Notts Held By Woking In The Wind

Notts County 1-1 Woking (National League) 15.02.20

Notts County moved into the playoffs but only on goal difference following a 1-1 draw with Woking at Meadow Lane. Max Kretzschmar had headed the visitors in front five minutes into the second half after a goalless first half where both sides had chances to take the lead. Woking then had chances to extend their lead before Kristian Dennis fired home from close range with 20 minutes left on the clock. There was chances for both sides as the clock ticked down but ultimately neither could find the decisive goal.

Notts County made six changes from the side that beat Yeovil Town last time out. Mitch Rose came back in to captain the side alongside Kyle Wootton, Cal Roberts, Richard Brindley Pierce Bird and Enzio Boldewijn. Sean Shields, Sam Osborne and Tom Crawford all dropped to the bench with Alex Lacey, Wes Thomas and Damien McCrory all absent from the squad.

It was the visitors who started on the front foot but the first real chance fell the way of Notts. Dennis did well to roll Wootton in on goal but the forward’s low effort was saved by the feet of Woking ‘keeper Craig Ross. On 12 minutes Dennis had a great chance of his own. The forward’s curling effort beat Ross but drifted just wide of the post.

Up the other end Rose did well to block Alex Wall’s effort before the forward drew a good save from Notts’ ‘keeper Joe McDonnell. The front man then had another chance on 20 minutes. He latched onto a loose pass on the edge of the Notts penalty area but his effort was straight at McDonnell and easily held.

Woking continued to press high up the pitch and had the ball in the back of the net midway through the half. A corner from the right was bundled home in a crowded penalty area but it was ruled out by referee Sam Barrott for a foul. They then came close from another corner just three minutes from half time. Jack Cook got up above everyone but his header was just over the bar and straight up the other end Notts had a chance. A slick passing move saw the ball cut back to the onrushing Dennis but his effort was high of the target in what was the last action of the half.

Like the first half it was the visitors who started the quicker after the restart and they were rewarded with the opening goal. A ball from the right was guided into the back of the net by the head of Kretzschmar via the inside of the post. On 55 minutes Woking had the chance to double their advantage. Jamar Loza burst forward and played the ball to Wall, whose strong effort was beaten away by McDonnell.

Ross was then at full stretch to keep the hosts out as Cal Robert’s cross beat everyone and looked to be curling into the far corner of the net. After Cook had dragged an effort wide Notts had their best chance of the half. Boldewijn drove at the back line before forcing Ross into a good save and from the rebound Roberts blazed the ball well over the cross bar.

There was nothing Ross could do about the next attack. Roberts drove into the area and found Wootton and after the ball had deflected back of several players it came to Dennis who found the bottom corner to draw Notts level.

That equaliser was almost instantly followed by Notts taking the lead. Boldewijn again burst forward, finding Roberts. The winger’s cut back was then drilled towards the bottom corner by captain Rose only for it to be sent wide of the target via Wootton, who looked to be trying to get out of the way.

Wall, who had been a danger all afternoon, was the next player to come close. The striker did well to control the ball and get a shot off under pressure from Bird only to be denied by the fingertips of McDonnell.

With five minutes left to play there were huge shouts from the home side for a penalty. Roberts again made his way into the area before going down but the referee waved play on. Even with four minutes of added time neither side could find what would have been a winner.

County: McDonnell, Rose, O’Brien, Dennis, Boldewijn, Rawlinson, Wootton, Kelly-Evans, Brindley, Roberts.