Notts County 2-1 Altrincham (FA Trophy Round Three) 18.12.21
Notts County are through to the fourth round of the Buildbase FA Trophy following a 2-1 victory over Altrincham this past Saturday evening.
Goals from Ruben Rodrigues and Kyle Wootton ensured Ian Burchnall’s side had their ball confirmed for the future draw.
The game began with the Magpies playing their usual free-flowing football and this resulted in the hosts being awarded a penalty following the darting run of Matty Palmer concluding in the midfield axed down during his arrival into the box. A decision that was met with little complaints from those wearing yellow and blue left Ruben Rodrigues with the responsibility of firing his side into the lead. The Portuguese midfielder did just that as he dispatched low into the bottom left corner, sending Tony Thompson the wrong way.
After taking a deserved lead, Notts seemed to be in control with the visitors still offering very little threat. However, a mistake from goalkeeper Sam Slocombe led to the Robins returning to level terms just seven minutes later. An ins-swinging delivery from the left-hand side caused difficulty for the Magpies’ number one, leading to Slocombe spilling the ball into the path of defender Tom Hannigan, who bundled the ball into the back of the net.
The game looked to be heading into the break level as both sides continued to push for a second.
Just three minutes from the interval, Notts County restored their advantage. A lovely passage of attacking play left Nottingham Forest loanee Jayden Richardson with a simple task of turning provider once again as he rolled the ball on a plate for talisman Kyle Wootton, who fired beyond Tony Thompson for his fiftieth goal in the Magpies’ colours.
The second half concluded with no goals, despite the visitors having a huge shout for a spot-kick. Joel Senior was hacked down for the Robins on the edge of the penalty area. From what a supporter’s point of view looked a nailed-on penalty, the referee awarded a free-kick due to the initial contact beginning outside the area. This was a huge let off for Notts County as an equaliser would have led to a penalty shootout due to rules used in the Buildbase FA Trophy that sees no extra-time period played.
Due to the fact there was no penalty given, the Magpies held on for what in the end was deemed a well-deserved victory. The game finished Notts County 2-1 Altrincham.
Notts County: Slocombe, Parsons, Cameron, Rawlinson (Lacey 65), Brindley, Richardson, Palmer, Vincent (Roberts 80), Rodrigues, Mitchell, Wootton (Francis 45).
Altrincham: Thompson, Hampson, Hannigan, Moult, Porter, Colclough, Kosylo (Dinanga 80), Pringle, Senior, Mullarkey, Furman (Hancock 63).
Venue: Meadow Lane (1,218)
*Article provided by K-Ci Rennicks (Notts County Correspondent).
*Main image @Official_NCFC last weekend Notts were terrific against Southend.
