Alassana Jatta And Tyrese Hall Strike Early As Notts County Beat Cheltenham 2-1

Notts County delivered a controlled away performance at The EV Charger Points Stadium, beating Cheltenham Town 2–1 to move back into the automatic promotion places.

The Magpies came out with real intent, grabbing two goals before the break and keeping their heads as The Robins pushed to get back into it in the second half.

From the first whistle, Notts found rhythm down both flanks. Keanan Bennetts and Nick Tsaroulla pushed high, while Scott Robertson and Tom Iorpenda kept the ball moving through midfield. A bright spell of corners brought early pressure. Lewis Macari headed over on seven minutes from a Bennetts cross after Sam Sherring conceded, and Robertson twice tested Joe Day from distance.

The breakthrough arrived on 23 minutes from another set piece. After a Notts corner, Iorpenda kept the attack alive and slipped a neat ball into the box. Alassana Jatta reacted first and finished with his left foot into the bottom corner. It was a poacher’s goal and a fair reward for Notts’ front-foot start.

Four minutes later the lead doubled. Tsaroulla, who had already won several free kicks in advanced areas, raided down the left and stood up a measured cross. Tyrese Hall attacked the space on the right side of the area and struck cleanly across Day into the same bottom-left corner. Notts almost had a third on 34 minutes when Tsaroulla rose to meet another Bennetts delivery, only to see his header come back off the right post. Cheltenham did rally just before the interval, but Kelle Roos and his defence blocked well, and the half closed with Notts two to the good after a composed, high-control display.

The Robins made a forceful start to the second half. Crosses from Ryan Broom asked questions, and the hosts began to find second balls around the box. Roos made a key low stop from Jake Bickerstaff on 66 minutes, but from the follow-up phase Isaac Hutchinson kept his run alive and steered a right-footed finish from close range to cut the deficit. The stadium lifted, and Notts had to show a different side of their game.

Martin Paterson’s team stayed organised. Lucas Ness and Jacob Bedeau won important headers, with Bedeau taking a booking for a robust challenge on 76 minutes after earlier cautions for Tsaroulla and Iorpenda. The bench helped steady things. Matthew Dennis replaced Conor Grant on 73 minutes to stretch the pitch, Maz Kouhyar came on for Bennetts on 83, and Oliver Norburn added know-how in the closing stages. Kouhyar soon created danger, swinging in a corner that Macari headed goalwards, only for a block to divert the effort. He then drove a shot just wide on 89 minutes after tidy hold-up play from Jatta.

Cheltenham pushed late on, forcing corners and free kicks, but Notts managed the box well and cleared their lines when it mattered. The fourth official signalled three minutes of added time. Roos claimed high balls with authority, and the back line stayed compact. The whistle went at 2–1.

The numbers underline the balance of the contest and Notts’ control for long spells. Possession finished 54.1% to 45.9% in Notts’ favour.

Notts edged the stats with four shots on target to Cheltenham’s two and led 7–5 on corners. It was a gritty contest. Notts committed 11 fouls and picked up three yellow cards, while Cheltenham’s 12 fouls went unpunished. When it counted, Notts looked more dangerous going forward and stayed solid at the back under pressure.

This was a strong, professional away win in League Two. The first half had fluency, width, and set-piece bite. The second half showed resilience, clear structure, and smart game management. Jatta’s instincts and Hall’s clean finish built the platform; Roos’ saves and the back line’s discipline protected it. At full time, with three hard-earned points secured at The EV Charger Points Stadium, Notts climbed back into the automatic places and sent the away end home happy.