Notts County provided a great advert for non-league football as they beat Eastleigh 4-0 in the National League on a day where few matches were played due to coronavirus.
Notts County Produce Excellent Advert for Non-League as Coronavirus Pauses Elite Football
National League Tie Becomes Highest Ranked English Match Due to Virus
With the outbreak of the virus causing mass disruption to sport globally; Notts County suddenly found themselves in the spotlight as they hosted the highest-ranked football match in the United Kingdom despite being a step five side since last year’s relegation from League Two.
After Friday’s news that all matches in the Premier League and EFL would be suspended until early April, Meadow Lane became the unlikely venue of the nation’s top game as the National League juxtaposed the decisions of other footballing authorities in having their fixtures go ahead as scheduled.
Just six matches went ahead as organised in non-league’s top-flight; just over half of the fixtures intended for the regular matchday.
First Half
Since the turn of the new year, Neal Ardley has seen his side battle among the top seven sides in the National League.
And the Magpies provided another performance to add further supporting evidence to why they have a good chance of getting promoted back to the EFL at the first attempt.
Chances came fair and few between the two sides but it was the hosts who marginally edged the tie.
Enzio Boldewijn produced the game’s first moment of magic when he skilfully sent Joel Bagan into space; the Cardiff City loanee was unable to make the move count though as his strike drew a save from Max Stryjek.
Eastleigh, on the other hand, had very little to shout about bar a glancing header from Tyrone Barnett that went narrowly wide on ten minutes.
And just four minutes after the missed chance, County took the lead.
The fruitful partnership between top-scorer Kyle Wootton and Kristian Dennis had produced 20 goals in the lead-up to Eastleigh’s visit, but the talismanic duo were able to add to their tally when Dennis’ excellent curling cross was nodded firmly past Stryjek by Wootton.
In-form striker Cal Roberts twice tried to forge a second County goal late in the half.
First, he arrowed a low shot into Stryjek’s grasp from a tight angle; then, just before the interval, the former Newcastle United striker had a strong shot ricochet off the Spitfires ‘keeper away to safety.
County’s dominance was clear as they entered the break having registered nine shots in response to Eastleigh’s mere two; however, their apparent inability to convert any of those into a second goal left boss Ardley visibly frustrated.
Second Half
Despite ending the first half clearly more dominant, the tempo switched at the start of the second half.
Andrew Boyce sent Jack Payne’s freekick delivery off-target before Sam Smart’s clever cross was turned over by Cavaghn Miley.
But County soon returned to the front-foot when Dennis headed home Roberts’ floating cross to net his third goal of the week and give the Magpies breathing room.
The second goal led to confidence oozing through the hosts and they eased into a position of comfort.
Wootton’s low cross was cleared moments before Boldewijn ambitiously shot over from a free-kick.
But the result was wrapped up on the hour mark when County produced by far their best move of the game.
An excellent passing move allowed Mitch Rose to make a darting run between two defenders from his central midfield position; a simple pull-back from the by-line teed up Wootton to drive beyond Stryjek from just inside the area.
Roberts finally got the goal his performance deserved, and County’s fourth, on 70 minutes when he gathered the ball in midfield; driving forward he shifted the ball onto his stronger left foot and drilled a low strike into the bottom corner.
The hosts could have added another to their tally when Stryjek slipped when receiving a back-pass. Boldewijn almost snatched the ball at the last moment but the Polish ‘keeper quickly recovered.
Eastleigh’s misery in Nottinghamshire was soon over though as Peter Gibbons eventually blew for full-time.
Verdict
This fixture always had an odd aura surrounding it.
From the very first minute, it was apparent the impact that the fear of coronavirus was having on football as just 4,942 supporters spectated the National League tie.
What remains clear though is County’s obvious superior talent. After what seemed a slow start, the Magpies only broke into the top ten at the end of September.
Since then, County have stagnated between fifth and 13th but, with the blistering form of Wootton, Dennis and Roberts in the attack, Neal Ardley appears to found himself a striking trio capable of firing County into the play-offs.
The National League have said their matches are due to continue; however if the virus continues to spread then, similarly to the EFL and Premier League, we may see a temporary suspension.
And by then, who knows when football will return – until then, all we can do is look after ourselves and each other.
Notts County Main Photo
