-11 2 - 3.04.02
The A team slipped to a very disappointing 2-0 defeat on the last day of the festival against a Gloucester outfit with whom they shared ten goals in a thriller earlier in the season. The whole team performance was lacklustre. Gloucester opened the scoring on 17 minutes when Ball was harshly penalised for handball in the area. Stevens tried to get things going in midfield without much support from his colleagues. The killer blow came midway through the second half when a Gloucester player ran fully 70 yards to chase a ball that looked like going out. The Walsall defence stopped and waited for a flag that never came and the ball was crossed for it to be hit into the net virtually unchallenged.

B team reports from Tim Grimsley

Walsall U11-B 0 Orpington U-11 0 - 29.03.02
In a close fought first half against the wind Walsall defended well and prevented Orpington from getting any clear chances.  Walsall looked dangerous on the break with Carl McOnie (St. Giles) and Alex Francis (St. Patrick’s) both putting first half chances just wide. The second half saw Walsall starting to dominate and create more chances with Adam Lindsay (St. John’s) looking dangerous down the right and delivering good ball into the middle. Jordan Hendy (St. Thomas of Canterbury) battled well in midfield and had chances of his own, best of which was a double chance in a goal mouth scramble. Francis had a 15 yard shot saved and Steven Sheehan (St. Francis) followed in at the far post and would have scored but for a tremendous double save from the Orpington keeper. Orpington came back and created their best chances in the game in the last 10 minutes, but never really tested Scott Simpson (St. Giles) in goal. The exception was a deflected shot which needed the Walsall keeper to change direction in order to smother the ball. Walsall were the better team and deserved more than a 0-0 draw.
Man of the match was Chris Hackett (Leighswood) who played a solid role at left back.

Walsall U-11B 2 Reading U-11 0 - 30.03.02
Reading wasted no time in going at Walsall and it took a spectacular full stretch save from Simpson on 2 minutes to keep Reading from taking an early lead.  Reading continued to put on the pressure while Walsall struggled to get into the game.  Simpson had to make two further saves in the first ten minutes.  However the last ten minutes of the half belonged to Walsall with some slick passing and several chances were made. The best was a move down the right wing, Lindsay thumped a cross into the box and McOnie struck firmly from 6 yards only to see the keeper save on the line with an outstretched foot. The second half was dominated by Walsall with some excellent moves created, the chances kept coming and Francis opened the Jersey account with a speculative shot from the right of the box which surprisingly beat the Reading keeper. Walsall were boosted by the goal and 5 minutes later Lindsay lifted the ball over the Reading keeper from the edge of the box to make it 2-0. 
Although Simpson was redundant for most of the second half he managed to keep his second clean sheet and deserved the Man of The Match for his first half performance.

Walsall U-11B 2 Newbury U-11 0 - 31.03.02
Newbury started strongly and created early chances, but the Walsall defence stood firm and the team started to settle and make their own chances.  After some sustained pressure Walsall took the lead through Hendy who shot from the left angle and netted the ball inside the far post. Francis also had a good chance, when he got in behind the Newbury defence only to find his shot saved by the keeper.  With Rikki Tipper (Millfield) putting in good crosses from the left there were plenty of other scoring chances, but Walsall went into the break with a 1-0 lead. In the second half Walsall continued to win the ball and dominate with Hendy and McOnie both having good early chances. Hendy’s was saved and McOnie was beaten by a last ditch challenge.  From the resulting corners Tipper thumped the ball from a narrow angle on the right and the ball screamed into the far top corner.  Newbury still looked dangerous on the break, but the Walsall defence stood firm and Simpson was in good form again to deny Newbury scoring.
Man of the Match was Rikki Tipper who worked hard all game (his best performance for the team).

Walsall U-11B 1 Thurrock U-11 0 - 1.04.02
Walsall got off to a good start and settled quickly creating some good play down both flanks and defending solidly.  Midway into the first half Ben Andrews (Blackwood) created the best chance when he hit a deep ball across the goal from the by-line which Lindsay met with his perfectly timed run, to side-foot the ball goal-bound from knee height, only to see the ball hit the underside of the crossbar and come out.  Scott Simpson made another class save when a Thurrock forward got in behind the Walsall defence thumped the ball over Simpson who turned the ball over the bar.  Walsall took the lead just before the break when Andrews shot from just outside the box on the left, the keeper looked to have it covered but spilled into the path of the advancing McOnie who had an easy tap in. Ben Andrews was man of the match for his hard work in midfield.

Walsall U-11B 1 Barking U-11 1 - 2.04.02
From the start it was clear that Barking was going to be no push over and the first half was tightly contested with neither team making a real threat on the opponents goal. Hendy was unlucky not to put Walsall ahead midway though the first half, getting in behind the defence and slotting the ball past the keeper only to see it go agonisingly wide.  Simpson had to save from a free kick given after a clumsy challenge on the edge of the box to leave the score 0-0 at halftime. The second half was again tightly contested and neither team looked like breaking the deadlock but eventually it was Barking that did so.  The Walsall defence failed to close down the Barking forward on the edge of the box and allowed him to run at them, he continued his run down to the by-line where he left Walsall players scattered like skittles before squaring the ball unselfishly at the near post, where the advancing unmarked player tapped into the open net to secure the well crafted goal.  Walsall continued to battle on even more determined and deservedly got back into the game 5 minutes from time when Tipper was unnecessarily brought down on the left side of the box.  Up stepped Jordan Hendy to score directly from the free kick into the roof of the net.

Walsall U-11B 0 Bishop Auckland 1 - 3.04.02
With Bishop Auckland only dropping 2 points in their 5 group matches this was not going to be an easy game and the main pre-match instruction was to enjoy it.  Walsall recaptured their earlier form in the festival and got straight into the game and although chances for both sides were few and far between, Walsall were far from outclassed.  The best chance falling to Hendy who got in behind the defence and perhaps took one touch too many and the keeper was out quickly and bravely to force Hendy to shoot wide.  The Bishop’s took the lead 5 minutes before half time when a cross from the right found the Bishops forward unmarked on the edge of the area who shot pasted Simpson as he tried to make his way back across his goal. Walsall continued to battle hard and find their way back into the game and could well have done when the last man cynically brought down Francis on the edge of the box. Hendy stepped up to take the resulting free kick and forced the Bishop’s keeper into a save. Walsall continued to win ball and play some great passing football but were unable to create any further chances to score. Another excellent performance which given a few more minutes Walsall could have snatched an equaliser.
Man of the match went to the hard working and consistent Aaron Handley at centre back who was a rock all Festival.
Player of the Festival went to Scott Simpson who kept Walsall B in most of the games with some excellent saves.