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william1984

League One Preview

By william1984, in News,

In this weeks PoN's preview to the League One games played on the 10th and 12th of January, several key games have been identified – None more important than the Sheffield United v Preston North End game, which several teams within League One will be looking out for.

If the Blades win, it will start to close the gap whereby sides hoping for the Play-Off will start to find it harder, if Preston North End win it keeps it wide open.
 
* Important Game – **Key Game
 
Saturday 10th January 2015
Barnsley v Yeovil – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-0)
*Bradford v Rochdale – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-0)
Bristol City v Notts County – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-1)
**Chesterfield v Port Vale – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-1)
Crawley v MK Dons – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (0-3)
Crewe v Gillingham – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-0)
*Leyton Orient v Fleetwood – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-1)
*Oldham v Doncaster – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (0-0)
*Peterborough v Colchester – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (3-0)
**Sheff Utd v Preston – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-2)
*Walsall v Scunthorpe – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-0)
 
Monday 12th January 2015
*Coventry v Swindon – Kick Off 7:45pm – Score Prediction (0-3)
 
My Stand-out Games
Sheff Utd v Preston
Crewe v Gillingham
Bristol City v Notts County
 
Bristol City could go back to top of the league temporarily with a win on Saturday until Swindon Town play on Monday who will be hoping to beat Coventry away from home.
Crewe will be hoping to ease their relegation fears with a win against fellow strugglers Gillingham.
Sheffield United's game against Preston North End gives the invitation for up to 6 sides to contest 6th place, with Chesterfield, Port Vale, Rochdale, Notts County, Peterborough and Fleetwood all in pursuit.
With several top teams and bottom clubs playing each other this weekend, I can see teams shooting up the league or dropping down a few places.
 
Thoughts on Bristol City v Notts County
This week’s match is a tough one for us.
Our current results against Bristol city have been poor especially away.
Our last victory against them away came back in 2005 in the F.A Cup when we beat them 2–0.
The overall head to head record slightly favours Bristol city also with them winning 41, us winning 38 and 22 draws.
Since Bristol city came back down from the championship we have only picked up 1 point from the possible 9.
I believe if we manage to get a point from the match we have done well, though that said I see us losing the match and I predict the final score to be 2-1 in their favour.
Joe Jones
Notts County are currently in ninth place, and just two points behind sixth-placed Sheffield United, but today's 1-0 defeat away at Bradford still proved a bitter pill to swallow, in that it was yet another negative result, the end of our unbeaten away run, and the realisation that we still need to put in a fair bit of work - and possibly invest in a few more players - if we are to actually put up a fight against the division's top sides.
 
The game began with the hosts on the front foot as they piled on the pressure against Notts, with Billy Knott and Andy Halliday missing two early chances for Bradford.
Soon enough, the visitors began mustering several efforts of their own, as Gary Jones’s free kick went out for a corner and Jake Cassidy struck the post with Jordan Pickford beaten.
Ryan Hall then came close when he latched onto a Thompson pass to fire a volley over the bar, but not long before half time, it was the home side that took the lead.
It was a soft goal to concede as well, as Roy Carroll got caught out when Hayden Mullins slipped with a Thompson pass going back towards goal, which allowed Halliday to retrieve possession and thread the ball through to Knott, who fired into the net with the help of a deflection.
 
Following the restart, the game found itself bogged down in midfield, with chances at a premium, and the longer the match went on, the more desperate Notts became.
Bradford nearly exploited this when Knott picked out an unmarked James Hanson inside the box, but Carroll was able to pull off a great save to tip the ball round the post.
In the last ten minutes, the Magpies huffed and puffed, but lacked penetration in the final third, which allowed the Bantams to see out the game and secure all three points.
Joe Jones
Notts have faced Bradford 65 times in their history - the first clash came in 1908, when the First Division fixture at Meadow Lane finished 1-1. Over the years, the Magpies have the edge, with 28 wins over the Bantams, 22 defeats, and 15 draws.

The last game between the two was on New Year's Day this year, a resounding 3-0 win for Notts.
Bradford City was founded in 1903. It was immediately elected into Division Two of the Football League despite not having played a previous game.
 
Promotion to the top tier followed in 1908 and the club won the FA Cup in 1911, its only major honour.
After relegation in 1922 from Division One, the club spent 77 years outside the top flight until promotion to the Premier League in 1999.
City stayed up - with a then record low of 36 points - in the first season in the Premier League, but were relegated the following season.
 
In the 2012–13 season, Bradford sent shockwaves through the world of football by becoming the first ever team from the bottom tier of English football to reach a major domestic Wembley cup final, the League Cup, but sadly the fairytale couldn't be completed as they lost 5–0 to Swansea City.
The Bantams have never had a manager from outside Great Britain and Ireland.
A number of recent ex-Notts players now ply their trade for the club, including Alan Sheehan, Gary Liddle and Francois Zoko.
 
Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, Bradford rose to prominence during the 19th century as an international centre of textile manufacture, particularly wool. It was a boomtown of the Industrial Revolution, and amongst the earliest industrialised settlements, rapidly becoming the "wool capital of the world".
Sadly, the textile sector in Bradford fell into decline from the mid-20th century. Since this time, however, Bradford has emerged as a tourist destination, becoming the first UNESCO City of Film with attractions such as the National Media Museum, Bradford City Park, the Alhambra theatre and Cartwright Hall.
---
For Bradford, Mark Yeates and James Meredith were left nursing injuries following their victory at Fleetwood Town and will be assessed.
Billy Clarke, suffering a knee injury, will play no part in the festive period but manager Phil Parkinson has options in the forward positions, with on-loan Zoko still waiting for his first start.
The Bantams are currently in the middle of an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions, and have moved up to fifth in League One.
 
For the Magpies, Liam Noble comes back into contention following his suspension.
The midfielder's return further boosts Shaun Derry's options after defender Mustapha Dumbuya was fit enough for a place on the bench on Boxing Day and on-loan striker Jake Cassidy made his comeback from a bout of illness against MK Dons.
The gaffer is likely to make some changes on Sunday, with winger Ryan Hall and experienced midfielder Gary Jones pushing for recalls to the starting line-up.
Colby Bishop was handed his first start against the Dons but the 18-year-old may be back on the bench at Valley Parade.
Joe Jones
Notts County gave the Milton Keynes Dons a tough game on Boxing Day afternoon at Meadow Lane, but it was always going to be a big ask against the second-placed side in League One as the visitors secured a 1-0 win.

Daniel Powell’s first half goal was enough to seal all three points against Shaun Derry’s side, who had their moments but ultimately lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
Notts began brightly, playing a fast-paced pressing game that forced the Dons into several nervy mistakes early on.
In the first few minutes, Stephen McLaughlin released Blair Adams down the flank, but the full-back’s subsequent cross into the box was miskicked and flew straight at goalkeeper David Martin, who punched the ball away to safety.
The Dons struck back though, as a counterattack allowed Benik Afobe to set up Dean Bowditch on the edge of the box, but the ensuing shot was caught by Roy Carroll.
Anthony McKay then came close to giving his side the lead when he blasted a header over the bar from close range following Dean Lewington’s free kick.
Just after the half-hour mark, MK were able to break the deadlock when Afobe weaved his way into the box, and even though his footwork let him down, Powell pounced to poke a low shot beyond Carroll and into the net for his fifth goal of the campaign.
Notts attempted to engineer a comeback and almost got themselves an equaliser when Adams’s low shot forced a smart save from Martin, but the visitors went on to threaten through Bowditch, whose long-range effort was turned over by Carroll.
 
In the second half, a great pass from Colby Bishop allowed Ronan Murray a one-on-one opportunity against Martin, but the Irishman sent his shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Notts continued to threaten as Stephen McLaughlin forced a good stop from Martin, while substitute Jake Cassidy bore down on goal but sent a shot over.
Young prodigy Dele Alli had a great chance to extend his side’s lead in the latter stages of the game, but his effort from 20 yards out cannoned off the post.
Right at the death, Thompson was felled by Kyle McFazdean in the area, but the referee waved away the subsequent appeals as the Dons held on for all three points to remain second in League One.
Notts, meanwhile, are in eighth place.
Chris

The Build-Up

By Chris, in Match Previews,

Bristol City, Swindon Town and even perhaps Preston North End fans will be hoping Notts can 'surprise' MK Dons today, as Notts prepare to host them at Meadow Lane. This is a very tough game for us Magpies, MK Dons are in fine form and may put on a performance to suppress that of what we seen by Swindon.

Notts will have to be tactically prepared, whilst the defence and midfield will be key to over coming any danger.
 
Key Fixtures
Boxing Day | 26th December 2014.
Chesterfield v Peterborough United
Fleetwood Town v Bradford City
Port Vale v Sheffield United
Preston North End v Barnsley
Scunthorpe United v Rochdale
 
Prediction
MK Don's might be seeing this as a 'easy' game, however installing organization and a plan to handle the Don's threats could allow for hard work could pay off. This said, I feel it will be a close game and if the lads do their jobs I see this resulting in a narrow loss, I predict 1-2 win to MK Dons.
 
Match Odds
Notts to win 3/1 – Draw 13/5 – MK Don's to win 17/20
 
Head to Head
Notts County – A Notts win would most likely see a return to a play-off position, a draw would keep Notts just outside, anywhere from 8th to 10th is realistic. A defeat could see us drop as far as 11th provided the other clubs all win their games and of course if goal difference ended up favouring Chesterfield.
MK Dons – A win for the visitors could see them move to the very top of the league. Despite having a game in hand, a draw could see them move from 2nd to 4th and that is also the worst case scenario if Notts were to beat them.
 
Key Man
Notts County; Alan Smith - His knowledge and understanding of the philosophy in which the Dons play will be of avast importance but a physical player who can be of a calm influence in midfield would actually benefit Notts.
MK Dons; Danny Green – The wide man’s ability to take on opposition defenders allows him to pull the strings from midfield. He can be a constant threat from his passing, crossing, to his eye for the goal but it's his ability of turning something out of nothing into the perfect opportunity which makes him their key man for PoN.
 
League Table
As you can see Notts are still in a very healthy position, whilst the league table looks incredibly tight. If we can remain above Peterborough United that would please me, as a side of their stature should be up much higher. Whilst Bradford City, Oldham Athletic and Chesterfield are all decent counterparts in this division.
I do expect to see Oldham and Chesterfield fade a little more, with Walsall and Barnsley coming into the mix.
No matter what the outcome Notts will end 2014 in a very respectable position even if we drop around 9th to 11th within League One. We will remain with games in hand, with Sheffield United being postponed and also, within the new year Notts start a refresh test against Bristol City, Crewe Alexandra, Doncaster Rovers and Peterborough United.
 
 
Match Thread - The Match Officials - Scouting Report - Stat Attack  
Joe Jones
If we take into account that the Milton Keynes Dons began their history in 2004, then Notts County have faced the club just 12 times. The first fixture took place in 2006, which was won by the Dons 3-2.

Its predecessor, Wimbledon, was around for over 110 years, but nonetheless, Notts have only played six games against them.
 
A depressing statistic: out of 18 games between the Magpies and both Dons incarnations, we’ve only won once. The last game, in March 2014, was a 3-1 defeat at Meadow Lane.
The Buckinghamshire-based outfit has been the subject of much controversy since its former incarnation, Wimbledon, moved from London to Milton Keynes, discarded its previous history and became the Milton Keynes Dons. Many feel aggrieved that such a move was allowed to take place.
 
A new club was then created called AFC Wimbledon that, in the space of less than a decade, rose through the leagues to reach League Two. Fate has drawn the two teams together on the pitch three times in two years, with MK winning twice and losing once.
The first fixture between the two sides took place in the second round of the 2012–13 FA Cup, where they were drawn to play each other at stadium:MK.
MK Dons won that match 2-1, with a winner scored in injury time by Jon Otsemobor and dubbed by the fans as "The Heel of God”.
 
In the second game when Kyle McFadzean scored the opening goal with his heel it was immediately dubbed "The Heel of God II".
The town of Milton Keynes, about 56 miles (90 km) north of London in Buckinghamshire, was established as a new town in 1967.
It is comically known for its statues of concrete cows and many, many roundabouts (300, or if you count painted bumps, over 1000!).
--
Notts should have an unchanged squad for the visit of MK Dons. Liam Noble serves the final match of his suspension, while Jake Cassidy and Mustapha Dumbuya are still sidelined.
Second-placed MK Dons have no new injury worries following their 7-0 thrashing of Oldham on Saturday.
Ben Reeves could return after missing that match with a hamstring injury, but full-back Lee Hodson and midfielder Mark Randall are set to miss out.
Chris

MK Dons - Scouting Report

By Chris, in News,

MK Don's have been very impressive so far within the 2014/2015 campaign. The only recent blip comes by the hands of Chesterfield who knocked the Don's out of the F.A Cup at the Stadium MK, the final score 1-0. Big wins came at Oldham Athletic 7-0 and Colchester United 6-0.

The Buckinghamshire side have won four of their last six games and have secured points in the other two remaining games. Preston and Rochdale being those sides.
 
Run down of their last six games.
Tuesday 25th November – MK Dons 2 AFC Rochdale 0
Saturday 29th November – MK Dons 6 Colchester 0
Tuesday 2nd December – Sheffield United 0 MK Dons 1
Saturday 6th December – MK Dons 0 Chesterfield 1 (F.A Cup)
Saturday 13th December – Preston North End 1 MK Dons 1
Saturday 20th December – MK Dons 7 Oldham Athletic 0
 
The Players – Fact Sheet
Highest Goal Scorers; Benik Afobe 19, Dele Alli 10, Will Grigg 9 and Carl Baker 4.
Persistent Foulers; Kyle McFadzean 1 Red Card and 8 Yellow Cards, Danny Green 1 Red Card and 2 Yellow Cards, Antony Kay 6 Yellow Cards, Darren Potter 5 Yellow Cards and Samir Carruthers 5 Yellow Cards.
 
The Key Players.
The England U21 and Arsenal forward Benik Afobe has really found form within the 2014/2015 campaign. The popular youngster has been sent out on loan with several teams in his early career, however it's at MK Don's the strikers found a lethal eye for goal having scored 10 goals in the league, 6 in the League Cup, 2 in the F.A Cup and 1 in the JPT.
He's a real threat with his natural finishing and his physical strength is enough to see off the majority of challenges.
Will Grigg is a player who within League One has scored his share of goals, combining the tricky partnership with Benik Afobe the Northern Irish striker is a menace to any side within this division.
Matt Green, Dele Alli and Carl Baker are a midfield to bolster any strong League One promotion chaser, with Matt Green having the ability to change the outcome of games with his creativity. Dele Alli offers true pace and an eye for goal.
Carl Baker is also a player who can deceive opposition counter parters and naturally push them either with carefully created assists or a goal to boot.
 
Style of Play, Strengths, and Weaknesses.
MK Dons are a creative, physical and powerful League One outlet. They possess the ability to play smooth, quick flowing and dangerous attacking football. They're a well prepared side which can quickly suss out their opposition, allowing them to create many clean cut chances.
Their strengths are found within the physical presence, whilst creativity and ideas are not something which MK Dons seem to be short of having.
Like many good sides they use natural pace and skill to burst towards opposition, which allows their key players to get into space for the perfect pass or goal scoring opportunity. The Don's are very good at set pieces which you can tell the training ground is the source of the majority of their well driven efforts, their ability to mix play via the centre of the park and the flanks leave them with no limitations to their attacking power.
Weaknesses are actually quite easy to spot within the MK Dons play, however the talent of their defenders and keeper are often enough to stop chances being a major concern.
Bouncing and high balls often lead to chances against the Don's with their defenders struggling to get hold of the ball, they like it to be played along the ground. When hit with direction and pace, they often leave enough space for creative players to find time to take or set-up decent opportunities. If sides are able to retain possession the Don's struggle to keep calm which often results in disciplinary action as they make cynical and unnecessary challenges.
 
 
Match Thread - The Match Officials - View New Content  
Chris

The Match Officials

By Chris, in News,

Saturday 26th of December, MK Dons make their way to Meadow Lane on Boxing Day to take on the Magpies. Notts have a tough fixture here, MK Dons are a very capable League One team and Alan Smith may be a key feature for Notts County.

MK Don's come into the game having moved into 2nd place within League One after destroying Oldham Athletic at home, an impressive 7-0 victory for the Dons.
 
The Match Officials for Saturdays game against MK Dons will be Andrew Madley, with his two assistants Michael Hanley and James Wilson. The fourth official will be Jason Tyas.
 
Match Officials
 
Referee; Andrew Madley
From – West Yorkshire
His matches involving Notts County and MK Dons in the last four seasons.
League One – Saturday 8th September 2012 – Notts County 3 Shrewsbury Town 2 – 2 Yellow Cards
League One – Saturday 12th October 2012 – MK Dons 0 Stevenage 1 – 3 Yellow Cards
League One – Saturday 8th December 2012 – Yeovil Town 0 Notts County 0 – 7 Yellow Cards
League One – Friday 18th April – Port Vale 1 MK Dons 0 – 1 Yellow Card
JPT – Tuesday 16th December – Notts County 0 Preston North End 1 – (Fourth Official)
 
Run down of his last four games.
Championship – Saturday 8th November 2014 – Nottingham Forest 2 Norwich City 1 – 5 Yellow Cards
League Two – Saturday 29th November 2014 – Bury 0 Dagenham & Redbridge 2 – 4 Yellow Cards
F.A Cup – Friday 5th December – Hartlepool 1 Blyth Spartans 1 – 1 Yellow Card
Championship – Saturday 20th December – Blackpool 1 AFC Bournemouth 3 – 3 Yellow Cards
 
In his last four games 13 yellow cards have been shown and currently no red cards.
So far this season in a total of 18 games he has shown 52 yellow cards and 1 red card.
That's roughly 2.8 yellow cards per game.
 
Assistant Referee; Michael Hanley
From – Liverpool
Last 3 officiated games.
Saturday 25th November – Port Vale 3 Leyton Orient 0
Saturday 8th November – Bury 3 Hemel Hempstead 0
Sunday 7th December – Bradford City 4 Dartford 1
 
Assistant Referee; James Wilson
From – Cheshire
Last 3 officiated games.
Saturday 11th October 2014 – Port Vale 4 Yeovil 1
Saturday 25th October 2014 – Bolton 3 Brentford 1
Saturday 13th December 2014 – Scunthorpe United 2 Crewe Alexandra 1
 
Fourth Official; Jason Tyas
From – West Yorkshire
 
Do you have an opinion on the game? - Match Thread
Also, please do leave us a comment below if you have time.
Joe Jones
Well, today started off well, but then appeared to go completely wrong, only for proceedings to be salvaged right at the death.

Garry Thompson's last gasp goal in the clash away at Rochdale gave Notts a 2-2 draw at Spotland, maintaining the Magpies' unbeaten away record in the process.

Neither side truly got going in the early stages of the game, with little more than tentative probes and half-chances being fired.
Shaun Derry's charges drew first blood just before the break when Elliott Whitehouse sent a cross the way of veteran Mike Edwards, who duly fired home and gave the visitors a 1-0 half-time lead.
 
But following the restart, Rochdale levelled the score as Ian Henderson converted with a smart finish.
Matt Done then struck the post as the hosts searched for a second goal, with Notts in danger of buckling under the pressure.
Dale's second was eventually scored in the 64th minute when Peter Vincenti headed in from close range from a pinpoint Done cross.
Notts tried desperately to push forward and find a goal as the second half wore on in a bid to protect their unbeaten away record and earn a point, but it seemed like it was to no avail.
Just as the game was about to draw to a close, a climactic equaliser finally came right at the death when Thompson slotted home from close range after goalkeeper Conrad Logan was down following a Murray challenge.
Keith Hill's side vehemently protested the goal, but referee Scott Mathieson waved the complaints away and allowed the goal to stand.
Chris

Rochdale - Scout Report

By Chris, in News,

Rochdale find themselves in similar form to us having won twice, lost three times and drawn once. The Dale's have also conceded the same amount of goals as they have scored in their last six games at 10 a piece. Their last league game saw an away win 4-1 over Colchester.

Tuesday the 16th of December Rochdale beat Aldershot Town at the second time of asking, the final score after the original 0-0 ended up 4-1 in the Dale's favour.
 
Run down of their last six games.
Saturday 22nd November – Rochdale 1 Doncaster Rovers 3
Tuesday 25th November – MK Dons 2 Rochdale 2
Saturday 29th November – Rochdale 0 Oldham Athletic 3
Sunday 7th December – Aldershot Town 0 Rochdale 0 (F.A Cup)
Saturday 13th December – Colchester 1 Rochdale 4
Tuesday 16th December – Rochdale 4 Aldershot Town 1 (F.A Cup)
 
The Players – Fact Sheet
Highest Goal Scorers; Matt Done 13, Ian Henderson 10, Peter Vincenti 9 and Jack O'Connell 3.
Persistent Foulers; Ian Henderson 1 Red Card, Matt Done 1 Red Card, Matthew Lund 5 Yellow Cards, Joe Rafferty 5 Yellow Cards and Stephen Dawson 4 Yellow Cards.
 
The Key Players.
Naturally the danger will come from the following three players Matt Done, Ian Henderson and Peter Vincenti at least when on goal sight but also Ashley Eastham, Jack O'Connell and Rhys Bennett are paramount to the Dale's offense.
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.
Matt Done is their general in midfield, he can pull play towards him and dictate, whilst also showing an eye for goal. Ian Henderson is a player who drifts in and out of games but is a reliable player at this level.
Peter Vincenti is another creative midfield who likes to create chances.
Ashley Eastham, Jack O'Connell and Rhys Bennett are all players who on their day can cause problems from the back. Rhys Bennett being one which Notts will have to be aware of throughout the game, as he likes to get forward.
 
Style of Play, Strengths, and Weaknesses.
Rochdale are your typical newcomer to League One, they play as a team but rather take chances on getting the ball into the box where they have lively players who can seize on a moment. For them it is all about creating, there is no general focus to their play.
They like to try to retain position, moving it around, whilst creating space and support.
They are somewhat scrappy in their approach both going forward and in defending, organized sides can quickly find this to their advantage whereas some sides find this generally confusing.
Their main strengths come from their lively players who can attach themselves to chances which looked destined for nothing. Whilst hard work and effort go along way, with their more gifted players finding much more time on the ball.
Weaknesses is typically being disorganized, whilst there is a certain panic to the way the Dale's play when under pressure. If sides keep their key front men quiet, then it is all about hitting them and keeping balls consistently in their penalty box. Chances arise from this with Rochdale's defence being a key cause to their problems at the back. Josh Lillis is also a vulnerability if opposition sides can create panic within the Dale's defence.
 
 
Match Thread - The Match Officials - Stat Attack  
Joe Jones
Notts and Rochdale have only met a total of 38 times over the years, with the first meeting coming on the 10th December 1949. During this FA Cup clash at Spotland, the Magpies triumphed 2-1.

The last meeting between the two was two and a half years ago in February 2012, and in this League One clash, again at Spotland, Notts won 1-0.
 
Rochdale AFC was formed in 1907, and in their entire history, they have only ever switched divisions six times.
They have had three promotions and three relegations, with promotion coming in 1969, 2010 and 2014, while relegation came in 1959, 1974 and 2012.
The club reached the League Cup final in 1962 – the first time a club from the bottom league division has reached the final of a major competition – where they lost to Norwich City.
Rochdale played 36 consecutive seasons in the Football League's bottom division from 1974 to 2010, the longest time any team has been in the bottom division of the League, with some even derisively renaming it "the Rochdale Division".
The club have the lowest average position of all the clubs which have existed continuously in the Football League since its expansion to four divisions in 1921–22 (76th), and since its expansion to 92 clubs in 1950–51 (79th).
 
Additionally, they share with Hartlepool United the distinction of having played the most seasons in the Football League without ever reaching the top two tiers (82 seasons through 2009–10).
Rochdale play their home matches at Spotland, which has a capacity of 10,249. The stadium was built exclusively for the Dale in 1920, but since 1988 the ground has been jointly owned by the football club, Rochdale Council and Rochdale Hornets.
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Rochdale centre-back Jack O'Connell is available again after not having permission to play in the FA Cup replay win against Aldershot.
Dale striker Joe Bunney could also return after his illness.
Notts captain Hayden Mullins is set to return to the squad after almost six weeks out with a calf injury.
Liam Noble will miss the game as he is serving a five-match ban, having received a straight red card after being shown his 10th yellow of the season against Swindon last week.
Chris

The Match Officials

By Chris, in News,

Saturday 20th of December, Notts County travel to the Spotland Stadium to face Rochdale AFC. Notts will have to put aside their recent defeats at the hands of Swindon Town in the league and Preston more recently in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Rochdale come into the game having beaten Aldershot 4-1 in the F.A Cup on Tuesday night, in the Dale's last league game, they enjoyed 4-1 away win over Colchester United.
 
The Match Officials for Saturdays game against Rochdale AFC will be Scott Mathieson, with his two assistants Nicholas Hopton and Gareth Mellor. The fourth official will be Neil Sharp.
 
Match Officials
 
Referee; Scott Mathieson
From – Cheshire
His matches involving Notts County and Rochdale AFC in the last four seasons.
League Cup – Tuesday 9th August 2011 – Rochdale 3 Chesterfield 2 – 1 Yellow Card
League One – Saturday 28th January 2012 – Rochdale 3 Bury 0 – 2 Yellow Cards
League One – Saturday 5th May 2012 – Notts County 4 Colchester 1 – No Cards
League One – Saturday 26th October 2013 – Notts County 0 Preston 1 – 5 Yellow Cards
JPT – Tuesday 8th October 2013 – Port Vale 0 Rochdale 1 – 5 Yellow Cards
League One – Saturday 14th September 2013 – MK Dons 3 Notts County 1 – 4 Yellow Cards
 
Run down of his last four games.
F.A Cup – Saturday 8th November 2014 – Peterborough 2 Carlisle 1 – 1 Yellow Card
League Two – Sunday 16th November 2014 – Newport 2 Exeter 2 – 1 Yellow Card
League One – Saturday 29th November 2014 – MK Dons 6 Colchester 0 – 2 Yellow Cards and 1 Red Card.
F.A Cup – Saturday 6th December 2014 – Wrexham 3 Maidstone 1 – 2 Yellow Cards and 1 Red Card.
 
In his last four games 6 yellow cards have been shown and 2 red cards.
So far this season in a total of 13 games he has shown 25 yellow cards and 5 red cards.
That's roughly 1.9 yellow cards per game.
 
Assistant Referee; Nicholas Hopton
From – Derbyshire
Last 3 officiated games.
Saturday 29th November 2014 – MK Dons 6 Colchester United 0
Saturday 13th December 2014 – Oxford United 2 Bury 1
Tuesday 16th December 2014 – Chester 0 Barnsley 3
 
Assistant Referee; Gareth Mellor
From – West Yorkshire
Last 3 officiated games.
Saturday 15th November 2014 – Carlisle United 1 Accrington Stanley 0
Tuesday 18th November 2014 – Gainsborough Town 1 Boston United 1
Monday 1st December 2014 – Hyde 0 Worchester City 3
 
Fourth Official; Neil Sharp
From – Cleveland
 
Do you have an opinion on the game? - Match Thread
Also, please do leave us a comment below if you have time.
Joe Jones
Well, so much for Wembley eh? Sadly, just as it seemed that the dream was coming close, it has been snuffed, as Preston North End secured a 1-0 win Notts County at Meadow Lane to the reach the Northern final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Simon Grayson's side took the lead on 20 minutes when Paul Huntington tapped in from close range following a scramble in the County box.
Roy Carroll was not happy, appearing to claim he was fouled in the build-up, but the goal stood.
Notts had chances to pull it back as Blair Adams charged down the left and teed up Michael Petrasso on the half-hour mark, but the on-loan winger saw his effort fly narrowly wide.
Preston could have doubled their lead when Jermaine Beckford found himself through on goal 10 minutes after the restart, but with just Carroll to beat the striker failed to make the most of the chance, and the Magpies cleared the danger.
Shaun Derry's side then had their best chance to get back into the game when Garry Thompson's flick on from a long ball sent Stephen McLaughlin clear of the Preston back line. However, he could only send his effort high and wide of Thorsten Stuckmann's goal.
Preston will now face Walsall in the northern final in the new year, while Notts are left to rue what might have been and give it their all in the league.
Joe Jones
Notts County and Preston North End are two of the oldest football clubs in the country (and by extension, the world), whose history goes back over 125 years.

The first fixture between the two took place in November 1888, when North End defeated the Magpies 7-0 in the first ever season of the Football League.
The 1888-89 season saw Preston remain unbeaten throughout, and would go on to become English football's first "Invincibles", a feat which remained unbroken until 2003-04 when Arsenal also went a whole top-flight season without losing.
Aside from Preston going the whole season unbeaten, they were also the first EVER winners of the Football League. Oh, and they won the FA Cup that year too!
 
The two clubs have met a total of 88 times, and sadly (for us Notts fans) the Lilywhites have the upper hand by quite a significant margin. They're won 41 times, while the Magpies have won 23 games. 24 draws have taken place.
The two teams that have played the most games overall in the Football League are, in fact, Notts County and Preston North End!
Meanwhile, Preston are ranked as the fourth most-successful English football club of all time domestically.
Over the years, there have been some varied scorelines. We've talked about the 7-0 back in 1888, but we've also had 6-2, 6-1, 6-0, 4-3 and 4-2.
The National Football Museum was originally situated in Deepdale, Preston, but was moved to Manchester in 2012.
Deepdale was used as the venue for the England U21s when they played Iceland in March 2011. Deepdale was used again at the end of the 2011-2012 season to host three U19s Elite Round matches with England, Slovenia and Switzerland all taking to the famous pitch. The three games were held at the end of May over six days.
Preston have made the play-offs in a record eight seasons, spanning all three league divisions, but have not yet been promoted via this route.
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Notts will be without Liam Noble when they face Preston in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Northern Area semi-final on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old midfielder was sent off against Swindon Town on Saturday and will now serve a ban, subject to an expected appeal from Shaun Derry.
Club captain Hayden Mullins could be handed some much-needed game time after he returned to training following a month-long absence with a calf problem.
Louis Laing has returned to parent club Nottingham Forest following the expiry of his loan deal.
Andy Little could start for Preston after three months on the sidelines with hamstring and calf injuries.
Bradley Fewster has returned to Middlesbrough after his loan spell was cut short for personal reasons.
Joe Garner and fellow striker Jordan Hugill, both nursing knee injuries, remain long-term absentees for Preston.
Joe Jones
Ai ai ai. Not a good day at the office by any means tonight. Swindon Town were just too rampant for Notts today, as the Robins secured a thumping 3-0 win at Meadow Lane.

To make things worse, Liam Noble was also sent off for the Magpies, who were simply outplayed by the visitors on a frosty day in Nottingham. You can see why they're in with a shout of automatic promotion.
Shaun Derry's charges made the worst possible start when they conceded after just six minutes, Massimo Luongo releasing Andy Williams who beat Louis Laing to slip a shot beyond Roy Carroll and into the far corner.
The Magpies kept possession well during those opening stages and had a few tentative half-chances, but Swindon were razor-sharp in the final third, Luongo very nearly striking again after being given plenty of space 17 minutes in.
Jonathan Obika then had a shot cleared off the line midway through the first half before getting the ball into the back of the net, but seeing the goal ruled out for offside.
 
Towards the end of the first half, Ben Gladwin curled an effort wide, but Haydn Hollis also came close with a header in added time to give the hosts hope of mounting a comeback after the break.
This wouldn't happen - Williams struck his second of the afternoon in the 54th minute when he converted a pinpoint cross from Gladwin at the far post to leave Notts with a mountain to climb.
And just two minutes later, Noble's challenge on Nathan Smith saw the Notts man get his marching orders and all but kill off any hope of claiming something from the game.
Ultimately, the Robins would strike a third when the lively Luongo tapped the ball in following Gladwin's pull-back.

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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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