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Joe Jones
John Sheridan has claimed that Notts County deserved their first league win in front of their home supporters this season as Leyton Orient were beaten 3-1 at Meadow Lane.
After a goalless first half, Jonathan Forte had opened the scoring in the 53rd minute and Jon Stead quickly doubled the advantage moments later.
Louis Lang was sent off for the home side and Paul McCallum halved the deficit with four minutes remainiing, but Aaron Collins hit a spectacular third to seal the win for the Magpies.
Sheridan told reporters after the game: "It was an excellent performance to get the first win at home.
"We didn't want it to carry on for too long and I'm just pleased we've got it over the line playing against a good team, a strong outfit who I think will be one of the teams up there at the end of the season, so I think we deserved the victory.
"I'm chuffed to bits for the players and the supporters.
"In the second half, I thought we were controlling the game. I think the sending off gave us a little bit of a scare, and they get a goal, but the third goal is a great goal from Aaron.
"If I'm being critical, I would like to have had a clean sheet just for the players, because we still haven't had one, but I can't be too hard on them."
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Joe Jones
Notts County have finally secured a first home league win of the season, and it came in convincing fashion as Leyton Orient were defeated 3-1 in Saturday's League Two clash at Meadow Lane.
The first half yielded no goals for either side, with both sets of players effectively cancelling each other out, although Jay Simpson, Harry Cornick and Jon Stead all weighed in with dangerous chances.
John Sheridan's side, however, would go on to break the deadlock on 53 minutes, as a ball in from the right by Matt Tootle found the unmarked Jonathan Forte and, while Alex Cisak got a hand to it, the officials confirmed it had crossed the line.
Notts were then two up within a minute of the restart, with Stead cuting in on his left foot and lashing a ferocious drive from 20 yards out past the Orient keeper.
Louis Laing's dismissal for a second booking on 69 minutes and Paul McCallum's close-range header four minutes from time set up a nervy finish for the hosts.
However, substitute Aaron Collins' superb counter-attacking goal in stoppage time put the result beyond doubt.
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Joe Jones
The first time that Notts County faced Leyton Orient was 103 years ago, when the Magpies travel to Millfields Road for a Division Two fixture. The East London outfit won 1-0.
A total of 77 fixtures have taken place between the two, with the Magpies holding the upper hand historically - 30 wins, 19 draws and 28 defeats against Orient.
Leyton Orient were founded in 1881, and have had several name changes throughout the years, including Eagle Cricket Club, Orient FC and Clapton Orient FC. The O's, who play in Waltham Forest, are the second-oldest league club in London behind Fulham.
The club's unusual name is alleged to come from one of the club's early players (Jack R Dearing) who was an employee of the Orient Shipping Company.
During the First World War. 41 members of the Clapton Orient team and staff joined up into the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (the Footballers' Battalion), the highest of any football team in the country and the first to join up en masse.
During the Battle of the Somme, three players gave their lives for King and Country: Richard McFadden, George Scott and William Jonas. Prior to the First World War, O's striker Richard McFadden had saved the life of a boy who was drowning in the River Lea as well as rescuing a man from a burning building.
History was made on Saturday 30th April 1921 when the Prince of Wales, later to become King Edward VIII, visited Millfields Road to see the O's play Notts County. The Orient won 3-0 and this was the first time a member of royalty had attended a Football League match.
Leyton Orient were involved in a dispute with the Premier League over its decision to allow West Ham to use the Olympic Stadium in London, with the O's expressing an interest in the 2012 Olympics venue, but this has now been settled with a "confidential agreement".
Arguably the most famous fans of the club are Andrew and Julian Lloyd Webber. The album Variations, used as the theme tune for London Weekend Television's South Bank Show, was written by Andrew as the result of his losing a bet to his brother on the result of a Leyton Orient match. Julian later presented a gold disc of Variations to the club chairman at half time during a game with Leicester City.
In addition, David Beckham and Alfred Hitchcock were born in the borough.
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Alan Smith is an injury doubt for Notts County ahead of the visit of Leyton Orient.
Smith has a hip problem and will most probably miss out, although his absence should not affect Magpies manager John Sheridan's selection too much as the 35-year-old has yet to feature during September.
Curtis Thompson has not played this season because of an ankle injury and he will not be ready in time for Saturday either.
Sheridan has plenty of options available should he wish to make any changes with the likes of Louis Laing, Stanley Aborah, Adam Campbell, Aaron Collins and Vadaine Oliver among those vying for recalls.
Orient defender Nicky Hunt remains a doubt after being forced off through injury last weekend at home to Yeovil Town.
The injury is not as bad as first feared after scan results showed no ligament damage but whether he is fit enough to return against the Magpies remains to be seen.
Striker Jay Simpson and midfielder Nigel Atangana made a positive impact off the bench last weekend, and are pushing for starts after their return from back and groin injuries respectively.
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Joe Jones
Notts County boss John Sheridan has urged his charges to be vocal with each other and not worry about "falling out with each other".
The Magpies have endured a lukewarm start to the season, with an impressive away showing cancelled out by a record of zero wins at home.
With Notts in search of a first home league win at the fifth time of asking, when Leyton Orient visit this weekend, Sheridan plans to lead by example.
"I will express myself on the touchline, that's just the way I am. But I'm seeing things and I just don't feel as though they're getting dealt with on the pitch," he told reporters.
"I was vocal myself as a player, and I just think you need that on the pitch.
"When you're in a game and you've got yourselves in front, you do little things to help you. It's only being vocal and communicating with each other, more than anything else.
"It's something I think we lack as a team and it's something we've got to get in the team. I'm doing it for the simple reason that I think it will make us a better team.
"Any manager you speak to will say the same; it's not like it was years ago.
"They don't get on at each other as players; I think they're frightened of falling out with each other.
"That's just the way football is. It's the same at a lot of clubs.
"Years ago, if you weren't doing your job, if you weren't at the races, they would make sure you knew – whether it was the manager, but most of the time it was other players who you were playing with."
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Joe Jones
Notts County chief executive Jason Turner has issued another set of updates for fans as the 2016-17 season is now in full swing.
Here are just some of the points he has raised - for the full column, please visit the link on the official website.
Notts County replica shirt stocks:
Annoyingly, and despite my best endeavours, I am unable to provide much of an update on the arrival of our away shirts or the next batch of home shirts. I have contacted JD Sports on a daily basis, but they have still not been forthcoming with any dates.
I have spoken to two other league clubs at length who are in exactly the same position, and we are all exasperated at the endless time we have expended on our kit suppliers. The clubs are working collaboratively as we look to resolve this unacceptable situation once and for all.
To ensure that we are never in this situation again, I have already met with a number of reputable potential kit providers for next season and hope to conclude an agreement in the near future.
Cleanliness of seating areas at Meadow Lane:
I reported last month that I personally carry out stadium inspections prior to home matches, and had noticed that some seating areas required further cleaning to bring them up to my expected standards. Our Head of Operations and his staff have prioritised this over recent weeks, and I am now confident that this issue has been rectified.
Reduction in number of cash turnstiles:
As more and more supporters are now purchasing their match tickets in advance at discounted pre-match day prices, we will now gradually start to reduce the number of cash turnstiles around the stadium. This will continue to be measured as the season progresses, and I would again urge those of you who pay on a game-by-game basis to purchase your tickets in advance if possible. Eventually, if you still wish to purchase on the day of the game, you will be required to purchase your ticket from the ticket office before going to the turnstiles.
Notts County academy players on loan:
On the football front, youngsters Montel Gibson and Jack McMillan have recently returned from their loans at Romulus and Boston United respectively. I’m told that both players found the experience valuable. Luther Wildin this week followed in their footsteps by joining Grantham Town on loan, initially until mid-October, and we wish him all the best for his spell with the Gingerbreads.
Mike Edwards testimonial gala dinner:
To end his testimonial year, Mike Edwards is holding a gala dinner at Meadow Lane this Friday, with Paul Merson joining as guest speaker for the evening. Tickets are still available at £35 per person, and if you are interested in attending please email [email protected]. Have a great evening, Eddie!
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Joe Jones
Notts County manager John Sheridan wants his side to forget about being "pleasing on the eye" and to simply "be brave" and "dig in" in order to win at home.
The Magpies, who have yet to win at Meadow Lane this season, will try to get all three points at the fifth attempt when they host Leyton Orient this Saturday.
With three wins out of four on the road, Sheridan is hoping that his charges will graft as they did in their 3-2 win at Cheltenham Town.
"Our home form is vital if we want to be right up there, but we are not going to win every game," he said.
"We've looked better away and we are scoring goals, but I've said it before you have to be brave at home.
"I don't want to be pleasing on the eye all the time, I'd like to dig in and just get results sometimes.
"That was the case against Cheltenham and I was so happy for the players."
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Joe Jones
Jon Stead has called on his Notts County teammates to get into opposition teams' faces more at Meadow Lane in a bid to get an overdue home win.
The Magpies have been on top form on the road, winning three out of four away matches.
However, their home form is poor, without a single league win to their name this season.
"We need to be better at home, and I can't put my finger on what it is," Stead told reporters.
"We've played well for very small stages at home, but against Cheltenham we did the right things for a longer period.
"We were causing them problems by getting in their faces and that's something we've not really done that well at home.
"That will be the focus for the week ahead which is starting on the front foot
"We need to get the crowd enthused by what we have been doing because it's been too one-paced, too lethargic and it's cost us."
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Joe Jones
Notts County striker Jon Stead has described how mastering the "chop" has proven beneficial in terms of his play - even though it winds up his teammates.
The forward used the move - feinting to shoot with one foot before manoeuvring it quickly to the other - to get past Daniel O'Shaughnessy ahead of his first goal for the Magpies against Cheltenham.
"We had a session on Thursday when I must have chopped about 11 times and the lads were absolutely screwing," Stead, who helped his side beat the Robins 3-2, said.
"They were not happy because it got them every single time.
"It's a tough one because if you half feint to shoot then the defender has to make the block and you see it week in, week out, across the leagues.
"I'm lucky that I can go either way like I showed Hartlepool when I chopped onto my left.
"So I will keep using it as long as defenders don't start wising up to it. I'm just not quick enough to push it past people like Jonno (Jonathan Forte) does."
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Joe Jones
John Sheridan has praised Notts County's fighting spirit after they clinched a thrilling 3-2 victory at Cheltenham Town on Saturday.
The Magpies were pegged back twice at Whaddon Road but Jon Stead struck the winner in the 56th minute.
Notts held on valiantly until the final whistle, with the playing falling to the turf tired but pleased at their exploits.
"I knew it would be a very tough game because they are a decent side," Sheridan told reporters.
"They hit the frontmen early so I knew we were going to have to defend.
"The most pleasing thing is that we defended really well.
"I didn't think it was a great game but it was obviously exciting because it was 3-2.
"We had to put our bodies on the line and as a team we defended really, really well.
"To score three goals away from home is always a plus and it was nice for us to take the lead for a change.
"I'll look at the goals again, but they (Cheltenham) will beat a few teams. It's a tight little pitch and they are good at what they do.
"I'd like to win a few more games like that when we don't play great, but show that fighting spirit."
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Joe Jones
Notts County have claimed an emphatic 3-2 win at Cheltenham Town in Saturday's League Two clash at Whaddon Road.
John Sheridan's charges took the lead after just four minutes when a ball by Carl Dickinson fell to Jonathan Forte, who had enough space to fire a half-volley beyond Robins goalkeeper Russell Griffiths.
The lead did not last long though, and in the 24th minute the hosts were level when Harry Pell whipped in a cross for Danny Wright to equalise with a close-range header.
Notts were back in front four minutes before the break, however, when Stead cut inside two defenders and curled shot into the net from inside the area.
Pell had the hosts level again 10 minutes after the restart, controlling a knocked-down free-kick on his chest before firing home.
Just when it seemed like Notts would have to start again from square one, Stead squeezed a shot beneath Griffiths to make it 3-2 just a minute later.
Substitutes James Dayton and Billy Waters both went close for Cheltenham, but the hosts could not find an equaliser as Notts were left exhausted but jubilant at the final whistle.
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Joe Jones
Notts County and Cheltenham Town have faced off just eight times in their history, and all meetings have come in the 21st century.
The first clash was on 28 September 2002, when the Magpies played away at Whaddon Road and won 4-1.
The last game, meanwhile, was at the start of the decade, and it proved to be another fruitful result for Notts, who put five unanswered goals past their opponents.
As it stands, the Magpies have 4 wins, 2 defeats, and 2 draws against Cheltenham.
Cheltenham Town was founded in 1887 by Albert Close White, a local teacher.
However, the town has prior football history - in 1849, the first use of three official referees in a match, two in field and one in tribune, was recorded in Cheltenham.
Promoted to The Football League as Conference Premier champions in 1999, Cheltenham have played as high as League One, the third tier of English football, spending a total of four seasons there.
Their best FA Cup run saw them reach the last 16 (fifth round) in 2002.
The last piece of silverware won by the club was the National League title in 2015–2016.
Its league status was lost with relegation in 2015, only for the team to return, as champions, a year later.
Two former Notts managers, Steve Cotterill and Martin Allen, have also done time at the Gloucestershire club.
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Cheltenham manager Gary Johnson could make changes to his team when they host Notts County on Saturday.
He remains without the injured Dan Holman, Kyle Strorer and Amari Morgan-Smith, respectively owing to foot, back and hamstring injuries.
However, the fit again Aaron Downes, Jack Nunns and James Dayton are pushing for recalls.
Notts have an almost fully-fit squad, with the sole exception of absentee Curtis Thompson.
The midfielder has yet to feature so far this season because of an ankle injury and he will not be ready in time for Saturday's trip either.
The Magpies suffered a first defeat in five matches against Accrington last weekend and boss John Sheridan could make changes after criticising his team.
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Joe Jones
Notts County have settled a year-long row with their former academy manager just before the case was due to go to an employment tribunal, it has been reported.
Mick Leonard, a former goalkeeper for the Magpies and the individual who headed their youth programme, was sacked in June last year as Academy Manager for alleged gross misconduct.
According to ITV News, Leonard - who has denied any wrongdoing - appealed, but the two sides were able to reach an out of court settlement.
The sum involved hasn't been disclosed and the club has reportedly declined to make any comment.
Leonard had been coaching at Meadow Lane since 2008 prior to his dismissal.
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Joe Jones
Notts County have been linked with a move for former Juventus defender Martin Caceres, if a report on the internet is to be believed.
According to Breaking Football Update - and you can read the piece here, to prove we're not making it up - the Magpies are said to be interested in the 29-year-old Uruguayan, who has won La Liga and the Champions League with Barcelona, as well as five Serie A championships with Juve.
Caceres, currently a free agent, has been linked with the likes of Chelsea and Swansea City, and can sign for a club outside the transfer window.
It remains to be seen whether one of the most highly sought after free agents in football would turn down a club in a top tier league, perhaps in European competition, for one plying its trade in League Two and taking on mighty teams such as Morecambe and Stevenage.
However, football is a strange old game, and if it does indeed happen, you heard it on Pride of Nottingham first.
Maybe he likes the black and white strip so much after rocking the stripes at Juve?
After we sign Caceres, should we also go for Emmanuel Adebayor? Maybe put a cheeky bid for Eden Hazard while we're at it? Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Michael O'Connor has urged Notts County to have a look at changing tactics when playing at home and treat each game as if they were the away team.
The Northern Irishman compared his side's away form, in which they have won two of three this season, to their home form, which hasn't yielded a single win.
 "Away from home we are set up to counter-attack whereas at home we are asked to get on the front foot straight away," the Magpies skipper told reporters.
"Maybe that's something we can have a look at.
"Do we need to play as the away team at home because our results have been better?
"But we will get it right."
Notts travel to Cheltenham Town on Saturday.
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Joe Jones
Notts County manager John Sheridan has claimed that he would have booed his own side alongside the supporters following their Accrington Stanley defeat.
The Magpies were jeered off the pitch by the Meadow Lane faithful as their four-match unbeaten came to an end with Saturday's meek 2-0 loss against the Lancashire side.
"I understand the supporters as the performance didn't merit appreciation," Sheridan told BBC Radio Nottingham.
"I wasn't happy watching it. I could've booed. But I have to stay strong and I will keep faith in my players.
"I am very disappointed with the way we have gone about the game. Sometimes it is hard to understand when you give a performance like that. I just think we were not at the races."
Notts are now 17th in League Two with eight points from their first seven matches.
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Pride of Nottingham is an independent fansite devoted to Notts County, the world’s oldest professional football club. Created in 2013, it has served as a source of Magpie news, features, match previews, reports, analysis and interviews for more than three years.

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