Home sweet home

Last updated : 26 September 2009 By Jacob Daniel
It was yet another happy return to Meadow Lane after a poor trip away for Notts County, as they comfortably saw off the challenge of Port Vale. Lee Hughes hit a brace and tried to claim a third (but it was an own goal!) and the Magpies could've hit a few more in an entertaining game against Micky Adams' side. Ian McParland made four changes from the side that were beaten at Morecambe, with new boy Daniel Jones, Ricky Ravenhill, Luke Rodgers and Mike Edwards coming into the starting line up. Vale lined up in a 3-5-2 formation, with Marc Richards and Lewis Haldane leading the line for the Valiants.

A floral tribute was laid in the centre circle prior to kick off to commemorate a year having passed since the passing of County legend Jimmy Sirrel, with this moment being given a healthy ovation from both sets of fans. The visitors were quickest out of the blocks and Kasper Schmeichel had to make a smart save from Tommy Fraser. Notts were able to regain their composure however and came forward well, with Ben Davies orchestrating play from the right side of midfield. It didn't take long for the opening goal to come, as Luke Rodgers won a corner amid slight suspicions of offside against his former club. A short corner routine caught the Vale rearguard out of position and Johnnie Jackson was able to clip in a cross which was headed into the bottom corner by the totally unmarked Lee Hughes to notch his 8th goal of the season, all of which have come at Meadow Lane.

Luke Rodgers worked incredibly hard upfront all game against the side who released him last season and he could've doubled the lead when he broke clear of the visiting defence, but he dragged a shot wide from a tight angle. Hughes also came close to adding to the Notts lead as he hooked a shot goalwards after a free kick, which looped just over the top of Chris Martin's goal. Notts seemed to have the game under control, but the Valiants were able to level against the run of play. Tommy Fraser took a quick free kick to release pacy forward Lewis Haldane, who got the better of John Thompson before going down in the box. Haldane appeared to have lost control of the ball when he went down, but the ref saw enough contact to award a penalty and Marc Richards stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom corner, just past the fingertips of Kasper Schmeichel. The Magpies were able to respond instantly however as they scored with the final kick of the half. Rodgers again broke in behind the Vale defence and was unceremoniously barged over by John McCombe and the ref pointed to the spot after a few seconds of deliberation. Hughes netted his third penalty of the season, smashing the ball down the middle, to send Notts in ahead at the break.

The game was effectively ended as a contest early in the second half as Ben Davies whipped in a free kick from the right flank which was turned past his own 'keeper by Vale defender Lee Collins, under heavy pressure from Hughes who tried to claim the goal for his third hat-trick of the season. Notts were comfortably after this and began to stroke the ball around midfield with confidence. Rodgers missed another chance to net against his old club, getting the better of the Vale defence but hitting a tame shot into the arms of Martin from a tight angle. Hughes got his head on a cross from Daniel Jones ahead of McCombe, but his headed floated narrowly past the post with Vale 'keeper well beaten.

Rodgers' last act was to head a Hughes cross over the bar when he should've done better, before he was replaced by Karl Hawley. Marc Richards should've cut the defecit with ten minutes remaining, but he headed wide of the post when he only had to get the ball on target to make the final few minutes interesting. Fraser had a long range shot which drifted over the top of Schmeichel's goal before Ben Davies hit a low shot from twenty five yards off the inside of the post in injury time, with substitute Delroy Facey firing the rebound over the bar from eight yards out. The ref blew up for full time and Notts confirmed their fourth win out of five at home this season to make it their best start at Meadow Lane since 1980. It will only be worth it if they can exocise the demons of midweek games and away games on Tuesday night though when the Magpies travel to Sincil Bank for a local derby against Lincoln City.