Preview: Stevenage (A)

Notts hoping to stay top of the pile in Sky Bet League Two

11 November 2017

Notts County travel to Stevenage this weekend looking to extend their lead at the top of Sky Bet League Two.

The Magpies returned to the summit with a commanding 3-0 victory against Newport in their last league outing and have had mixed fortunes in cup competitions since.

A stirring comeback from 2-0 down against Bristol Rovers in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup ended with a 4-2 win against the League One side before a 2-1 defeat at Lincoln in midweek curtailed Notts' Checkatrade Trophy campaign.

Stevenage have won five of their past six home games and sit three points adrift of the play-off places.

But the Hertfordshire outfit have won only one of their last five in League Two and need a win to get their season back on track.

Notts assistant manager Richard Thomas says...

"We were walloped 3-0 down there last season and we've not forgotten that. We want to get a bit closer to them this time around.

"I know Darren Sarll well, we've been friends for a long time. He will want to combine unbelievable hard work with good football, which is not a good combination to come up against.

"We've watched plenty of footage and I know they're a good side with plenty of threats."

Click here for more from the assistant manager.

Stevenage boss Darren Sarll says...

“Notts County are a very decent side in League Two. It will be a tough game and they will have a strength about their play.

"On the day if we are as good and enthused as we were on Tuesday night [against Brighton in the Checkatrade Trophy], we will have no problems. I still state we are a very good side in this league and we are playing against another.

"These games should be quite tight with very few opportunities. There has obviously been a big improvement at their football club and their stability under new ownership makes them very competitive."

Team news

Adam Collin and Michael O'Connor remain sidelined by long-term injuries but there are no other niggles for Nolan ahead of the trip down the A1.

Stevenage will be without enigmatic winger Ben Kennedy after he had an operation last week, while Joe Fryer, Jonathan Smith and Jack King did not train on Thursday as a precaution.

Dangerman

Notts will be all too aware of the danger presented by Stevenage striker Matt Godden.

The 26-year-old bagged a brace in the previous meeting between the sides during a fine debut season for the Boro, in which he scored at a rate of almost a goal every other game.

After a slow start to this campaign, he has come to life in recent weeks with six goals in three games, including a hat-trick in last weekend's 5-0 thrashing of Nantwich Town in round one of the Emirates FA Cup.

We've met before

The head-to-head standings are level, with five wins apiece in 11 previous meetings and one draw between the sides.

Notts have won on two of their last three visits to the Lamex Stadium - Curtis Thompson and Mawouna Amevor on target in a 2-0 win for the Magpies in August 2015.

What are the odds?

Sky Bet have priced Notts up as 13/10 favourites for victory, while Stevenage are 2/1 to register a sixth home win in seven games. The draw is available at 12/5.

Having lost 3-0 at the Lamex Stadium last season, the Magpies will be keen to make amends for that result and a 3-0 win for Notts this weekend is 22/1.

Notts' last win at Stevenage was a 2-0 success on the opening day of the 2015-16 season and a repeat result is 10/1 this time around, with a 4-2 win available at 66/1.

Fancy the Magpies to win and keep a clean sheet? It's 10/3 for Nolan's men to win to-nil and the same odds for both teams scoring with the three points coming back to Nottingham.

Ryan Yates is in a rich vein of scoring form with four goals in his last five outings and the midfielder is 16/1 to open the scoring on Saturday afternoon or 5/1 to find the back of the net at any time.

Jonathan Forte, meanwhile, did his case for a start no harm by scoring in the Checkatrade Trophy defeat at Lincoln in midweek and is 11/2 to be first on the scoresheet.

You can bet on the game here.

Supporters who sign up to Sky Bet using this link can help the club financially.

Match Reports

Stevenage 1-1 Notts

Hewitt equaliser earns Magpies a point

11 November 2017

Elliott Hewitt scored his first goal of the season to earn Notts a 1-1 draw at Stevenage.

His neat second-half finish cancelled out Danny Newton's opener to hand the Magpies a well-earned point.

Kevin Nolan reverted back to the side that beat Bristol Rovers in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup last week, with Shola Ameobi the only absentee. Lewis Alessandra replaced the former Newcastle man up front.

Notts claimed the first shot of the game early on, Ryan Yates seeing his left-footed 20-yard effort blocked.

Stevenage's response came from Tom Pett, the midfielder firing the ball well over from range five minutes before Danny Newton's header bounced up off the stranded Ross Fitzsimons' crossbar and behind.

The hosts came close once more on 22 minutes when dangerman Matt Godden's flicked header from Harry Beautyman's whipped free-kick flashed just wide of the far post.

There was controversy on 36 minutes when Terry Hawkridge appeared to be fouled in midfield seconds before Beautyman sent a shot just wide. Hewitt was booked for his protestations in the aftermath.

Hawkridge, perhaps still frustrated from the earlier incident, entered the book moments later for a barge on Pett.

And Notts' annoyance was further compounded seven minutes before the break when Newton lashed a bouncing ball across Fitzsimons and into the net from inside the area to give his side the lead.

The Magpies almost gave an immediate retort, Alessandra chesting the ball down into Stead's path before the forward saw his effort diverted out for a corner.

Notts' strong response continued and they didn't have to wait long for their next chance. Yates was clattered inside Stevenage's 'D' after a flowing move involving Jorge Grant and Jon Stead. Grant took responsibility for the set-piece, skimming the ball off the top of the crossbar.

Ronnie Henry was cautioned for persistent fouling on the stroke of half-time, presenting Notts with another opportunity to send the ball into the area. This time Grant's floated delivery was easily held by Joe Fryer and Notts went into half-time behind.

There were no changes at the break and, within a minute of the restart, Fitzsimons was called in to make a save at his near post after Newton had been played into the area with an excellent ball over the top.

Determined not to let the hosts stamp their authority on the half, Notts worked the ball to Hawkridge down the right. He crossed to the back post for Hewitt, who nodded it towards Grant. The Nottingham Forest loanee did well to get his shot away under close attention from his marker, volleying the ball a yard over from the penalty spot.

Grant came much closer moments later - and again Hewitt was the provider. The Welshman flicked a clever cross into the area and Grant, who had made an excellent run, turned the ball just over first time.

Notts kept up their pressure, Dickinson's free-kick finding Shaun Brisley's run at the back post. The centre back could only send the ball wide under pressure.

Newton reminded Notts of Stevenage's threat with a neat turn on the edge of the box, freeing himself up for a shot. Thankfully for Nolan's men, he sent the ball over.

And the Magpies hauled themselves back into the game shortly afterwards, pressuring Boro into a misplaced pass to free Grant down the left. He laid the ball infield for Hewitt, who strode into the area and shaped a lovely finish beyond Fryer to equalise.

The game was now anyone's and Notts set about completing their turnaround, Yates firing the ball just over from 20 yards.

Nolan's first change saw Alessandra replaced by Jonathan Forte in a straight switch up front.

And Notts kept up their pressure, Tootle crossing for Stead who saw his header land on the roof of the net.

Hawkridge saw a goalbound effort blocked following a scramble as the game neared four minutes of added time.

It was all Notts, Grant Cruyff-turning in the area before seeing a shot blocked as the visitors pressed for a dramatic winner.

But it wasn't to come as the sides were forced to share the spoils.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Tickets: Stevenage (A)

Tickets available on matchday

11 November 2017

Tickets for Notts County's Sky Bet League Two trip to Stevenage will be available from the Lamex Stadium on matchday.

Notts have sold their initial allocation of 500 reserved covered seat tickets located behind the goal in the South Stand.

All ticket prices increase by £3 on matchday. Stevenage's ticket office is located adjacent to the club shop in the main car park.

Matchday prices

Adult: £24

60 and over: £21

16-22: £16

12-15: £12

0-11: £10

It is essential supporters provide their customer number/postcode when purchasing away tickets.

Information from the SLO team

Stevenage have provided this guide for visiting Notts fans, along with the following information:

“There is likely to be a selective search regime at the turnstiles. This means certain people may be asked to submit to a search on entry but that this searching will not be applied to all.

"That said, all bags are subject to search and the general advice to all supporters is to, wherever possible, limit what they carry as this helps facilitate speedy access to the stadium.

"Arrive promptly to allow for searching and certainly do not attempt to enter with any prohibited item.”

Should any supporter have any queries ahead of the match, please email slo@nottscountyfc.co.uk or tweet @slonottscounty.

Away bar

The Broadhall Suite will be open from 12pm, welcoming home and away fans. The entrance to the suite can be found just oustide the stadium, next to the away entrance.

Disabled supporters

In line with Stevenage’s policy, tickets for supporters with a disability and their personal assistants are available to those who receive the middle or higher rate of Living Allowance or equivalent.

Ambulant disabled supporters should obtain tickets in advance from Notts County. They are priced £18 for the disabled supporter with a personal assistant ticket issued free of charge. Ambulant disabled supporters will be allocated tickets from the main allocation.

Wheelchair disabled supporters are required to purchase tickets in advance from Stevenage by calling 01438 223223. They will be located among the home support on the North Terrace. Tickets are priced £18 for the disabled supporter with a personal assistant ticket issued free of charge. Notts have been allocated six pairs of tickets.

Official away travel

Official away travel will depart from near the club shop on Meadow Lane at 11.15am.

Prices are as follows:

General adult/senior: £22

General under 18: £13

Season ticket holders/Lifeline members/NCFCOSA members: £21

Season ticket holder under 18: £12

Notts County Football Club

Standings

Preview: Stevenage (A)

Stevenage 1-1 Notts

Tickets: Stevenage (A)