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As Notts County prepare to face Peterborough United in the second round of the FA Cup, head coach Stuart Maynard has shared his thoughts on the challenge ahead, updates on player fitness, and the magic of the competition. The Magpies are eager to secure a place in the third-round draw, but Maynard acknowledges the difficulty of the task at The Weston Homes Stadium. “It’s everyone’s dream, isn’t it, to dream about playing against that big club at home, one of the Premier League big boys,” Maynard said, reflecting on the excitement of the FA Cup. “That’s what the cup’s about and this is why it’s one of the greatest cup competitions in the world. Everyone wants to be involved in it.” While Maynard embraces the romance of the competition, he remains focused on the challenge ahead, describing Peterborough as “a very good team with lots of pace that can hurt you at any given time on a counter or through possession.” Notts County will be without several key players due to injuries, but there is positive news on the recovery front. Maynard highlighted the progress of Jodi Jones, who has been sidelined after an impressive start to the season. “He’s back on the grass running, doing different movements and stuff, and he’s come through it all with good health. There’s no reactions, which is brilliant,” he said. “It makes us smile a lot every day when we see him back out running on the grass.” Maynard also provided updates on Curtis Edwards, Connor Grant, Scott Robertson, and Dan Crowley. “Scott Robinson is back on the grass, he’s part-trained with us and getting closer and closer now to being back involved,” he said. Regarding Crowley, Maynard explained, “We scanned his groin again, and it’s still showing a slight tear, but he’s healing nicely. He’s probably a little bit longer than Robbo, but he’s getting there as well.” The significance of the FA Cup is not lost on Maynard, who emphasised the unique excitement of the third round. “It’s kind of like the first round to the non-league teams,” he said, referencing the allure of testing oneself against elite players. “It gives that real opportunity of going to test yourselves against the best, but you have to get there.” Despite the removal of replays, Maynard recognises the impact this has on non-league clubs. “I think it really harms them,” he said. “When they fight that hard against a league club and get an amazing draw away, then they can bring them home and have that dream again... It can set some clubs up financially for two to three years.” Notts County’s preparation includes practising penalties, with Maynard acknowledging the pressure that comes with stepping up in such moments. “It’s easy to go in training and practise, but to actually go up in a big game when it really, really matters, it takes a lot of strength and courage.” Saturday’s clash will be the third meeting between the two sides this season, following their pre-season encounters. However, Maynard believes both teams have evolved since then. “We’re in totally different places to where we were in the summer,” he said. “We’re ahead in how fluent we are in the way that we play, our fitness levels and intensity levels.” With a tough challenge ahead, Maynard remains optimistic about his team’s chances. “We want to make sure that we’re in the hat come Monday,” he said, reflecting the determination within the squad to keep their FA Cup journey alive. Share your pre-match thoughts on Pride of Nottingham, follow the game as it unfolds, and be sure to return for post-match discussions! Visit our popular dashboard on Pride of Nottingham for a quick view of all the latest content – get involved and share your voice in the community!

Notts County suffered a thrilling 4-3 loss against Peterborough United at the Weston Homes Stadium. The Magpies put in a determined performance but were let down by poor defending & Peterborough's sharp finishing. The match started rapidly, with Peterborough scoring first after 10 minutes. Ricky-Jade Jones netted neatly into the bottom left corner following an accurate pass from Kwame Poku. However, Notts County reacted strongly. Cedwyn Scott levelled matters in the 13th minute slotting in from close range after George Abbott's smart play inside the box. Merely three minutes later Matty Platt's powerful header from a corner put the Magpies 2-1 ahead. Peterborough applied significant pressure in their pursuit of an equalizing goal. They came agonizingly close when Ryan De Havilland's strike hit the crossbar early in the second half. Their determination was ultimately rewarded in the 73rd minute as Ricky-Jade Jones scored his second goal of the match to level the scoreline. Shortly after, Joel Randall put the home team ahead by calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner following a scramble inside the penalty area. Notts County brought on some new players in an effort to get back in control. However, Peterborough managed to score another goal in the 87th minute. Abraham Odoh scored from close range, making it 4-2. This appeared to put the match out of reach for Notts County. A Peterborough defender Oscar Wallin did something that annoyed a Notts County supporter. Wallin was warming up as a substitute, but he kept standing inside the field of play. He watched the game instead of properly warming up. At times, Wallin appeared smug, as if he doubted Notts County's ability to mount an effective attack. He would go back to warming up now and then but players and officials didn't notice his actions. Wallin's positioning especially during a potential Notts County attack involving Kellan Gordon irritated the away fans more but nothing was done about it. The Magpies battled hard against relegation. In stoppage time, George Abbott struck an amazing long-range shot which flew into the top corner from over 40 yards out. His goal boosted Notts County's morale, but unfortunately time ran out before they could find an equaliser and the match ended soon after. Vote for your Man of the Match vs Peterborough United! Take a moment to vote and comment on who you chose and why. Join the discussion now. Vote for Player of the Month! Share your thoughts on the FA Cup game vs Peterborough, then click here to vote. Let’s hear it.

Notts County's academy manager Dan Leivers has spoken ahead of the Under-18s' FA Youth Cup third-round clash with Fulham at Meadow Lane on Sunday. The young Magpies are eager to face a Premier League club's Category 1 academy side with kick-off set for 12:30 pm. "They're really excited" said Leivers. "Obviously looking forward to playing against a Premier League team and a Cat 1 Academy in our own stadium. It's the one they all hope to get so it's nice to get it this time in the third round." Notts County's youth team have impressed, reaching this stage overcoming tough opposition in the first two rounds. Leivers reflected on their route beginning with a hard-fought victory over Kempston Rovers. "We travelled down there, and it was a really difficult environment to play in with a lot of people watching the game" he explained. "The lads took that test well and played under a lot of pressure and noise. The goalkeeper had around a hundred people behind the goal at him all game. We're proud of how they handled that experience." The second round saw Notts County defeat Burton Albion, a familiar opponent. "The boys had a fantastic performance and impressed with how they managed the game and took their chances" said Leivers. Reaching the third round is a landmark for the academy. Leivers, who last guided the Under-18s this far nine years ago, knows how rare such opportunities are. "It's a massive achievement and really difficult to get this far in the cup. The amount of time since we did it shows how hard it is." Leivers credited coach Tigran Tadevosyan for preparation. "The game plan he's put together in both rounds has given us the best chance." Fulham, currently second in the Premier League Under-18 division, present a formidable test. "We know they're difficult to play against" admitted Leivers. "Tigran went to watch them play Villa on Saturday so he's done his homework on the best way to give us a chance." Despite the challenge, Leivers remains optimistic. "It's us that aren't expected to win so the pressure is on them. We know when we're at our best we've got players that can handle it & hurt people." Sunday's match offers fans a rare chance to support the youth team. "We'd welcome as much support as possible to cheer the lads on" said Leivers. He highlighted first team faces like Themba Nyirenda & Zach Denman who have made senior debuts. While progression would be a dream, Leivers emphasised broader goals. "We want to win but if we see things improving in our players and put on a good performance that's success for us" he explained. Leivers concluded underlining the club's ethos: "Leave everything on the pitch and see effort and heart from the boys. These things can lead to success." The match promises an exciting test for the young Magpies & a proud moment for the academy. Fans are encouraged to show support for what could be a memorable occasion. Dive into the latest discussions on Pride of Nottingham's community forum and share your thoughts and comments with fellow fans! Spread the word about the Magpie Circle's live podcast event featuring the always entertaining Martin Allen, proudly supported by Pride of Nottingham.

Jack Hinchy, the 21-year-old Notts County midfielder, recently experienced a milestone moment in his football career, netting his first professional goal in the dying moments of Tuesday night’s 3-2 defeat to Walsall. Despite the bittersweet nature of the occasion, Hinchy reflected positively on his progress, offering insights into his development and aspirations at Meadow Lane. Hinchy described his maiden goal, scored in the 90+4th minute, as a special moment, albeit one tinged with disappointment due to the result. "It was a great feeling to score my first goal in professional football. Obviously, it was a bittersweet moment as we didn't get anything from the game in the end," he admitted. Nevertheless, the midfielder took pride in how the goal came about, crediting the team’s attacking philosophy for putting him in the right position. "The way we play in this team, you end up in those situations a lot, even as a holding midfielder. I’ve been working on hitting the target in the last couple of weeks, and luckily, it went in." The young midfielder acknowledged the importance of simply giving himself a chance to score. Reflecting on his recent struggles with accuracy, Hinchy said, "A few of my shots recently haven’t been on target, and obviously, it’s not going to go in that way. We spoke about even taking a little bit off the actual shot but making sure it at least gives it a chance. Luckily, it went in." While celebrating his first goal was tempting, Hinchy explained how the context of the match shaped his reaction. "The most important thing is trying to get something from the game. You can look back on the goal and celebrate it in different ways afterwards, but in the moment, it was just about trying to get back in the game," he said. Now settling into life at Notts County, Hinchy expressed gratitude for the support he’s received since joining the club. "I’m really enjoying it. Everyone around the club, the players, the staff have made me feel welcome from the first day. Overall, we’ve done well this season, even if it hasn’t been going as well recently. I’m hoping we can pick things up and have a successful season." Despite a winless run extending over a month, Notts remain in sixth place in League Two, a testament to the competitiveness of the division. "It’s so close at the top," Hinchy noted. "You can’t take your eye off the ball because a few points could drop you into the lower half of the table. Even when times aren’t going well, you’ve got to stay focused and keep at it." For Hinchy, this season is about more than just results: it’s about establishing himself in senior football. "The main thing I want is game time in men’s football. I’m still young and learning, so anytime I get on the pitch, I try to take what I can from the game." Hinchy’s journey to Meadow Lane has been eventful, moving from Stockport County to Brighton at 18 before loan spells at Shrewsbury Town. Now at Notts, he believes his career is truly beginning. "Under-21s football is good in some ways, but you don’t get the real taste of what football is really like. This season, I feel like I’m starting to grasp that and kick-start the career in men’s football that I wanted." With his first goal under his belt, Hinchy hopes to contribute more moments like this in the future, stating with a smile, "Fingers crossed, anyway." Dive into head coach Stuart Maynard's insights on the Colchester clash, injury updates, and how the squad is turning possession into points - on Pride of Nottingham! Don’t miss the latest blog by Allardyce's Tash on Pride of Nottingham, sharing his perspective on tackling the recent gloom surrounding Notts County.

Notts County head coach Stuart Maynard highlighted the need for unity and resilience as the Magpies get ready to face a strong Colchester United in their League Two match at Meadow Lane. Following a narrow 3-2 defeat to Walsall at Bescot Stadium, Maynard provided an in-depth update on his squad’s fitness issues, tactical adjustments, and his expectations for Saturday's match. Maynard revealed promising news regarding the return of some players but stressed the need for caution. “Matty Platt and George Abbott are in contention for selection now,” he confirmed. However, he acknowledged that Tuesday’s game against Walsall came too soon for them. Discussing Dan Crowley, who has been sidelined with a groin injury, Maynard shared optimism about his progress. “Dan’s really close. He trained on the grass with the squad yesterday. He’ll train again with us today, so he’s getting a lot closer to being back in contention for selection,” Maynard explained, although he added that the Colchester match may come too early. Highlighting Crowley’s importance to the team, Maynard said, “Players like Dan are unique. The way they can beat someone, take them out of the game, and find that final pass or score out of nothing is so key for us in the way we play.” He admitted that the absence of such creativity has been felt in recent games, particularly in the loss to Walsall. Injuries and a congested fixture schedule have forced Maynard to make tough decisions regarding player rotations. “It’s been tough with the injuries, especially the long-term ones, and players picking up niggles. We’ve had to manage minutes to prevent players from breaking down,” he noted. Maynard acknowledged the challenges of maintaining balance during this period. “We go into every game to win, but we have to be mindful of the data our medical team provides. Against Walsall, our intensity was very good, but we lacked that little bit of magic to unlock the door,” he added. Maynard praised Colchester’s recent form, highlighting their five-match unbeaten streak in the league. “They’ve kept three clean sheets in their last three games. Danny and Nick have done a great job rebuilding the squad. Their recruitment has been very good, and they’re a resilient side that defends their box well,” he said. Despite Colchester’s strong defensive record, Maynard expressed confidence in his team’s ability to rise to the occasion. “We need to be on top of our game to break them down. Every game in League Two poses a different threat, but we’re ready for the test,” he stated. Maynard also urged fans to rally behind the team as they look to end a winless run in the league. “We need everyone in it together and behind us,” he said. “The atmosphere from our fans has been incredible this season. We need to make Meadow Lane a fortress. It’s down to us to give the fans something to cheer about and stay with us for the 90 minutes.” As the Magpies aim to return to their winning ways, Maynard emphasised the importance of collective effort. “We believe the results will come. The performances have been there, and we’re working hard to turn those into wins,” he concluded. With Meadow Lane set to host another pivotal encounter, the Magpies will hope to deliver a performance worthy of the unwavering support of their fans. Have your say on this weekend's game against Colchester United. Join the Pride of Nottingham match discussion and share your thoughts on the upcoming clash! Explore the Pride of Nottingham dashboard for a quick overview of the site. Every comment strengthens our community, so get involved!