Hull City Juniors are into the northern area final of the Youth Alliance Cup after a 4-2 victory over Notts County at Highfields on Saturday.
Billy Russell was forced into a late change when Danny Chambers pulled up in the pre-match warm up with a re-occurrence of a knock picked up in training the previous day. Tyler Collishaw, originally named as a substitute, started the game in his place. Adam White, Ben Clappison and Brad Ricketts were also omitted from the side that started the previous game, the 5-1 victory over Stockport County in the previous round. Sam Topliss, Fraser Papprill, Matty Dixon and Jack Barlow all came into the side.
The game kicked off in steady rain but Lewis Clarkson's free kick over the bar was the only real chance in the first 20 minutes.
The first shot on target gave the Tigers a 22nd minute lead. Collishaw and Clarkson combined to create an opening for Barlow who placed his shot low past County keeper Fabian Speiss.
Max Clark fired a free kick over the bar and Clarkson also struck a couple of shots over the bar as City continued to create chances.
Kyle Dixon had an opportunity for the hosts but saw his shot deflected for a corner.
The Tigers got a crucial second goal in the 45th minute when Clarkson laid the ball off for Dougie Wilson (pictured) and the City skipper drove a left foot shot into the net from outside the box.
Papprill almost increased the lead in first half stoppage time but his header from Jordan Holt's free kick just cleared the crossbar.
Half Time: Notts County Juniors 0 Hull City Juniors 2
Just three minutes into the second period the Tigers went three up when Holt headed past Speiss from a Barlow free kick.
Papprill headed wide from Barlow's corner and Speiss saved comfortably from Clarkson as City sought their fourth goal that eventually came in the 61st minute. Barlow's long clearance evaded the County defence and Clarkson raced from halfway to fire a right foot shot over the keeper and into the net.
Jules Gabbiadini's great run was only denied a goal by a good block from Speiss before Clark, Collishaw and Barlow all combined to send Clarkson away but the City striker shot wide of the post.
County pulled a goal back in the 75th minute when Curtis Thompson's corner reached the far post and Liam Guest's effort just crossed the line before being cleared.
That goal gave the Magpies added belief and they further reduced the arrears in the 78th minute when Jake Wholey rose to head home from a corner.
There was further alarm for the Tigers when Thompson's corner evaded everyone in the penalty area and struck the far post. However, there were no more scares for the Tigers, who will now meet Doncaster Rovers in the northern area final of the competition.
Notts County: Fabian Speiss, Kameron Campbell, Mitchell Clarke, Greg Tempest, Liam Guest, Jake Wholey, James Randall (Tyler Guy 46), Kyle Dixon, Ramel Dennis, Curtis Thompson, John Boyack (Glodie Bange 53).
Subs Not Used: Harry Dennis, Brad McGoven, Dominic Anderson.
Hull City: Joe Cracknell, Sam Topliss, Max Clark, Jules Gabbiadini (Brad Ricketts 65), Fraser Papprill (Henry Gill 72), Jordan Holt, Matty Dixon, Dougie Wilson, Lewis Clarkson (Joel Sutton 69), Tyler Collishaw, Jack Barlow.
Subs Not Used: Rory Watson, Ben Clappison.
