Notts County host FC Halifax Town on Saturday when they will hope to extend their unbeaten run at home to four matches.
The Magpies have lost just once at Meadow Lane in 2019-20 and only one of their last seven games, but draws have meant they currently occupy 14th position in the Vanarama National League.
The results don’t necessarily tell the full story, however, with Notts having the better of most of their recent fixtures and they were unfortunate to settle for a point at Sutton last week.
It’s been a different story for Town, though. They’ve started the season in fine form and are second in the division, with the most goals of any of the 24 sides.
They lost at home for the first time last weekend with Yeovil leaving The Shay as 2-0 winners, which brought an end to their five-match unbeaten run.
Town will hope to return to the summit of the table with a victory, while the Magpies will look to climb into the top half by recording their second home win of the campaign.
Notts boss Neal Ardley says…
“I want us to start taking our opportunities. There has been lots of good play but it’s a results industry and we need to start winning games.
“We’re drawing because we’re missing chances not because we’re shy of attacking teams so if we keep going the way we are, we’ll win more than we lose.
“Halifax aren’t where they are by mistake. They are athletic, have good players – including a centre forward who is a handful – and their wingers chip in with goals.
“This is the kind of challenge we want and we need to find ways to win games like this because, although it’s been a really productive week on the training ground, it’s what happens at 3pm on Saturday that matters.”
Town boss Pete Wild says…
“100 per cent we will bounce back from our defeat to Yeovil and get back on the horse.
“We’ll make sure that was a one-off and that we are ready for Notts County in what will be a similar test.
“I know what Neal Ardley’s teams bring. They’ve got some good players and I’m sure they’ll get a run going soon so we’ve got to be ready.”
Team news
At his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Ardley revealed that Dion Kelly-Evans and Sean Shields had missed training sessions this week with niggles and will need assessing to see if they can be involved.
That might mean new signing Richard Brindley makes his debut at right back, while striker Nathan Tyson continues to be eased back into action after suffering a hamstring injury.
Town captain Matty Brown has missed their last two matches through injury but is said to be progressing well in his rehabilitation, though this weekend could come too soon.
Niall Maher has trained during the week after a month on the sidelines, while top scorer Liam McAlinden will hope to be included from the start after coming off the bench last week.
Head to head
Notts last met Halifax Town AFC, the previous iteration of their weekend visitors, back in March 1973 and earned a 3-0 win at Meadow Lane.
The Magpies won 10 of the 22 encounters between the sides and were beaten at home on just two occasions.
The officials
Referee: Andrew Miller
Assistants: Michael D'Aguilar and Tom Bowkett
Fourth official: Gareth Davis
Live commentary of this match has not yet started.
key moments
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