Whitaker Double Earns Notts Win

Newport County 0-2 Notts County (EFL League Two) 29.03.2025

A brace from Charlie Whitaker saw Stuart Maynard’s promotion-chasing Notts County side get back on track on Saturday, they picking up what was only their second win in their last ten games.

Away to lowly Newport County, the Magpies would net a goal in each half to earn all three points; Whitaker, who joined on a free from Premier League Everton in the winter window, notched his first for the club after six minutes.

Nick Tsaroulla was the provider, he having cut in from the right before playing the ball through for Whitaker, who finished beautifully with his left for the opener.

Numerous chances came and went for the visitors in which to double their lead, the hosts on the back foot for the most of the first half; David McGoldrick hitting the side-netting, then firing a thirty-yard free-kick over.

Tsaroulla then saw an effort saved by Nick Townsend in the home goal, whilst Will Jarvis, and Whitaker, saw efforts late in the first deflected wide of goal, and an even later corner seeing chances by both Matty Platt and George Abbott blocked by the home defence.

McGoldrick then geld up play well before unleashing a twenty-yard effort, it curling just wide of Townsend’s goal within minutes of the restart; County finally adding their second just after the hour mark.

Patient build-up from the back by County would see Matthew Palmer release McGoldrick who, having beaten his man, lays off Whitaker to unleash a twenty-yarder past Townsend and into the back of the net.

Newport hit the bar five minutes later through Courtney Baker-Richardson, from a corner, in what was their best chance of the second period, but it was they could really muster and, after numerous late changes for the visitors, they saw out a 2-0 win to keep themselves in the mix at the top of the table.

It’s back to Meadow Lane on Wednesday (2 April) night with County welcoming seventeenth place MK Dons, Maynard’s men harbouring hopes again of breaking into the top three.

Notts County – Sam Slocombe, Lewis Macari (Zac Johnson, 83), Matty Platt, Jacob Bedeau, Nick Tsaroulla (Kellan Gordon, 73), George Abbott, Matthew Palmer, Will Jarvis (Conor Grant, 73), Alassana Jatta, David McGoldrick (Mai Traore, 72), Charlie Whitaker

It’s all to play for now in this League Two promotion race, leaders Walsall have been cut right back and there’s just nine points splitting the top seven sides, and a handful of clubs ready to pounce on the fringes of the play-offs as well.

Leaders Walsall continue to be pegged back, and they were held to a 1-1 draw with visitors AFC Wimbledon, and second place Bradford City missed the chance to go top when held to a goalless draw at Accrington Stanley.

Third place Port Vale picked up a narrow, 1-0 win at Crewe Alexandra, and are a point ahead of fourth place Doncaster Rovers who won 3-0 at home to Carlisle United; Grimsby Town make up the top seven and they also won, 2-1 away to Colchester United, who are eighth.

With around seven games still to play, this promotion race, certainly continues to entertain, and excite.