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Matty Platt, Notts County’s 27-year-old central defender, was thrilled after his side’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon at Meadow Lane. Not only did Platt’s header secure the win, but it also ended the club’s two-match winless streak at home, delivering both a crucial three points and a clean sheet. Speaking after the game, Platt expressed his joy at what he described as the perfect outcome. "Yes it is, it was a tough game to be fair today. I think Wimbledon came and made it difficult for us at times, especially in the first half," he noted. Notts County had been eager to avoid conceding the first goal again, particularly after their previous home results followed a similar pattern. Platt acknowledged that their first-half performance was far from ideal but emphasised the importance of remaining defensively solid during periods when they weren't at their best. "At times in the first half we weren't at our best, but I think especially us at the back, we were thinking, just keep it tight, keep it at 0-0," he explained, adding, "and then we know at some point things are going to change and we're going to grow into the game." The first half, characterised by a lack of clear-cut opportunities for both sides, was described by Platt as a "slow burner." He stressed the team’s focus on maintaining their defensive shape during such a tense period, knowing that they would eventually find their rhythm. "We just didn't want to concede any sloppy goals in that first half because when the game is probably not, as you say, free-flowing, there's not many chances, you just want to keep it tight," he said. The match's pivotal moment came in the 67th minute when Platt rose to meet Matty Palmer’s corner, securing the game’s only goal. Reflecting on his goal, Platt admitted that it wasn’t the cleanest strike but was nonetheless delighted. "I'll take anything that I can get to be fair," he said with a smile. "We've been trying a lot of in-swingers this season and I think we just thought today we'd mix it up a little bit, go with a little bit of an out-swinger," Platt revealed, describing the tactical tweak that led to his goal. He continued, "The first one he [Palmer] did I got on the end of it, and I just felt like there was a bit of something there for us, so I just told him to keep doing it, and thankfully one went in for us." The goal, which travelled through a crowd of players, left Wimbledon’s goalkeeper stranded. Platt credited teammates David McGoldrick and Alassana Jatta for distracting the goalkeeper. "I think Didzy and Ajay have gone for it and that's probably put the keeper off a little bit," he speculated. There was a moment of confusion during the goal celebration when the stadium announcer credited the goal to McGoldrick. However, Platt was confident it was his. "I was a bit confused when he said that because I was pretty sure it was mine. I was 90% sure it was mine," Platt recalled, laughing off the mix-up. Having already scored once away this season, Platt expressed his happiness at scoring at Meadow Lane." It's always something that I try and add to the game," he said. Referring to his ambitions as a centre-half to contribute more goals. With two goals to his name early in the season, Platt is aiming for more. "As the centre-half, I'm trying to get 4 or 5, you know, 6 a season, and to get 2 pretty early on is good." Looking ahead, Platt is eager to continue the club’s positive start to the season. "I think we've had a pretty good start," he said, reflecting on recent results. "It was important today to get back to winning ways, and we look forward to Barrow midweek." With his goal securing a much-needed win, Platt's performance will undoubtedly give Notts County a boost as they aim to maintain their momentum in the coming fixtures. Don’t miss Stuart Maynard’s thoughts on Notts County’s hard-fought win over AFC Wimbledon! Read the full interview now on Pride of Nottingham and share your comments – we’d love to hear what you think! Check out our match report on Notts County’s 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon! Share your thoughts on the key moments and join the established feedback on Pride of Nottingham. Have your say and be part of the conversation!

Notts County head coach Stuart Maynard lauded his side's determination after their hard-fought 1-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon at Meadow Lane. Despite admitting it wasn’t the most fluent of performances, Maynard emphasised the importance of securing the three points in a physically challenging game. The win came courtesy of Matty Platt’s header from a set-piece in the 67th minute, propelling Notts County to joint third in League Two. Maynard was quick to highlight the resilience and discipline his team displayed, particularly when facing an AFC Wimbledon side renowned for their defensive solidity." AFC Wimbledon, Johnny’s team, they’re very hard to beat, they make it very difficult for you, they make the game ugly," he said. "We weren’t at our fluent best. It’s probably been our worst performance at home in the sense of moving the ball, creating overloads, creating clear opportunities, but we showed again our grit and our determination to win the game of football." The match itself wasn’t one for the purists, with Maynard admitting it might not be enjoyable to re-watch. "I think it’ll be one that when we watch back, it won’t be easy on the eye. But we knew that before the game. We said to the lads, this might be a different type of game today. We might not be able to win it by opening them up freely," he reflected. With five clean sheets to their name prior to this encounter, AFC Wimbledon were never going to be easy to break down, and Maynard was particularly pleased with his side’s defensive display, emphasising the importance of clean sheets in achieving long-term success. "They had five clean sheets before today, which is incredible at this stage of the season," he noted. "Clean sheets bring you real success, and that’s why I’m so pleased with the clean sheet today." The decisive goal came from a well-worked set-piece, an area that Maynard credited his coaching staff for diligently preparing. "To get a goal from a set-piece, Craig Saunders [our set-piece coach] has been working so hard on them. We’ve been close from so many, and today it’s a huge credit to him because in the fine margins of the game, his detail that he puts into the lads gets us to win." While the match-winner may have been somewhat scrappy, Maynard recognised the importance of such goals in tight contests. "In tight games like this, you need the set-piece goals," he explained. "They’re the little small margins that you work on all week, and they’re very hard to score from because everyone’s set up against you." Goalkeeper Alex Bass also earned praise for his calm and composed display, making several key saves to ensure Notts County kept their lead intact. "Bassy the goalie, he just makes you so calm," Maynard said. "He makes a lot of the shots that are difficult look so easy. He’s got glue in his gloves, I think." Looking ahead, Maynard acknowledged the demanding schedule, with a midweek trip to Barrow next on the agenda. "That’s what the squad’s for. We’ve got to look at Barrow now. Our full focus was on AFC Wimbledon. We’ll see where the bodies are at tomorrow and come up with a game plan ready for it," he said. Despite the unconvincing performance, Maynard was delighted to secure a vital home win and praised the fans for their continued support. "It’s something we want to make this place a fortress. The crowd have been incredible," he added. "Even today again, getting behind the boys in the 96th minute, urging them on. We feel we’ve rewarded them today with a performance that was grit, determination, and the lads have left everything out there." With their latest victory, Notts County remain well positioned in the promotion hunt, and Maynard will hope his side can continue to build on their momentum as they push towards the top of the League Two table. Share your post-match thoughts on today’s 1-0 win at Meadow Lane against AFC Wimbledon in our Pride of Nottingham match discussion. Join the conversation here! Help us choose our Man of the Match for the AFC Wimbledon game! Click here to vote and share your thoughts with the Pride of Nottingham community.

Notts County secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against AFC Wimbledon at Meadow Lane, digging deep to maintain a clean sheet despite being under sustained pressure from the visitors. Matty Platt’s second-half goal proved decisive as the Magpies edged out The Dons in a tightly contested encounter. The match began with both teams cautiously probing each other's defences. Notts County, as has been the norm this season, dominated possession with 68%, but they struggled to convert this into clear-cut opportunities, managing just three shots on target throughout the game. In contrast, AFC Wimbledon, while seeing only 32% of the ball, looked more threatening in the final third, registering eight shots on target and forcing goalkeeper Alex Bas into several crucial saves. The first half was a scrappy affair, with fouls breaking up play frequently. Notts County’s Matty Platt and Lewis Macari were booked, as were Riley Harbottle and James Furlong for the visitors. The physical nature of the contest saw both teams commit multiple fouls, with Wimbledon conceding 19 and Notts County 13. Set-pieces and free kicks became a pivotal aspect of the match, but neither side could capitalise on their opportunities in the opening period. The best chance of the first half fell to AFC Wimbledon’s Omar Bugiel, whose header flashed just wide of the post after a well-worked move down the right-hand side. At the other end, David McGoldrick saw his effort from inside the box narrowly miss the target as Notts County struggled to find a way through The Dons’ resolute defence. In the second half, Notts County began to apply more pressure, with Matt Palmer orchestrating play in midfield. The breakthrough came in the 67th minute, following a corner that saw Palmer deliver an inviting ball into the box. Matty Platt struck the ball and guided his effort into the bottom corner, giving the Magpies a 1-0 lead much to the delight of the Meadow Lane faithful. Despite falling behind, AFC Wimbledon refused to back down. Their attacking threat continued as substitute Huseyin Biler fired a powerful shot from distance in the dying moments, but his effort whistled just past the post. James Tilley also came close with a header that was well saved by Bass, who stood tall to preserve his clean sheet. As the clock ticked towards full-time, Wimbledon threw everything at Notts County, but the Magpies remained resolute, defending with determination to see out the match. In the closing stages, the game became increasingly scrappy, with several stoppages for fouls and a lengthy delay due to an injury to Lewis Macari, who had to be replaced by Rod McDonald. The match ended with AFC Wimbledon continuing to push forward in search of an equaliser, but it was Notts County who held on for a crucial three points. The victory keeps the Magpies firmly in the promotion race, while Wimbledon will be left to rue their missed chances. Share your post-match thoughts on today’s 1-0 win at Meadow Lane against AFC Wimbledon in our Pride of Nottingham match discussion. Join the conversation here! Help us choose our Man of the Match for the AFC Wimbledon game! Click here to vote and share your thoughts with the Pride of Nottingham community.