MAGPIES’ PATIENCE REWARDED
FC HALIFAX Town were just one slip away from claiming a near miraculous point at Notts County despite offering almost zero attacking threat at a frustrated Meadow Lane.
Otherwise calm, diligent and competent defending was undone in the 38th minute by a straightforward error rather than the home side’s usually potent strike force.
Defender Jamie Scott got only the slightest of connections on his intended pass and, unfortunately for him and Halifax, it was Macaulay Langstaff who took possession.
With ice cool precision, the league’s top marksman took the ball round goalkeeper Sam Johnson and evaded Scott’s attempt at a recovery challenge to slip the ball into the unguarded net.
Notts dominated throughout with their, at times, mesmerising passing and movement but were continually foiled by Halifax’s low block.
But, after a marginal offside decision cut shot Langstaff’s celebrations in the ninth minute, it became clear Notts were going to need to be patient.
It took 23 minutes for the Magpies to fire an effort on goal and with Johnson saving from Adam Chicksen and Langstaff miscuing from inside the box, Halifax looked likely to go in at the break on level terms.
Langstaff’s goal didn’t change the pattern of play too much with Johnson producing his best stop to tip Jim O’Brien’s 53rd minute shot onto the bar.
Halifax finally got a meaningful touch inside the home box after an hour as they forced a couple of corners. Their subsequent header harmlessly wide was a statistic rather than a threat to County’s goal.
Halifax continued to defend well with the impressive Jesse Debrah blocking Sam Austin’s shot, Johnson denying Ruben Rodrigues with his legs and Adam Senior also making a goal saving block.
An additional five minutes allowed the Shaymen the luxury of belatedly throwing men forward but a hopelessly overhit cross by Harvey Gilmour when there were players in the box summed up their impotence.
Notts will be delighted with three points after recent stumbles at Meadow Lane whilst Halifax can take credit for refusing to buckle.
“Our level of concentration was phenomenal, “said Halifax boss Chris Millington who said all his players could hold their heads high after their disappointing defeat at Scunthorpe.
Meanwhile, Notts head coach Luke Williams was delighted with his side’s energy and added: “We were value for more goals against a side who defended their box brilliantly well.
“We’ve deserved to win more games than we have at Meadow Lane this season, but it was tense at the end.” STAR MAN:
★★★★★