Kings Lynn Town 0-1 Notts County (National League) 16.02.21
A fourth league win in a row for Notts County who are in some serious form since the turn of the year means that the Magpies are now only eight points behind National League leaders Torquay United with three games in hand.
The Notts now third in the table, journeyed to Norfolk with a first trip to the Walks last night after two previous matches this season had been called-off. The FA Cup encounter had been conceded by County who couldn’t raise a side down to covid back in November whilst the Christmas tie arranged for the league was postponed this time by the Linnets who couldn’t raise a team over similar issues.
Finally the pair did get to meet however and in a tense encounter it was County who came out on top by a single but stunning goal.
Goalkeeper Luke Pilling made his league debut after Sam Slocombe’s red card against Dagenham with captain Michael Doyle back in a more familiar midfield role and Notts had an early chance to take the league as Rodrigues headed tamely at Archie Mair in between the home teams sticks.
In a tense first half Barnett curled a long range effort just wide before Wootton headed off target after a corner was headed looping back to him by Rawlinson. Kings Lynn’s best chance well saved by Pilling as Mitchell’s shot was fingertipped away for a corner with the resulting set play cleared off the line a couple of minutes ahead of the break.
As the first half started cagey, the second half would match patterns but just nine minutes in a superb strike from distance by Jake Reeves put Notts 1-0 up from all of 30 yards.
County went close to two when Knowles ran through to cross low and hard and agonisinly close to the posts, at the other end Pilling again was called into action saving from Gash brilliantly to keep his clean sheet in tact.
On 81 substitute Gash again went close, shooting wide through a crowd of bodies and four minutes later Pilling was relieved to see his spill cause no effect after dropping a bobbling cross without causing too much issue.
In injury time Kiwomya had chance to blaze over from 12 yards but again it was County’s resilience and leadership in defence that saw them over the line with centre halves Rawlinson and Lacey as per usual, magnificent on the night.
A huge win, a superb gritty, largely unattractive performance, but digging in and getting results is becoming a theme, especially on the road. Notts still unbeaten in 2021 with promotion still very much in the Magpies sights.
Kings Lynn Town: Mair, Smith, Richards, McFadden, McAuley (Gash 64), Barrows, Denton, King, Carey, Mitchell (Marriott 64), Jarvis (Kiwomya 71).
Notts County: Pilling, Kelly-Evans, Rawlinson, Lacey, Barnett, Doyle, Reeves, Rodrigues (Effiong 83), Boldewijn (Turner 83), Wootton, Knowles (Miller 69).
Venue: Walks Stadium
*Main image @Official_NCFC Kyle Wootton battles for the ball against Kings Lynn.
