Chris

Notts County’s victory over Chesterfield at Wembley was a special moment for fans of the club. Although they began the game feeling very anxious and struggled to handle Chesterfield, who was a fast and aggressive opponent, the team managed to keep the score at 1-0 and gradually gained momentum. Luke Williams made the right call taking off Adam Chicksen, who didn’t have the best of games. Jodi Jones proved to be more effective and switching him from the left to the right gave the team more edge going forward. Chesterfield faced a dilemma when they had to assign a new player to mark Aaron Nemane, consequently granting Jodi Jones a valuable window of opportunity to exert his influence on the game. It was crucial that Notts didn't lose their spirit and determination. This helped them stay in the game and remain focused on their goal. This shows that they are a strong and resilient team, and their efforts should be applauded. Notts' tenacity was a key factor in their success. John Bostock stood near the centre of the pitch throwing his arms up as if to say to the lads, ‘come on, we’ve got this - don’t let your heads drop’. This proved to be something that allowed the Magpies to stay in the game. During the extra time period, Notts exhibited superior performance compared to Chesterfield. The game could have gone either way still, but the better chances came to Notts who kept knocking on the door and forced Chesterfield to defend. In the 80th minute, it was clear that Chesterfield players were becoming exhausted, leaving them vulnerable to the attacks of Jodi Jones and Aaron Nemane. It was inevitable that running at them would lead to trouble. One player who really found himself during the game was Aaron Nemane. He played outstandingly, taking on Chesterfield despite little support and in turn taking the pressure off the rest of the squad. John Bostock’s strong presence in midfield also made it harder for The Spireites to bully the midfield. His ability to stand up, win the ball back and use his strength to hold play helped to bring other players up to speed and reduce their nervousness. Matt Palmer also showed his class by completing passes and moving into areas where he could creatively get the team into creative pockets. His passing, especially through the lines, linked up well with Aaron Nemane and Jodi Jones once he came on. It was truly heart-warming to witness the players' joyous reaction upon seeing their club earn a promotion. Equally, pleasing was hearing Luke Williams express his gratitude towards everyone who had contributed towards the team's success leading up to the game. Overall, it was a delightful experience that left a lasting impact. From Tom Weal with preparing the keepers, to giving advice on the players when it came to practising taking penalties. Williams spoke highly of how he turned the focus from off himself to former managers who he credited for starting the journey. It was just a sign of class from the gaffer when he spoke so freely about others with his warm smile. The club’s return to the Football League is a significant achievement and one that brings a sense of pride and belonging to fans. Many feared for the future of the Magpies following their relegation in 2018/2019, but thanks to the contributions made by Christoffer Reedtz, Alexander Reedtz, and Jason Turner, the club has flourished. One of the biggest transformations has been in the club’s approach to recruitment. Notts County has been signing some of the best free agents from teams around them while also bringing in robust midfielders such as Matt Palmer. The hiring of Luke Williams as manager has also proven to be a master-stroke. The future looks bright for Notts County. With a talented squad and an upcoming manager, there’s no reason why the club can’t adapt well to life in League Two and push for promotion again. Retaining key players and adding further quality will be important in achieving this goal. Don’t forget to browse the Faces of PON’s gallery for all the best shots from Notts County’s victory over Chesterfield at Wembley! For a one-stop glance at everything Notts County, be sure to check out the Pride of Nottingham Dashboard page.