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Joe Jones
Notts County have met Swindon Town on 62 occasions, the first time being 103 years ago in the FA Cup. On that day in January 1911, the Robins beat the Magpies 2-0 at the County Ground.
Of the 62 clashes, 24 have been won by Notts, 26 by Swindon, and 12 have been drawn.
The last meeting between the two was in December last year, when the Robins won 3-0 at Meadow Lane, thanks to an Andy Williams brace and a strike from Massimo Luongo.
The club was founded in 1879 by Reverend William Baker Pitt. Yes, you read that right! Whilst curate of Christ Church, the high church of Swindon, Pitt formed Swindon Association Football Club to provide recreation for young men in his parish.
 
Swindon won the Southern League championship in 1910-11, earning themselves a Charity Shield clash with Football League champions Manchester United.
This, the highest-scoring Charity Shield game to date, was played on 25 September 1911 at Stamford Bridge with Manchester United winning 8–4!
Some of the proceeds of this game were later donated to the survivors of the Titanic.
During World War II, The War Department – the government body responsible for the supply of equipment to the armed forces in the UK – took over the County Ground in 1940, where for a while prisoners of war were housed in huts placed on the pitch. For this, the club received compensation of £4,570 at war’s end.
Swindon Town were the first League club to use floodlights, having had them installed in 1951.
The County Ground is also the only football stadium in the world with a Rolex watch acting as its timekeeper –the clock on the Stratton Bank stand featuring its name was erected to celebrate promotion in 1963.
Swindon have spent one season in the top flight, in 1992-93, during which Glenn Hoddle managed them. Sadly, they didn't do too well, being relegated at the end of the season after conceding 100 goals.
The most notable silverware in the Robins’ possession is undoubtedly the League Cup, won in 1969 after beating Arsenal in the final at Wembley.
Royle Family and Two Pints Of Lager actor Ralf Little was rumoured to be on trial at Swindon back in 2002, though the funnyman later claimed that he was just training with the squad. Pint-sized jazz singer Jamie Cullum is also a fan of the Robins.
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Swindon look set to be without Louis Thompson for a few weeks after the midfielder suffered suspected shoulder ligament damage last weekend against Crewe.
He has returned to parent club Norwich City while he awaits a specialist's opinion on the injury.
Nathan Byrne should recover from a dead leg sustained in the midweek defeat to Gillingham.
Ben Gladwin is expected to be fit after a neck injury, while Jack Stephens and Anton Rodgers could return after suspension and injury respectively.
Notts have no new problems as they look to seal back-to-back wins in the league for the first time since October.
Leroy Lita could be handed his full debut after making his first appearance for the club as a substitute against Colchester United in midweek.
Shaun Derry can also call on Alan Smith, Will Hayhurst, Nicky Wroe, Sean Newton and Balint Bajner should he want to reshuffle his his starting XI.
Ronan Murray will miss the remainder of the season with a recurrence of a groin problem he suffered in training.
Joe Jones

League One News

By Joe Jones, in News,

Notts County striker Ronan Murray will miss the rest of the season because of complications with a groin injury. Murray, 23, has not played since January because of the problem and boss Shaun Derry confirmed the forward will miss the last 13 games of the season.
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Fleetwood Town have signed midfielder Akil Wright from Northern Premier League side Ilkeston.The 18-year-old has moved for a "undisclosed but sizeable fee" according to Ilkeston, with further clauses also included.
 
Wright joins striker Ashley Hunter in moving to the League One side from the Derbyshire side this season.
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Defender George Ray has signed a new two-year contract with League One side Crewe Alexandra.
The 21-year-old centre-back has agreed a deal that will keep him with the Alex until the summer of 2017.
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Colchester United boss Tony Humes does not know if defender Sean Clohessy has a future at the club, after a show of dissent towards the manager.
Clohessy, 31, refused to shake Humes's hand while being substituted against Doncaster last weekend.
He was then dropped for Tuesday's League One loss to Notts County and will not face Rochdale on Saturday.
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Bradford City manager Phil Parkinson says reaching a Wembley FA Cup semi-final would be a bigger achievement than their League Cup final appearance.
League One Bradford will reach the semi-finals for the first time in 104 years if they beat Reading on Saturday.
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Peterborough United caretaker boss Dave Robertson hopes he is giving chairman Darragh MacAnthony a dilemma over whether to give him the job full-time.
Robertson has won both of his games in charge since Darren Ferguson left his role as manager of the League One club.
And this week he will meet MacAnthony, who is set to fly into the country.
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New Coventry City boss Tony Mowbray says he hopes to help the Sky Blues back to where they "rightfully belong".
The new City boss is charged with the task of halting the ex-Premier League side's relegation to the fourth tier of English football for the first time since 1959
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Blackpool's Steven Davies is on the verge of a move to Sheffield United after requesting to leave Bloomfield Road.
The striker was pulled out of the side that lost 1-0 at Birmingham after asking manager Lee Clark for permission to speak to the League One club.
Chris

The Match Officials

By Chris, in News,

Saturday 7th of March, Swindon Town will be hosting Notts County at the County Ground. 4th place Robins will be hoping to get back to winning ways, as their form in recent weeks has been quite poor and they will be looking to overcome this on home soil. Notts County will be hoping to reform their earlier away form which saw them peak quite highly at the start of the season.
The Robins have only won once in their last six games, four have ended in losses and a further game a draw. After this game, Notts will face Bradford and Rochdale both at home.
The Match Officials for the game against Swindon Town will be Gavin Ward, with his two assistants Darren Blunden and Colin Lymer. The fourth official will be Andrew Laver.
 
Match Officials
Referee; Gavin Ward
From – Surrey
His matches involving Notts County and Swindon Town in the last four seasons;
League One – Tuesday 29th January 2013 – Portsmouth 0 Notts County 2 – 2 Yellow Cards & 1 Red Card
League One – Saturday 9th February 2013 – Swindon Town 1 Hartlepool United 1 – 3 Yellow Cards
League One – Tuesday 29th October 2014 – Notts County 3 Oldham Athletic 2 – 2 Yellow Cards
League One – Saturday 21st December 2014 – Swindon Town 2 Coventry City 1 – 6 Yellow Cards
League One – Saturday 22nd February 2014 – Leyton Orient 2 Swindon Town 0 – 5 Yellow Cards
League One – Saturday 20th September 2014 – Swindon Town 5 Sheffield United 2 – 4 Yellow Cards
 
Run down of his last four games this season;
Championship – Saturday 7th February 2015 – Rotherham United 2 Ipswich Town 0 – 2 Yellow Cards
Championship – Saturday 14th February 2015 – AFC Bournemouth 1 Huddersfield Town 1 – 1 Yellow Cards
League Two – Tuesday 24th February 2015 – Cambridge United 0 AFC Wimbledon 0 – 3 Yellow Cards
Championship – Wednesday 4th March 2015 – Norwich City 0 Wigan Athletic 1 – 7 Yellow Cards
In his last four games 11 yellow cards have been shown and no red cards.
So far this season in a total of 26 games he has shown 96 yellow cards and 5 red cards.
That's roughly 3.6 yellow cards per game.
 
Assistant Referee; Darren Blunden
From – Kent
Last 3 officiated games;
Tuesday 27th January 2015 – Walsall 0 Preston North End 0
Saturday 24th January 2015 – Oxford United 2 Exeter City 2
Wednesday 21st January 2015 – Fulham 3 Nottingham Forest 2
 
Assistant Referee; Colin Lymer
From – Hampshire
Last 3 officiated games;
Sunday 28th December 2014 – Braintree 1 Eastleigh 5
Saturday 24th January 2015 – Barnet 4 Southport 0
Saturday 14th February 2015 – Telford 2 Dartford 3
 
Fourth Official; Andrew Laver
From – Hampshire
Do you have an opinion on the game? - Match Thread
Also, please do leave us a comment below if you have time.
 
 
Match Thread - Scout Report - Meet Ronan Murray
 
Chris

Swindon - Scouting Report

By Chris, in News,

The Magpies head to the County Ground on the 7th of March, Notts County prepare to take on 4th place Swindon Town who have found themselves in perhaps the worst form they've been in throughout the whole season. The Robins have only won once within their last six games, 1 ended as a draw and four resulted in losses.
Notts County come into the game having enjoyed a frustrating 1-0 victory away from home over Colchester United. This will be seen as a test for the Black & White army, as we aim to improve our own form.
 
Run down of their last six games.
Tuesday 10th February – Oldham Athletic 2 Swindon Town 1
Saturday 14th February – Scunthorpe United 3 Swindon Town 1
Saturday 21st February – Swindon Town 1 Crawley Town 2
Tuesday 24th February – Swindon Town 2 Bradford City 1
Saturday 28th February – Crewe Alexandra 0 Swindon Town 0
Tuesday 3rd March – Swindon Town 0 Gillingham Town 3
 
The Players – Fact Sheet
Highest Goal Scorers; Andy Williams 20, Michael Smith 14, Jonathan Obika 8 and Massimo Luongo 6.
Persistent Foulers; Nathan Thompson 3 Red Cards and 10 Yellow Cards, Jack Stephens 1 Red Card and 7 Yellow Cards, Louis Thompson 1 Red Card and 6 Yellow Cards and Yaser Kasim 8 Yellow Cards.
 
The Key Players.
Jonathan Obika, Michael Smith and Andy Williams are Swindon Town's robust front line. Massimo Luongo, Yasir Kasim and Louis Thompson are the key men in midfield, whilst Wes Foderingham is a stand out goal keeper within this league.
Jonathan Obika is a player who creates a lot, whilst also proving he can finish chances himself. The former Tottenham Hotspur youngster forged a name within League One and he will be one to watch.
Michael Smith and Andy Williams are traditional marksmen, who can cause any side danger as their goal tally's suggest.
Massimo Luongo is Swindon Town's rock within the midfield, he pulls the strings and can pin point pass to advancing wide men. Yasir Kasim is a tricky player to retain, his movement generally causes opponents problems.
 
Style of Play, Strengths, and Weaknesses.
Swindon Town seize and thrive under the opportunity to run at their opposition, if they're allowed to do so they can quickly control and dominate games. They have a reputation for being a passing side who can quickly turn carefully created attacks into dangerous chances.
Their main focus is being direct, focusing on attacking down the flanks. They have the ability to break down sides quite easily from the centre of the park, whilst shooting from distance, whilst their forwards can be extremely dangerous when presented with a chance within the penalty box.
Although they're currently struggling, many of their chances come from creative play and bursting runs, where they find players in open space and are easily able to support themselves through their attacking phases.
The Robins main strengths are skill, speed and spotting gaps within the oppositions defence. Whilst all of League One know how deadly they can be on goal sight, Swindon Town do often waste decent chances but again they have the creativity to just repeat the process which makes them extremely dangerous to face.
Weaknesses are mainly within their disciplinary records, several players are prone to making bad decisions and becoming heated as a direct result. Defensively they're very well setup, however if pressed, their defence are prone to stray and do poor passes which can easily be picked up. With their age being considerably young, they're quite inconsistent on the field but can still finish sides off with a touch of class.
If the game doesn't sway in their favour, concentration tends to drop which can allow decent teams to punish them.
 
Match Thread - Q/A with Premiership Scout - Meet Ronan Murray
 
william1984

League One Preview

By william1984, in News,

After Tuesday nights win over Colchester United, Pride of Nottingham returns with another preview into the League One fixtures played on the 7th of March. The form of many sides is vastly becoming important as teams prepare to bid for safety, whilst others are maintaining their play-off push and others aiming to secure a health position.
MK Dons against Preston is an important game this week as MK Dons try to move back into 2nd place above their opponents Preston, while Preston will be hoping to pull away from MK Dons.
 
* Important Game – ** Key Game
Saturday 7th March
Barnsley v Walsall – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (0-1)
Coventry v Port Vale – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-1)
Crawley v Bristol City – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (0-2)
*Crewe v Scunthorpe – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (0-1)
Gillingham v Doncaster – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (0-2)
**MK Dons v Preston – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-1)
Peterborough v Leyton Orient – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-0)
*Rochdale v Colchester – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-0)
Sheffield United v Fleetwood – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-1)
Swindon v Notts County – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (4-0)
Yeovil v Oldham – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (0-0)
 
My Stand-out Games
MK Dons v Preston
Crewe v Scunthorpe
Rochdale v Colchester
 
MK Dons will be hoping to win, which would see them move back upto 2nd place while a win for Preston could see them move clear of their opponents today.
Recent form shows Preston as favourites in this key match for automatic promotion, a win for Preston and results going their way elsewhere could see them have a two game advantage over their rivals, already having a game in hand.
Crewe will be hoping to win as they try improve on recent form, a win could give them a cushion from the drop zone while yet another win could see them in serious danger.
Scunthorpe on the other hand already have a nice cushion from the drop zone, but another win today could see them upto 10 points clear of the drop zone.
Rochdale will be hoping to win and results go right elsewhere, which could put them within two points of the play offs while Colchester are in desperate need of three points after losing to Notts County in the week, which has seen them drop further into the relegation battle.
 
Thoughts on Swindon vs. Notts County
This weeks match sees Notts County against Swindon with both teams struggling to find consistent form, though saying that I think Swindon are easily the better team. I’ve predicted Swindon to win easy.
The current results between the two teams show Notts County as slight favourites winning three of the last seven meetings with Swindon winning two and one draw.
The last time Notts County beat Swindon at the County Ground was back in 2011 winning 1-2.
The overall head to head record shows Swindon only just being favourites winning 23, Notts County 22 and 12 draws.
Notts County have picked up 7 out of 15 points from the last five meetings in the league.
Most people in all honesty would probably say this is an easy match to predict the winner.
On paper Swindon are easily the better side, Their forms just better but of late its fairly bad picking only 4 points up from the last 15, while Notts County have only won two of their last five and looks even worse.
When you look further back, only getting 10 points from a possible 30. I hate to say it and I have been positive the last few weeks, but I see us getting hammered.
 
Match Report - Meet Ronan Murray - PoN's Live Centre  
Chris

Meet Ronan Murray

By Chris, in Media,

Since coming to Meadow Lane two years ago, Ronan Murray has quickly established himself as one of Notts County’s first-choice players. The young Irishman originally signed to the club on a short-term contract as one of four successful trialists in 2013, but he went on to play a key role in helping the Magpies avoid relegation from League One with nine goals in 16 starts.
Of course, there was the odd setback, most notably the red card on the quarter-hour mark of that Peterborough United game, but the mark of a true professional is learning from your mistakes and proving doubters wrong – and Murray did just that.
 
Pride of Nottingham has spoken to the 23-year-old hotshot about Notts County’s season.
 
What have you made of the game so far?
Well I think we've played well, I think Paddy McCourt's done well for us, he's really been our best player. He looks bright, so hopefully he will continue in the second half and keep giving the ball to him basically.
 
What time do you think the full score will be?
Well hopefully we can get back into it, hopefully the gaffer can give them a good talking too and they'll come out flying in the second half really. As I say keep giving the ball to Paddy and Jam on the right and hopefully they can make things happen. Hopefully Bajner and big Garry up there and can do the business in the box. So, hopefully we can come back from this and we need it, we need it at home – like seven in the last eight are obviously not good enough so, we need to get the fans our side here.
 
Have you been enjoying your time at Notts?
Yeah, yeah, I'm loving it. Loving it really, this season hasn't really set off for me but hopefully I will have a good end to it.
 
Is there any news on your injury?
Yeah I just had a scan on it yesterday it, on my groin, so hopefully the results come back all clear and then I can crack on with training. There's just a few questions over it, scan is clear I can take it from there.
 
Meet the Fans [special] - Meet Ronan Murray
Watch the Video
 
[center]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFO4jiObYpQ
Pride of Nottingham would like to thank Ronan Murray for taking the time to speak to us, we wish him all the very best with his injury and hope that he finds his form again soon.
 
You Pies!!
 
 
Last Match Report - Meet the PoN - Q/A with Premiership Scout  
Joe Jones
Notts picked up a desperately-needed three points this evening as a Paddy McCourt goal in the second half was enough to seal a 1-0 win away at Colchester United. Within the opening ten minutes of the game, Gary Jones saw his effort deflected behind for a corner.
Moments later, Jamal Campbell-Ryce skipped past two defenders and struck a low shot that had to be tipped round the post by Sam Walker.
The Colchester stopper continued to shine as he denied JCR once again before saving a venomous drive by Blair Adams that looked destined for the top corner.
 
Notts risked conceding late on in the first half when slack defending left George Moncur with a free chance at goal, but Roy Carroll was equal to the effort.
Following the restart, the Northern Irish keeper had to be at his best to deny Gavin Massey, who had unlocked the Notts back line and raced through on goal.
The visitors were finally able to break the deadlock 68 minutes in when Campbell-Ryce curled a cross towards the back post, where McCourt was able to nod home.
Minutes later, Notts got out of jail again when a deflected Macauley Bonne strike was deflected and required Adams to clear off the line.
Following that attempt, the Magpies were able to see the game out and secure a much-needed three points.
Notts are by no means out of trouble, and there's a very tricky fixture away at Swindon Town this weekend, but it's a decent start - let's hope we're able to turn the corner now!
Joe Jones
Notts County have met Colchester United a modest 41 times over the years, all league encounters except for one Sherpa Vans Trophy tie in 1988. Notts hold the marginal upper edge, having won 19 games to Colchester's 14, with 8 draws. All league encounters between the two have never taken place higher than the third tier.
The recent history between those two sides is very positive for the Magpies - we have won the last six games against the Essex side, by an aggregate score of 17-3!
The last game was back in August last year, a 2-1 league win at Meadow Lane.
Colchester United Football Club is a baby in English football club terms, having been born in 1937. However, Colchester Town Football Club, the club's predecessor, was around since 1873.
Despite dwindling crowds in the mid-1930s, though, they refused to follow its neighbours Ipswich Town in turning professional, much to the disapproval of its fans and players. As a result, Colchester United was formed, with the intention of playing professionally, and went on from strength to strength while its stubborn neighbour fell into decline and eventually folded.
 
Colchester United are responsible for one of the FA Cup's greatest ever upsets, when, in February 1971, they defeated the infamous Don Revie's Leeds United, an established top flight side who would finish second that season, by three goals to two. The U's were in the fourth division at the time.
The U's won the Football League Trophy (now the Johnstone's Paint Trophy) in 1996-97. and also compete in a competition called the Essex Senior Cup, a tournament contested by mostly non-league clubs within the region (Colchester usually field a youth/reserve team for this), winning this trophy back in 2009-10.
Micky Cook holds the all time club record for appearances with Colchester, having played nearly 700 games between 1969 and 1984.
Notable former players include Titus Bramble, Alec Chamberlain, Mark Kinsella, Kevin Lisbie and Newcastle cult hero Lomana LuaLua.
 
The town of Colchester is said to be the oldest recorded town in Britain on the grounds that it was mentioned by Pliny the Elder, who died in AD 79. It was for a time the capital of Roman Britain, and is a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network.
Since 2006, Colchester has been one of 12 places in the UK where Royal Salutes are fired to mark Royal anniversaries and visits by foreign heads of state.
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Colchester midfielder Tom Lapslie could return from an ankle injury, but Sammie Szmodics is unlikely to feature as he is still recovering from a foot problem.
George Moncur came off the bench in Saturday's loss at Doncaster and is pushing for a starting place after recovering from tonsillitis.
Notts have no new injury worries - Alan Smith, Will Hayhurst, Sean Newton and Gary Jones are all options if boss Shaun Derry wants to make changes.
william1984

League One Preview

By william1984, in News,

In this weeks PoN's preview to the League One games played on the 3rd of March, there's a crucial game being played which our fans will be hoping to see positive news from – This important tie is between Colchester and of course Notts County, this game could see either side make steady progress in their bid for survival.
Colchester against Notts County is a important game this week as Colchester try to move back out of the drop zone while Notts County are fighting to stay out of the drop zone.
 
* Important Game – ** Key Game
Tuesday 3rd March
Sheffield United v Peterborough – Kick Off 7:30pm – Score Prediction (2-1)
Barnsley v Coventry – Kick Off 7:45pm – Score Prediction (1-0)
Bradford v Crawley – Kick Off 7:45pm – Score Prediction (2-0)
**Colchester v Notts County – Kick Off 7:45pm – Score Prediction (0-1)
Fleetwood v Scunthorpe – Kick Off 7:45pm – Score Prediction (1-1)
Leyton Orient v Bristol City – Kick Off 7:45pm – Score Prediction (0-3)
*MK Dons v Chesterfield – Kick Off 7:45pm – Score Prediction (2-1)
Port Vale v Oldham – Kick Off 7:45pm – Score Prediction (0-0)
*Preston v Doncaster – Kick Off 7:45pm – Score Prediction (1-0)
Rochdale v Crewe – Kick Off 7:45pm – Score Prediction (1-0)
Swindon v Gillingham – Kick Off 7:45pm – Score Prediction (3-1)
Yeovil v Walsall – Kick Off 7:45pm – Score Prediction (1-2)
 
My Stand-out Games
Colchester v Notts County
MK Dons v Chesterfield
Preston v Doncaster
 
Colchester will be hoping to win as they fell into the drop zone on Saturday, a win against a struggling Notts County side, as results elsewhere favouring Colchester could move them back out of the drop zone.
Notts County will be hoping to win today as loss could put them in the bottom four and if results elsewhere go against them. Notts County will be hoping to pick up their first points in four matches.
MK Dons will be hoping to make up for Saturdays result against a struggling Coventry side with a win today against a Chesterfield side struggling to find their form from the first half of the season.
Chesterfield will be hoping to add another 3 points after their win on Saturday against Fleetwood, their first win in four games.
They will be hoping they can find there early season form to beat possibly the best side in the league in my eyes, only challenged by Bristol city.
Preston will be hoping to continue their excellent form which has seen them unbeaten in February and become possible automatic promotion contenders.
Doncaster will be hoping carry on from Saturday after beating Colchester, though in the previous two matches before they showed signs of their early season bad form losing against Bristol City and an average Port Vale side.
 
Thoughts on Colchester vs Notts County
This weeks match sees Notts County against Colchester with both teams struggling to find consistent form. I’ve predicted Notts County to just edge it.
The current results between the two teams show Notts County as overwhelming favourites winning six of their last seven meetings.
The last time Colchester beat Notts County at Meadow Lane was back in 2003 winning 2-3.
The overall head to head record shows Notts County being slight favourites winning 19, Colchester 14 and 7 draws.
Notts County have picked up 15 out of 15 points from the last five meetings in the league.
A tough match to predict but I’ve predicted 1-0 to Notts County.
 
 
Last Match Report - Q/A with Premiership Scout - League Link-Ups  
Joe Jones
Another matchday, another defeat. A decent enough performance by Notts who nevertheless find themselves on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline against Port Vale.
The visitors dominated possession in the opening five minutes at Meadow Lane, but it was Notts who had the first chance when Liam Noble’s 20-yard strike was caught by Chris Neal.
Vale took the lead on seven minutes when Byron Moore curled a pass into the box for Williamson to run onto.
 
Roy Carroll and Mike Edwards got in each other’s way as the ball ricocheted across the area to Mark Marshall and, faced with an open goal, the winger made no mistake as he volleyed home.
Minutes later, Michael Brown’s low strike from long range was well held by Carroll before Jamal Campbell-Ryce found Paddy McCourt in the box, but the subsequent low shot was well held by Neal.
Balint Bajner was next to threaten as his header was easily saved by the Vale keeper, and in the 34th minute McCourt cut inside to the area before unleashing a powerful drive which was also palmed away.
The veteran Northern Irishman continued to impress when he found Garry Thompson behind the defence but his low strike from 12 yards forced another good save.
Garry Thompson’s effort was then well saved before County wasted another chance as Bajner chested the ball down not far from goal but volleyed over.
In the second half, Blair Adams volleyed over after a McCourt free kick sparked a goalmouth scramble.
County went close again on the hour when Adams drilled the ball across the six-yard box. Garry Thompson tried to connect but could only deflect the ball straight to Neal.
Noble should then have scored when he rose to meet Mullins’s cross, but headed over from eight yards out.
The game almost swung back to the Magpies in the 71st minute when Campbell-Ryce broke free on the right of the area, but the Vale keeper was on top once again.
It wasn’t to be Notts’s day as, for all their bluster in the latter stages of the game, they were unable to find an equaliser as they gave away another three points.
They fall to 19th in the table and are three points from the drop zone. The way things are going, it’s time to think about a successive relegation battle.
Joe Jones
Notts County have met Port Vale a grand total of 93 times over the years, with the first two fixtures coming within a week of each other back in February 1921. The Magpies won the first game 2-1, but lost 1-0 at Meadow Lane.
Notts have the upper edge having won 39 games, lost 34, and drawn 20 against the Valiants, with the highest scoring matches coming in February 1927 (a 6-2 defeat) and April 1935 (a 5-3 defeat).
Last time these two played, in August last year at Vale Park, the Magpies won 2-0.
Port Vale is one of the few English league clubs not to be named after a geographical location.
The name Port Vale exists on maps pre–dating the formation of the club, which probably occurred in 1879, and is a reference to a valley of ports on the Trent and Mersey Canal, associated with the city's pottery industry.
The club itself is actually based in Burslem, one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent.
Port Vale have never been in the top tier of English football, and the last time they were in the second tier was back in 1999-2000.
In terms of silverware, the Valiants have won the Staffordshire Senior Cup twice, in 1920 and 2001, whilst being runners-up in 1900 and 2010, as well as several other regional cups like the Birmingham Senior Cup, one of the oldest county football competitions still active.
The club, despite being fairly small, enjoys the support of some world-famous celebrities. Robbie Williams is a huge fan, to the point that he held £240,000 worth of shares in the club and has a restaurant at Vale Park named after him.
For the videogame FIFA 2000, he provided an original theme song called It's Only Us, on the condition that Port Vale should be included in the game, which they were, located in the Rest of World section!
Also, in 2005, Williams founded Los Angeles Vale F.C., a Super Metro League team in the United States, named after Port Vale and based at his Los Angeles home.
Darts star Phil “The Power” Taylor is also a big fan, while Blue (that Noughties boy-band) singer Simon Webbe was part of their youth setup until a ligament injury hampered any prospect of a career in football.
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On-loan Brighton man Paddy McCourt may make his Notts County debut when Port Vale visit Meadow Lane. The Northern Ireland international could get a chance on the wing on Saturday.
The returning Jamal Campbell-Ryce, back on loan at County from Sheffield United, Haydn Hollis, Will Hayhurst, Balint Bajner and Billy Daniels are also options for Shaun Derry,
Meanwhile, Ronan Murray will probably remain on the sidelines through injury.
Shaun Harrad this week joined Cheltenham on loan while fellow striker Jimmy Spencer remains a long-term absentee after suffering a knee injury during pre-season.
Notts are chasing only their second double of the season - the only team they have beaten home and away this season so far has been Vale's local rivals Crewe.
Colin Daniel's return from injury means Vale travel with a fully-fit squad.
Daniel is back in contention after three weeks out with an ankle problem but a place on the bench is probably the best the forward can hope for with Valiants boss Rob Page likely to name an unchanged starting line-up for the third game in a row following back-to-back wins.
However, there is also plenty of competition to be named among the substitutes after Achille Campion, Greg Luer and Richard Duffy all missed out on the matchday squad last weekend.
Chris

The Match Officials

By Chris, in News,

Saturday 28th of February, The Magpies will host 12th place Port Vale. Notts County will be able to feature two new wingers in the form of Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Paddy McCourt, as they look to get back on track in the 2014/2015 season – The visitors may have to rethink their plans.
Port Vale have won only two of their last six games, having lost three and only drawn once, all is now to plan for within this League One fixture.
The Match Officials for the game against Port Vale will be Darren Drysdale, with his two assistants Matthew Buonassisi and Nick Hobbis. The fourth official will be Ian Rathbone.
 
Match Officials
 
Referee; Darren Drysdale
From – Lincolnshire
 
His matches involving Notts County and Port Vale in the last four seasons;
League One – Saturday 19th November 2011 – Huddersfield Town 2 Notts County 1 – 3 Yellow Cards and 1 Red Card
League Two – Saturday 18th February 2012 – Port Vale 2 Gillingham 1 – 2 Yellow Cards
League Two – Saturday 5th May 2012 – Port Vale 3 Oxford United – 5 Yellow Cards
League One – Tuesday 2nd October 2012 – Notts County 1 Stevenage 2 – 2 Yellow Cards and 1 Red Card
F.A Cup – Saturday 1st December 2012 – Rotherham United 1 Notts County 1 – 2 Yellow Cards
JPT – Tuesday 4th December 2012 – Port Vale 0 Bradford City 2 – 4 Yellow Cards
League One – Saturday 12th April 2014 – Notts County 4 Port Vale 2 – 1 Yellow Cards
 
Run down of his last four games this season;
League Two – Saturday 10th January 2015 – Dagenham & Redbridge 0 Oxford United 0 – 5 Yellow Cards
Championship – Tuesday 27th January 2015 – Rotherham United 4 Bolton Wanderers 2 – 2 Yellow Cards
League One – Saturday 21st February 2015 – Sheffield United 2 Coventry City 2 – 6 Yellow Cards and 1 Red Card.
League One – Tuesday 24th February 2015 – Preston North End 1 Walsall 0 – No Cards
In his last four games 13 yellow cards have been shown and only a single red card.
So far this season in a total of 20 games he has shown 67 yellow cards and 6 red cards.
That's roughly 3.3 yellow cards per game.
 
Assistant Referee; Matthew Buonassisi
From – Northamptonshire
 
Last 3 officiated games;
Tuesday 10th February 2015 – Dagenham & Redbridge 0 Portsmouth 0
Saturday 14th February 2015 – Southend United 1 Accrington Stanley 2
Saturday 21st February 2015 – Northampton Town 3 York City 0
 
Assistant Referee; Nick Hobbis
From – West Midlands
 
Last 3 officiated games;
Saturday 24th January 2015 – Northampton Town 3 Newport County 0
Saturday 7th February 2015 – Swindon Town 2 Barnsley 0
Tuesday 10th February 2015 – Chesterfield 0 Preston North End 2
 
Fourth Official; Ian Rathbone
From – Northamptonshire
 
Do you have an opinion on the game? - Match Thread
Also, please do leave us a comment below if you have time.
 
 
Match Thread - Q/A with Premiership Scout - Scouting Report  
Joe Jones

League One News

By Joe Jones, in News,

Barnsley have appointed Oldham manager Lee Johnson as their new head coach on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
The clubs have agreed an undisclosed compensation deal for the 33-year-old and his assistant Tommy Wright.
The Tykes have been without a manager since sacking Danny Wilson on 12 February.
---
MK Dons have signed Chelsea midfielder Lewis Baker on loan until the end of the season, including play-off period.
The 19-year-old helped the Blues win the Under-21 Premier League last season and scored 26 goals.
Baker, who's an England Under-21 international, played four times during a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday last month, starting two of those games.
---
Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson has left the club after Saturday's 3-0 defeat by MK Dons left them 15th in League One - the Posh have won just one of their last five matches in the league.
Coaches Gary Breen, Gavin Strachan and Jimmy Walker, video analyst Stewart England and sport scientist Marc Lindsey have also left the club, with academy manager Dave Robertson put in caretaker charge.
---
Bradford City have signed Oliver Burke on a month-long loan deal from Nottingham Forest.
The 17-year-old winger was given his first Forest debut in a 4-4 Championship draw with Blackpool on 14 February.
He has been given permission to play in Bradford's FA Cup quarter-final against Reading on 7 March.
---
Football League clubs have voted not to reintroduce artificial pitches.
A vote on the issue in November 2014 ended in a tie but clubs were balloted again last week and decided against the use of plastic playing surfaces.
A Football League spokesman said the "majority" of clubs "prefer to play their matches on grass pitches".
---
Peterborough United will not approach Rotherham United boss Steve Evans over their vacant managerial post, says chairman Darragh MacAnthony.
The 52-year-old, who took the Millers up to the Championship last season, had been linked with the job after Darren Ferguson's dismissal on Saturday.
But Evans is contracted at Rotherham until 2017 and MacAnthony says he will not pay compensation for a new boss.
Chris

Port Vale - Scouting Report

By Chris, in News,

Port Vale head to Meadow Lane on the 28th of February. Notts County will have to be steady within their approach against the Valiants, as the visiting side are in decent form and have the ability to punish any side within League One with their clever brand of football.
The visitors currently sit 12th and are currently only 3 points away from the play-offs. They have won two of their last six games, drawing 1 and losing three. There is no doubt that they will be seeing this as a must win game.
 
Run down of their last six games.
Saturday 24th January – Port Vale 0 Crewe Alexandra 1
Saturday 31st January – Barnsley 2 Port Vale 1
Saturday 7th February – Port Vale 2 Bradford 2
Tuesday 10th February – Bristol City 3 Port Vale 1
Saturday 14th February – Walsall 0 Port Vale 1
Saturday 21st February – Port Vale 3 Doncaster Rovers 0
 
The Players – Fact Sheet
Highest Goal Scorers; Tom Pope 10, Ben Williamson 10, Mark Marshall 5 and Michael Brown 5.
Persistent Foulers; Chris Lines 1 Red Card and 2 Yellow Cards, Michael O'Connor 8 Yellow Cards, Carl Dickinson 8 Yellow Cards and Richard Duffy 6 Yellow Cards.
 
The Key Players.
Tom Pope, Ben Williamson, Michael Brown, Michael O'Connor and Richard Duffy.
Tom Pope is the traditional centre forward who likes to stay close to the defenders, he has the ability to draw away from play and put himself inside space, making himself available to tuck a shot into the back of the net.
His strike partner Ben Williamson offers Port Vale steady pace and a great eye for goal.
Where the two Michael's Brown and O'Connor are generally always behind the Vale's advancing play, both also have an eye for goal but also can pick out the right pass, as they push forward and into space. They're two players who require being marked as they are the creative force within the majority of their play going forward.
Richard Duffy is the player who's been there and done that, he gives Port Vale experience and leadership from the back.
He also shares the ability to score from set pieces or from distance.
 
Style of Play, Strengths, and Weaknesses.
Port Vale look to defend within their own half, where they like to stay close to the advancing player. They will generally pull numbers behind them in both their attacks and defending. When it comes to attacking their opposition, they play safe and build slowly by passing closely until they see space opening up which allows for them to try something different.
They're well organized and like to break their opposition down by using the flanks, set pieces and by running into the centre of the park.
Their main strengths are the support which their squad offer to each other, they always have someone in support of advancing players and they use their set pieces very well. Another clear to see strength is confidence, nobody seems short of this.
Confidence seems to be a big part of the football that they play, nobody seems afraid to take on players or to try a shot. In their recent game against Doncaster Rovers this is clear to see.
With regards to weaknesses Port Vale's main concerns lie within aerial threats, they seem very open and vulnerable from both deep dropping crosses, long distance shots or free kicks. Concentration by more than one defender seems to switch off when they're under extensive pressure.
If teams put them under pressure throughout the game and not just brief spells (they cope with this), then they do make mistakes.
This will allow our better players such as Liam Noble, Garry Thompson and even perhaps Bálint Bajner to come into the game.
 
 
Match Thread - Q/A with Premiership Scout - League One Preview  
william1984

League One Preview

By william1984, in News,

In this weeks PoN's preview to the League One games played on the 28th of February, several key games have been identified – None more important than the Peterborough against Bradford game, which several teams within League One will be looking out for.
Peterborough against Bradford is an important game this week as Bradford try to stay in the play off spots and Peterborough will be hoping to improve on recent form and move away from the drop zone.
 
* Important Game – ** Key Game
Saturday 28th February
Bristol City v Rochdale – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-1)
*Chesterfield v Fleetwood – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-0)
Coventry v MK Dons – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-2)
Crawley v Sheffield United – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (0-3)
Crewe v Swindon - Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (0-2)
Doncaster v Colchester – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (3-0)
Gillingham v Barnsley – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-1)
Notts County v Port Vale – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-0)
Oldham v Preston – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (0-2)
**Peterborough v Bradford – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-1)
*Scunthorpe v Yeovil – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-0)
Walsall v Leyton Orient – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-0)
 
My Stand-out Games
Peterborough v Bradford
Chesterfield v Fleetwood
Scunthorpe v Yeovil
 
Peterborough will be hoping to improve on their recent form which has seen them drop to within eight points of the drop zone after only picking one win up in their last five matches.
Bradford on the other hand will be hoping to continue there recent good form which has seen them move into the play off places having not lost in their last five league games.
Chesterfield will be hoping to pick up three points against Fleetwood as they try to move back up the table, they want to get their first points in four games which has seen them drop from the play offs.
Fleetwood will hope to continue their winning form after a hard fought three points last weekend against Notts County which moved them back upto eighth place, just one point off the play offs.
Scunthorpe will be hoping to go back to winning ways this weekend after a 2-0 defeat at the hands of promotion chasing Preston, which ended Scunthorpe’s two game winning streak.
Yeovil will be hoping to pick up their first three points this weekend after only picking up one point in their last three matches, which has seen them move back to bottom of the table.
 
Thoughts on Notts County vs Port Vale
This weeks match see’s Notts county against Port Vale with both teams struggling for form, I’ve predicted Notts county to just edge it.
The current results between the two teams show Notts County as slight favourites, winning five of the last seven meetings.
The last time Port Vale beat Notts County at Meadow Lane was back in 2004 winning 1-2.
The overall head to head record shows Notts County being slight favourites winning 41, Port Vale 35 and 19 draws.
Notts County have picked up 9 out of 15 points from the last five meetings In the league.
A tough match to predict but I’ve predicted 1-0 to Notts County.
 
 
Last Match Report - Q/A with Premiership Scout - League Link-Ups  

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