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By PON_News
Curtis Edwards made his long-awaited return to action as Notts County secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Carlisle United.
The 31-year-old midfielder, who had been sidelined since September with an ankle injury, came off the bench to help his side see out the win.
Speaking after the game, Edwards expressed his delight at being back on the pitch and contributing to a crucial victory.
"Yeah, obviously, like you say, best game of a bit longer period in a long time," Edwards said. "So 1-0 up, it's nice to come in and show some energy and try and help the lads see out the win, which we did, so it's very pleasing."
His return comes after a difficult spell on the sidelines, with Edwards missing over four months of action. During his recovery, he spent time alongside fellow injured teammates Jodi Jones and Conor Grant, both of whom also recently returned to the squad.
"Yeah obviously three to four months, I think I was a bit longer than them two," Edwards explained. "They've been back three, four weeks now, so I'm just getting up to speed. It'll take a few more games to get more minutes, but I'm feeling good."
The match itself was a tense affair, with Notts County taking an early lead before Carlisle applied increasing pressure in the second half. Edwards admitted it was a challenge to step in and match the intensity of the game.
"Yeah, it's tough. Always coming into a match takes a lot to get up to the speed, so that's why you just have to try and come in and work as hard as you can, which we all try and do," he said. "Especially that tempo game, Carlisle made it difficult second half, but it was good that we got the win."
Despite spending a relatively short time at Meadow Lane since joining Notts County, Edwards has already become a favourite among the fans. Their support was evident when he was introduced from the bench, something the midfielder was keen to acknowledge.
"Yeah, first of all I just want to thank the fans," he said. "Like you say, I've been here a short period, but the support they've given has been amazing. I think you heard it tonight, so that's pleasing."
The final minutes of the match saw Notts County under heavy pressure, with Carlisle dominating possession. The Magpies had opportunities to extend their lead on the counter but ultimately had to rely on their defensive resilience to secure all three points.
"Yeah, it would have been nice to get the second," Edwards admitted. "Obviously a few chances in the first half as well. Hopefully in the next games we can come in with a better lead, but like you say, see if we can make something of the counters in the next games."
With 19 league matches remaining, Notts County now sit third in the League Two table. However, Edwards insists the squad is not getting ahead of themselves.
"Yeah, a lot of football," he said. "I think we just need to stop looking at the table, it's so tight. We just need to focus on the next game and keep performing the way we have, keep trying to pick up as many points as we can, and then see where we end up."
As Edwards continues to build match fitness, his return comes at a vital time for Notts County’s promotion push. With his experience and versatility in midfield, he could play a key role in the club’s ambitions for the remainder of the season.
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