Stockport County - 1
Palmer (37')
Notts County - 2
Knowles (32'), Wootton (89')
Notts Line Up
Luke Pilling
Calvin Miller
Alex Lacey (Connell Rawlinson 57')
Sam Graham
Richard Brindley
Jake Reeves (C) (Michael Doyle 68')
Matty Wolfe
Enzio Boldewijn (Kyle Wootton 51')
Elisha Sam (YC)
Ruben Rodrigues
Jimmy Knowles
Substitutes not used:
Sam Slocombe
Dion Kelly-Evans
Jim O'Brien
Adam Chicksen
With three weeks passed since the last time Notts kicked a ball in anger and a tough trip to Yeovil to come on Tuesday night it was a chance for Neal Ardley to give a few of the fringe players an opportunity and, in the most they didn't disappoint with Jimmy Knowles, Matty Wolfe and Ruben Rodrigues all putting in a good 90 mins on a heavy pitch.
New loanee Calvin Miller made a decent fist of his debut slotting in at left back, although you get the feeling he would offer more in a more advanced position.
Knowles continued his impressive minutes to goals ratio with the first goal, poking in from 7 yards after some great work firstly from Enzio Boldewijn and then Ruben Rodrigues.
Some poor defending from a corner 5 minutes later saw the hosts draw level in what was a very tight game.
We saw the best and the worst of Luke Pilling in goal, firstly his hesitence under pressure saw a panicked poor clearance drop at the feet of Adam Thomas who looped a long range effort over the stranded keeper only to see it come harmlessly off the post. Shortly after that Pilling redeemed himself denying Alex Reid from close range with an excellent reflex save.
The Magpies wrapped up the game and secured their place in the draw for the 5th round when substitute Kyle Wootton, on for Enzio Boldewijn who had sustained an injury in a defensive tussle with Richard Bennett, saw his effort from outside the box take a fortunate deflection.
Key match stats:
Player stats updated. You can use the search function to see individual players or sort by column.
Calvin Miller became the 23rd player to be used by Neal Ardley in all competitions so far this season.
Goal contribution table updated. Knowles, despite his lack of game time continues to impress and has now averaged a goal every 84.50 minutes and has been involved in a goal every 67.60 minutes.
Goal participation by minute detailing player goal contribution efficiency.
Wooton's deflected goal was only the 4th goal in all competitions scored from outside the area so far this season.
Player ratings updated. Wootton hanging on to top spot and a good day for Rodrigues sees him continue to make a climb up the ratings table as he gets more minutes.
Neal Ardley's record updated, just needs to transfer some of his cup form to league form.
Up next it's back to league action and a trip down the M5 to Huish Park on Tuesday night. Match preview for Yeovil vs Notts to follow soon.
Until then . . .
COYP!
Richard