By Joe Jones
Notts County made the most of a bumper crowd on Saturday to record an emphatic, crushing win against Crewe, scoring four past them and keeping a clean sheet in the process. Callum McGregor was undoubtedly the star of the game, scoring two superb goals in the first half, before playing a hand in Danny Haynes' goal for Notts' third. Marcus Haber then wrapped up the comprehensive victory with a fine looping header. Chris Kiwomya, having been suitable impressed by the victory against Tranmere and the positive display away at Carlisle, kept the same starting eleven as in those two games.
On the bench, Romello Nangle made way for Adam Coombes. Courtesy of the reduced ticket prices, just under 6,000 people sat in the home stands at Meadow Lane, and it wouldn't be long before they would be treated to some action (after a quiet first ten minutes). Mustapha Dumbuya, assisted by McGregor and Jack Grealish, saw his cross/shot blocked, and shortly after, Grealish then hit the bar with his cross.
Alan Sheehan would suffer an injury and have to come off on twelve minutes, Greg Tempest coming on for him.
Joss Labadie then came agonisingly close with a header from about two yards out, bouncing out literally a foot outside the post.
Notts would impose themselves on the game in the first thirty minutes, and although Crewe would get a couple of half-chances, the home side dominated possession and play. Then, on the 33rd minute, the impressive McGregor found space and lashed a marvellous shot past the keeper and into the goal from 25 yards. 1-0 Notts.
Crewe, missing several key players, kept plugging away in a bid to restore parity, Byron Moore and Max Clayton getting some decent chances in, but the unstoppable McGregor produced another moment of magic to double Notts' lead, his left-footed shot from the centre of the box beating Steve Phillips once again on 41 minutes. Dumbuya was instrumental in this goal, courtesy of his good work on the right wing.
The Notts players were treated to a standing ovation at the end of the first half for their efforts and two-goal lead, but much better was to come in the second half.
Grealish was Ronaldo-esque in his play, and despite getting fouled repeatedly by the Crewe players, he was unfazed. On 51 minutes, his backheel pass fell to McGregor, who fired just wide. A shame, for that would have certainly been a contender for Goal of the Season.
Not to worry, because Notts weren't finished yet. A Mark Fotheringham free kick on 55 minutes very nearly went in and proved a signal of intent. Just after the hour, Grealish's chipped shot wasn't dealt with appropriately by Phillips, and all Danny Haynes had to do was smash it into an open net from six yards. 3-0 Notts, the fans unable to believe what was happening given their league position.
Tempest was also on fine form, marauding into the Alex half at every opportunity and providing fine crosses, one of which nearly led to Labadie heading it in. The youngster did manage to bag himself a worthy assist, however, on 83 minutes, as his delivery was met by the head of Haber - on for Haynes who suffered an injury - for the fourth. A great looping header, it provided the icing on the cake for what was an absolute pleasure of a matchday for the Notts fans.
Notts have benefited greatly from such a display and result - they're now out of the relegation zone, and the four unanswered goals have gone some way to restoring a goal difference statistic battered by the games against Leyton Orient and Peterborough.
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