Barrow 0-2 Notts County (National League) 07.03.20

Notts County produced a fabulous performance in the North West today as they beat National League leaders Barrow 2-0 at Holker Street.

The win for the sixth placed side will send a statement to the rest of the league that Neal Ardley’s team are still very much in the promotion hunt all be it now thirteen points adrift of top spot Barrow having played a game less.

In truth the Magpies rode their luck against a side that had earlier in the season played them off the park at Meadow Lane but Notts County took full advantage of an early penalty miss and second half red card to take control during the latter stages and return all three points from their visit to Cumbria.

The home side enjoyed the better of the early exchanges helped largely by the wind in the first half with John Rooney trying his luck from 30 yards out in the opening three minutes seeing his effort sail over the bar.

Rooney chanced his luck again on 14 minutes this time from further out as his audacious attempt again went over, on 17 minutes however he was presented with an even better opportunity after McCrory’s foul presented the hosts with a penalty. The younger brother of England International Wayne stepped up and struck the post to the relief of the Magpies players, staff and supporters.

That miss didn’t seem to stop the 17 goal man as three minutes later he tried his luck from 20 yards with McDonnell saving through a crowd. On 25 Angus went close fizzing wide before a free kick just after the half hour was taken by Rooney who again had only one thing in his mind, this time flicking the outside of the post.

If it wasn’t Rooney’s half it was certainly one that Notts could take spirit from as the side defended dogged and determined against the title favourites with the Manager relieved to get back in at the break without conceding.

In the second half Jones tried again from long range but McDonnell was equal to it before the moment that arguably changed the outcome as Quigley received his marching orders after a foul on the Notts goalkeeper.

Within minutes the game changed dimensions as Notts attacked going close through Roberts then Crawford before the games opening goal on 67 when Rawlinson’s effort was saved for a corner and from the resulting set play Tom Crawford netted his first goal of the campaign.

Notts buoyed by their opponents being a man light began to dictate proceedings and Cal Roberts with some wizardry that made him such a hit at Blyth Spartans netted his first Notts County goal weaving into the area before finishing acutely from a narrow angle.

It might even have been three as O’Brien shot wide before Roberts did the same in the closing minutes with the home team deflated it was the Magpies finishing the stronger and taking a huge three points back to Nottingham following a superb display of defending and clinical finishing.

Next up for Notts is the visit of Aldershot on Tuesday where a win could take the Magpies level on points with Yeovil in the top three.

County: McDonnell, Bagan (Long 83), Lacey, Rawlinson, Brindley, Crawford, McCrory, Doyle, O’Brien, Thomas (Roberts 58), Wilson (Wootton 57).

*Main image @Official_NCFC Crawford headed Notts into the lead at Barrow.