TLG Stat-Pack – Notts County form

Saturday 11th September 2004 - Coca-Cola League Two

Northampton Town 0 Notts County 0

Wayne Henderson was County's custodial hero

Goals: none

Bookings: Gill, Sofianne, Robinson

Attendance: 5471

Match Report (from www.nottscounty-mad.co.uk):

Northampton were denied by the woodwork at the brilliance of County goalkeeper Wayne Henderson.

Henderson, back from duty with the Republic of Ireland Under 21s, pulled off a stunning second half save from David Galbraith and striker Eric Sabin as the visitors buckled but refused to cave in.

Luck was against the Cobblers who have now drawn their last three home matches and failed to win any of their last six in the league.

Lee Williamson was making his debut for the home side after signing from Mansfield in the week and he twice saw efforts strike the crossbar.

In the 36th minute his first-time shot cannoned against the underside of the bar after he had been teed up by Josh Low and it was the same story 13 minutes from time when he scooped a shot up from around the penalty area only to see Henderson tip the ball on to the crossbar.

Northampton must have known it wasn't their day when skipper Ashley Westwood sent a glancing header from a Galbraith free-kick against the post three minutes from time.

The first half was a poor affair by comparison, although Marc Richards sent an early right-foot effort just inches wide and the same player should have done better in the 19th minute after being released by Low.

County still had a couple of changes to nick victory with Tony Scully racing clear in the 66th minute as the home defence slept but he poked his shot well wide of the target.

Saturday 4th September 2004 – Coca-Cola League Two

Notts County 0 Cheltenham Town 0

Matty Williams was guilty of not scoring

Goals: none

Bookings: Williams

Attendance: 4302

Match Report (from www.nottscounty-mad.co.uk):

Notts County's poor start to the season continued as they are still looking for a first home win of the season following the 0-0 draw with Cheltenham.

To some extent they were fortunate not to surrender all three points to the Robins who were the better side for long periods and were twice denied when good efforts struck the woodwork.

As early as the 13th minute midfielder John Finnigan saw a fine strike crash against the angle of post and bar.

Then early in the second half, striker Damian Spencer also hit the frame of the goal and Steve Guinan looked odds on to find the back of the net when he fastened on to the loose ball, but he was denied by a heroic goal line clearance by Ian Richardson.

On a day when most Notts players did not appear to have any appetite for the fight Richardson set a wonderful example of commitment.

Only once could Notts claim hard luck - as late as the 88th minute when Robert Ullathorne's drive beat goalkeeper Shane Higgs but came back off the inside of the left-hand upright.

Chances for strikers were generally few and far between as defences dominated but both sets of forwards were guilty of poor misses.

Matty Williams should have done better for Notts with a shot that he blazed into the crowd and Spencer, with a free header, was also off target.

Cheltenham's dominance of the first half could be judged by their winning of 11 corners to two, and it was from one of those corners that Spencer spurned his chance of heading his side in front.

Notts manager Gary Mills opted to make two substitutions in the second half including taking off captain and central defender Mike Whitlow, who was viewed as being "off the pace" of the game.

When young Kelvin Wilson came off later with a calf strain he was replaced by the 19-year-old Faz Kuduzovic - the first time in their long history Notts have ever fielded a Bosnian.

Monday 30th August 2004 – Coca-Cola League Two

Notts County 0 Oxford United 1

Welsh international David Pipe picked up a booking

Goals: none

Bookings: Pipe, Gill

Attendance: 5288

Match Report (from www.nottscounty-mad.co.uk):

The story of this game was of three penalties - one which gave Oxford their winner and two of which referee Mark Warren refused to allow in the face of strong claims by Notts County.

At the outset Notts were looking for their first home win and Oxford for their first away from home.

The visitors were the sharper side from the start as Notts appeared lethargic after their extra time cup win at Bradford and their league win at Lincoln.

Oxford, looking much fresher, got the decisive breakthrough with just over a quarter of an hour completed as Notts conceded their fourth penalty in six starts this season.

Veteran defender Ian Richardson handled when under no particular pressure and Oxford skipper Lee Bradbury lashed the spot-kick into the roof of the net to leave Saul Deeney helpless.

Deeney, in goal because Wayne Henderson failed a late fitness test, began shakily as Oxford piled on the pressure with French defender Julien Baudet further enhancing his reputation as he thwarted Oxford time and again.

Notts barely created a decent chance in a dreadful first 45 minutes and at the break were forced to replace Baudet, who was injured, with skipper Mike Whitlow, returning from injury.

Notts improved in the second half and it was in that period they had their two penalty claims waved aside to the fury of their fans.

First Matty Williams clearly appeared to be held, and a little later David Pipe was brought down but nothing doing was the verdict on each occasion.

Notts had sufficient possession in the second half to have created far more problems for goalkeeper Chris Tardif, whose first serious test came in the closing stages when he robbed Pipe by diving bravely at his feet.

With Jon Ashton outstanding throughout at the heart of their defence, Oxford stood up well to late Notts pressure including three corners in stoppage time.

Saturday 28th August 2004 – Coca-Cola League Two

Lincoln City 1 Notts County 2

Ex-Shrimpers loanee Tony Scully scored both in a 2-1 win

Goals: Scully 27, 63

Bookings: Richardson, Hurst, Williams

Attendance: 5173

Match Report (from www.nottscounty-mad.co.uk):

Notts County finally got their first league win of the season thanks to a double strike from Tony Scully.

County, looking to bounce back after last season's relegation, were a step ahead of Lincoln throughout the 90 minutes.

And with better finishing they could have doubled their two goal tally with Lincoln looking a well beaten team long before the final whistle.

County could have gone in front in the 20th minute when striker Matthew Williams got clear but fired his shot across the face of goal.

But seven minutes later the Magpies went in front from a move started by Williams.

The striker turned two Lincoln defenders inside out before picking out Paul Bolland with his cross. Bolland blasted his effort against the post but Scully followed up to fire into the empty net.

Lincoln, who hardly created a chance in the opening 45 minutes, almost went further behind two minutes before half-time.

David Pipe forced his way down the flank before setting up Glynn Hurst but the former Stockport man stuffed his shot wide from a good position.

Lincoln came out fighting after the break with Gary Taylor-Fletcher missing two easy chances within three minutes.

Taylor-Fletcher got through again in the 55th minute but his shot was pushed out by County keeper Wayne Henderson. The ball came out to Francis Green but he shot over.

County sealed the points in the 63rd minute when Scully exchanged passes with Hurst on the edge of the box before easily beating Lincoln keeper Alan Marriott.

It could have been worse for Lincoln with Williams missing a sitter six minutes later.

The home team became increasingly desperate in the closing minutes but finally got a goal back in stoppage time.

Teenager Greg Pearson, on loan from West Ham, netted his first senior goal when his shot deflected in off County's Ian Richardson. But it was too late to make any difference.

Tuesday 25th August 2004 – Carling Cup

Bradford City 1 Notts County 2 (aet)

Rob Ullathorne's extra-time winner secured a second round tie with West Ham

Goals: Richardson 64, Ullathorne 105

Bookings: Richardson, Williams, Baudet

Attendance: 3517

Match Report (from www.nottscounty-mad.co.uk):

Notts County skipper Robert Ullathorne fired home an extra-time stunner to condemn Bradford City to another early cup exit.

The Bantams have failed to win any cup tie for three years and despite taking an early lead against their visitors they never looked like killing off the contest.

Although Bradford made the best of starts with an early penalty from in-form striker Dean Windass, Gary Mills' side never let their heads drop and Ullathorne's 30-yard wonder goal at the end of the first period of extra-time proved the clincher.

City got off to a flyer when County midfielder David Pipe fouled winger Ben Muirhead after six minutes and Windass coolly sent the keeper the wrong way with his low right-foot spot-kick.

But the Bantams failed to press home their advantage and they had some lucky escapes before the Magpies finally drew level.

Bradford keeper Paul Henderson made a great save to push away a curling free-kick from Tony Scully, before County danger man Matthew Williams clipped a post with his 14-yard drive.

City were on the back foot and in a flashback to last season a goalmouth scramble proved their undoing.

Steven Schumacher did brilliantly to hook Williams' looping header off the goal line but the ball came back across the box and Ian Richardson crashed home a six-yard volley at the back post.

With ten minutes left Henderson produced another fine block to deny Williams before Bradford sub Kevin Sanasy saw his long-range lob drift wide of the target.

In the dying minutes of the first period of extra-time Pipe hooked a sitter over the bar from inside the six-yard box, but just seconds later his skipper showed him how to finish with a left-foot thunderbolt which shattered Bradford's cup hopes.

Summary – the Shrimpers vs. the Magpies

(Last Five Matches)

Southend United

L1-2 (home; League Two; Wycombe Wanderers; Mark Bentley)

W4-1 (away; Rushden & Diamonds; League Two; Lawrie Dudfield 2 [1p], Tesfaye Bramble, David Bell [o.g.])

W2-1 (home; Macclesfield Town; League Two; Adam Barrett 2)

L1-2 (away; Bristol Rovers; League Two; Adam Barrett)

L0-2 (away; West Ham United; Carling Cup)

(Won 2, Drawn 0, Lost 3, Scored 8, Conceded 8)

Notts County

D0-0 (away; Northampton Town; League Two)

D0-0 (home; Cheltenham Town; League Two)

L0-1 (home; Oxford United; League Two)

W2-1 (away; Lincoln City; League Two; Tony Scully 2)

W2-1 (away; Bradford City; Carling Cup; Ian Richardson, Rob Ullathorne)

(Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost 1, Scored 4, Conceded 3)

Summary – the Shrimpers vs. the Magpies

(County at home and Blues away)

Southend United away

W4-1 (League Two; Rushden & Diamonds; Lawrie Dudfield 2 [1p], Tesfaye Bramble, David Bell [o.g.])

L1-2 (League Two; Bristol Rovers; Adam Barrett)

L0-2 (Carling Cup; West Ham United)

L0-2 (League Two; Rochdale)

D1-1 (League Two; Lincoln City; Wayne Gray [p])

(Won 1, Drawn 1, Lost 3, Scored 6, Conceded 8)

Notts County home

D0-0 (League Two; Cheltenham Town)

L0-1 (League Two; Oxford United)

L1-2 (League Two; Yeovil Town; Gavin Gordon)

D1-1 (League Two; Chester City; Julien Baudet [p])

D1-1 (League Division Two; Oldham Athletic; Tony Barrass)

(Won 0, Drawn 3, Lost 2, Scored 3, Conceded 4)