Notts' goal of the season?

Last updated : 07 May 2008 By Paul Smith
Goal A

NEIL MACKENZIE v Grimsby, Blundell Park, August 11, 2007

With the Magpies a goal down midway through the first half of the season's opener, summer signing MacKenzie strikes an absolute beauty to give Notts a share of the spoils.

The move started in defence as Paul Mayo defended well before making a
MacKenzie... Has hit some fine goals
clearance down the left hand side which Lawrie Dudfield runs onto.

The frontman rolls it across midfield to MacKenzie, who had burst forward well, and he takes it in his stride before unleashing a superb drive from 20 yards into Phil Barnes' right hand corner, giving him no chance.

Goal B

STEPHEN HUNT v Chesterfield, Meadow Lane, 29 September, 2008

Defender Hunt's first goal of the campaign was crucial, and a good one at that.

At first look, it might not appear too much of a special goal, but it was such a difficult ball to manoevre into the net, and also provided a crucial three points against the then third place Spireites.

MacKenzie lines up a free-kick some 25 yards out and fizzes it into the box, where Hunt is being tightly marked but evades the defenders grip to stoop to MacKenzie's fast ball and angle into the bottom corner of the net.

The hardest part was getting down to a low ball and arrowing it on goal, from 14 yards out, good skill from the defender.

Goal C

NEIL MACKENZIE v Wrexham, Meadow Lane, October 27, 2007

The midfielder was in good form at the start of the campaign, and scored what turned out to be a huge goal in the very last minute of this physical tussle at Meadow Lane.

It produced Ian McParland's first win as Notts boss in only his second game in charge, and could not have been more dramatic or as well executed.

With the game tied at 1-1 between the relegation strugglers two minutes into stoppage time, Hector Sam is sent sprawling on the edge of the area by Silvio Spann who is dismissed, and MacKenzie steps up to the plate.
Lindfield... Liverpool loanee marked debut in style


In the centre of the 'D' the former Mansfield ace curles a vicious free-kick round the wall and into the top left corner of Wrexham's net to win Notts the game, and he celebrates in style too, with a 'Klinsmann' dive in front of a delighted Z-Block.

Goal D

CRAIG LINDFIELD v Accrington, Fraser Eagle Stadium, November 3 ,2007

The Liverpool loanee took just 23 minutes to mark his Magpies debut before introducing himself in some style.

His goal, which was later added to by Lawrie Dudfield, paved the way for a second successive win just three games into McParland's tenure, and Notts' first away win of the season.

Lee Canoville launches the ball forward with Dudfield bringing it down under pressure and teeing up Lindfield who hits a stunning half volley that loops over the goalkeeper from just outside the area.

He never quite hit the heights again, and was back at his parent club within a month, but he had certainly made his impression.

Goal E

Gary Silk v Lincoln City, Sincil Bank, November 24, 2007

Employed in the holding midfield role, Silk roamed forward to devastating effect to draw Notts level in the second half of a game they went on to lose 2-1.

The Imps were bottom of the table at that point, but were good value for their win, even if Notts did take the games best goal.

It came shortly after half-time and after a good passing move through the midfield involving Myles Weston, MacKenzie and eventually Hector Sam, who
Silk... Hit a peach at Lincoln
feeds Silk on the edge of the area for him to brilliantly curl the ball past Ben Smith and into the bottom corner of the net.

It was some strike by Silk, using the inside of his boot and leaving the keeper with no chance.

Goal F

NEIL MACKENZIE v Shrewsbury, Meadow Lane, December 8, 2007

Almost a carbon copy of his Wrexham winner, MacKenzie did it again to earn Notts another precious three points.

With the scores at 1-1 and fifteen minutes left, Dudfield wins Notts a free-kick on the edge of the area, and up steps substitute MacKenzie to again save the Magpies.

A little further right than the Wrexham one, but with the same result, a whipped effort into the top left corner of the Shrews goal. Exquisite.

Goal G

RICHARD BUTCHER v Morecambe, Christie Park, January 26, 2007

Of his impressive 11-goal haul, Butcher didn't notch a bad goal and it has been difficult to choose his best.

However, this and Goal H are perhaps a little better than the rest.

Butcher opened the scoring against the Shrimps in the 28th minute completely out of nowhere to at that point loop in his ninth of a superb
Butcher... Several impressive strikes
campaign.

After a hopeful punt from the Notts defence, Morecambe's defence fails to deal with it and the lurking Butcher picks it up some 25-yards out to lob the ball expertly over the 'keeper and into the top left corner of his goal.

Goal H

RICHARD BUTCHER v Macclesfield, Moss Rose, March 1, 2008

In a crucial game at the bottom of League Two, the former Lincoln City midfielder again came up trumps with a stunning goal against Macc who had Keith Alexander, Butcher's former manager, in charge for the first time.

With the Magpies 1-0 down from the first half, Michael Johnson on his second Notts debut clears his lines at the back with Butcher getting on the end of it.

The summer signing turns his marker before looping over the keeper brilliantly, with a similar technique to the goal at Morecambe, but this time from a more acute angle.

With just 20 minutes remaining, it saves Notts a vital point and keeps his impressive tally going.

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