Notts County 4-1 Barnet (National League) 14.02.23

After a huge win against Chesterfield at the weekend it threatened to be a night to forget, for forty-five minutes, an after the lord mayors show event, as Notts County struggled, shocked, a goal down to the good against Barnet, the form team of the division, unbeaten in eleven having won their last six in all competitions.

But these days Luke Williams Magpies are a less forgiving beast, no love in the air from their own fans during a drab first half which threatened to top the worst of the season so far, plenty of affection from the home support in the second half though, as Tuesday’s valentine’s night erupted on no less than five occasions, four to celebrate Notts County goals, one to celebrate the final whistle, where Notts now sit top five points ahead of those pesky A-listers Wrexham who do still have two games in hand.

Arguably the best second 45 of the Magpies season so far, it didn’t start so well in a game where the Bees took the lead after just seven minutes, Baldwin at fault as Smith nicked possession to catch keeper Slocombe off guard.

Walker saved well from Rodrigues on 12 before the Porto-Belgo playmaker saw another effort saved, ahead of curling a shot wide shortly past the half hour. Cedwyn Scott volleying an effort which was pushed behind as Notts rallied for their response to level ahead of the break.

That goal wouldn’t come though and Luke Williams instead sent on new loan star Jobi Jones after half time, and it was his introduction, that helped his new side, grab the emphasis, as they attacked with envy to ensure Barnet wouldn’t be having all the fun on their own.

Rodrigues clipping a post before Palmer was denied, bearing down on goal before a last ditch defensive tackle stopped him in his tracks, before Cedwyn Scott, right place, right time, on 58, nestled home after a bit of ping pong inside the area.

Barnet then had the audacity to hit the top of the crossbar with a long range free kick but what followed would be more Notts dominance and after Scott had threatened to give County the lead with a shot saved well by Walker, Mr. Reliable, no, not Macaulay Langstaff, but Adam Chicksen, was on hand to finally give the home side the lead, on 76 minutes, nodding home from close range, another typical strikers finish from the Zimbabwean wing back.

The floodgates then opened as Langstaff got his first goal, Chicksen crossing to Austin who laid the ball on to the National League top scorer, smashing into the top corner, his 26th of the campaign.

Late on Jodi Jones thought he got a deserved mention on the scoresheet striking into the corner, before realising the ball took a nick off Langstaff on the way, goal number 27 in the league, slightly fortuitous, but in 31 games for Langstaff, it is a record that takes him level with best ever seasons for Tony Hateley and Jackie Sewell, bearing down on Lee Hughes and his memorable 30 for the campaign in 2009/10, he’s some way from the best ever 41 in a season Tom Keetley got in 1930/31 whilst Tommy Lawton’s 33 scored during the 1949/50 Third Division South Championship winning season is very much an immediate target for Langstaff.

A good nights work for Notts, who still have plenty of points to play for. 14 games now remain of the campaign and although Wrexham are still pushing, if the Magpies keep winning like this, they’ll be hard to topple from the top.

Next up, Yeovil away on Saturday, whilst Wrexham face a trip to Aldershot, suddenly fans of both clubs, are starting to seriously eye each others results in hope of a hiccup.

Notts County: Slocombe, Baldwin, Rawlinson, Chicksen (Vincent 84), Cameron, Adebayo-Rowling (Jones 46), Bostock, Palmer, Rodrigues, Scott (Austin 75), Langstaff.

Barnet: Walker, Pritchard, Gorman (Flanagan 78), Beard, De Havilland, Diarra, Woods, Smith (Armstrong 67), Kabamba (Moyo 88), Kanu, Okimo.

Venue: Meadow Lane

*Main image @Official_NCFC Langstaff & Austin celebrate during the Magpies win.