Preview: Exeter City (A)

Table-topping Magpies face nearest challengers in longest trip of the season

26 September 2017

Notts County travel to Exeter City on Tuesday evening as first plays second in Sky Bet League Two.

The Magpies are unbeaten in their last nine games, winning their last five league outings, and make the 422-mile round journey to Devon - their longest away trip of the season - in confident mood.

Their latest victory, 4-1 over Lincoln City, saw Notts move ahead of the Grecians as they suffered their first league defeat of the campaign, losing 2-0 at Coventry City.

Paul Tisdale's side have a perfect record at home with four wins from four games on their own turf and trail Notts on goal difference in the League Two standings, with just one strike separating the sides.

But Notts' strong away record, which has seen them win three of their four trips away from Meadow Lane, means they will fancy their chances of taking their unbeaten streak into double figures.

Notts manager Kevin Nolan says...

"Exeter will be a difficult game but there are never easy games in this league.

"We have lads who can step in and freshen us up. We made changes and did well the last time we had three games in a week and hopefully we will do the same again."

Click here for more from the manager.

Exeter manager Paul Tisdale says...

"Notts County are going to be a strong opponent, one of the teams we thought would be a challenge this year and they're proving to be so.

"It's early days but we've got a big task ahead of us. We need to put the defeat at Coventry to one side and start again but we need to do a lot better - that's for sure."

Team news

Dan Jones' hamstring problem, which saw him limp out of the win over Lincoln during first-half stoppage time, makes him a doubt for the game with Carl Dickinson ready to step up in his absence after replacing the full back on Saturday.

Shola Ameobi and Jonathan Forte will be monitored during the build-up to the game at St James Park as they look to recover from their respective hamstring and shoulder injuries.

Exeter lost captain Jordan Moore-Taylor to injury during their defeat at Coventry and the defender faces a race against time to be fit to play.

Dangerman

Reuben Reid is one of few players to have made the switch between Devon rivals Plymouth and Exeter but he has done so seamlessly since joining City in September last year.

The striker has 62 goals in 176 games over the course of the past four seasons and has started this campaign well with seven goals in 11 appearances.

Only two of those have come at home, but they were both good enough to secure 1-0 wins for the Grecians against Cambridge and Lincoln.

We've met before...

County have a superior head-to-head record against the Devon outfit with 17 wins to their eight. Most of the games between the sides - 19, to be precise - have finished level.

Notts have lost just one of their past 11 visits to St James Park, though seven of those have ended in a draw.

Last season saw the Magpies return from the long journey south with all three points thanks to Jon Stead's brace.

What are the odds?

Sky Bet have priced Notts up as 9/4 outsiders for victory on Tuesday evening, while Exeter are 6/5 to get back to winning ways and leapfrog the Magpies at the summit. The draw is available at 12/5.

A repeat 2-0 scoreline from Notts' win at St James Park last season is 16/1 or you can get 60/1 on a 2-0 Notts victory with Stead again bagging the opener.

Fancy Notts to win and keep a clean sheet? You can get 5/1 on Nolan's men winning the game to-nil and the same price for both teams scoring with the three points coming back to Nottingham.

After scoring his first goals for Notts against his former club, could it spark a purple patch for winger Terry Hawkridge? He's 11/1 to open the scoring or 33/1 to score two or more.

Injury problems up front may present an opportunity to Callum Saunders to get his first start for the club on his 22nd birthday. The youngster is 8/1 to be the first name on the scoresheet and make it a day to remember.

You can bet on the game here.

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

Match Reports

Report: Exeter 0-3 Notts

Alessandra and Grant (2) strike to extend Notts' lead at the top

26 September 2017

Notts County beat Exeter City 3-0 at St James Park to extend their lead at the top of the Sky Bet League Two table to three points.

Lewis Alessandra's early goal gave Notts the dream start before Jorge Grant came off the bench to score twice in the second half.

The win was Notts' sixth in a row, while the clean sheet was their fifth in six matches.

Kevin Nolan made five changes to the team that beat Lincoln City 4-1 on Saturday.

In came Carl Dickinson, Elliott Hewitt, Nicky Hunt, Liam Walker and Alessandra, with Dan Jones, Shaun Brisley, Matt Tootle, Jonathan Forte and Grant making way.

It was Notts' longest journey of the season but they showed no signs of travel sickness as, inside two minutes, they had the lead.

Alessandra latched on to a looping ball over the top and lobbed Christy Pym from the edge of the area in sumptuous style.

Richard Duffy headed the ball over from Walker's corner and Jake Taylor fired straight at Adam Collin from 25 yards as the sides searched for the next goal.

And Notts had a good chance to claim it when Terry Hawkridge, playing down the left, took the ball into the area before firing it over from a narrow angle.

Shortly afterwards, Jon Stead's low cross was almost turned into his own net by City defender Troy Brown.

Notts were looking the better, more composed side but they had Collin to thank on 25 minutes when he made a good save with his legs to deny Taylor once more, Duffy tidying up the mess before Reuben Reid was able to pounce.

Moments later, Jordan Tilson hooked the ball over from close range as Paul Tisdale's men began to get a firmer grip on the game.

But Notts stood firm to see out the rest of the half comfortably.

There were no changes at the break and the first notable incident of the second half came on 57 minutes, when Grant replaced Hawkridge. Dickinson went into the book shortly afterwards when he misjudged a tackle on Lee Holmes.

The next goal was crucial and, just after the hour, Notts got it.

Walker's dangerous corner caused havoc in the middle and, following a scramble in the six-yard box, Grant was on hand to prod home his seventh goal of the season.

Hunt entered the book shortly after play resumed and there was another opportunity for Grant when he skipped his way into the area before seeing his shot blocked.

Notts kept up their pressure and came within inches of making it three when, after receiving a throw in with his back to goal, Forte held off his marker on the edge of the area and curled a low effort agonisingly wide of the post.

Forte's frustration was short-lived, however, as he played a huge part in Notts extending their lead with eight minutes to play. The forward held the ball up on the corner of the area and waited patiently for Grant to make a darting run into the area, beating the offside trap to control Forte's pass before guiding the ball beyond Pym.

Nolan's final change saw Alan Smith replace Stead shortly before four minutes were added on at the end of the match.

Exeter threatened a late resurgence, Collin once again saving with his legs, but 3-0 was how it stayed as Notts' perfect September continued.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Tickets: Exeter City (A)

Limited number of away tickets available

26 September 2017

Notts County supporters who have yet to purchase their ticket for tonight's match are strongly recommended to call the Exeter ticket office as soon as possible.

Due to current ground improvements at Exeter, 350 is the maximum number of tickets allocated to away supporters for the 2017-18 season.

Tickets went off sale at Meadow Lane at 10am, with around 100 remaining. These can be purchased throughout the day by calling Exeter's ticket office on 01392 411 243 (option 2) or by visiting St James Park.

Tickets purchased from St James Park are priced:

Adult: £23
64 and over: £20
NUS Student: £20
Under 18: £10

Information from the SLO team

Due to the heavily reduced away allocation, Notts supporters are strongly advised not to travel without a ticket. Supporters who need to collect pre-purchased tickets from St. James Park should collect from the away ticket booth on St James Road.

More information for Notts supporters, including public transport links, local attractions, the away supporters' bar and the away-friendly family zone can be found here.

Supporters can download a printable visiting supporters' guide here.

Disabled supporters

In line with Exeter City'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 at the appropriate age-related rate 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 Exeter City by calling 01392 411 243 (selecting option 2 or 3).

Official away travel

Official away travel will depart from near the club shop on Meadow Lane at 1.30pm.

Prices are as follows:

General adult/senior: £29
General under 18: £16
Season ticket holders/Lifeline members/NCFCOSA members: £28
Season ticket holder under 18: £15

Notts County Football Club

Standings

Preview: Exeter City (A)

Report: Exeter 0-3 Notts

Tickets: Exeter City (A)