Notts County 1-2 Halifax Town (National League) 09.03.21

The Magpies stop-start season was again pulled back to a stuttering situation last night after home defeat against FC Halifax Town, a seventh of the campaign, a fourth National League match without a win, leaving Notts in sixth place in the division, meaning that Neal Ardley’s men still have a lot to do in order to achieve end goal of promotion.

The defeat, deserved on the night, is one that highlights a campaign of near misses, of frustration, of feeling that all things are still not firing right now, Notts giving a debut to Kenton Richardson, one of three players brought into the club this week to hope boost depth and quality.

Halifax in good form were on top from the off, Slocombe forced into a save on three by Allen, on seven he saved from Jack Earing, but on thirteen Barnett hit the woodwork with a beauty from range to remind the Shaymen of their opponents quality in attack.

That reminder soon forgotten as Hyde opened the scoring on 28 minutes, firing in his second goal in successive matches after Earing’s cross into the box.

Enzio forced Johnson into a save before half-time as Notts looked to level but it was a performance that angered County fans streaming at home, not the best 45 minutes of football they’ll have sat through this season.

The second half did however improve, Notts pushing for a leveller as Lacey fired wide on 53, Richardson nearly fluking a debut goal on 68 as his cross floated inches over the bar goalkeeper beaten, two minutes later Rodrigues shooting over from all of twenty yards.

That persistence looked to have paid off too as Rodrigues went down under a challenge by Allen inside the box, penalty to Notts, substitute Sam’s effort saved but seconds later, Enzio Boldewijn dribbled through to fire home past Johnson in goal. A mad-minute of football that looked to have saved County’s blushes.

It was not to be though, Halifax restored their lead on 82 as Campbell fired home into the top corner and give the Visitors to Meadow Lane all three points.

Not the night Notts wanted, Manager Neal Ardley saying “chalk and cheese between the first and second half” with his side playing much better in the second 45 minutes but rueing the chances missed he addressed the fact that Halifax scored with “one shot one goal” a ruthless streak which at the moment, County are missing in their own game.

Notts County: Slocombe, Doyle, Rawlinson, Rodrigues, Barnett, Lacey, Knowles (Sam 60), Reeves, Richardson, Boldewijn, Wootton.

Halifax Town: Johnson, Bradbury, Byrne, Hyde, Maher, Senior (Chadwick 59), Green, Woods, King, Earing (Tear 90), Allen (Campbell 83).

Venue: Meadow Lane

*Main image @Official_NCFC Enzio scores but it’s not enough to stop Notts from losing.