WEMBLEY WONDERS!
County and Harrogate set for a showdown
HARROGATE Town and Notts County are set to go toe-to-toe at Wembley for a place in the Football League after triumphing in their National League semi-finals yesterday.
The duo made the most of home advantage to seal their berths in next Sunday’s final. Jack Muldoon netted the only goal as Town edged out Boreham Wood, while Kristian Dennis and Cal Roberts were on the mark for Notts in their 2-0 victory against Barnet.
In National League North, York were shocked 2-0 at home by Altrincham. The Robins will travel to Boston, who beat Gateshead 5-3 in a thriller, in next Saturday’s final.
In National League South, Havant & Waterlooville fell 2-1 at home against Dartford, Darren McQueen bagging a double. The Darts visit Weymouth, who beat Dorking 3-2 thanks to an injury-time winner from Yemi Odubade, in the final.
THE magic of Cal Roberts ensured Notts County enjoyed the perfect oneyear celebration since their existence was secured – and sent them to Wembley for a shot at a Football League return.
It’s 12 months to the day that Notts were saved from oblivion. In many ways relegation out of the Football League for the first time in their history was the least of their problems.
Unpaid wages, debts piling up...the summer was spent worrying whether there would even be a club.
On July 26, Danish brothers Alexander and Christoffer Reedtz completed a rescue package. The Magpies lived to fight another day.
Even so, the fact boss Neal Ardley has hauled his side around in such a short space of time should not be underestimated.
Instant returns from the National League are collectors’ items. The relentless and unique nature of the division has consumed many an exLeague side.
The last side to get straight back up were
Bristol Rovers in 2015 and they needed a penalty shoot-out in the promotion final.
But Ardley’s side have that opportunity to make their stay in Non-League whistle-stop – not withstanding a potential FA Trophy semi-final that is still to be played.
When the quick-feet of Roberts added to Kristian Dennis’ first-half header, a trip to Wembley to play Harrogate Town next Sunday always looked on the cards.
Barnet were 11th in the table and nine points behind Notts when the season was effectively abandoned back in March.
The Bees were the big beneficiaries of the PPG Cup, leapfrogging four teams to book their spot in the top seven.
Last Saturday they came away from Yeovil Town with a 2-0 win that would have buoyed belief ahead of their tip to the Midlands.
Without truly testing Sam Slocombe in the Magpies’ goal, they did weave into positions to force a series of corners in the first half.
In truth, they didn’t make enough of them with Notts getting their noses in front first.
Before Dennis’ goal arrived, Roberts had called Scott Loach into action on 15 minutes with a curling free-kick the Bees keeper had to lunge across to beat away.
Former Newcastle United man Roberts was a real spark of creativity – he soon sent a clever backheel into the path of Michael Doyle but the skipper’s shot ballooned over.
Kyle Wootton’s looping headed dropped wide before his strike-partner found the net.
The breakthrough came on 37 minutes. After great work twisting and turning, Jim O’Brien sent over a perfect cross from the left and Dennis sneaked in between two defenders to head down past Loach.
The Magpies fans watching on a big screen in a nearby pub carpark would no doubt have been heard from such close proximity any other day.
But, being July and in
Britain, Meadow Lane spent much of the first half engulfed in a downpour with the rain crashing off the stand roofs to fill the silence.
Roberts could have made the scoreboard look even better before the break when he was found in a good position only to pull his shot wide.
Darren Currie would have been looking for more from his Barnet side and only a brilliant save from Slocombe denied them a swift second-half
reply. Ephron Mason-Clark floated in from the right and curled a shot with his left foot that looked destined to find the far corner. Slocombe had other ideas, however, with his fingertips pushing the ball behind for a corner.
It was a sharp reminder to Ardley’s side about getting a second. Enter Roberts, with a brilliant solo effort that could see him nicknamed the Magpies’ Messi.
Picking the ball up outside the box, he danced towards goal, past despairing Barnet defenders before tucking the ball low into the corner.
It was a fantastic goal, worthy of being witnessed by far more than the handful of people inside Meadow Lane.
And although Barnet substitute Alfie Pavey headed over from a central position, Ardley’s side were oozing confidence.
On to Wembley. STAR MAN: Cal Roberts (Notts Co) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Sam Barrott