Game of the season

Candidate 1

Crystal Palace

Where? Selhurst Park

When? Tuesday 22^nd August, 3pm

What? Carling Cup Round 1

Who? (Key Figures) Michael Hughes, Lawrie Dudfield, Dan Martin, Tom

Curtis, Ian Ross, Liam Needham

Why? Despite a promising start to league action, nobody could expect a win at Championship outfit Palace, particularly with Steve Thompson resting several of the players who had given fans some promise in the league. Add in the fact Palace started with the likes of Jon Mackin, Clinton Morrison, Dougie Freedman, Matt Lawrence and Darren Ward and it was always to be a tough ask. However, even with the initial setback of a Hughes strike, Notts rose to the occasion and refused to be overawed despite picking a young side. Dudfield hit a fantastic half-volley from a Martin through ball to level and then Martin himself volleyed in a superb Needham cross for the winner seven minutes from time. In truth, it was an even game and neither side created that many chances, but the football on show by Notts was worth the entrance fee, with Ross and Martin in particular passing the ball around well and Dudfield working his socks off up front. A shock it was, but a deserved one for the football and spirit on show.

Score? Crystal Palace 1-2 Notts

Goalscorers? Lawrie Dudfield and Dan Martin

Man of the Match? Lawrie Dudfield

Candidate 2

Barnet

Where? Underhill

When? Saturday 16^th September, 3pm

What? League 2

Who? (Key Figures) Dan Martin, Ian Hendon, Steve Thompson, Jason Lee,

Andy Parkinson, Alan White

Why? Notts' early season never-say-die spirit was never illustrated better than in North London. After a good start to the campaign, supporters were optimistic of a fairly easy three points against Paul Fairclough's men. However, after 30 minutes, the Magpies were already 2-0 down courtesy of former Notts skipper Ian Hendon's penalty and Jason Puncheon. With Notts lifeless Barnet must have thought they could bag a hatful, but Notts' determination lifted them and they got a lifeline when Parkinson's corner was met by a thunderous header by White, who celebrated like he meant it. Notts had their tales up and never looked back, forcing the issue and attacking at will. It was a pulsating game from then on with Parkinson himself drawing Notts level latching onto a Lee knockdown for his first of the season. There was even time for Dan Martin to miss a penalty before the half was out. Lee then hit the winner in the second half and Notts finished the job off with previously unseen sturdy defending.

Score? Barnet 2-3 Notts

Goalscorers? Alan White, Andy Parkinson, Jason Lee

Man of the Match? Jason Lee

Candidate 3

Middlesbrough

Where? Riverside Stadium

When? Wednesday 20^th October, 7.45pm

What? Carling Cup 2^nd Round

Who? (Key Figures) Tcham N'Toya, Gaizka Mendieta, Mark Viduka, Robert

Huth, Tony McMahon, Stephen Hunt, Saul Deeney

Why? Notts won at a Premiership side again with the majority of their second string playing. That should be reason enough. A simply brilliant performance, with the defence immense against World Cup star Viduka. Deeney, in only his second start of the season - the other was at Palace - made a string of superb saves to hang onto a clean sheet good enough for the win after N'Toya's first Notts strike. N'Toya picked up on a McMahon error to finish coolly and show off his somersaults. Resilient, determined, dogged and nerveless can describe the giant killing Notts performance. Hard to pick out individuals, but now regular Stephen Hunt was superb whilst Matt Somner excelled on the big occasion with some thundering challenges.

Score? Middlesbrough 0-1 Notts

Goalscorer? Tcham N'Toya

Man of the Match? Stephen Hunt

Candidate 4

Mansfield Town

Where? Field Mill

When? Saturday October 7^th, 3pm

What? League 2

Who? (Key figures) Matty Hamshaw, Austin McCann, Lawrie Dudfield, Mike Edwards, Danny Reet, Dermot Gallagher, Alan White, Tcham N'Toya

Why? Despite only gaining a point from the local derby, this was still an entertaining affair with Notts putting in a fine second half showing. Awful in the first period with Mansfield first to everything, Notts went in at the break 2-0 down. Reet grabbed both goals, with Notts' defence, White in particular, looking extremely shaky. However, Notts changed things at the break, and when Gallagher dismissed the dangerous Hamshaw for a second bookable offence - though he initially forgot the second yellow - McCann was allowed to dominate. Indeed, McCann was superb and helped lift Notts who got their rewards after a total of fifteen corners. N'Toya was also an inspiration as a substitute, and Edwards notched before a late and deserved Dudfield equaliser sent the visitors into raptures. The second half was a thrilling one sided encounter with Notts looking brilliant on the ball and bombarding the Stags box.

Score? Mansfield 2-2 Notts

Goalscorers? Mike Edwards and Lawrie Dudfield

Man of the Match? Austin McCann

Candidate 5

Southampton

Where? Meadow Lane

When? Tuesday 24^th October, 7.45pm

What? Carling Cup 3^rd Round

Who? (Key figures) Steve Thompson, George Burley, Alan White, Mike Edwards, Andy Parkinson, Jason Lee, Grzegorz Rasiak

Why? Notts secured their passage into the 4^th round for the first time in what seems an age, and a chance at a possible Quarter-final berth. That never materialised after a 1-0 home defeat to Wycombe, who eventually made the semi-finals and drew with eventual winners Chelsea in the first leg. However, the Southampton game will always be one to remember. After the giant killings at Palace and Middlesbrough, fans were expectant and packed Meadow Lane creating an atmosphere that has been unrivalled this season. The singing was vociferous and pacey, the action ebbed and flowed and the outcome was a 2-0 Notts win over a side chasing a playoff place in the Championship. Notts deserved their success after a fantastic defensive performance with White putting in arguably his best Notts showing to shackle then Championship second top goalscorer Grzegorz Rasiak. Edwards opened the scoring touching home Junior Mendes' low cross before Parkinson - superb all night - laid in Lee who powerfully drilled home from the edge of the area. The Saint's best efforts were foiled by a hard working and determined Notts outfit who were also playing some of their best football of the season.

Score? Notts 2-0 Southampton

Goalscorers? Mike Edwards and Jason Lee

Man of the Match? Alan White

Candidate 6

Torquay United

Where? Meadow Lane

When? Saturday 20^th January, 3pm

What? League 2

Who? (Key Figures) Jay Smith, Andy Parkinson, Jason Lee, Stephen Cooke,

Lawrie Dudfield

Why? Quite simply because of the entertainment. The only game involving Notts with seven goals in it this season. Yes it came against the bottom side in Torquay, who have since been relegated, but it was still a game Notts proved they could play football, they can overcome adversity and they enjoy attacking teams. Junior Mendes hit an early opener before the Gulls took a shock lead with two quick goals, one by debutant Cooke who was a constant thorn in Notts' side. With Mendes replaced by Parkinson after picking up an injury, the tie quickly swung back in the Magpies' favour. Parkinson seemed determined to prove his worth and was lively and entertaining, chasing every lost ball and running at the Torquay defence. He equalised before Smith's first Notts goal in the final game before his permanent signing had Notts leading a pulsating half at the break. Dudfield was top notch throughout in perhaps the best individual performance of a Notts player this season, setting up four goals and being a nuisance all game. He twisted and turned before delicately feeding Lee for Notts' fourth, and Lee also added a late fifth. Goals and entertainment - finally - at Meadow Lane.

Score? Notts 5-2 Torquay

Goalscorers? Junior Mendes, Andy Parkinson, Jay Smith, Jason Lee (2)

Man of the Match? Lawrie Dudfield

Candidate 7

Lincoln City

Where? Meadow Lane

When? Saturday 3^rd February, 3pm

What? League 2

Who? (Key players) Gary Silk, Kevin Pilkington, Jamie Forrester, Jason Lee,

Lawrie Dudfield, Jay Smith, Mark Stallard

Why? Just one of three wins in a sixteen game spell, Notts were not in the greatest of form when they took on automatic promotion chasing Lincoln in a local derby. Backed by 2,500 Imps fans, the visitors were favourites for the clash, but never looked like taking three points back to Sincil Bank. So good was Notts' start, the cameraman missed Smith's cracking opener. Such a shame that nobody will ever see the stunning volley again, from a first minute Austin McCann corner that fell to the former Southend man on the edge of the area. Despite returning Notts legend Stallard hitting the woodwork, Notts pushed on with Lee making it two after Imps top scorer Jamie Forrester was dismissed for retaliation on McCann. This left the result in no doubt as the Magpies again demonstrated their attacking prowess. Dudfield added a third, before a late Spencer Weir-Daley consolation and even a Lincoln penalty miss - brilliantly saved by Pilkington. With Lincoln having the best away record and being the top scorers in the league, the result stood out, and the performance too with some good football on show.

Score? Notts 3-1 Lincoln

Goalscorers? Jay Smith, Jason Lee, Lawrie Dudfield

Man of the Match? Gary Silk

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