Notts County 4-0 Eastleigh (National League) 14.03.20
Surprisingly due to the cancellation of fixtures in the top four divisions of English football due to the outbreak of Coronavirus the leading team in the country in action today was Notts County Football Club and they didn’t dissapoint in front of near 5,000 hard core supporters that were far from put off by the current climate to attend this National League fixture at Meadow Lane.
Notts were rampant, on form, playing with confidence and professional in disposing of opposition at the lower end of the table and struggling for survival. Eastleigh, four points from safety didn’t show up. Perhaps their minds were on somerthing different, despite the uncertainty of how the season will pan out and whether or not this match will be the last at Meadow Lane in a while, Notts still did their business and were convincing winners.
Kyle Wootton gave the Magpies the lead after just 15 minutes heading home a curled Kristian Dennis cross. Cal Roberts a nuisance all afternoon then went close first firing over on 20 then five minutes later shooting low at Stryjek in the Eastleigh goal before Hollands headed over for the away sides best chance.
Two efforts in a minute for Notts could have seen Neal Ardley’s men double their advantage as Dennis bent a shot straight at Stryjek before Rose was denied by the Polish keeper.
In the second half the visitors started bright Boyce heading off target before Miley blazed over then on 54 Kristian Dennis netted his third of the week nodding home from Roberts cross.
That goal gave the homeside more freedom and confidence and it wasn’t long until Notts grabbed a third when on 62 Kyle Wootton got his second of the afternoon finishing off a great move which ended in Roberts cutting back to the striker before netting his 18th of the campaign.
Eight minutes later Roberts turned goalscorer from provider himself as he netted his third in three games striking low into the corner and capping off yet another fine performance for a player who’s reputation is growing and growing at the club.
The young winger was replaced on 78 to a standing ovation by another new signing Scott Wilson and the Oldham loanee nearly turned provider for Kyle Wootton’s hat-trick goal fizzing a ball across the face of the goal inches away from his fellow strikers boots.
A convincing performance and a victory that closes the gap on the top two with the Magpies now third in the table on 63 points just seven behind leaders Barrow. Notts might not know their destiny and questions whether they’ll be playing on Wednesday night or next week in the FA Trophy are still to be answered but one thing is for sure, the Magpies are certainly coming into form at what would usually be the business end of the season.
County: McDonnell, Rawlinson, Brindley, Lacey, Bagan, Rose (Crawford 72), Doyle, Roberts (Wilson 78), Wootton, Boldewijn, Dennis (Thomas 72).
*Main image @Official_NCFC Kyle Wootton scoring another two goals as Notts march on.
