WE PLAYED BECAUSE OF GREED, SAYS STREVENS
FOUR goals and a convincing victory couldn’t life the subdues mood at Meadow Lane.
The eyes of the football world focused on the city of Nottingham for all the wrong reasons as Notts County’s National League game became the biggest in the country – and possibly even Europe – to be allowed to take place.
Although home fans celebrated another excellent performance from Neal Eardley’s men against lowly Eastleigh, the sense of unease and uncertainty hanging over sport – and the world in general – due to the coronavirus outbreak dominated the thoughts of both managers.
Eastleigh boss Ben Strevens made it clear that the heavy beating his relegation battlers took, courtesy of two goals from Kyle Wootton and one apiece from strike partner Kristian Dennis and the inspirational Callum Roberts was unrelated to his outspoken views.
“Greed on behalf of the National League can be the only reason the game went ahead,” Strevens said. “But the fact we lost the game here today was nothing to do with the coronavirus.
“I told our local media yesterday I didn’t think it should be played.
“The National League has not followed the protocol of the Premier League and the EFL. Notts County attract as large a crowd at this fantastic club as half the League Two clubs and some in League One.
“I fully expect that on Monday all games will be suspended.”
Opposite number Eardley was more neutral in his verdict on the game taking place, admitting he had mixed emotions about playing on. Everybody has put in a lot of hard work to get this far and wants to see the season completed – but football takes second place to wider issues,” Eardley said. “People are losing their lives, their jobs, their savings.
Despite being the centrepiece of British football, the number who still got their football fix, 4,942, was slightly less than the average as saw Notts continued their fine form.
From the moment an unmarked Wootton headed home an inch perfect cross from strike partner Dennis in the 15th minute, the outcome didn’t seem in reasonable doubt.
Eastleigh were granted some breathing space after Dennis and winger Roberts caused them problems in a one-sided first quarter.
But, aside from Notts goalkeeper Joe McDonnell dropping a loose ball, there was scarcely a first half threat on the home goal. The visitors started the second period more brightly with Cavaghn Miley stabbing wide from Sam Smart’s cross before being killed off by three quick-fire goals.
Roberts created the all-important second with a clever turn inside the box and clip to the far post for Dennis to head in unchallenged.
Eastleigh were holding on desperately as Andrew Boyce slid in to prevent Dennis from finishing off more fine work by Wootton, but the third goal followed in the 62nd minute.
A slick Notts move down the right flank saw Mitchell Rose intelligently pick out Wootton 15 yards out and he simply passed the ball into the empty net without any fuss.
Roberts, whose signing from Blyth Spartans had done so much to reignite County’s season, then got his deserved personal reward with 20 minutes left.
He again turned well to take the ball on his left foot and angled his shot convincingly past Max Stryjek from just outside the box.
Michael Green forced the only save from McDonnell with a blast from a tight angle but Notts finished the game in total command to strengthen their grip on third spot.
Yet the final shriek of the whistle by Peter Gibbons felt eerily like the last we will see of football at this famous ground for some time.
Any suspension would be harsh on Notts, who have recovered well from last season’s relegation from the Football League and their summer of uncertainty.
They are on a run of five successive wins in all competitions with the possibility of a Wembley double in the league and FA Trophy. STAR MAN: Callum Roberts (Notts County) ATT: 4,942 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Peter Gibbons