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Chris

Walsall FC - Action Shots

By Chris, in Media,

So, the undefeated run comes to an end by our bogey side Walsall FC who beat us 2-1 at Meadow Lane last Saturday.

Notts was undone early on after Garry Jones poked the ball into the back of his own net, however Garry Thompson pulled Notts level - only for an handball to be ruled against Haydn Hollis. B&O Press Photo have kindly granted us permission to share with you images taken from the game, we hope you like them.
 
 
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To Read our Match Report | Match Report.
 
Pride of Nottingham would like to thank B&O Press Photo for allowing us use of their images, we wish them all the best with their photography. Visit our friends on their Facebook page and Website.
Joe Jones
And so our hoodoo against Walsall at Meadow Lane continues, although it didn't have to be in such unfortunate and controversial circumstances.

After making a poor start and conceding a goal early on, Garry Thompson pulled it back, only to then lose it when a penalty that shouldn't have been was conceded and duly converted by the Saddlers to secure a 2-1 win.
 
The game began in lively fashion when Tom Bradshaw found himself nearly put through on goal after just four minutes, but the move was aborted for offside.
Moments later, Haydn Hollis flicked the ball towards Michael Petrasso, who found his header saved.
Stephen McLaughlin and Liam Noble added several more chances in the ensuing minutes, but sadly, the deadlock would be broken by the visitors when Gary Jones accidentally put the ball into his own net.
In the 26th minute, Thompson threatened when his shot forced a save out of Richard O'Donnell, but he went one better just after the half-hour mark when McLaughlin's ball into the box was converted by the former Scunthorpe and Bradford man.
The Walsall keeper then did his best impression of Manuel Neuer when, on 37 minutes, he ran out of his box and headed the ball away.
Towards the latter stages of the first half, the game heated up as both teams registered several good chances, but ultimately, the break whistle blew on a 1-1 draw.
Walsall were on top in the early stages of the second period, but the manner in which they went back into the lead was contentious, as Hollis was judged to have handled in the penalty box, despite being just out.
Nevertheless, the referee, whose display in charge had been a bit iffy at best until that point, gave the spot kick, and Tom Bradshaw duly tucked the ball into the bottom corner.
The Magpies struggled to impose themselves back into the game after that, and after a few limp chances towards the end of the match, the final whistle signaled an end to the contest and to Notts County's unbeaten run.
Joe Jones
Notts and Walsall’s fixture history dates back to the 1890s, but there haven’t been that many fixtures despite over a century of head-to-heads. The first game took place on the 20th January 1894 and resulted in a 2-0 win for the Magpies.

In total, there have been 62 fixtures between the two sides, and this time, Notts holds the upper edge with 26 wins. The Saddlers have won 20 times, and 16 draws have taken place.
 
Walsall have won on both their last two visits to Meadow Lane, ex-Magpie Febian Brandy hitting a hat-trick in last term's 5-1 victory.
Walsall were formed as Walsall Town Swifts in 1888 when two local teams, Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. merged. The newly formed team’s first match was against Aston Villa, and resulted in a draw
Two players from this early era received England caps while at the club: Alf Jones and Albert Aldridge. They remain the only Walsall players to be so honoured.
 
In 1896, the Swifts changed their name to Walsall FC, the name that lives on today. The club's nickname, The Saddlers, reflects Walsall's status as a traditional centre for saddle manufacture.
Walsall had Arsenal and England legend Paul Merson on their books a decade ago, as player and player-manager.
Sky Sports' Soccer AM have given Walsall the nickname "Warsaw" due to the similarity when pronouncing Walsall and Warsaw. The presenters of Soccer AM often refer to Walsall as "our friends from Poland".
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Notts have no new injury concerns as they aim to extend their unbeaten run to 12 matches.
Striker Jake Cassidy and captain Hayden Mullins both missed the 1-0 win at Scunthorpe and are ruled out again.
Meanwhile, the Saddlers boss have a fully-fit squad for the first time this season, with Jordan Cook fit after being forced off with a sore hamstring in last weekend's 1-0 win over Chesterfield.
Skipper Sam Mantom played 65 minutes of the reserves' 2-1 win at Wrexham in midweek and could make his first start of the season after recovering from a knee injury.
Chris

The Match Officials

By Chris, in News,

Saturday 1st of November, Notts County host Walsall FC at home. Walsall head to Meadow Lane having only won one of their last four games, in fact prior to their last home against Chesterfield FC – Walsall hadn't won or drawn since the 4th of October 2014.

Notts County are the inform team, unlike the previous year where we encountered the Saddlers. The Magpies are flying at the moment, so all is to play for.
 
The Match Officials for Saturdays game against Walsall will be Simon Hooper, with his two assistants Wayne Barratt and Stuart Butler. The fourth official will be Nick Hobbis.
 
Match Officials
 
Referee; Simon Hooper
From – Wiltshire
His matches involving Notts County and Walsall FC in the last four season.
League One – Saturday 14th December 2013 – Colchester 0 Notts County 4 – 4 Yellow Cards
League One – Friday 4th January 2013 – Walsall 2 Portsmouth 0 – No Cards Shown
League One – Saturday 24th September 2011 – Colchester 1 Walsall 0 – 1 Red Card
 
Run down of his last four games.
Championship – Tuesday 21st October 2014 – Charlton 2 Bolton 1 – 3 Yellow Cards
League One – Saturday 18th October 2014 – Bradford 0 Sheffield United – 6 Yellows and 1 Red Card
Championship – Saturday 4th October 2014 – Watford 1 Brighton 1 – 6 Yellow Cards
Championship – Tuesday 30th September 2014 – Rotherham 2 Blackburn 0 – 4 Yellow Cards
 
In his last four games 19 yellow cards have been shown and only a single red card.
So far this season in a total of 15 games he has shown 43 yellow cards and 2 red cards.
That's roughly 2.8 yellow cards per game.
 
Assistant Referee; Wayne Barratt
From – Worcestershire
Last 3 League One games.
Saturday 11th October 2014 – Sheffield United 2 Leyton Orient 2
Saturday 18th October 2014 – Chesterfield 1 Oldham Athletic 1
Tuesday 21st October 2014 – Bristol City 2 Bradford City 2
 
Assistant Referee; Stuart Butler
From – Kent
Last 3 League One games.
Saturday 1st March 2014 – Crawley 1 Peterborough 0
Saturday 8th March 2014 – Brentford 2 Bradford 0
Saturday 3rd May 2014 – Gillingham 1 Shrewsbury 1
 
Fourth Official; Nick Hobbis
From – West Midlands
 
Do you have an opinion on the game? - Match Thread
Also, please do leave us a comment below if you have time.
Chris

Walsall FC - View

By Chris, in Opposition Views,

This time last year Walsall found themselves in a similar position to Notts, however it is vastly different at the club this season. The Saddlers are concerned that they don't have enough fire power upfront and the arrival of Tom Bradshaw in the summer has given them a striker who knows how to find the net.

However the Saddlers are still struggling and are only 1 point away from the drop zone, with all to play Pride of Nottingham catches up with sadlad.
 
You're actually a resident on Pride of Nottingham, this is interesting especially considering you're a Walsall fan. Can you tell our readers why you joined us?
I was already signed up to a few other clubs fans sites like Huddersfield, Sheff Weds and Preston etc and had a look on the search engine for possible Notts County sites as Walsall were playing them soon. PON came up and on first viewing it struck me as how friendly and community based it was . I was made welcome right away on joining and I have to say its a really good, friendly site with fans of several other clubs posting away with the Notts County faithful so yes its the friendliness and acceptance which convinced me it was a good place to post with fellow football fans.
 
How do you feel the season is going and do you have any regrets about players who have left your club?
The season so far for 'The Saddlers' has been disappointing. The opening six League One games saw us failing to register a win and last season's continuation of not really scoring goals was there for all to see. Back to back home wins were spoilt by a shocking 0-4 thumping at Rochdale and results have been mixed since. Last Saturday's home win to Chesterfield was vital as we went into the game joint bottom. The only player to leave in the summer with any regret was captain Andy Butler who wanted to return up north and was snapped up by Sheff United. however he was re-signed on a month's loan and did a good job whilst he was here.
 
Another connection to PoN is the fact our first opposition residents are Shrewsbury Town fans. You signed one of their star players in the summer, Tom Bradshaw. He's scored 6 goals in 10 games for you, it seems daft to ask but how his he settling in? Also, what are your personal thoughts on him?
Tom Bradshaw has turned out to be an excellent signing and is already a firm fans favourite. He is full of energy, his work rate is terrific and he has a good goalscoring knack. Gets in there without fear and I just hope he can remain fairly injury-free. When he has been out injured he has been sorely missed. He's quite a handful as you will hopefully find out on Saturday! He has an early meeting with Shrewsbury as they are our visitors in the FA Cup and we hope he bags a hat trick!
 
You do a fair bit of travelling, you're a very die hard fan. What does the club mean to you and which do you prefer away days or home games at the Bescot Stadium?
I have been a fan of Walsall since 1966 from the age of 8 and yes its become a way of life. I love our clubs history especially anything to do with our 'real' home Fellows Park which we had to leave in 1990. I tend to go to most of our away games and love awaydays best..There is not much atmosphere generated at home games at Bescot. Ask any fan of my generation and they will tell you of the better atmosphere generated at the old place.
 
Which players are currently in form for Walsall and which of them pose a threat to the Notts defence?
Goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell has kept several clean sheets this term and full back Andy Taylor is steady. Tom Bradshaw is the main threat and is the main one to watch as he never gives centre backs a minute's peace.
 
You played apart in helping Alan Buckley write a book, can you tell us how this came about and how you feel about it? Did he give you a signed copy?
I had no involvement with the writing of the book- that was down to Paul Thundercliffe- but I was asked by them to provide a few pictures for the book and to use on their book web site which I was happy to do and also help them spread the word on the net so I linked their book site anywhere and everywhere possible with sites of clubs he'd either played for or managed. and all over applicable Facebook pages. Alan is my all time footballing hero and along with 5,000 others used to worship him from the terraces at Fellows Park. from when he first signed for us in 1973. He's our record goalscorer and as our manager produced teams who played some terrific attacking football. My friendship with him began two years ago when he did a Q and A session at a Walsall pub. I went up to him and told him I dio historical articles for a fans site (Walsall Web Fans) and asked if I could contact him at Grimsby Town FC (where he then worked as apart time youth coach) as I wanted feedback from him on what I had written about him! He consented and as he has nothing from his past with us in regards memorabilia he was very keen to see anything from that era. I was invited to the book signing event and the press launch before it and have met him at two other functions in Walsall since and its surreal that my hero is now my mate as well! The book is reprinted in November and I will start the publicity campaign all over again! No I had to pay for my copy like everyone else including our assistant manager Richard O'Kelly!
 
Which Notts players would you have marked and how would you cancel out our attacks?
I would say Ismail is the one to watch. I dont think we have played the same back four in consecutive games - or so it seems- so its hard to say who would mark him. Could be Paul Downing. I see you have won more games away than home and I think it will be a close game.
 
Last season you beat us in our home game 5-1, what are your memories of that and did you feel you could finish within the play-offs?
Last season's meeting at Meadow Lane was an amazing game for us! We had something like 30 attempts on goal, 18 on target and scored 5.. Our complaint was that we didn't score more. I seem to remember we messed up two one-on-one's with your keeper and fluffed a few more chances. It was just one of those games where we clicked. On loan played from Sheff United Febian Brandy scored a hat trick and it a bit out of character as we scored so few goals over the season as a whole.. The play offs were always a big ask last season and Im a firm believer in the fact that the league tables don't lie over the season. This season's game will be a lot closer and Saddlers can only hope for a draw at best I feel.
 
Pride of Nottingham would like to thank sadlad for taking the time to answer our questions, we hope to see him around the site and hopefully he enjoys his visit to Meadow Lane bar the result. COYP's! Up The Saddlers!
Chris

Notts Fan Making Difference

By Chris, in News,

Notts County fan Jon Marshall is visiting Kenya as part of the Nasio Trust, which helps change lives over in the African nation – A motto which the trust uses is “Changing Lives for the Good”.

The Nasio Trust is a registered charity based in the UK and Kenya, it derives inspiration and values from the Christian faith which envisage a world where all children and young people are treated with love, and grow up to live self-reliant, healthy and fulfilling lives. Many of the children in Kenya are HIV orphans.
 
This is in fact Jon's 4th visit to Kenya to an area called Mumias in Westen Kenya.
He volunteers for the charity called Nasio Trust which helps children with HIV, via their scheme “Nasio G force” alongside aides from the United Kingdom.
“This year we are constucting a medical centre, on arrival we had a field and a piece of paper. We had to design the medical centre based on government guide lines, locate materials, and put together a workforce” He said.
 
“We handover on saturday to a local project manager after negotiating a price for the project. This is our 4th visit in which we have built two kitchens at different schools, dining rooms, etc. I sponsor a child named Dancan, my sponsorship covers his schooling cost.” He added. “When I come to kenya I do a home visit to his Mud Hut. He lives with his mum. His father has died. Most kenyans love football, they like english teams best. Whilst I have been out here I have told locals about Notts, given out some of my old shirts. I taught a massi warrior how to do the Hughsey”.
As you can from the pictures importants of projects such as this and it a good thing, we all know a fan of Notts County who does great work with charities and in fact Pride of Nottingham knows a lot.
Jon also added, “There are now more and more Notts Shirts in this region!!! I hope it helps them, the work we do is vital to helping bring change".
Pride of Nottingham salutes Jon Marhsall, this is brilliant work and dedication shown. The helpers of the Nasio Trust should be very proud of their efforts, as should Jon. Keep up the good work and continue to show them the spirit of the club.
Chris

Stephen McLaughlin Extension?

By Chris, in News,

On loan winger Stephen McLaughlin is set to return to parent club Nottingham Forest, unless an extention can be agreed between Shaun Derry and Stuart Pearce for the services of the 24 year old Irish born player.

He featured in his last game yesterday for the magpies, in a narrow 1-0 away win over Scunthorpe United which saw Notts County move to 3rd within the league.
Notts have largely benefited from the arrival of Stephen McLaughlin who made an instant impact upon making his debut for the club and with the relations between Notts County and Nottingham Forest in talks, it is not completly out of the question to see some form of agreement reached.
Nottingham Forest team mate Louis Laing has already extended his emergency deal for the duration of an additional 3 months.
Stephen McLaughlin's appeared 5 times for Notts, 4 times within the league and once within the Johnstone's Paint Throphy.
He's scored once against Scunthorpe United in the Johnstone's Paint Throphy, provided 4 assists within the league. Whilst being yellow carded once in the 89th minute in the 2-3 comeback win against Barnsley FC.
Reaching a total of 360' game time within league one and 90' minutes within the Johnstone's Paint Throphy.
 
In terms of overall performance in the English leagues, his personal best is actually whilst at Notts County. At Bristol City he only made 1 assist in 7 games and at Nottingham Forest it is 2 assists in 8 games.
Would you like to see Stephen McLaughlin remain at Notts or should he return to his parent club Nottingham Forest.
 
Pride of Nottingham is asking this very question, let us know your views.
Joe Jones
Talk about going from strength to strength.

We’re on the cusp of November now, and with the season in full swing, Notts County now find themselves well into League One’s playoff places following another good display and a clean sheet finished off with a solitary strike from the spot to secure all three points away at Scunthorpe United in a 1-0 win at Glanford Park.
The Magpies had the better of the opening exchanges, Shaun Harrad blasting wide from a corner in the second minute.
Then, a cross from Blair Adams just missed Michael Petrasso, before Liam Noble struck the post with a long-range effort.
The Iron played in a manner not befitting their lowly league position, with Gary McSheffrey also rattling the woodwork with a header, while Roy Carroll had to save from Lyle Taylor after Haydn Hollis’s miscued header nearly set their striker up.
Shaun Harrad then saw a shot saved by Robert Olenjik following a ball from Garry Thompson.
Mustapha Dumbuya had to be at his best to thwart Paddy Madden and McSheffrey early on in the second half, but in the 54th minute, Madden and Taylor combined to very nearly score, the ball going wide by a whisker.
Both defences were at their steadfast best throughout most of the second half, with blocks and tackles taking the sting out of most efforts.
The game looked like it could go either way, but right at the end of the game, Olejnik hauled down substitute Ronan Murray in the box to gift the visitors a penalty.
Fellow substitute Zeli Ismail set the ball on the spot and duly smashed home to gift Notts the win in front of the ecstatic away fans, which puts the Magpies third in the league.
Joe Jones
Notts County against Scunthorpe United is a relatively new fixture in English football - the first time these two faced off was on the 4th January 1969 in the old Division Four.

On that day, goals by George Kerr and Nigel Cassidy gave the Iron a 2-1 victory (Richie Barker netted the consolation for the Magpies).
Since then, the two sides have played 25 games, Notts winning 17, losing five and drawing three.
 
Scunthorpe United were formed in 1899. In 1910 they merged with local rivals Lindsey United to become Scunthorpe & Lindsey United, and joined the Midland Football League in 1912.
In 1950 was accepted into the Football League, ahead of Workington and Wigan Athletic when the league structure was expanded, with the "Lindsey" part of the name being dropped shortly after.
Ever since the club entered the league their nickname has been ‘The Iron’, a metal which has long played a role in the team’s nomenclature. Before 1950s Scunthorpe United were known as the Knuts.
The origin is uncertain but it is generally accepted as being when they won one of the local charity cups. The vicar of Frodingham, the Rev Cryspant Rust, said “that indeed Scunthorpe and Lindsey United were a tough (k)nut to beat”.
For a small club, the Iron have an impressive roll call of former players and managers. The most notable is Kevin Keegan, one of England's greatest ever footballers, who played for Scunny between 1966 and 1971.
Other alumni, either in a playing or managing capacity, include Ray Clemence, cricketer Ian Botham, Ian Storey-Moore, Neil Warnock, Jermaine Beckford, Billy Sharp, Andy Keogh, and current Leicester City manager Nigel Adkins, who used to be the club's physiotherapist.
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Scunthorpe could give on-loan forward Luke Williams a debut, with Neal Bishop and Jennison Myrie-Williams suspended.
Gary McSheffrey served his own one-game ban in Tuesday's draw at Port Vale, while Rory Fallon is hoping to overcome the knock that saw him miss that game.
Notts have no new injury concerns after the 3-2 comeback win over Barnsley in midweek.
Striker Jake Cassidy and club captain Hayden Mullins are doubts as the Magpies aim to make it 11 unbeaten.
Chris

Notts Community

By Chris, in Media,

Yesterday ended like I started my original journey, alone with my son in the cold. I found myself at times thinking about what Notts meant to me as a person, I looked around watching our fans react to each stage very differently.

It was a roller-coaster shared by family and friends, in a sea of mixed shirts.

Shaun Derry's branded Notts a “community”, which is something I've always found to be pretty much true.
The only differences for me is the adventures you encounter with friends, I know I've been pretty lucky in that respect to have witnessed many great moments over the past 2-3 years. Being entirely honest and open, going back any further I know I wouldn't have had this insight which I do now.
It could be a very naive way to look at it, yet there's always been more than a “community” feeling. I remember feeling like I do now but with my grandfather, all those days ago when he would take me to see Notts as a child.
It feels like a family, yes some might not communicate with people but if you do, I know for sure that it wouldn't just be one person, it would be several and you're always adding to the overall total.
 
Going 1-0 down to Barnsley, the away end felt very tense and it became more so after they had scored their second.
Yet some didn't drop their heads, they shrugged off the disappointment and decided to see it through as we fans of lower division football often do. I watched as little pockets of the “Notts family” started to connect with each other, it slowly turned around as it did on the field. What a fantastic strike by Garry Thompson, it really allowed us to start believing we could comeback.
The rest feels like history now, although I do feel that whatever Shaun Derry said at half time it probably included us fans.
When we equalised the stand which we was situated in just came alive, by this point three people I don't know spoke to me and we started discussing our points briefly.
I know that times are difficult, which you would be able to relate in family life. There's something always happening but the next time you're at a Notts match and it becomes quiet, make yourself heard and be accounted for as part of the community or family.
Our journey is probably only beginning, when one ends another starts and I know my son “Super Pie” will share my sentiments when he is older.
Joe Jones
What a fantastic night for Notts County tonight. After the misery that was last season, this term is proving to be getting better and better with each passing matchday.

Tonight we were dour for the first 15 minutes against Barnsley, conceding two goals early on in what promised to be a long evening.
Soon, however, the Magpies summoned that grandiose Shaun Derry spirit to claw it right back and blow the Tykes away, securing a great win and three points in the process.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. We were supposed to get beaten today, bearing in mind what we’ve been put through in the last 15 or so months. We conceded our first goal within eight minutes when Devante Cole seized on a Mustapha Dumbuya error to latch onto a Conor Hourihane ball before firing home past Roy Carroll.
Just four minutes later, the Manchester City loanee marauded into the area and squared a ball for Hourihane, the first goal’s provider getting onto the scoresheet himself from close range.
The 19th minute saw the fightback begin when Garry Thompson blaster a 20-yard drive beyond Tykes goalkeeper Ross Turnbull.
Notts fans had to wait until just after the hour for an equaliser when on-loan QPR winger Michael Petrasso nodded home Thompson’s cross.
Things then reached a cathartic climax when the Canadian youngster was then able to weave his way into the Barnsley area and slotted a winner past the keeper to put the Magpies into the lead.
The hosts tried to get back into the game in a last-ditch attempt to try and get a point, but Carroll and the defence weren’t to be thwarted, and as the final whistle blew, it proved joyous for everyone connected with the club, securing a tenth unbeaten game and ending the day in fifth place.
Joe Jones
Notts County have faced Barnsley a total of 64 times in their history, with the first meeting going back over a hundred years, on November 29, 1913. The result? A 3-1 win for the Magpies.

However, the two sides haven’t faced off for a decade, what with different leagues separating them both. The last game, a Division 2 league match at Meadow Lane on January 21, 2004, ended in a 1-1 draw.
We are very much hoping for a repeat of the match that took place in November 1927, which ended in a 9-0 win for Notts!
Barnsley FC was established in 1887 by a clergyman, Tiverton Preedy, under the name Barnsley St Peter’s, and played in the Sheffield and District League from 1890 and then in the Midland League from 1895.
They joined the Football League in 1898, and struggled in Division Two for the first ten years, due in part to ongoing financial difficulties.
 
In 1910 the club reached the FA Cup final, where they lost out to Newcastle United in a replay match. However, they would then reach the 1912 FA Cup Final where they would defeat West Bromwich Albion 1–0 in a replay to win the trophy for the first and only time in their history.
Their sole season in the top flight came in 1997-98, where they were there for one year before going straight back down.
The Tykes have played at Oakwell, a 29,003-seater stadium, since 1888.
Also, they’ve spend more time in the second tier of English football than any other club in Football League history.
Barnsley were one of a quartet of teams that made the 2007-08 FA Cup so special, as they beat Liverpool and Chelsea to join West Brom, Cardiff City and Portsmouth in the semi-finals.
The following season, the Tykes fielded the youngest ever player in the history of the Football League at Ipswich Town when Reuben Noble-Lazarus came on aged 15 years and 45 days.
Famous Barnsley fans include cricket umpire Dickie Bird, cricketer Darren Gough, and legendary chat show host Michael Parkinson.
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Barnsley will be without suspended midfielder James Bailey tomorrow, so Paul Digby could be in contention for his first start of the season.
Former Bayern Munich man Dale Jennings has missed the last four games due to an ankle injury, but could be included in the squad playing for the reserves on Monday.
Winger Rhys Williams is poised to make his fourth appearance for the club since arriving on loan from Fulham.
Notts have no new problems as they look to extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions.
Midfielder Alan Smith and full-back Blair Adams will come back into contention, having not been involved in Saturday's 5-3 home win over Crawley.
Meanwhile, Jake Cassidy and Hayden Mullins are both nursing injuries.
Joe Jones
Well, what a truly exhilarating game today at Meadow Lane. Notts County surged into a three-goal lead within the first 40 minutes, before being pegged back to 3-2 until a grandstand finish saw Shaun Derry's charges establish a three-goal lead against Crawley Town.

The visitors then scored another goal, but ultimately, the Magpies would secure the win, 5-3, that meant a nine-game unbeaten run.
Garry Thompson opened the scoring in the ninth minute when he produced a great finish after collecting a pass by Stephen McLaughlin.
Just nine minutes later, McLaughlin provided another assist when his cross allowed Zeli Ismail to head home.
 
Crawley’s haphazard defending was exposed again in the 37th minute when a long ball from Jordan Cranston was headed down into the area by Shaun Harrad, with Thompson sneaking in at the near post to strike his second of the game.
After the break, the visitors reduced the deficit through Gwion Edwards's long range strike, which found the top corner.
Things became more tense for the hosts when Matt Harrold calmly slotted a ball past Roy Carroll to make it 3-2 five minutes before the hour.
Thompson, however, eased nerves by heading in McLaughlin’s corner and securing his hat-trick in the process.
With ten minutes left to play, Gary Jones’s deflected effort made it 5-2 to leave Notts cruising.
Marvin Elliott then struck a consolation third goal for his side with six minutes remaining, but despite having five minutes of added time, the visitors couldn’t add to their tally, and so Derry's charges secured a thrilling win and three points.
Joe Jones
Notts County have only ever played Crawley Town four times in their history. The first ever fixture between the two was just under two years ago, on November 10 2012.

This milestone first meeting between the two, played at Meadow Lane, finished 1-1. Meanwhile the return fixture, played away on the 9th March 2013, ended as a goalless draw.
Last season, at the turn of last year, we lost 1-0 to the Red Devils, a result that saw us drop to the foot of League One, but a 1-0 win on April 21 gave us hope in staying up.
 
Crawley Town have been a non-league side for the majority of their history – 11 years ago, while Notts were struggling to survive in the old Second Division, Crawley had just been promoted from the Southern Football League!
Crawley have won plenty of silverware in their history, though the majority of it is amateur-based. This changed when they won the Conference National title in 2011 and the League Two title just a year later.
2010-11 was a record-breaking season not just for Crawley, but also for the Conference. The West Sussex club broke the points total in one season (105) and tie with other teams for most wins in one season (31), fewest defeats (3), and highest goal difference (+63).
Because of this season, alongside the funds they had to buy players and an unlikable manager (Steve Evans), they were known as “the Manchester United of non-league football”.
Crawley have the smallest stadium in League One; the Broadfield Stadium holds a meagre 5,996 people. You could fit just over three and a half Broadfields inside Meadow Lane!
The town of Crawley is known for being close - just three miles in fact - to Gatwick Airport, the world's busiest single-runway international airport.
Famous people who have links to Crawley include Australian footballer Kevin Muscat (born in Crawley), Gareth Southgate (attended the town's Hazelwick School), English rock band The Cure (formed in Crawley, several of its members attended St Wilfrid's RC School) and Gorillaz lead singer 2D (a fictional character, his back story claims he grew up in the town).
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Notts County have midfielder Liam Noble available after suspension, while winger Michael Petrasso could make his debut after joining on loan from QPR.
Mustapha Dumbuya is away with Sierra Leone and injured fellow defender Hayden Mullins is also absent.
Crawley have defender Joe Walsh and winger Gwion Edwards available again after international duty with Wales.
Midfielder Josh Simpson and striker Izale McLeod will be assessed by manager John Gregory.
Left-back Ryan Dickson remains sidelined, so the Reds have extended Mat Sadler's loan deal until November 11.
Joe Jones
When I found out that Basford United Football Club would be hosting an exhibition clash between some of the greatest names to have played for Nottingham Forest and Notts County in recent years, in order to raise money for Cancer Research UK, I cleared all my plans on Sunday October 12 and made a date for Greenwich Avenue. The chance to see some classic players, the chance to renew a local rivalry that is becoming staler by the day, and best of all, raise some money for a good cause? Sign me up for Destination Basford!
Come the day, I thought to myself that if I left at around 12:15pm I could get there in about half an hour, and because the route appeared pretty straightforward on Google Maps, I decided against bringing a satnav or even a map.
So, it’s 1:30pm, and after having driven into Bulwell, Aspley and possibly Arnold, and of course having had Notts Joe be the Kit to my David Hasselhoff and guide me by phone – with mixed results – I parked up by this pub called The Mill, which happened to be close enough to BUFC’s ground that NJ could come and pick me up! Note to self – make sure you know in future how to actually get to a destination instead of somewhere in the vicinity before hoping for the best!
So anyway, once parked up at the ground, a quick chip cob to replenish the hunger built up by over an hour of useless driving, and we were on our way. We spent the following half hour or so taking pictures of the ground, the pitch, the fans and the players, who were warming up on the pitch.
It mattered little that I arrived with little time to spare, because kickoff ended up being delayed by about 25 minutes. The honest assessment of the announcer: “We’re still waiting for some players to show up!” Clearly I’m not the only one who failed to pack a satnav.
Eventually, it was time for business, and once both teams were fully on the pitch, including the likes of Jason Lee, Mark Stallard and Nigel Jemson, the referee kicked off the game.
 
The match began in a somewhat cagey manner, with the Magpies on the front foot, getting several chances in early on against Forest Legends keeper Darren Heyes, which is just as well because his Notts counterpart didn’t have any gloves at this stage. Attempts were made to lend him a pair of gardening gloves and some marigolds, before eventually deciding on a pair of motorcycle gloves.
It wasn’t long before the Magpies broke the deadlock, but Forest countered in spectacular fashion, a 30-yard howitzer bursting the Notts net just a minute later. Little matter, because Chris Freestone struck midway through the first half to give us the lead again, with another goal being added before half time. At the break, it was Forest 1 – 3 Notts.
The second half then became a bit of a free-for-all, as goals kept flying in every which way, to the point that Notts were leading 6-2. When I say a free-for-all, I’m not referring just to goals, but also to the amount of players on the pitch, as Notts saw two men sent off, while the Reds had 12 men on the pitch at one point!
With the odds ever so slightly weighed in Forest’s favour, they were able to come back to within a goal of Notts, but some stout defending by the Black and Whites right at the death proved enough to end the match with an impressive 6-5 win!
Once the match was over - and bragging rights were secured - the PoN Squad then proceeded to interview a myriad of people at the ground, including ex-players Jason Lee and Mark Stallard, cricketer Luke Fletcher, the match co-commentator, and Basford United owner Chris Munroe.
All those interviewed had great things to say about the event, the planning, the turnout, the game itself, and of course, the charitable element, with a view to more similar events taking place in the future at Greenwich Avenue.
All in all, a fantastic day, and before I forget, I'd like to give a shoutout to the Curry Lounge, who donated vast amounts of curry, rice and naan breads, and made for a marvellous slap-up post-match (and post-press duties) meal!
Thank you to all involved for such a brilliant occasion, and long may it continue - looking forward to more events in the future!

About PON

Pride of Nottingham

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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