Notts County 0-1 Arka Gdynia
(Glavina 42)
Notts County rounded off the final pre-season clash in Austria with a 1-0 loss against Polish top-flight outfit Arka Gdynia. Craig Short's men had chances to more than level the game over the 90 minutes but their technically adept opponents walked away winners.
A couple of changes were made from the 2-1 win over SV Austria Salzburg on Sunday. Stuart Nelson started in the place of Rob Burch between the sticks and John Spicer replaced Ben Davies, who sat out the game after missing training with a slight groin issue.
Arka started the game brightly and almost went in front during the opening stages. A centre from the right saw the menacing Denis Glavina direct narrowly over with a bicycle kick.
Notts grew into the game and looked the better side in the final 30 minutes of the half. Lee Hughes created the first of numerous chances by winning the ball on the edge of the box, and firing into the side netting.
Graeme Lee was first to test Norbert Witkowski in the Arka net moments later. He rose high at the back post, forcing the stopper to push away - the ball looping back onto the top of the bar and out.
A superb through pass from Spicer threaded in Hughes for the best opportunity of the first 45. The striker raced through but his placed shot was denied by the leg of Witkowski.
Craig Westcarr had two goals disallowed as Notts continued to control the game, but it was Arka that struck on the break. A long ball down the centre wasn't dealt with adequately, allowing Glavina to lift the ball over the outrushing Nelson.
Four switches were made at half time. Krystian Pearce, Rob Burch, Karl Hawley and Luke Rodgers came on in place of Mike Edwards, Nelson, Hughes and Ben Burgess.
Pawel Zawistowski could have doubled the lead shortly after the interval. He made space on the edge of the area but was denied by Burch, who got down quickly to his left.
The goalkeeper was called into action again moments later. Filip Burghardt unleashed a fierce effort from distance that was tamed and then gathered.
Lee came close once more from another set-play. Westcarr's corner was met by the commanding centre-back, however, the replacement stopper, Hieronim Zoch, claimed sharply above his head.
Westcarr had an attempt of his own following some neat hold up play by Hawley. Striking cleanly from 25-yards, he narrowly cleared the bar.
The finest chance to draw level fell to Rodgers in the dying moments of the game. A direct ball over the top reached the energetic frontman, though he prodded wide under the heavy pressure of the tracking centre-backs.
Despite losing the match, Notts looked impressive against a very strong, organised team. Plenty of positives will be taken out of the game into the next fixture against Stoke City at Meadow Lane.
Starting line-up: Nelson, Thompson, Lee, Edwards, Hunt, Westcarr, Bishop, Ravenhill, Spicer, Burgess, Hughes.
Subs from: Burch, Grof, Pearce, Assoumani, Ani, Rodgers, Hawley, Smith.
Highlights of the game and reaction from Manager Craig Short will follow on Magpie Player.
