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Stuart Maynard Praises Alassana Jatta's 'Perfect Goal' and Fans' Role in Doncaster Clash


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Notts County head coach Stuart Maynard expressed pride in his team’s performance following a 1-1 draw against Doncaster Rovers at the Eco-Power Stadium.

The Magpies started the match with strong intent, highlighted by Alassana Jatta's impressive early goal, but were later pegged back by a determined Doncaster side.

Reflecting on the match, Maynard described the encounter as "very end to end" and credited both sides for producing an intense game.

"They put the pressure on a little bit in the second half at the back end of the game when it was 1-0 to us. And when they equalised, I thought we had a bit of dominance again. But the game kind of swung into two really good footballing teams going head-to-head," he noted.

The standout moment for Notts County came in the 13th minute when Jatta powered home a header following a precise cross from Jacob Bedeau. Maynard praised the goal as a culmination of the team’s dedicated training groundwork.

"If you look at our structure and our patterns and the way we try and move teams about, we always look at the opposition and try and find ways that we can open them up... It was kind of like the perfect goal... a pattern of play that you see every day that we work on," he said, adding that seeing such an execution in a competitive match was “incredible.”

Jatta’s performance did not go unnoticed by Maynard, who lauded his all-around contribution beyond just scoring. "His work ethic’s incredible. You look today, and [he was] chasing loose balls... his goal, some header," Maynard said.

He emphasised that Jatta has consistently displayed this high level of performance since joining the club, quickly becoming an indispensable part of the squad. "He just keeps getting better and better," Maynard added, praising Jatta’s hold-up play and ability to involve teammates in attacks.

The first 20 minutes of the match were particularly strong for Notts County, characterised by fluid passing and high intensity. "We started with a real intent," Maynard said, explaining the team’s strategy to silence the home crowd early on through a mix of possession and pressing.

"Our counter-press, getting after them, and really getting up against them and then taking the ball off them and breaking... was excellent," he stated.

However, the second half tested Notts County’s defensive resolve as Doncaster increased their attacking pressure. The home side eventually equalised in the 73rd minute through Joe Ironside’s header, shifting the momentum. Despite this, Maynard highlighted his team’s resilience, acknowledging their ability to adapt and withstand pressure.

"They had a few waves of attack... but we needed to be braver on the ball. It’s not very often you come away, and you hear [us say] we’ve got to be brave. We have to risk it," he said, giving credit to Doncaster for their aggressive pressing.

While the game ended in a draw, Maynard viewed the result positively. "Any points on the road in League Two are good points... the league’s so competitive," he said, underlining the importance of maintaining strong home form while securing crucial points away.

Maynard also reserved praise for the 3,000 travelling Notts County supporters. "It was an unbelievable advert for League Two... to bring 3,000 away fans is incredible," he said, emphasising the impact of their support throughout the match.

"They drove us on... We’re a whole club now, we’re all in it together. The fans have been absolutely incredible, and we needed them."

The head coach’s words reinforced Notts County’s united approach as they look ahead to building on their season’s progress.

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Great match and a fair result in the end. Jatta’s early goal showed how well-drilled the team is in their patterns and set plays. It’s impressive to see such a plan come to life. The team’s energy in the opening 20 minutes set the pace, and credit to them for staying solid against Doncaster’s second-half pressure. Maynard’s right about the fans, they truly drove the lads on. A draw away is always decent in this league especially with the current injuries within our camp.

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Great performance in the first half. Defended well in the second half.

Jatta is a baller. What a great signing he was, as well as Alex Bass, and George Abbott.

And Brown is getting better every match too.

Satisfied with a point 

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Getting a point on the road is never easy, and this match proved that. Jatta's goal was well-earned and backed up Maynard’s point about training. However, it was tough seeing the pressure Doncaster put on us in the second half. We needed to hold the ball better and take more risks. Still, the fans played a huge role in keeping the spirits up. Maynard’s reflection was accurate, and we should build on this.

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i thought the squad played really well and the media will be loving the goal jatta scored. the build up play was very impressive, its something our passing can do when we work at it. i am happy for jatta, but at the same time the love hes getting which is deserved overlooks some of the other players like alex bass, george abbott and jevani brown.

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Jatta is on a different level, but he fits into our system really well. He might not pressure the opposition goalkeeper like Macaulay Langstaff did, but he certainly makes himself a nuisance.

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I think we should be proud of that performance. Going up against a team like Doncaster and grabbing a point is no small feat. The way Jatta scored, capitalising on a cross from Bedeau, was well-executed and showed we can create chances. The fans were phenomenal, giving their all and supporting every play. It’s these matches that test character, and we proved we have plenty.

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It's not a bad result. I don't like how some people are suggesting that Doncaster were much better than Notts; I don't think that was true. They created some good chances, but we played much better football overall. We controlled most of the game, while they mainly relied on counter-attacks. When the game went their way, it showed they are a decent team. I don’t believe we need to question every decision Stuart Maynard makes; we should have more faith in the players and the process. A point earned, but there's no need to be negative about it.

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The game had everything: energy, passion, and some tense moments. Jatta’s goal was the highlight for me, not just for the finish, but for how well it was executed based on what Maynard mentioned about training routines. You could tell it was a rehearsed move, and it paid off beautifully.

In the second half, Doncaster stepped up, and we had to dig deep defensively. While we let in an equaliser, I think our ability to regroup and hold our ground was a positive sign. Maynard’s call for bravery is spot on. The fans were fantastic, and having 3,000 supporters behind the team showed how united we are. Let’s keep this spirit going for future away games.

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