Aldershot Town 0-1 Notts County (National League) 07.11.20

Notts County were beaten in their first match back since covid ripped apart their squad three weeks ago with the Magpies suffering a second successive loss and third defeat in the league in total as Neal Ardley’s men now have much to do if they are to chase the promotion pushing pack.

After a nervy start for both sides at the EBB Stadium it took 14 minutes for the first real attempt of the game as Kyle Wootton met Jim O’Brien’s low corner to hit first time left footed but wide of the Shots goalposts as his effort failed to trouble goalkeeper James. Both sides enjoyed spells of possession without looking hugely threatening in a tense first half with O’Brien volleying over with five minutes to go until the break the best of the underwhelming rest.

In the second half it was Aldershot who started marginally the better with Lyons-Foster heading over from a corner their first real attempt of the game just before the hour two minutes before Brindley cut back for Wootton who slashed wide of the mark.

That miss proved costly for Notts as the hosts took the lead shortly after when Panayiotou finished off well and as Notts aimed to level Wootton’s header was spectacularly saved by James to ensure an immediate response was denied.

Sam went close late on when the Notts sub broke the Aldershot offside trap to race into the area but his shot was saved by James from a narrow angle and the homeside held on for a much needed win.

Aldershot Town: James, Sendles-White, Bettamer, Fowler, Kandi, Lyons-Foster, Ogie, Panayiotou, Rees, Tanner, Whittingham.

Notts County: Slocombe, Brindley, Chicksen, Lacey, Graham (Turner 78), Doyle, O’Brien, Reeves, Rodrigues (Boldewijn 69), Thomas (Sam 78), Wootton.

Venue: Recreation Ground

*Main image @Official_NCFC action from Aldershot’s win over Notts County.