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Meadow Lane
Meadow Lane

Notts Co Preview

By: Richard Hubbert
Date: 02/02/2006

FOLLOWING the disappointing home loss to Peterborough last week, Town make the short journey to Meadow Lane on Saturday looking to avoid a third successive defeat in League Two.

Home > 2005-2006 Season > Previews > Notts Co (a)


The Opposition

Overview
County were relegated to the league’s basement division with the Mariners in the 2003/04 season and are finding it tough work trying to get out of it. Last season they fared worse than Town, with a 19th place finish. The appointment of Icelandic boss Gudjon Thordarson (left), has made things look brighter though. An excellent first month to the season saw the Magpies near the top of the table and despite a patchy month of September they are still within a shout of promotion, currently lying in 9th place following some decent results of late.

Their Squad
Veteran 'keeper Kevin Pilkington was a summer signing from Notts Co Town. The 31-year-old has been a virtual ever present this season. Former Barnsley defender Brian O’Callaghan was another summer signing by Thordarson, whilst Lee Crooks is currently at Meadow Lane on a loan deal from Bradford City. Ex-Town man Mike Edwards (left) has made 34 appearances so far this term, some of which have been made in midfield. Lewis Mcmahon is a 20-year-old midfielder snapped up from Sheffield Wednesday who has worked his way back into the County side in recent months. McMahon was of course sent off in the corresponding fixture between the two sides earlier this season. Mark Debolla recently signed on a permanent contract from Chesterfield to boost the ranks in attack, following the recent departures of Gavin Gordon and Glynn Hurst.

Key Player
Eugene Dadi. On loan striker from neighbours Nottingham Forest. Dadi netted nine goals for Tranmere last season and 19 the season before that. Coincidentally scored the goal that effectively cost Town relegation when they lost to Tranmere on the final day of the 2003/04 season. Gangly French forward who can be a real menace.

Recent Form

TownNotts Co
LPeterborough(h)1-2
LStockport(a)1-2
DTorquay(a)2-2
DDarlington(a)0-0
WMansfield(h)2-1
Currently 3rd in League Two.
WChester(a)2-0
DNorthampton(h)2-2
WShrewsbury(h)2-1
LWycombe(a)0-2
WDarlington(h)3-2
Currently 9th in League Two.

Top Scorers

TownNotts Co
Michael Reddy11
Gary Jones7
Hurst (Now with Shrewsbury)9
Baudet 6

Team News

TownNotts Co

  • Ben Futcher will return to the centre of defence following Matt Bloomer’s return to Lincoln City. However, the former Boston man will return for only one game as he is ineligible for next week’s game with his former club.

  • Justin Whittle is thought to be another 2-4 weeks away from a return from his knee injury. This, coupled with the sale of Simon Ramsden leaves Town short of defenders at the moment.

  • John McDermott came off at half time last week through injury. A late check will be made on his fitness. Gary Croft will deputise if Macca doesn’t make it.

  • New signing Marc Goodfellow will go straight into the squad but Russell Slade will have to decide whether or not to start the former Bristol City winger. He could find himself on the bench with Junior Mendes and Andy Parkinson starting down the flanks.

  • Gary Jones may miss out again, meaning Gary Cohen will partner Reddy in attack
  • Boss Gudjon Thordarson has no new major injury problems to contend with. Striker Andy White has departed to non league side Kidderminster in a loan deal, but Noe Sissoko has signed for the club and could be on the bench. The Malise utility player is lacking match fitness but Thordarson has hinted he could start on the bench.
  • Probable Teams

    TownNotts Co
    1Steve Mildenhall
    2John McDermott
    3Tom Newey
    4Ben Futcher
    12Rob Jones
    31Junior Mendes
    8Paul Bolland
    32Curtis Woodhouse
    11Andy Parkinson
    15Gary Cohen
    9Michael Reddy
    11Kevin Pilkington
    120Kelvin Wilson
    18Julien Baudet
    112Chris Palmer
    126Daniel Martin
    12David Pipe
    114Lee Crooks
    123Liam Needham
    14Mike Edwards
    111Eugene Dadi
    128Mark DeBolla

    Subs

    TownNotts Co
    TBAMarc Goodfellow
    18Ciaran Toner
    20Gary Croft
    14Terry Barwick
    17Glen Downey
    6Brian O’Callaghan
    16Steve Schoffam
    19Emmett Friars
    30Shaun Marshall (GK)
    TBANoe Sissoko

    Head to Head

    Being two of the oldest sides in the football league, the Mariners and the Magpies have met quite a few times. Town have the edge, winning 30 of their 69 games with County. Past encounters have tended to bring lots of goals - last season was a 2-2 draw and a 3-2 win for Town. However, the Mariners record at Meadow Lane isn’t great, with just nine wins in 33 outings.

    P 69 W 30 D 16 L 23 F 100 A 100

    Notts Co Head-to-Head (29th on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    Last time out the Mariners stormed to a 4-0 victory over the Magpies. County started the game the brightest, and could have easily taken the lead. However, once Rob Jones netted the Mariners first goal of the evening, there was only ever going to be one winner. Martin Gritton scored what was to become his last ever goal for Town, while JP Kalala netted a scorching goal just after the break. Lewis McMahon was sent off just after that, leaving County to play nearly a whole half with ten men. Gary Cohen then wrapped things up with a goal ten minutes from time - his first for the Mariners.

    Grimsby Team: Mildenhall ,McDermott ,Whittle ,Robert Jones ,Croft ,Francis ,Kamudimba Kalala ,Bolland (Toner ,54 ) ,Parkinson (Newey ,79 ) ,Reddy (Cohen ,71 ) ,Gritton
    Subs (not used): Ramsden,Barwick

    Notts Co Team: Pilkington ,O'Callaghan ,Edwards ,Wilson ,Ullathorne (Martin ,62 ) ,Pipe (Long ,54 ) ,Gill ,McMahon (sent off 48),Sheridan ,Berry ,McGoldrick
    Subs: (not used) Gordon,Palmer,Marshall

    Attendance: 5,577    Report

    Prediction

    2-1 to Town!

    Recent Predictions

    GamePredictionScorePoints
    Mansfield3-02-11
    Carlisle0-01-20
    Wrexham0-02-10
    Lincoln1-03-01
    Bury1-02-11
    Bristol R1-00-10
    Rochdale3-24-11
    Oxford1-13-20
    Wycombe1-21-31
    Macclesfield1-13-10
    Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Meadow Lane (left).


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