Magpies hanging on coat tails
LUKE WILLIAMS challenged his Magpies to take ‘every single point between now and the end of the season’ after Notts County kept the Hollywood dream team in their sights.
A tangible anxiety in the early stages after Wrexham extended their lead in a usually neck-and-neck title race to seven points gave way to renewed optimism as hitman Macaulay Langstaff answered the head coach’s pre-match call with a typical two-goal salvo.
Langstaff was challenged to lead Notts out after skipper Kyle Cameron reported ill earlier in the day and the league’s leading scorer took his amazing tally to 35 to ease his side to victory after an awkward start.
“I was beginning to think Dorking were our bogey team,” confessed Williams after he saw the visitors get first blood from their third real opportunity within the opening 13 minutes.
Jason Prior had already steered a tame shot straight at Tiernan Brooks and Josh Taylor fired into the side netting before Dorking struck with another slick break.
Taylor shrugged aside Jim O’Brien to drive into the box and Prior did particularly well to bundle his left wing cross past Tiernan Brooks.
The fact the lead lasted only five minutes was due to Aaron Neman’s speedy persistence. The diminutive wide man’s third dangerous foray into the area saw Dorking struggling to clear and the Langstaff inevitably hooked in from six yards.
County’s goal machine was inches away from a second after George Francome loosely conceded possession to Ruben Rodrigues before the half settled into virtual attack against defence.
But for all the home side’s composed possession, Dorking defended comfortably enough until the interval – Geraldo Bejrami’s wild 35 yard shot being a sign of the growing frustration.
Notts needed to score early to break the spell and they succeeded in the 52nd minute after Dorking cheaply conceded the ball to Sam Austin who charged down the left before setting up Langstaff. Again the league’s leading scorer provided his trademark emphatic close range finish.
At first, this looked like the opening of the floodgates with Austin denied by a goal line clearance and Langstaff hunting his treble before occasional episodes of sloppiness hinted at a nervy finish.
A wild shot from James McShane was Dorking’s only effort on goal however and instead the late goal came, deservedly, at the other end.
A sweeping move ended with one of several examples of the class of Rodrigues and Matt Palmer was rewarded for his hardworking display with a composed finish.
Victory guaranteed Notts a play-off spot but Williams isn’t settling for that. STAR MAN: Macaulay Langstaff (Notts County) ATT: 7,060 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Ed Duckworth