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POST-MATCH | BARNET 1-1 NOTTS COUNTY | LUKE WILLIAMS

GOAL | NOTTS COUNTY 1-1 BARNET

Notts County's hopes of securing promotion to the English Football League suffered a setback as they were held to a 1-1 draw away at Barnet in the National League. Despite taking the lead through Macaulay Langstaff, the Magpies were unable to hold onto their advantage and were pegged back by a powerful header from Idris Kanu. The first half was evenly contested, with both sides creating a few half-chances but failing to trouble the keepers. However, Notts County finally broke the deadlock just before half-time when Ruben Rodrigues produced a moment of magic with a wonderful pass that Langstaff swept home with ease. The lead was short-lived, though, as Barnet hit back almost immediately with Kanu's header off the crossbar. The second half saw Notts County dominate proceedings as they looked for a winner, but they were thwarted time and again by Barnet's defence and the heroics of their goalkeeper, Laurie Walker. Rodrigues came close to restoring Notts County's lead when his deflected cross found Langstaff in space, but the striker's effort was saved by Walker. The Magpies continued to pile on the pressure in search of a winner, but they were unable to find the net again and had to settle for a draw. Despite being held to a draw, Notts County remain in contention for automatic promotion to the English Football League, sitting just three points behind league leaders Wrexham, who have a game in hand. With several games remaining in the season, the Magpies have ample opportunity to close the gap and secure their promotion to the EFL. They will be focused on picking up points quickly and performing at their best to achieve their goal. Join in with the Pride of Nottingham community, by visiting our dedicated dashboard page. Be a part of the Pride of Nottingham community and share your views within our friendly community!

POST-MATCH | BARNET 1-1 NOTTS COUNTY | KYLE CAMERON

PRESS CONFERENCE | BARNET (A) | FRANK VINCENT

PRESS CONFERENCE | BARNET (A) | LUKE WILLIAMS

Andy Morrell is of the opinion that Notts County has helped Wrexham produce their best performance this season, which could lead them to break a club record for most points in a single season. Morrell was in charge of Wrexham when they narrowly missed out on winning the National League title in the 2011-12 season to Fleetwood Town, despite achieving their highest-ever points tally of 98. However, with 91 points already secured from 37 matches, Phil Parkinson's side is on track to surpass that record. Although Wrexham is currently one point ahead of Notts County, who have a game in hand, the title race is far from over, with County in contention for automatic promotion. Despite Wrexham's unbeaten streak of 25 league games, County recently managed to come back from behind to secure a 3-1 victory over Eastleigh. With nine games left, the fate of the title is still undecided, but Wrexham's strong performances so far this season put them in an excellent position to secure the title. Morrell believes that the rivalry between Wrexham and Notts County has inspired his former team to produce their best form this season, as they aim to surpass their previous highest points tally. Having gained 91 points already, they are in a good position to achieve this feat. However, with Notts County hot on their heels and still in contention for the title, the final outcome is not a foregone conclusion. Nonetheless, Wrexham's unbeaten run of 25 games should provide them with the confidence to secure the title. Speaking to the leaderlive.co.uk, the former Reds player and manager said: "We can only worry about ourselves, we can’t worry what they are doing." "I think the number of points Wrexham have got is because of Notts County. Wrexham have had to keep winning to be able to stay right in there so both of them have pushed each other to this ridiculous amount of points that they’ve both got, and could get. "Wrexham have already surpassed the amount of goals they scored last year, they have already got more points than last year, and with nine games to go that is ridiculous. "I can’t see anything other than Wrexham getting out of this league this year.” On Tuesday, the Magpies managed to overcome Eastleigh by 3-1 despite initially being behind. As a result, they are now only one point behind the Reds, who have a game in hand. Wrexham, who have gone undefeated for 25 consecutive league games, have the fate of the title in their own hands, and their former coach Morrell is confident that they will successfully conclude their campaign. "It is just about wins now, Wrexham just got over the line, although they did have the better chances and Southend didn’t create a great deal. "You have got to find a way to win and they did that. "It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t the free-flowing football that you are used to here, the goals and the mauling’s they have given out to some teams, but they dug in and got through it; that is all that matters." Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

FIRST INTERVIEW | JUNIOR MORIAS

Notts County has announced the signing of Junior Morias, a forward from Dagenham and Redbridge, as they continue to strengthen their attacking options. Morias has signed a three-year deal at Meadow Lane for an undisclosed fee, and despite currently being sidelined with a short-term injury, the club has confirmed that he is a vital part of their long-term plans. Morias joins Notts County with an impressive record of 13 goals in his debut season and an additional 10 goals so far this campaign at Dagenham and Redbridge. The 27-year-old Jamaica-born forward's signing reinforces the club's commitment to building a competitive team capable of securing future success. Notts County boss, Luke Williams, has emphasized that Morias will be given the time and support he needs to adapt to the physical and mental demands of playing at Meadow Lane. With his speed and skill, the forward is expected to make a significant impact on the team's fortunes, and his proven goal-scoring record suggests that he will become a valuable asset for the Magpies. Luke Williams, provided a statement regarding the team's recent developments to the Nottingham Post, Williams discussed: "As with any new signing, once Junior’s recovered he’ll need to get up to speed with the pressing and key actions we expect from our front guys, all that will come in time." "Our first priority is to get him back to fitness and adjusting to the intensity - we’ve got brilliant medical staff here who’ll ensure he’s on the best course once we’ve fully assessed where he is." In recent months, Notts County has demonstrated their clear ambition to secure promotion by making several key signings. Among these additions are Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Jodi Jones, who have bolstered the team's attacking options. The manager, Luke Williams, has expressed his belief that Junior Morias, the latest signing from Dagenham and Redbridge, possesses the necessary skills to make a valuable contribution to the club's forward line. Notts County's commitment to building a competitive team capable of achieving success has been evident in their recent transfer activity. With the addition of Morias, who has an impressive record of 23 goals in 66 appearances for Dagenham and Redbridge, the club is further strengthening their attacking options. Williams has emphasized that the forward's speed and skill make him a valuable asset and is confident that he will adapt quickly to the demands of playing for Notts County. "He’s got the key traits we’re looking for as a professional, including the desire to do the hard yards. "Junior will play in different positions for us in a similar way to Cedwyn Scott and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, so he gives us more options and different qualities in our attacking line-up. "He adds tremendous power, pace and aggression and we’ll hopefully provide plenty of opportunities for him to continue his goalscoring form. He’ll then have a chance to show us how ruthless he can be." The reports circulating online regarding Junior Morias being in attendance to watch Notts County's win over Eastleigh turned out to be true. The club invited the 27-year-old to observe their 3-1 victory over Lee Bradbury's side on Tuesday evening after agreeing on a fee with Dagenham. The Magpies' decision to invite Morias to watch their match is a clear indication of their interest in signing the forward. The club is keen to strengthen their attacking options, and Morias' presence at the match suggests that negotiations are at an advanced stage. The 27-year-old's attendance also indicates his interest in joining Notts County, and he may be looking to assess the team's playing style and potential before committing to a move. "I was blown away,” said Notts' new recruit, who played against Williams' side for the Daggers in their 5-0 home defeat and 2-1 away win earlier in the month. "Playing against Notts is one thing but watching is another. Particularly in the second half, you could see the quality – the boys kicked on to another level. "In the games I played against Notts this season, it felt like we were up against 15 men. We couldn’t get close to anyone. "The boys are second-to-none – the way they flow, the way the centre back drives out with the ball. It’s hard to combat. "I’m excited to be part of the group and believe we can go on and achieve our number-one goal." Join in with the Pride of Nottingham community, by visiting our dedicated dashboard page. Be a part of the Pride of Nottingham community and share your views within our friendly community!

HIGHLIGHTS | NOTTS COUNTY 3-1 EASTLEIGH

In a hard-fought victory over Eastleigh, Ruben Rodrigues scored two goals to bring Notts County within one point of National League leaders Wrexham. At half-time, the Magpies were trailing to Danny Whitehall's penalty, but the Portuguese player equalized and then scored to put his team in front. Macaulay Langstaff added a goal to seal the win, putting pressure on Wrexham who have a game in hand. Both teams had early chances, with Joe McDonnell saving shots from Rodrigues and Jodi Jones for Eastleigh, while Tiernan Brooks denied Whitehall for County. The game was tightly contested, with both sides showing their attacking prowess. Despite Eastleigh's early dominance, Whitehall's penalty was their only goal of the game, and County fought back admirably. They levelled the score on the hour mark through Rodrigues, who scored after being set up by Langstaff following Aaron Nemane's run. Rodrigues then put County in front 14 minutes from time with a well-placed shot, before Langstaff secured the win with a header late on. The victory was a crucial one for Notts County in their pursuit of Wrexham at the top of the table. Don't forget to share your thoughts on this below, and why not join in the match discussion against Eastleigh? The Pride of Nottingham dashboard page is a great tool for Notts County fans to stay up-to-date with the latest news, fixtures, and match reports all in one place.

POST-MATCH | NOTTS COUNTY 3-1 EASTLEIGH | RUBEN RODRIGUES

GOALS | NOTTS COUNTY 3-1 EASTLEIGH

POST-MATCH | NOTTS COUNTY 3-1 EASTLEIGH | LUKE WILLIAMS

Two years ago, Adam Chicksen appeared to be on his way out of Notts County. However, offering him an extended one-year contract has turned out to be a brilliant decision. The 31-year-old full-back has been a crucial player for the Magpies this season, scoring a career-best of 10 goals as he helps the team push towards its goal of returning to its former glory. In any intense season, consistency is essential. Chicksen has been the epitome of that, demonstrating his value by being one of the first names on the team sheet for coach Luke Williams. But it's not just his on-pitch performances that have made him so valuable. His influence off the field has also been significant, something that both the fans and the Magpies chief have recognized. Chicksen's importance to Notts County cannot be overstated. His impact on the team's success this season has been immense, and he has proven himself to be a valuable asset both on and off the pitch. With his talent and dedication, there's no doubt that Chicksen will continue to be a crucial player for the Magpies for years to come. Luke Williams spoke to Nottingham Post, he said: "He is the model pro, he has been so important because of the performances on the pitch." "Look at the goals he has scored, match-winning goals at times, but then look at the way he runs back to protect the goal like his life depends on it, the way he defends the far post when there are sustained spells of pressure. "Then the bits people are not likely to see is the way he concentrates in the meetings we have. He delivers meetings better than I do; it's embarrassing. "But he is the example and the shining light of how to behave and how to apply yourself day in, day out over a long period of time. "He is amazing - he is the kind of package of how we want people to respect the job of being a player for Notts County. "And many players are in that mould, but Chicks is a great example of that, a top example." Currently, Chicksen and Matty Palmer are the only two players who have appeared in all 37 games of the National League season. This comes after Sam Slocombe and Kyle Cameron missed recent games against Bromley and Dorking Wanderers. While their absence has been felt, Chicksen's consistent presence has been crucial for Notts County, especially in the defensive area. Unfortunately, injuries to Richard Brindley and Tobi Adebayo-Rowling have made the defensive area a cause for concern in recent weeks. Additionally, the confirmed departure of Joel Taylor has further limited Williams' options in defence. With all of these factors in play, Chicksen's continued presence and reliability will be even more critical in the Magpies' quest for success in the remainder of the season. Don't forget to share your thoughts on this below, and why not join in the match discussion against Eastleigh? The Pride of Nottingham dashboard page is a great tool for Notts County fans to stay up-to-date with the latest news, fixtures, and match reports all in one place.

PRESS CONFERENCE | EASTLEIGH (H) | TIERNAN BROOKS

Notts County manager, Luke Williams, believes that allowing Joel Taylor to leave was the right decision as it allows the team to focus on their remaining nine games. Taylor left the club as his contract was mutually terminated in an attempt to obtain regular first-team football elsewhere. Taylor had a strong start to the season, scoring a goal in Notts' opening-day victory, but his playing time dwindled, leading to a loan to Dagenham and Redbridge. Williams hinted at a potential return for Taylor by naming him as a substitute for two games, but ultimately that never materialised. The manager explained that Taylor had experienced a difficult time during his stay at Meadow Lane, which may have contributed to his departure. Ultimately, the decision to let Taylor go was seen as necessary to allow the team to concentrate on their remaining fixtures. In an interview with the Nottingham Post, Luke Williams stated: "Joel we know has real talent, he has a cannon of a left foot and can put the ball wherever he wants, but there were times in transition mainly. "It's important for me to say he had a tough time with me. I demand a lot from him and all of the players, and the guy we just spoke about in Adam Chicksen really makes it difficult because he is so intense and so deliberate with everything he does, he is there every minute of every single day. "When you are up against that type of competition, it's challenging because you have to match that bare minimum before that quality can shine through. "He went on loan to get more game time and started well there, then had a bit of a tough time and didn't play as many minutes as he wanted to play, and then when he returned to County, we are in a great place, and it was such tough competition with so many players playing well." Williams added. In November, it was announced that Joel Taylor had joined Dagenham and Redbridge on a two-month loan. During that time, he featured in all six games. Taylor extended his stay at Victoria Road for an additional month. However, he struggled to secure regular first-team appearances during his second spell, only making one substitute appearance in the following six games before returning to Meadow Lane. "He expressed his desire to go and try and kickstart his career again, and when a guy has been really good and behaving and wanting to set the tone that if you come in and apply yourself and be a good pro even if you're having a bad time, that is what is expected of you. "If you do that then I try to help, yes we have left ourselves a little bit short on numbers, but it was the right thing to do at the right moment because we want everyone focused for this run in, and it was becoming increasingly more difficult for Joel to do that." Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

PRESS CONFERENCE | EASTLEIGH (H) | LUKE WILLIAMS

INTERVIEW | 100 UP FOR CHICKS

HIGHLIGHTS | NOTTS COUNTY 3-1 DORKING

Notts County manager Luke Williams was pleased with Geraldo Bajrami's performance in their 3-1 victory over Dorking Wanderers. Despite a difficult first half in their previous game, the Albanian player retained his spot in the starting lineup due to the absence of skipper Kyle Cameron. Bajrami, part of the back three, displayed composure alongside Rawlinson and Chicksen. He commanded his area well and relieved pressure from Marc White's side during the second half. Williams said that Geraldo Bajrami's performance was one of the highlights of the game. It's clear that his performance helped Notts County win the game. Luke Williams commented on Bajrami's performance, stating: "I think that's the most pleasing thing for me, the resilience that he has, that is the most pleasing thing for me - he was fantastic, and I am so happy for him. "I have had some difficult conversations with Baj in recent weeks and I can't wait to have an easy one as soon as he is back in for training." Notts County faced a predicament when their captain was unavailable for the match against Dorking, with Luke Williams having to find a suitable replacement for the armband ahead of a crucial game in their promotion campaign. Matty Palmer had previously worn the armband during the FA Trophy, but Williams decided to appoint Macaulay Langstaff as the stand-in skipper for the Meadow Lane fixture. Langstaff's performance during the game was impressive, with his two goals bringing his season total to 35 with nine matches remaining. His excellent display may even lead to him asking to keep the captaincy, as he helped inspire his team to a vital comeback victory. Williams explained his decision to name Langstaff as the captain for the evening, stating: "First of all, I go into the changing rooms because we had news about Kyle Cameron this morning and I said Macca you are going to lead the team out. "He went bright red and looked down to the floor and embarrassed like he shouldn't lead the team out - and then I said you are everything we are trying to do. "You are committed, never get carried away, and don't have a big ego and that is what the guy is and today is yet another example of everything good about him." Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

GOALS | NOTTS COUNTY 3-1 DORKING