Magpies fired up by Reeves rocket
JAKE REEVES’ stunning winner fired Notts County up to third place in the National League last night.
After a goalless first half against King’s Lynn Town at The Walks, Reeves broke the deadlock in the 54th minute with a fierce 30-yard drive.
Magpies keeper Luke Pilling, taking over between the posts due to Sam Slocombe’s three-game suspension, then made sure the lead remained intact as the visitors maintained their push for promotion.
In another time, when fans could attend matches, Reeves’ hit would have been well worth the price of admission alone in an otherwise toothless attacking display from both sides.
A slip by Pilling in damp conditions threatened to set the early tone for Notts but their defence swarmed to spare any blushes in the opening stages.
Notts’ determination to stretch the play to the wings opened up plenty of space for Jimmy Knowles and Ruben Rodrigues, with Dion Kellyevans also enjoying his share of attacking possession down the right flank.
However, Notts couldn’t create many opportunities.
One Kelly-evans cross was perfectly placed for Rodrigues to convert but the playmaker was frustratingly only able to head directly at Linnets keeper Archie Mair from close range.
Magpies’ left-back Jordan Barnett was next to threaten an opener but put too much ambition into his freekick, which was whipped well wide of the near post.
The Linnets also had their moments at the other end. Before the half-time whistle, Kairo Mitchell dragged one shot wide before Pilling tipped another past the post.
The resulting corner forced Connell Rawlinson to clear off the line as Kyle Callan-mcfadden tried to open the scoring with a header.
Notts’ determination continued after the interval and Reeves struck in the 54th minute.
The Linnets won a corner but it was cleared and Reeves applied pressure, forcing an error by Cameron King.
Reeves then combined with Michael Doyle for a one-two before racing clear, cutting inside from the wing and hitting a high shot over Mair, giving the keeper no chance.
King’s Lynn turned to experienced substitute Michael Gash as they tried to find a reply but the best effort he could muster was pushed wide by Pilling.
Gash then delivered a dangerous low cross with 10 minutes remaining but no-one could deliver a final touch.
Notts stood their ground in the closing stages to make sure of the three points and they now turn their attention to Saturday’s home clash against Chesterfield.
King’s Lynn: Mair, Smith, Richard, Callanmcfadden, Mcauley (Gash, 64), Barrows, Denton, King, Carey, Mitchell (Marriott, 64), Jarvis (Kiwomya, 71). Other subs: Southwell, Clunan. Notts County: Pilling, Rawlinson, Doyle, Kellyevans, Lacey, Reeves, Barnett, Wootton, Boldewijn (Turner, 83), Knowles (Miller, 69), Rodrigues (Effiong, 83). Other subs: Sam, O’brien.
Enzio Boldewijn shoots for Notts County last night.