YORK City youth-team coach Steve Torpey promised to deliver his honest appraisal of a 7-1 reserve defeat at Walsall to Bootham Crescent chief Martin Gray.

Torpey took charge of the Central League North away fixture that saw City’s second-string comprehensively beaten by the League One outfit, for whom Canadian international Simeon Jackson hit a hat-trick.

The Saddlers had nine players in their starting XI with first-team appearances to their name this term and Will Shorrock (two), Jordon Sangha and Dan Vann joined the former Norwich attacker on the scoresheet.

Youth-team forward Flynn McNaughton – one of three City players to come out of the game with credit according to Torpey – grabbed a late consolation for the visitors, who had five players with senior experience Luke Simpson, Jassem Sukar, Theo Wharton, Tyler Walton and Sam Muggleton in their side.

Highlighting the sole positives on a one-sided afternoon, Torpey said: “Tyler (Walton) did well and kept going. It was tough for Flynn up there on his own against powerful defenders, but he probably scored the best goal of the game when he took on both centre halves and produced a sublime finish in the top corner.

“I also felt Josh Rogerson did very well in the second half, so those three youngsters can take positives from the game because they dug in, but that wasn’t really the case for the rest of the team and I’ll be feeding back to the manager giving him an honest appraisal of what happened in the game in terms of attitude, application and all those elements.”

Whilst acknowledging that there was a difference in class between the two teams, with Walsall currently operating three divisions above the National League North Minstermen, Torpey was still irritated by the nature of the goals the visitors shipped, pointing out: “Nobody likes to get beaten 7-1 and, while they were very strong with a lot of first teamers, I was still disappointed with the goals we conceded.

“The first one came from a mistake when we were in possession, the second one from a miskick by Luke (Simpson) and three in the second half were from corners.”

City’s opening three reserve matches have now all ended in defeat with a 3-1 reverse to Port Vale, followed by a 5-0 mauling against Mansfield and this latest heavy loss, but Torpey still regards the fixtures as worthwhile exercises as the squad’s fringe players pit their wits against sides that are, for the most part, stronger than those the first team encounter in the country’s sixth tier.

“I think our lads are learning all the time in these games against players who are quicker, stronger and faster and also have the right work ethic,” Torpey reasoned. “That’s what they need to try and aim for as young professional footballers.

“Walsall’s starting XI from the match would be very strong in the National League and we probably got more out of the game in a funny way than they did in terms of me looking at our players and seeing whether they are strong enough, fit enough and physical enough to make that step up to the next level.”

Saturday’s FA Trophy third qualifying round tie against Coalville Town, meanwhile, will be pay on the day only.

Admission will cost £10 for adults, £5 for over-65s, under-18s and students, whilst under-five fans are free.

The Popular Stand and Grosvenor Road End will be also be closed for the fixture and any replay would take place on Tuesday, November 28, kick-off 7.45pm.