By PON_News
Notts County delivered a confident and composed performance to secure a 2-0 victory over Accrington Stanley at Meadow Lane, despite the absence of key players Jodi Jones, Dan Crowley, and Alassana Jatta.
The Magpies extended their impressive start to the season, with David McGoldrick stealing the show and Alex Bass standing firm between the sticks.
The match began at a brisk pace, with Notts County showing their intent from the off. Within the first 20 minutes, McGoldrick put Notts ahead, curling a sublime right-footed effort from outside the box into the top right corner. The goal, assisted by Jacob Bedeau, was a glimpse of McGoldrick's quality and experience, as he made the most of his opportunity to open the scoring. The forward was a constant threat to the Accrington backline and showcased his sharpness throughout.
Accrington struggled to cope with Notts' dominance, particularly in possession. With 61% of the ball, the Magpies dictated the pace of the game, regularly moving it through midfield with ease. George Abbott, stepping into a central role, was outstanding in his defensive work. The youngster repeatedly broke up play and linked up well with his teammates, proving to be a vital cog in Notts' midfield. His tenacity was on full display as he won several important challenges, preventing Accrington from gaining any significant momentum.
As the game progressed, Notts County grew in confidence, pinning Accrington back and forcing them to defend deep. In goal, Alex Bass was superb, making a number of crucial saves to preserve the Magpies' clean sheet. His calmness and authority at the back were vital in dealing with the few chances that Accrington managed to create. One of Bass' standout moments came late in the match when he kept out a header from Accrington’s Josh Woods, diving low to his right to deny the forward from close range.
McGoldrick added his second of the afternoon in the 67th minute, once again displaying his clinical finishing ability. A neat pass from Curtis Edwards found McGoldrick just outside the box, and the forward made no mistake, firing a low shot into the centre of the goal to put Notts firmly in control.
While Accrington tried to mount a response, their efforts were hampered by their own indiscipline, committing 15 fouls and picking up six yellow cards in a feisty affair. Stanley’s best chance came late on, but Bass was equal to a header from Woods in stoppage time, further highlighting his reliability in goal.
Notts County's defensive unit, marshalled expertly by Bass, stood firm throughout, allowing only three shots on target from the visitors. Meanwhile, the Magpies produced eight efforts of their own, consistently threatening with well-worked corners and quick transitions in attack. The home side's superiority was evident as they earned nine corners compared to Accrington's two.
Despite the absence of some key figures, this victory highlighted the depth and resilience within the squad. Notts County continue to impress, with this win cementing their place among the frontrunners. A professional and composed display, boosted by McGoldrick's finishing and Bass’ assured goalkeeping, left the home crowd in high spirits as the final whistle blew.
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