Magpies are made to scrap for victory
NOTTS County were forced to work hard to break down a resolute Weymouth and take a 1-0 National League victory at the Bob Lucas Stadium.
Weymouth’s defensive approach at home frustrated the Magpies throughout the first half but Elisha Sam gave them the lead five minutes after the break and that proved enough to earn the points that moved Notts up to fifth place.
Notts made most of the running from the start and Enzio Boldewijn was the first to go for goal, tricking and turning through the defence to lash a shot wide.
Ruben Rodrigues and Kyle Wootton combined to create another chance but Notts came closer when Wootton created space for Boldewijn to shoot from just outside the box. Weymouth goalkeeper Ethan Ross was equal to it.
Connor Rawlinson’s through ball found a rushing Dion Kelly-evans, whose cutback was well cleared by Jacob Mensah.
Weymouth’s deep line continued to grant Notts thin opportunities, but the young home defensive pairing of Mensah and Aston Villa loanee Dom Revan stood tall to deal with most that Notts could conjure.
But not all of the attacking action came through the away side. Weymouth were dangerous on the counter-attack and Andy Dallas might have caught out Sam Slocombe but the keeper saw it well and tipped the shot over.
The opening goal came after Weymouth opened the second half with their most progressive football of the match.
As Notts broke away, Sam drove into the box, stood up Revan and hit a cross that looped across Ross’s goal and found the corner of the net.
Weymouth were stirred into pushing for an instant reply and Slocombe smothered a chance from
Jake Mccarthy by almost falling on the ball as the Weymouth man struck it. Shortly after, another strike from Mccarthy was well blocked by the goalkeeper.
Rodrigues latched on to a slip by
Mccarthy to run at goal for the Magpies, wrong-footing Revan before Ross batted away his chipped effort.
It was Notts who were not more likely to steal a goal on the break, as the home side struggled to break down a solid defence.
As Weymouth tired, Notts were more likely to double their lead, though one last desperate effort saw Slocombe claim Ross’ hopeful ball to seal the victory.
It was a professional away performance from the Magpies and they will look to maintain their standards at Meadow Lane tomorrow against Bromley.
WEYMOUTH: Ross, Brooks, Revan, Mensah, Mccarthy, Luque (Fonkeu, 63), Ngalo, Harfield, Shields, Dallas, Mcquoid (Murray, 85). Other subs: Robinson, Camp, Benfield,
NOTTS COUNTY: Slocombe, Lacey, Rawlinson, Kelly-evans, Doyle, Miller, Reeves, Wootton, Sam (O’brien, 73), Boldewijn, Rodrigues (Effiong, 73). Other subs: Turner, Knowles, Wolfe.