Nine man Notts secure 3 points

Last updated : 20 August 2014 By Thomas Pritchard

Notts were looking to bounce back after a lacklustre showing against Fleetwood at the weekend, with Derry making two changes to the side from the weekend – bringing in both Ismail and left-back Keane for Dawson and the injured Adams. Neither team had won a game so far this season and having defeated Colchester 4-0 and 2-0 last season this seemed as good an opportunity as any.

Notts started on the front foot and the first chance of the evening came their way after Ismail was bundled down.  The free-kick was played quickly to Wroe, and his low shot forced Walker to make a good save down to the keeper’s left. The strong start paid dividence as early as the 7th minute with Murray latching onto a mishit Wroe shot and diverting the ball past Walker to send Notts into a 1-0 lead.

Colchester looked to hit back, and started to trouble Notts with both Ibehre and youngster Dominic Vose causing problems for the Magpies backline. Colchester should have been level when the two combined, with Ibehre heading over from Vose’s cross when he should have at least been hitting the target.

Notts then had Roy Carroll to thank for keeping the scores level as Ibehre broke through the defence after latching on to a smart ball, but found the Northern-Irish keeper in a resilient mood and saw his one-on-one shot saved brilliantly. Colchester saw more good chances come and go with Bean and Ibehre being denied again by Carroll, whilst at the other end a half-chance for Cassidy came to nothing after a good advantage by the referee saw him fizz his shot across goal and out for a throw-in.

Just before the break, Keane was booked for hauling down an advancing Sears - which would later prove costly for the Magpies full-back.

Notts went into the break one goal to the good, thanks to keeper Roy Carroll and they would have him to thank again in the second-half as well as some wayward finishing by Colchester.

After a tight start to the second-half, it was Colchester who forged the first meaningful opportunity as Freddy Sears found himself with a yard of space in the box, but with the goal at his mercy he fired his shot straight at the grateful Roy Carroll.

Ismail then had Colcester right-back Gordon retreating, tying the defender in knots as he advanced into the area before blazing his shot wide, with Murray and Cassidy well placed in the middle.

Alex Gilbey then saw his beautifully struck shot fly just wide to the relief of all Notts fans, but Colchester were soon level as Sears found himself in front of the Notts goal once more, resisting the pressure from Hollis and slotting the ball under Carroll to draw the game level in the 69th minute. Remonstrations from Derry, who thought the ball through to Sears was offside were deemed to be too vigorous by the referee and Derry was sent to the stands.

Whether Derry had managed to take his seat or not when Notts scored the second I don’t know, but it was a brilliant effort from Noble, curled magnificently into the top corner to instantly restore the one goal lead.

The game was suddenly thrown into the balance once more, as Keane saw a second yellow card for a foul on Ibehre. Notts were having to withstand heavy Colchester pressure with the only respite coming from Cassidy making the ball stick up top. It was on one of these occasions which saw Wroe stray offside, and with the whistle gone Wroe decided to shoot anyway (if you’re going to get sent-off for kicking the ball away it may as well be a 25 yard lob) and the referee produced a second yellow card which saw Notts reduced to 9 men as the game approached the 90 minute mark.

In and amongst all of this I remember a brilliant challenge from Mullins in the box when Colchester looked to be through once more. Carroll wasn’t forced into another brilliant save – as Colchester flung the ball into the box and shot from all angles in a desperate attempt to break down the nine men. It felt like an eternity

But after 6 minutes of stoppage time, the referee finally blew the full-time whistle and Notts had secured their first 3 points of the season and in typical Notts fashion – they didn’t make it easy to watch.

MotM – without doubt Roy Carroll, if you thought Bialkowski was a good shot stopper – watch this guy. He also has the added bonus of being able to command his box and seems to be the best summer signing so far (what do Ladbrokes know, eh?).