NOTTS ON THE RIGHT TRACK!
IAN BURCHNALL made a frank admission after an improved second half showing enabled Notts to edge the battle of the Magpies.
The win stretched County’s unbeaten National League start to seven but head coach Burchnall confessed: “We’re still a long way from where I want us to be. Our first half was poor and very disappointing and I had a few things to say at half time.”
That pep talk appeared to inspire Notts to dominate after Maidenhead missed a series of half chances as they controlled the early stages.
And they were punished at the start of the second half when Kyle Cameron’s far post header from a Callum Roberts corner crept over the line in the 48th minute with the only dispute being whether fellow defender Alex Lacey got the decisive touch.
Goalkeeper Rhys Lovett kept Maidenhead in the hunt by saving a tame Roberts penalty kick and pawing away a fierce Joel Taylor drive whilst the visitors failed to muster a meaningful reply much to assistant manager Ryan Peters’ disappointment.
“To have four attackers on the pitch and not get a shot on goal isn’t good enough,” he said.
“We could have been three goals up early on. We’ve had chances in the 18-yard box and not put anything on target.”
The niggly nature of the second half, in particular, wasn’t helped by a difficult day in the middle for referee Adam Herczeg.
He eventually sorted out a nasty flare up by yellow carding Lacey after he appeared to push Sam Barratt to the ground off the ball – one of five bookings.
The other key decision was clear cut after Reuben Rodrigues stormed into the box only to be hauled down by Ryan Upward.
Lovett’s comfortable save summed up Roberts’ frustrating day which saw him join the list of sinners for dissent.
Maidenhead may ponder why they were unable to follow up the fine football they played in the first 20 minutes.
The way Josh Kelly swept into the area before firing across goal and how the dangerous Barratt set up another shooting chance for the same forward suggested Notts’ defence was in for a hard time.
That failed to materialise as County took charge without ever finding top gear.
Worryingly for Burchnall, Cameron pulled up with a suspected hamstring injury shortly after the goal but the way Adam Chicksen filled in highlighted the relative riches he has in his squad.
They are currently making hard work of matches at Meadow Lane but there is plenty of reason to expect them to improve.
“I felt we caused our own problems today but I felt quite secure with our clean sheet,” he said. ★★★★★