Magpies Flying High

Notts County 2-0 Morecambe (EFL League Two) 08.02.2025

No David McGoldrick, no Nick Tsaroulla, No Sam Austin, no problem for Stuart Maynard’s Magpies as they soared to another win, this time against visiting Morecambe.

As that trio were out injured, it was still a strong line-up against their lowly visitors, the Magpies moving into second place and stretching their current, unbeaten run, to six matches.

It was perhaps surprising that the game was goalless at the interval, Charlie Whitaker forcing the first save from Ryan Schofield after just five minutes, whilst Alassana Jatta headed wide minutes later.

Maynard’s side were forced into a change after twenty-five minutes when Jodi Jones went off injured, replaced by Will Jarvis, who was immediately involved in a County attack as he and Jacob Bedeau combined before Kellan Gordon picked up the loose ball, releasing Curtis Edwards whose first-time effort went over the upright.

The visitors hit Alex Bass’ upright ten minutes before the interval, Lee Angol having been played in and got a shot away, but the contest remained goalless.

It was much the same as the second half kicked into gear as well, Gordon getting a shot away just minutes in, Schofield palming away; the visitors’ ‘keeper then saved well from Whitaker ten minutes later as the Magpies pressed for the opener.

As the efforts on goal continued to rain in, the Magpies finally breached Morecambe’s defence in the 66th minute, a low cross from Will Jarvis only parried by Schofield and Whitaker was on-hand to fire home what was the first senior goal of his career.

Morecambe came close to levelling just five minutes later, but for the foot of Bass, as he kept out an effort from Marcus Dackers, whilst at the other end, one quickly became two when, on 75 minutes, Jatta doubled the Magpies’ advantage.

In netting his fourteenth of the season, Jatta bustled his way into the box, fighting off challenges, before rounding Schofield, and slotting the ball into an empty net; the visiting ‘keeper was again called into action just minutes as the hosts pressed for a third, Schofield saving well from Conor Grant’s back-post effort.

Two goals were enough however as Maynard’s men made it six unbeaten (five wins and a draw) to move into second place in League Two, six behind leaders Walsall; from the Magpies down, just five points separate what is a close promotion battle, from them, down to eighth place Crewe Alexandra.

Next up for County, an away trip to sixth place Port Vale on Thursday (13 February) night, before welcoming Colchester, currently in eleventh, the following Tuesday (18 February), they starting to make inroads into Walsall’s lead at the top.

Notts County: Alex Bass, Rod MacDonald, Matty Platt, Jacob Bedeau, Kellan Gordon (Zak Johnson, 82), George Abbott, Matt Palmer, Jodi Jones (Will Jarvis, 25), Charlie Whitaker, Curtis Edwards (Conor Grant, 74), Alassana Jatta (Jack Hinchy, 82)