Bury v Notts... BIG match preview

Last updated : 04 April 2008 By Paul Smith
It is all kicking off down at the bottom of League Two with enough teams still left in the battle to stay up thanks to Mansfield's battling win at Wrexham in midweek.

If Notts could eek out a win at Gigg Lane, a happy hunting ground in recent
Gigg Lane... Ready for Notts test
years, then it could look all rosy again, after a week in which things haven't gone as anticipated.

Goals continue to be a huge problem, and it is about time the forwards started earning their wages.

Draws are no good, and if you don't score then you can't win football matches.

Bury are in great form and have been almost as good as Notts at the back in recent weeks. The difference? They also have strikers who score.

Weston... Back in contention
Come on Notts, we have the ability to go on a run just like Bury, and they are well out of trouble now.

Team news

Notts
- Gavin Strachan is almost certain to miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in the reserves' midweek defeat to Chesterfield. Myles Weston and Lawrie Dudfield are back in the squad. Kevin Pilkington is out, while Ali Gibb is doubtful.

Bury - Paul Scott is suspended but there is a welcome return for dexperienced defenders Paul Morgan and Dave Challinor.

Form guide

Notts
- In the seven March matches, Notts were defeated just once, drawing five and also winning just once. The current run is four unbeaten, while away from home, Notts haven't lost in seven, although six of them were draws.

Bury - The Shakers had an incredibly busy March, in which they won five of their eight games to move comfortably away from relegation danger. They go into the game with back to back wins, unbeaten in three. At home, Bury have won their last three. They are up to 14th in the table, eight points above Notts.

Last time out

Notts County 1-3 Bury, October 13, 2007, Meadow Lane

Notts slumped to a poor defeat in what turned out to be the final game of Steve Thompson's tumultuous reign.

Following the concession of the final goal in the 90th minute, a huge 'Thommo
Thompson... Last game in reverse
out' banner was unfurled in front of him in the Jimmy Sirrel Stand, and it did the trick with Thompson fired just two days later.

It was also the first debut for current misfiring Danny Crow who went off on the hour with an injury that kept him out of action until his february return.

The Shakers took the lead after a fine finsih from Steve Haslam on 35 minutes, after Glynn Hurst had one ruled out for offside.

But after the lively Crow was sent down in the box on 64, a challenge that saw a handball and ended with Crow stretchered off, Neil MacKenzie restored parity from the spot, Notts' only penalty kick so far this season.

But Bury restored their lead just three minutes later as full-back Paul Scott roamed forwards and slotted past a motionless Pilkington.

The win was secured for the visitors in the final minute as Adam Tann foolishly held onto Hurst in the box, and Nicky Adams slotted in the penalty.

Key men

Notts
- Michael Johnson is currently running away with the player of the month voting for March, and he will be a huge asset again for Notts at Gigg Lane.

The on loan Derby man has been in superb form ever since he returned and is clearly a class above at this level.

'Johnno' will once again be called to be at his very best at Bury, with the Shakers very impressive at home currently.

Providing he continues his recent form, nobody could bet against another Notts clean sheet, he is that good.

Pacey, calm, experienced and strong, Johnson epitomises all that is needed from Notts to move away from trouble.

Bury - You simply cannot look any further than prolific marksman Andy
Bishop
who has hit the 20 goal mark for the third successive season.

The first of those came for York City, and now in two seasons for bury he has netted over 40 goals - in a side that has struggled for most of that time.

He is a master finisher, and a huge danger to Notts' record of five clean sheets in six.

Has to bewatched extremely closely for Notts to stand a chance.

With Notts unlikely to score one, let alone two, a clean sheet is seemingly a must once again, and Bishop is the man that needs stopping more than anyone with his coolness in the box, and direct running.

One of the finest strikers in League Two.

Big battle

It could easily have been Johnson against Bishop, but they are so key they had to be named key men.

Instead it is the other end of the pitch where Bury have been excellent recently, in defence, and Notts have been so poor, in attack.

Notts have managed just one goal in the last six games, and that from a defender, with the current preferred strike partnership of Crow and Ryan Jarvis having gone eight and seven games respectively without a goal.

That means one of them has to start soon, and the smart money would be on
Crow given his better pedigree and decent showing last week.

He will have to get the better of the giant Ben Futcher, who has been dominant and ever improving for the Shakers as the season has gone on.

That means Crow will need the ball playing to feet, and he can do damage in that area.

He must take his chances.

Possible line-ups

Notts (4-4-2)
- Russell Hoult; Adam Tann, Mike Edwards, Michael Johnson, Paul Mayo; Richard Butcher, Jay Smith, Gary Silk, Wayne Corden; Danny Crow, Ryan Jarvis.

Bury (4-4-2) - Darren Randolph; Steven Haslam, Ben Futcher, Efe Sodje, David Buchanan; Elliot Bennet, Andy Parrish, Brian Barry-Murphy, Nicky Adams; Andy Bishop, Adam Rooney.

Prediction

I fancy a Notts win - I have that feeling. Foolish? Maybe, but the heart rules this time. 0-1, Crow.