Notts County 3 - 0 Bradford City

Well, what better way to start the New Year than with a resounding win and a clean sheet? Notts County did what Arsenal and Aston Villa couldn’t do a year ago, by comprehensively thrashing Bradford City. The Bantams lost 3-0 in front of the Notts faithful, courtesy of goals from Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Callum McGregor and Jack Grealish.

Shaun Derry made just one change from the defeat at Crawley Town – Alan Sheehan’s suspension meant Manny Smith partnered Dean Leacock at centre-back.

The first five minutes were fairly hectic, as JCR had a chance from 20 yards, following some good work alongside McGregor. Just two minutes later, Jason Kennedy struck a shot for Bradford which was saved by Bartosz Bialkowski.

On 12, Smith bravely denied James Hanson a certain goal-scoring opportunity with a defensive header, while two minutes later, Enoch Showunmi’s shot was way off the mark.

Notts old-boy Ricky Ravenhill was then denied by another block not long afterwards.

Eventually, the Magpies took the lead, as a great individual goal from JCR saw the winger cut back inside from the left and firing into the bottom left corner. 1-0 Notts.

That wasn’t it from Notts in the first half – Showunmi very nearly set a great chance up on a plate for McGregor, were it not from an interception by Matthew Bates.

After the break, Notts picked up where they left off, with the front line constantly threatening the Bantams defence.

It wasn’t until the 68th minute that Bart was tested, but as always, the Polish keeper was able to make an acrobatic save to thwart a Gary Jones free kick.

Shortly afterwards, Bart then denied Mark Yeates and Kyel Ried with more brilliant saves.

Notts weren’t to be sucker-punched this time round, as a late flurry saw them turn a narrow scoreline into an emphatic one.

Firstly, Jack Grealish’s great run saw him slice open the Bradford defence, before turning provider and feeding the ball to McGregor. The young Scot made no mistake from the right-hand side of the box.

The young Aston Villa loanee, not content with a great performance and assist, then proceeded to bag himself a goal in injury time, courtesy of some great work by Showunmi.

Just when it seemed that we were down in the doldrums, Notts just won’t give it up. Though still in the bottom four, we’re just three points from safety, and I tell you what, the whole bottom half is as tight as can be – five points separate 21st place from 12th place!