***Notts County Official Matchday Thread (Tues 12/3/24)***

How good was that? Big if, but if we repeat that now until the end of season we WILL make the plays off AND win them.

That’s twice in a row we’ve come back from 1 down to win, which shows great confidence and determination - something I think we struggled to do early in the season. The players’ passion was great to see. Credit to the coaching staff for moulding such a hard working team.

I agree with Jim about Joy - he doesn’t look out of place and hopefully will only get better with experience.

As others have said, their ‘keeper made some fantastic saves - just a shame he was time-wasting from the start. One of these days, a referee will have the balls to show a second yellow card to a keeper for continuing to time waste after the first one. In contrast, despite their sharp attacks, Corey didn’t have too many saves to make.

What a great tense game.

Must admit to being a bit underwhelmed when we signed Joy Mukena thinking, what have we bought here then?

Answer is, someone who looked a real class act on the pitch last night, and as SL said in his post match interview, looked like someone who’d played in that position for us all season.

Another great young prospect we have on our hands.

Wow - what a game. Thrilling and exciting throughout. Hugely entertaining game and all credit to Notts for making a great game of it up until the sending off.

Key highlights - the state of the pitch - outstanding, the state of the players - outstanding, the state of the manager - outstanding, well you can see where this is going, add the subs, the fans and their goalkeeper for the rest of the outstanding highlights.

Two teams playing in a very similar way - possession based with fast wide players and it was always going to be a tight game.

We were evenly matched for the first 30 minutes - we had a glorious double chance when Kellen got a great cross in (as he did all game although some were overhit), it fell to Lolos who controlled it superbly but just couldn't get it past the keeper. Their wide players, Jones and Nemane are lightning quick and got he better of our half backs throughout the half but they didn't really make the most of it and tended to turn back inside, which favoured our defence.

We had more and better chances throughout the half but there was a sloppiness about our play and we kept giving the ball away in the middle - as they did as well!

The Lolos shot which hit the bar would have been sensational if it had gone in and he was unbelievably good throughout.

Corey pulled off one very good save, the rest were routine and as expected but Slocombe pulled off save after save as the County defence were posted missing for most the Half (game).

Kellen and Harry were running them ragged on both sides and I cannot recall seeing so many crosses coming in from both sides of the pitch in one game for some time.

Joy Mucana was sensational in the middle at the back - I don't think he missed anything in the air or on the ground - given his lack of playing time he was outstanding. Harry Ransom seemed a little out of sorts though and he struggled at times - contrast that with the solidity that Maguire brought in the second half.

The midfield was a little mixed in the first half as well - Adam Campbell buzzed about, as he does, but wasn't really on it, Jay was his usual self - some great play mixed up with passing it five yards straight to their player at times. Lolos was sensational though - he was everywhere and unlike Orsi, (who had a decent enough game but he needs to work on his ball control) he can win headers - they played well off each other.

Disappointing to lose the lead though although they had a nice spell of possession and threat leading up to the goal.

The second half was different. They started well and dominated the first 10-15 minutes but after that and even before the sending off we were putting them under a lot of pressure. All the subs made a huge difference - they not only brought fresh legs - Kellen and Harry were dead on their feet) they brought an energy and vibrancy back to the team. Kelly (who looked really composed) and Jack Roles brought solidity to the midfield, which we had been lacking and Ade and Nick brought energy and pace (well, Ade particularly) and trickery to the wings.

We were looking more composed and more in control of the game both on and off the ball and we were slowing their fast players down on first contact to stop them running at us. Their goalkeeper kept pulling off wonderful saves and were all thinking that on another day, with a different keeper we could have scored five or six goals.

The sending off was inevitable once Robertson blocked our player from bursting through after the stupidest of stupid first yellow. Although we were well on top at this stage, it killed any threat that County could pose.

Two wonderful goals from Lolos and Ade - scoring his first goal for the club and the relief was felt throughout (most of) the ground.

The referee was not great. He was very picky and one of those refs who thinks every point of contact has to be a foul. He stopped the game flowing for both teams and gave a lot of niggly fouls, which just slowed the game down at times.

Outstanding win and again coming from behind to get the points. Very good turn out from the County fans for a Tuesday night but the day belonged to us.

Man of the Match for me goes to either Lolos or Mucana and I think for the sheer unexpectedness I am going for Joy. They were hard pushed by Harry Forster, Kellen and Will Wright.

Despite their goal it was not one of those nights - it was a night of nights and thoroughly well deserved.

Well done to all the players, to Scott, who was nearly dragged into the crowd at the end and the support for an electrical, sparkling night.

SCOTT LINDSEY'S RED ARMY!

Its NOT a Coincidence that Oxford City have been AWFUL this season since Klaidi left!