Notts County played an unusual friendly match with Cambridge United at St Neots Town yesterday as the two teams faced off in two matches of 35 minutes each way with two very different results.
Cambridge took the first game with a 2-0 victory thanks to two goals from striker Sam Smith and in the second game, they looked to be heading to another two-nil win with successive goals from Harvey Knibbs.
Macaulay Langstaff however, had other ideas, the new signing from Gateshead earlier in the summer, scoring a second half of the second match hat-trick that turned things around and gave Notts a share of spoils in wins on the day.
Langstaff’s goals included a deflected header before a left footed finish from a corner, he then finished off a slick move from close range to tap in right footed to complete the perfect hat-trick.
The Magpies again featured a couple of U19’s in their starting XI’s with midfielder Brad McGregor playing the first 70 minutes and team-mate Lucien Mahovo featuring from the off in the second match, they were joined by winger Luther Munakandafa, aged 18 who recently signed a professional contract with the club.
Also in pre-season action yesterday were Mansfield Town who drew 1-1 at home with Rotherham United. The Stags going a goal behind to Joshua Kayode’s first half strike before Rhys Oates levelled late on in the second half.
The Stags featuring young Riley Harbottle from the start, the defender having joined Mansfield on a season long loan from Nottingham Forest on Friday afternoon.
Speaking of Forest, they too were in action and held to a goalless draw at Barnsley whilst non-leaguers Basford United drew 3-3 at Hebburn Town. Worksop Town of the Northern Premier League East Division continued their fine pre-season so far with a 2-0 win at Garforth Town, Danny Burns and Alex Starcenko with the goals, whilst Carlton Town hosted a tribute game for Micky Barrett, a well-known local man who was a Clifton All Whites and Nottingham Forest fan who sadly died in 2020 with cancer.
Carlton coming from behind to beat Clifton in the memorial match in front of 126 spectators with first half goals from Martin Ball and Nat Watson before a second half brace by Brad Wells sealed a 4-1 win.
*Main image @Official_NCFC Macaulay Langstaff in action for Notts against Cambridge.
