Wootton doubles up to fire Magpies to victory
SECOND-HALF BRACE FOR KYLE TO SEE OFF SOLIHULL
NOTTS County surged back into the National League play-off positions as they secured a 2-0 victory over Solihull Moors at Meadow Lane last night thanks to two goals from Kyle Wootton.
The Magpies did not register a shot on target in the first half but were inches away from the lead after the break when Dion Kelly-evans smashed the bar from long range.
But it was Wootton who eventually broke the deadlock after some wonderful build-up play from Enzio Boldewijn, who beat two players to tee up the striker, who made no mistake.
And the former Scunthorpe United striker sealed the win when substitutes Jimmy Knowles and Ruben Rodrigues combined for the forward to tap in his second in what was a hard-fought win for the Magpies.
It was a fantastic result for Notts, who had struggled to create openings against a well organised Solihull Moors outfit, who made a bright start.
The game was barely a minute old when Jamie Ward, the former Nottingham Forest and Derby County striker, underlined his quality as Notts struggled to clear their lines on the edge of the area.
The winger picked up possession and, with very little backlift, unleashed a terrific effort from 25 yards which had keeper Sam Slocombe frantically diving across goal as he watched it flash past his upright.
It was an early warning of the visitors’ intent and it was not long before they carved open Notts’ defence when Ward burst past a static back line to beat the offside trap.
Dion Kelly-evans gave chase with a frantic sprint into the area to make a challenge and from the resulting corner, Kyle Hudlin headed wide from inside the six-yard box.
Notts were striving to get some rhythm into their game but for all their patient approach, they struggled to find any chinks in the Moors armour, not helped by making needless fouls.
But in the 21st minute, they were rewarded with a corner when captain Michael Doyle released Calvin Miller, whose cross was turned behind, but disappointingly their short-corner routine was blocked.
Magpies manager Neal Ardley was roaring words of encouragement from the dugout,but Notts had to be alert when Hudlin snuck in unchecked at the back post to send a header thudding into the midrift of Slocombe.
But back came Notts as a cross into the box was aimed long towards Effiong but he was caught underneath it and from his subsequent header back into the box, nobody was able to collect.
Solihull broke and Jake Reeves was tempted into a cynical challenge to halt a counter-attack which earned the midfielder a yellow card.
Notts were certainly enjoying much better possession but their lack of penetration was something they needed to address as the front four were struggling to show any kind of potency.
They were shown how it should be done 10 minutes before the break when a lovely interchange of passing on the edge of the box carved them open.
Ward was at the heart of it as he slipped a lovely pass into Callum Maycock, who in turn found James Ball but his shot was straight at Slocombe, who gathered at the second attempt.
With four minutes to go to halftime, a fantastic cross from Kellyevans picked out Boldewijn inside the area but his low cross into the box was a poor one and symptomatic of their lack of threat.
Despite the problems in attack, Notts did not make a change at the break but Ardley would have undoubtedly wanted more movement if they were to unsettle Moors’ back four.
But they were given a let-off when a careless pass from Reeves allowed Ward to nip in but a combination of Rawlinson and Slocombe thwarted the winger.
There was further anxiety to come when Ball, having spurned a good chance in the first half, dribbled his way into the box, but blasted high and wide.
Moors were beginning to find space and they were denied by the fingertips of Slocombe when he clawed away a strike from Cameron Coxe as the game reached the hour mark.
Notts had not registered a shot on target but a brilliant cross from Boldewijn almost brought reward as Effiong lurked with Boot grateful to collect.
Good work from Wootton and Boldewijn then earned Ardley’s side a corner from which Alex Lacey had a golden chance but his effort lacked conviction leaving Boot with an easy save.
The introduction of Ruben Rodrigues and Jimmy Knowles had livened up Notts’ attack but it was defender Kelly-evans who almost gave them the lead.
The full-back was played into space by Wootton and he took aim from 20 yards only to see his firm drive cannon off the bar and out for a goal kick.
Notts were beginning to find openings and it was a wonderful bit of magic from Boldewijn which finally unlocked the Moors’ defence.
Having received the ball from Lacey, he produced a majestic turn to leave two men in his wake and, as space opened up, he slid a pass into Wootton, who applied the finish.
And Notts looked home and hosed with three minutes remaining when Knowles raced to the byline and cut the ball back into the area.
Rodrigues feinted to shoot before squaring for Wootton to grab his second of the game in what was a beautifully crafted goal.