WOOTTON HAS MAGPIES JUMPING FOR JOY
NOTTS County snatched a dramatic late win against Sutton United as Kyle Wootton scored in stoppage time.
It was a third successive National League win for the Magpies but they had looked destined to have to settle for a point in a hard-fought contest
Wootton changed that by lashing in his fourth goal of the season from 12 yards with the last kick of the game after Sutton goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis could not hold substitute Jimmy Knowles’ shot.
On a night when defences were so well organised, clearcut chances had been few and far between, Enzio Boldewijn coming closest to scoring in the first half with a shot that hit the bar.
Sutton had their moments but Wootton had already had a chance to snatch the points just before stoppage time when he latched on to a pass from Jim O’brien but saw his effort well saved by Bouzanis. Given one more chance, he made no mistake.
Sutton went into the game with a 100% record which has largely been due to their organisation. But within the opening minute Notts had carved them open in a bright and enterprising start on an artificial surface. It stemmed from some excellent work from Jim O’brien to win possession high up the pitch which saw the ball spin to the feet of Dion Kelly-evans. The full-back whipped a cross low and hard into the area, which was left by Wootton for the unmarked Jake Reeves but he could only steer his shot over the bar. After watching Notts boss possession
Wootton lashed in his fourth goal of the season after goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis could not hold Jimmy Knowles’ shot.
in the opening stages, Sutton began to show why they had enjoyed such a fine start to the season.
A succession of crosses rained down into Notts area but the presence and composure of Connell Rawlinson and Alex Lacey meant Sam Slocombe faced no serious threat.
And it proved a firm foundation for Notts to launch another quick attack which ended with Ardley’s side winning a free kick after good work from Richard Brindley,
The delivery was launched into the box and a combination of Sutton defenders could only divert it into the path of Boldewijn on the edge of the box.
It was begging to be hit first time and the Dutchman obliged, only to see his bouncing volley loop up on to the bar with Bouzanis rooted to the spot.
Sutton’s back four proved difficult to break down as Notts tried to pick their way through midfield.
When Brindley collected the ball on the right, he was faced with a wall of yellow and drifted inside to hit a
shot which flew well wide.
A short corner routine then led to Kelly-evans delivering a cross into the box which was dropped by Bouzanis, who was grateful to grab the ball at the second attempt.
In response, Sutton forced a corner of their own on the stroke of half-time and while Rob Milsom’s kick was whipped in with real venom, Rawlinson dealt with it superbly.
Both managers resisted the temptation to make changes at the interval.
Instead, it was Sutton who created the first real opportunity of the half, when a deep cross to the back post caused pandemonium and left Slocombe in a heap with the ball dropping invitingly in the six-yard box.
However, Brindley spotted the danger and thumped a clearance downfield which allowed Notts’ goalkeeper to receive treatment for a head injury.
Once play resumed Ardley’s side moved down the right through Reeves, who fired in a delicious cross to the near post which was cleared behind for a corner.
From that, Rawlinson tumbled in the area amid half-hearted claims for a penalty but the referee was not interested.
Moments later, Sutton created their best chance of the game when, for the first time on the night, Tobi Sho-silva was given an inch of space inside the box.
He spun to shoot but could not get enough power on his effort to trouble Slocombe.
Ardley decided to make his first change as a result, in the 70th minute, with Callum Roberts sent on to replace Ruben Rodrigues, whose influence from the first half had waned.
The Magpies would have hoped for some magic from former exnewcastle winger but Sutton were gradually beginning to dominate territory and there was a nervy moment when Harry Beautyman was fouled outside the box.
The midfielder took the free kick himself but drilled it into the wall.
Notts switched formation to 4-4-2 in a bid to regain some possession.
Ardley encouraged his side to attack and it was the 90th minute when Wootton was denied by Bouzanis.
He was not to be denied a second time and the Magpies are on something of a roll as a result.