Notts County’s life back in the EFL may have got off to a slow start, but Luke Williams’ men have turned their fortunes around since the opening day loss, going unbeaten in 4 league games. Most recently getting another three points at Meadow Lane on Saturday, where they beat Tranmere Rovers by 2 goals to 1.
The Magpies would get off and running in this one in no time, when 12 minutes in, David McGoldrick collected a Dan Crowley pass and surged towards the edge of the Rovers area, before smashing the ball into the net from outside the box, clipping the left hand upright as he did so. This put Notts in good stead going into the rest of the game, as they pushed for a second goal, controlling possession all the while, limiting the visitors’ chances. However, they were unable to double their lead before the interval, leading many supporters to ask the question as to whether this would be a smash and grab performance from Tranmere, with the Magpies leading by only the one.
Eventually though, the second goal arrived, after over an hour of play which County dominated, a short corner by Jodi Jones found its way to Matty Palmer, who crossed low into the area for central defender Connell Rawlinson to tap home from a matter of yards away. Notts now boasted a two-goal lead, as well as a considerable level of comfortability, and continued to dominate the rest of the match, until, with around ten minutes of normal time to play, and with all five substitutions exercised by Head Coach Luke Williams, Cedwyn Scott was forced to leave the pitch after picking up an injury, reducing the Magpies to ten men for the remainder of the match. This switched the momentum in the visitor’s favour, who now had the lion-share of the ball and the chances, and eventually they would give their 800 or so travelling fans something to cheer about, when Paul Lewis broke the Notts defensive line and crossed for Josh Hawkes to smash into Aidan Stone’s net, giving the visiting side hope for the remainder of the match.
Notts would hold on though, and secure the victory, as well as preserving their 100% home record in League Two thus far this season. That record will undoubtedly be put to the sword this coming weekend however, when recently relegated Accrington Stanley make the trip to Nottingham, Accrington sit one place above Notts, only on goal difference. This promises to be an intriguing tactical encounter between the two sides, with the eventual victor potentially ending game week six at the summit of League Two, if other results are to go their way, therefore County will have to be at their absolute best to try and overcome what is their toughest test this season so far.
*Article provided by Will Sey (Notts County Correspondent).
*Main image @Official_NCFC John Bostock and David McGoldrick celebrate another win.
