Dagenham & Redbridge 0-5 Notts County (National League) 03.09.22

Macaulay Langstaff scores goals. Fact made even more obvious to all Notts County fans after the summer signing from Gateshead struck a sensational hat-trick in a stunning away win, making it nine for the season in just seven games, a National League Erling Haaland as he’s being called, is on fire for an unbeaten animal under Head Coach Luke Williams, County bearing down on leaders Chesterfield and second place Wrexham in the race for promotion.

It was a scrappy one to start the day, on eighteen Langstaff swivelled and scored from inside the box to give the Magpies the lead, before Cedwyn Scott, Langstaff’s forward pairing partner in crime from Gateshead’s promotion campaign last season, got in on the act himself, bundling home Aaron Nemane’s deflected effort over the white line.

Five minutes before half time Langstaff made it three as he tapped home the rebound following Scott’s shot after a well worked free kick.

With plenty of leeway and a nice cushion of goals, Notts made changes shortly after half time and might have furthered their lead on 64 but for Justham brilliantly saving from one of the incoming subs Austin after good work by Rodrigues.

Dagenham themselves created their best opportunity to get back into the game but a weak header by McCallam was easily saved by Slocombe, before Adam Chicksen scored his second goal in as many games. After scoring the winner against Solihull Moors on Monday, he shot right footed into the back of the net on 74, to make it four, Notts running away from Dagenham with victory.

There was plenty of time for Langstaff’s hat-trick goal, it took just two minutes from the fourth, on 76 before the in form forward completed his feat. Cameron’s low shot turned home with Notts’ number nine guaranteeing the match ball went with his side back up the motorway, along with over 400 delighted fans who experienced a brilliant team performance, capped off by an individual performance that will have the rest of the league quaking in their boots.

A striker on form, for team playing some brilliant football, a recipe for exciting times at Meadow Lane.

Dagenham & Redbridge: Justham, Ling, Hare, Johnson (Walker 68), Weston, Vilhete, Tavares, Mussa (Sagaf 46), Morias, McCallum.

Notts County: Slocombe, Cameron, Baldwin, Brindley, Chicksen, Nemane (Bajrami 66), Palmer, O’Brien (Austin 60), Rodrigues, Scott (Francis 73), Langstaff.

Venue: Victoria Road (1,722)

*Main image @Official_NCFC Macaulay Langstaff celebrates another Notts goal.