Notts County 4-1 Bury (22/2/13)

Notts County 4-1 Bury
NPower League One
Friday 22nd February


J.Kelly, 58                                                                                                   Schumacher, 24
F.Zoko, 61, 65
J.Campbell-Ryce 74' (pen)


Meadow Lane
Referee: Geoff Eltringham

Match Report:

In a match that was chosen by the Football League to be played in front of the TV Cameras on Sky Sports, it was the "Magpies" Notts County who prevailed in a lively encounter with relegation threatened Bury at Meadow Lane.
Caretaker Manager Chris Kiwomya made just two changes to the side that drew with Walsall six days prior to this match, with midfielder Jeff Hughes and young Leicester City loanee Jacob Blyth making way for Left Back Julian Kelly and Frenchman Yoann Arquin, as the Notts Manager decided to revert to a traditional 4-4-2 formation for this particular encounter.
Julian Kelly was involved in the first opening that Notts created in the 14th minute, when Jamaican winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce, fed him in with an accurate through pass down the right channel. The former Reading full back then produced a terrific cross into the penalty box which was just a little too high for Yoann Arquin, who looked destined to score.  The game then went into a tight midfield battle that resulted in hardly any attempts on goal for either side, but, that all changed in the 24th minute, when Bury took the lead through skipper Steven Schumacher. The former Bradford midfielder intercepted a poor pass from Julian Kelly out of defence, & then he carried the ball into space and refiled in an unstoppable volley past Notts Goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski and his right-hand post. Two minutes after the opener, Notts had a chance to level matters, when Yoann Arquin had a shot from the edge of the Penalty Box which Bury Goalkeeper Trevor Carson nervously spilled behind for a corner. The "Magpies" continued to press for an equaliser in the first half, and created more chances, with Jamal Campbell-Ryce, who was causing problems on the left flank, firing in a dangerous looking cross which on-loan Manchester United striker John Cofie did well to get a head onto, but he couldn't direct his header on target with Trevor Carson beaten in goal. Campbell-Ryce went close himself before the end of the first half with a blistering shot that was hit straight at the Goalkeeper. The half time whistle came, and the Meadow Lane faithful made their frustrations clear at the break, following another quiet first half, with the norm of conceding avoidable goals, and a lack of clear-cut chances in front of the opposition goal.
Notts Caretaker Manager Chris Kiwomya new that changes were drastically needed to give his side a more attacking goal threat, and it resulted in Frenchman Yoann Arquin being replaced by Ivorian Francois Zoko. It proved to be a master stroke of genius by Kiwomya, as the former Carlisle winger was a constant thorn in the "Shakers" side every time he got near the ball in the 2nd half. The "Magpies" managed to successfully get themselves back on level terms on 58 minutes, when John Cofie provided an incisive pass which Julian Kelly did well to latch onto. The Left Back made up for his costly mistake earlier in the First Half, when he went past his marker and applied a slide finish that deflected into the net off opposition defender Joe Skarz. The "Magpies" gained confidence from the equaliser, and it wasn't long till they turned the game round and took the lead. Three minutes after equalising, "The Enforcer" Andre Boucaud, produced a hopeful chipped pass from the away back-line, which 2nd half substitute Francois Zoko did superbly well to collect. The Ivorian wrestled past his marker and placed accurately across goal into the bottom left-hand corner. It did not take long for Notts to extend their goal advantage to 3, as another long Andre Boucaud pass on 65 minutes, penetrated the Bury back-line and found Francois Zoko yet again. The "Target-man" managed to get past his marker, who was in fact former Notts County loanee Ashley Eastham, prod the ball in between opposition keeper Trevor Carson's legs and slot the ball home to give the rejuvenated home side a deserved two goal cushion and Zoko his second goal of the evening. Notts dominated the 2nd half proceedings, and on 68 minutes, the "Magpies" were unfortunate not to get a forth goal, when defender Gary Liddle's stunning 30 yard volley was unfortunate to go inches wide of the left hand post with "Shakers" keeper Trevor Carson completely beaten. The home side were not to be denied a forth goal however in the end, when Ashley Eastham upended the "Irish Messi" Alan Judge inside the penalty box. Up stepped regular penalty taker Jamal Campbell-Ryce, who made no mistake from the spot, by placing the ball down the centre to make it 4-1 to the home side and make the points safe. Francois Zoko almost managed to grab his hat-trick at the very end, but a smart near-post save by Trevor Carson made sure that wasn't going to happen. However, in the end, it was the three points that mattered the most, as the "Magpies" managed to give caretaker Manager Chris Kiwomya his first win under his tenure and rejuvenate their push for the top six and promotion to the NPower Championship.

My Man of the Match: Francois Zoko. Scored two vital goals and was a constant thorn in the Bury defence when he was introduced for the second half.

Notts County: Bialkowski, Kelly, Liddle, Leacock (Hollis' 85), Sheehan, Campbell-Ryce, Boucaud (Hughes' 76), Bishop, Judge, Arquin (Zoko' 46), Cofie

Bury: Carson, Skarz, Eastham, Regan, Zubar (Soares' 46), Ebanks-Landell, Worrall, Schumacher, Thompson (Carrington' 86), Bishop, Ajose (Fagan' 80)

Attendance: 5,795 (Including 297 away supporters)

NPower League One Positions:

Notts County: P: 23, W: 12, D: 12, L: 9, Pts = 48 (10th Position)
Bury: P: 23, W: 5, D: 12, L: 16, Pts = 27 (22nd Position)

Chris Kiwomya (Notts County Caretaker Manager) - “It was much better in the second half, as in the first half it was flat and disappointing again, but the boys reacted again so I can’t be too fussy. In the second half, we asked a lot more questions of them, had a lot more purpose and we played at a higher tempo. We played higher up the pitch and there weren’t too many square passes as well, so I was very pleased with the second half performance. (On his substitution of Francois Zoko for Yoann Arquin at the half time interval) - “It was a tactical decision on my behalf, Zoko had trained well all week and I thought he’d give something to us in the game. He did that and he was the difference in the second half. He uses his body very well and he’s a strong boy, so you know when he gets into those positions he can lean into people and manipulate the ball. That’s what he did in the second half and I thought he was excellent.”

Portsmouth 0-2 Notts County (29/1/13)

Portsmouth 0 - 2 Notts County

NPower League One

Tuesday 29th January

J.Hughes, (81)

F.Zoko, (88)

Fratton Park

Referee: Gavin Ward

Match Report:

Notts County, after seeing their remarkable 22 unbeaten away run end at Leyton Orient last weekend, managed to successfully bounce back from that shock defeat and get back to winning ways at a windy and rainy evening at Fratton Park against struggling outfit Portsmouth.

There were two changes made to the side by Notts manager Keith Curle, as an unfortunate concussion sustained at last weekends match with Leyton Orient kept number one Goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski out of the starting 11. His replacement was none other than the young and exciting prospect Fabian Speiss, who was handed his first ever start for the club by Keith Curle. The manager also decided handing a start to Ivorian striker Francois Zoko, who was making his return from a 3 match suspension. The versatile forward replaced Enoch Showumni in attack to partner Frenchman Yoann Arquin up front in a 3-4-1-2 formation.

During the first 45 minutes of the match, both sides saw very little in terms of "goalmouth" action, but there were some decent chances for either of the two sides to take the lead, with veteran striker David Connolly going close for Portsmouth, after seeing his goal bound effort cleared off the line by Notts defender Gary Liddle. The team from Fratton Park, who are struggling with the threat of closure and currently in administration, did start the game well, and looked dangerous down the right flank, with right back Yassin Moutaouakil, a recent signing from Npower Championship side Charlton Athletic, causing problems with his crosses into the box, which young German keeper Fabian Speiss did well to combat throughout the first half. Notts, after weathering the storm, did manage themselves to get a foothold in the game, with Alan Judge and Francois Zoko, both seeing vast amounts of the ball in the opposition half. Judge, like many times so far this season, has been the main Orchestrator for Notts County in their attacking play, and it was he who created the first opening for the "Magpies" in the eighth minute - An in-swinging corner that centreback Dean Leacock did well to get a head to, but his effort went over the crossbar. Moments later, County had the ball in the net, when Jamaican winger Jamal-Campbell Ryce, delivered a cross into the box, that saw Veteran Portuguese defender Ricardo Rocha head the ball over goalkeeper Simon Eastwood and into his own net. However, the goal was rightfully disallowed, due to a blatant push into the defender by Notts County's captain, Neal Bishop. Both sides frustrated each other greatly during the first half, but the match heated up as the half time whistle approached. Zoko and Bishop had decent attempts on goal blocked for the "Magpies" whilst "Pompey" forward James Keene saw a deflected shot bounce kindly into the arms of Speiss.

The 2nd half began with a much higher tempo, as Portsmouth pressed themselves higher up the pitch. They maybe should have taken an early lead, when wideman Jed Wallace, saw his shot skid off the greasy surface of the pitch and narrowly miss Ashley Harris' outstretched foot. At the other end, Alan Judge managed to get a shot away from distance but saw his effort go marginally wide of the left side of the post. Portsmouth, throughout the 2nd half, remained organised, resolute, & difficult to penetrate, but the hardworking team ethic installed by manager Keith Curle showed as Notts were able to throw in some good deliveries into the opposition box and cause numerous problems, with only the final touch / finish lacking. Alan Sheehan, on 66 minutes, delivered a good free kick into the penalty box, which saw Jeff Hughes force opposition keeper Simon Eastwood into a smart save on his line. Five minutes later, Jamal-Campbell Ryce, picked out Francois Zoko, who was able to produce a prodded effort but Eastwood did well to suss out the danger. Jamal kept causing many problems on the right flank during the latter stages of the second half, when he again, produced another dangerous lofted cross which Jeff Hughes did well to control and tee up Yoann Arquin who saw his goal-bound effort superbly blocked by the Portsmouth defence. On 81 minutes, however, Notts County finally made their pressure count and took a deserved lead, when Yoann Arquin on the byline, sent in a magnificent looking cross into the penalty box, and Jeff Hughes was well placed to prod the ball over the line and into the back of the net for his second goal in as many games. Not long after the goal was scored, Notts changed their formation to a traditional 4-4-2, as Alan Judge made way for right back Julian Kelly in order to help preserve and keep a hold of their one goal advantage. That didn't stop the "Magpies" from making it 2-0 on 88 minutes and putting the game to bed however, when Alan Sheehan swung in a deep corner that Jeff Hughes did well to put a head onto and divert it into the path of Francois Zoko, who from six yards out, placed the ball past Simon Eastwood and into the net. There was still time though for some controversy before the final whistle, as Notts County captain Neal Bishop, was shown a straight red card for an incident involving opposition captain Johnny Ertl. It was too late however to have any real effect on the outcome of the match itself, as Notts County bounced back from their shock defeat to Leyton Orient at the weekend with three vital points at Fratton Park. The result pushes the "Magpies" up to 9th in League One, and are now only five points adrift of 6th placed Sheffield United, who are situated in the last remaining play off position, as the race for promotion to the Npower Championship hots up.

My Man Of The Match: Francois Zoko. Great performance on his return from suspension. Took his goal well, and looked tidy and composed on the ball. Brilliant positioning throughout the match.

Portsmouth: Eastwood, Moutaouakil, Gyepes, Ertl. Rocha, Butler, Cooper (Reed, 84), Wallace, Connolly, Keene, Harris (Walker, 78)

Notts County: Speiss, Sheehan, Leacock, Liddle, Campbell-Ryce, Bishop, Boucaud (Mahon, 90), Hughes, Judge (Kelly, 82), Zoko (Labadie, 90), Arquin

Attendance: 10,276 (Including 135 away supporters)

Npower League One Positions:

Portsmouth: P: 28, W: 5, D: 6, L: 17, Points = 21 (23rd position)

Notts County: P: 28, W: 11, D: 10, L: 7, Points = 43 (9th position)

Keith Curle (Notts County Manager): "In the first half I thought that we were comfortable in the game but without that cutting edge up front. We didn’t up the tempo of our play when entering the final third. That was what I asked for in the second half but I thought we started the first five minutes a little bit slow. After that, we moved the ball quickly into wider areas and in and around the advanced position of the two centre forwards I think we showed more cutting edge. (On Captain Neal Bishops Red Card) Bish is disappointed, he’s raised his hand to give Johnny Ertl a little tap to say ‘you’ve caught me there with a tackle – you were late. Its not as if he’s turned around and given him a right-hander but the amount of money he’s going to donate the fund, he might as well have.” 

Final Thought: Overall, im pleased we've managed to come away with the three points after seeing our unbelievable away run end at the weekend. After watching the match  highlights on Magpie Player, I must say this: To all the other teams in League One, You must not underestimate Portsmouth FC! They may look like a squad in peril, but they are a team and club united under unfortunate difficult circumstances. I legitimately hope they don't get relegated this season. Regardless, im happy we've won. It was nice to see Francois Zoko score on his return from suspension. We have 3 good strikers in Arquin, Showumni and Zoko, but I hope Keith Curle can still generate the funds to go and buy / loan a decent, middle aged striker who will provide more competition for places and give the other 3 something to think about. I still think that we can reach the top six again, and with some luck, patience and continued good coaching by the staff, I truly believe that 6th spot and above is a realistic possibility.

Notts County v Milton Keynes Dons (1/1/13)

Notts County 1 - 2 Milton Keynes Dons

NPower League One

Monday 1st January 2013

J, Campbell-Ryce, 56' (Pen).                                                                                   D,Potter, 6'

                                                                                                                                 D.Powell, 13'

Meadow Lane

Referee: Graham Salisbury

Match Report:

Notts County got 2013 off to the worst possible start they could have wished for, as Milton Keynes Dons recovered from their last two home defeats to Walsall and Coventry respectively, to pick up the 3 points at Meadow Lane and cement their position in the top six in League One.

There was only one change to the starting 11 that went away to Shrewsbury Town on Boxing Day, as "Magpies" manager Keith Curle was forced to replace Jeff Hughes at left back due to the player picking up five bookings and resulting in a one match suspension. Jeff was replaced at left back by the returning Jordan Stewart, who had just recovered from a Hamstring injury, in what was an otherwise unchanged starting line up and formation (4-4-2)

The "Pies" almost got off to the best possible start, when right back Julian Kelly picked out on loan Watford striker Chris Iwelumo with an accurate diagonal pass out of defence. The experienced Scotsman headed the ball down to skipper Neal Bishop who then laid it off to Alan Judge but his resulting effort went over the bar.

Milton Keynes then took the lead on 6 minutes with a rather soft goal to concede it has to be said. A free kick on the left wing from on loan Brighton midfielder Ryan Harley was not dealt with properly by the home defence with nobody marking Darren Potter in the penalty area, who was allowed too much space to head the ball past Bartosz Bialkowski and make it 1-0 to the visitors. Terrible defending it has to be said!

The "Dons" then doubled their advantage on 13 minutes, with again, more lacklustre marking and defending it has to be said. Daniel Powell, was given too much time and space in midfield, and he was allowed to skip past centre-back Gary Liddle into the box and then prod the ball past Bialkowski into the bottom left corner of the goal to make it 2-0, and give the "Magpies" an unwanted and unnecessary mountain to climb in this early stage of the game.

It should, have been 3-0 on the 25 minute mark, when in form "Dons" striker Ryan Lowe, was found unmarked in the box after a good flick on, but his placed effort was well turned away by Bialkowski, before Dean Bowditich followed up with a shot of his own but it went well wide of the mark.

As half time approached, Notts did manage to start breaking down their visitors to Meadow Lane, as Lee Hughes centred the ball for Chris Iwelumo who headed it wide from outside the six-yard box, whilst fellow loanee Andre Boucaud produced a long ranged shot that skidded past the left hand side of the post.

Jamal-Campbell Ryce, playing on the left wing, was also growing increasingly into the game in the first half, as he delivered cross after cross into the box, and he was unfortunate not to see one of them converted in, especially in added injury time, when captain Neal Bishops header looped over onto the roof of the net.

Changes were needed to be enforced by the manager Keith Curle at half time, and he didn't fail to surprise, as he took off forward Chris Iwelumo, who was playing the final game of his loan spell from Watford, and replaced him with joint top scorer Yoann Arquin.

The first effort of the second half came from Milton Keynes Dons, as centre-back Shaun Williams lead out a breakaway move from the heart of defence and following an exchange with full back Adam Chicksen, Williams fired inches wide of the bottom left-hand corner from the edge of the box.

On the 56 minute mark, the "Magpies" had the perfect opportunity to put themselves back into the game, when Antony Kay, sent Alan Judge tumbling inside the area. Graham Salisbury immediately pointed to the spot, and up stepped Jamal Campbell-Ryce to slot the ball past opposition keeper David Martin to make it 2-1 and give the "Pies" a chance to get something out of the game.

Second half substitute Yoann Arquin wasted a golden opportunity to make it 2-2, when Lee Hughes produced a smart pass to send the Frenchman through on the right channel. Arquin then broke into the penalty area after getting past Antony Kay, but his placed shot was saved and turned away by Dean Martin, who reacted well to sharply save down his right hand side.

Notts continued to dominate the proceedings in the second half, as the "Dons" were camped inside of their own half, and it seemed as if an equaliser would soon be on the cards for the home side. The Notts faithful thought that came to fruition when Julian Kelly surged past Adam Chicksen on the right wing, and delivered a low cross which Lee Hughes was unlucky to see his effort come back off the crossbar.

There was another substitute for the "Pies" on 78 minutes when Jamal Campbell-Ryce made way for Ivorian Francois Zoko, and the former Carlisle frontman almost made an immediate impact, when he ran from the left flank and crossed the ball into the box which found Julian Kelly, who was then able to feed Alan Judge, but the Irishman's firm effort went agonisingly over the goal.  

Four minutes of added time were introduced by the Fourth Official, as Manager Keith Curle brought on former Leeds United striker Enoch Showumni for Julian Kelly, as Notts County went to four up in attack with Lee Hughes, Francois Zoko, Yoann Arquin and Showumni to try and grab the equaliser. There were a few chances in this added period as Notts threw bodies forward, with Arquin going close with a headed effort, Zoko forcing a save out of Dean Martin, and Centre-back Manny Smith firing wide from close range, but it was not to be, as the "Magpies" fell victim to the Dons at Meadow Lane and saw themselves slip further down the NPower League One table to a mid table 13th position; 6 points adrift of the play offs. However, the "Pies" do have two games in hand, so there is all still to play for as we go through 2013.

My Man Of The Match: Alan Judge: Was involved in the majority of our play once again. Ran tirelessly down the wings, created chances and was unlucky not to put himself on the scoresheet.

Notts County: Bialkowski, Kelly (Showumni - 90), Liddle, Smith, J.Stewart, Campbell-Ryce (Zoko - 78), Bishop, Boucaud, Judge, L.Hughes, Iwelumo (Arquin - 46)

Milton Keynes Dons: Martin, Lewington, Chicksen, Kay, Williams, Potter, Powell, Harley, Bowditch (Smith - 45), Lowe (MacKenzie - 90), Balanta (Doumbe - 65)

Attendance: 5,325 (Including 311 away supporters)

NPower League One Positions:

Notts County: P: 24, W: 9, D: 9, L: 6, Points = 36 (13th Position)

Milton Keynes Dons: P: 25, W: 12, D: 6, L: 7, Points = 42 (6th Position)

Keith Curle (Notts County Manager): “We gifted them two goals and, home or away, if you gift teams goals you’re going to find it difficult. We created some good opportunities and should have got something out of the game. The performance in the second half showed what we’re about and we’ve got to start games at Meadow Lane like that. I’m as frustrated as anyone and I know that the owners are very frustrated because it does affect us. We just needed that little bit of luck, that little break that you need in the box, but the ball just wasn’t quite falling right for us – but, it will do.”

Final Word: Im rather annoyed at that performance by the team. The two goals we conceded are really soft and could have been so easily avoided had we marked the opposition better and stuck ourselves in more with "meaty" tackles. Win the ball back! & keep the ball on the ground instead of hoofing it in the air! Theres no point in long balls unless we know its going to reach the desired destination. Chris Iwelumo, will be going back to Watford today and even though he has been good in regards to heading the ball down and bringing others into play, I cant see him coming back to the club. I really hope we utilise Enoch Showumni at some point soon! He's a decent striker, who can run, control the ball and head it down, as well as bring others into play. If he can recapture the form he had for both Leeds United and Tranmere Rovers, then we will have a fine player on our hands, so Keith? Please start him at some point along side Yoann Arquin up front.

Overall, we did pick ourselves up in the 2nd half and played a little bit better but I just felt we weren't good enough that afternoon and we deserved to be defeated. After looking at the League table, 13th and 6 points from the play offs in 6th, its not ideal, but we can get back into the top six, especially with our two games in hand, so it is throughly achievable!

I really hope we sign a new striker to replace Chris Iwelumo, as well as sign up Andre Boucaud on a permanent deal from Luton Town, Also, I hope Keith Curle will attempt to sign some young, new defenders in January, but I can dream cant I?

Finally, I hope we do all we can to keep a hold of Alan Judge in the January transfer window. If a Championship club comes in offering some ridiculous amount, then fair enough, cash in on him and buy a suitable replacement, but we cant afford to lose him, especially in January and the rest of the season to go, so I prey that the board do all they can to keep Judgey at the club, and whilst they're at it, offer him a new contract! Cheers..

Well, thats it from me this week. I'll be back next weekend with some more reaction from our away League game to Portsmouth.

Keep the faith! & Come On You Pies!

Big T - (Thomas Hewitt)

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