[The Alchemist]

Notts County was never going to be the easy game that the league table might suggest. Here was a team who had under performed so far this season. Here was a team we had never beaten. Here was a team with a new manager and finally here was team who had not won away this season.
So Notts County were one of our ‘bogey’ teams with a lot to prove.
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In a first half that was reasonably even Notts County took the initiative.
A shot too close to Dunbavin’s left post was shortly followed by Lindfield’s sweetly struck volley that cleared Dunbavin to give them the lead. Their only other effort of note came when Lindfield’s rising shot just cleared the crossbar. It seemed that it was Stanley’s defensive mistakes rather than Notts County who created the chances. Of the two goalkeepers Dunbavin was made to work far harder with a plethora of back passes.
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Up front D’Sane tested Pilkington with an angled shot. Proctor made room for himself after Pilkington had fumbled a cross but shot wide and the half ended with a Stanley shot through a mele of players that also went wide. Stanley were reluctant to test County’s defence with deep corners despite the low, bright sun which would have made things interesting.

Stanley took the field early in an attempt to show that they meant business. The second half was indeed much better. They played with greater cohesion, spirit and determination and put the County defence under pressure on numerous occasions. However, a resolute County defence that defended solidly and poor Stanley finishing meant that the 1 0 lead would not be threatened. D’Sane always willing, had a low shot saved. Then later he turned and failing to connect with any power saw his shot caught by Pilkington under the bar. Craney had a useful shot charged down. Whalley cut in and fired wide and a Craney shot was met by Mullin at the far post in a very difficult position. His effort hitting the side netting.
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At the other end Dunbavin parried an effort before a defender cleared. He again at the other side of his goal had to be alert to make a save and then a near post cross was headed home.
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The Clayton End appealed for two penalties. On both occasions the defender seemed to fall on the ball. There was hand contact but the referee deemed it accidental [I presume]. He had a good game and quite rightly booked two Notts players for kicking the ball away unnecessarily.

The game was played in a sporting manner and because County took their two chances you could not begrudge their supporter’s elation at taking three points on the road. We now travel to Morecambe in what should be a very interesting derby game.
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Upholding Traditional Values In The Modern Game<o></o>

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