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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Oliver King

Notts County boss highlights most disappointing aspect of FA Cup exit ahead of Maidstone test

Luke Williams has highlighted the transition from his sides defeat to Coalville Town as the most disappointing aspect to Notts County's FA Cup exit on Saturday afternoon.

In a game in which the Magpies dominated the possession, it was the Ravens who advanced to the first-round proper of the competition, with goals from Tom McGlinchy, Ash Chambers, and Luke Shaw enough to see Adam Stevens' side progress despite Sam Austin twice reducing the arrears.

Prior to kick-off saw the Notts boss make eight changes to the side that beat Woking in the National League a week earlier, handing debuts to on-loan Leicester goalkeeper Brad Young and youngster Lucien Mahovo.

READ MORE: Connell Rawlinson questions Notts County mentality following FA Cup exit

And Notts had a number of opportunities to ensure of progression to the next round, with Williams highlighting the transition from his side the contributing factor to his sides defeat.

"One or two times when I felt like we turned the ball over when we should have," explained Williams.

"I think everything was set up correctly for a build-up, and then a lack of focus and concentration on one or two times. It then gives you a bad feeling because you have lost the ball in the opposition half before you had a chance to make a box entry.

"It is different if you feel like the opponent is really applying a huge amount of pressure, but I feel like Coalville were very organised but, in a position, to try and protect the box.

"One or two times I felt as though we shouldn't have lost the ball midway in our build-up, that was disappointing.

"In the end, particularly in the closing stages of the second half, we had some really great actions and balls into the box where we get the first contact. But a ball ended up going too wide or it was easy for the goalkeeper to save.

"I am some part disappointed that we didn't finish the actions off, but then those things are tough when you are in there and people are playing against you and of course you have to make sure you steer the ball beyond the goalkeeper.

"The transition bit it had hurt me the most."

This Friday sees Notts return to league action against a Maidstone side who picked up their first point in five games following four consecutive defeats, and succumbed to similar fate in the FA Cup, losing 1-0 to Needham Market at the weekend.

But speaking about preparations ahead of the game at Meadow Lane, Williams again alluded to working on transitions with his players ahead of the game and insisted the defeat on Saturday has kept his team grounded as they look to remain top of the National League.

"Everyone trained very well, I am really looking forward to the game.

"I think it is going to be a lovely atmosphere with the lights on at Meadow Lane on Friday evening, it's perfect.

"We have to look at the game and the key moments that made us lose the game, and I accept that there were some changes but, everybody is involved with the work that we do all of the time and transition is important for every team.

"We have to learn from that at Coalville and we have done that this week.

"The performance and the result has served to keep us grounded and sharp in our minds because we are only top at this moment until the next round of games, and we have to remain top.

"To do that we have to be sharp and if a bad result and some performances are not at the level required, if that can become a positive then we will take that."

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