November Review

Last updated : 11 December 2009 By Tom Pritchard

November was a good month for Notts if you endorse cup runs and not so good if you think the league is a priority. Notts picked up 2 points from a possible 9 in November. The month opened with the F.A Cup game against Bradford - Hans Backe's first taste of F.A Cup action. Notts strolled to a 2-1 win and in all fairness the margain should have been much wider. Karl Hawley scored in stoppage time at the end of the first half and Johnnie Jackson doubled the lead at the beginning of the second with a brilliantly crafted solo effort.

Notts' first league game of November saw them take on Bury at Gigg Lane. It was horrendous conditions for a football match which saw the right side of the pitch resemble a battlefield trench. Notts had Ben Davies, Johnnie Jackson & Daniel Jones all missing through either illness or injury. The game itself was possibly the most entertaining spectacle I've witnessed this season. Notts went 2-0 down thanks to some lacklustre organisation at the back and good work between Danny Nardiello and Andy Morrell. However, Lee Hughes bagged a brace to open his away goals account for the season to get Notts back on level terms. Notts were fortunate to go in level at the break as Nardiello knocked the ball past Lee before placing the ball under Kasper Schmiechel but somehow much to the Notts fans amusement and relief - the ball got stuck in a mud patch and kept us level. Bury then poked their noses in front from a long range effort before Ritchie blasted in from close range to bring the scoring to a close. Only a fantastic save from Wayne Brown in the Bury goal stopped a fantastic Lee Hughes effort from close range. The notorious Bury aggro were out in force resulting in the Notts fans being kept back for 10 minutes after the game for "safety reasons". Right-o.

Notts then 'entertained' Aldershot. A disappointing 0-0 draw which as the saying goes "lots of foreplay and no penetration". Which roughly translates to Notts passing it about lots in their own half and then not having the quality to break down the 10 man Aldershot defence. An instantly forgettable game.

The following Tuesday, Notts went to Spotland to play fellow promotion hopefuls Rochdale. After a fortunate own goal against the run of play somewhat Notts took the lead and looked like they would head into half-time with the upper-hand. This was until a dubious penalty decision against Jamie Clapham was awarded which Chris Dagnall converted. Then a comedic moment at the back (not very funny for the travelling support) saw Lee and Hunt collide and saw former Notts loanee Chris(t I can't believe he looks like a footballer) O'Grady gather the ball and put the Dale in the lead. Notts battled in the second half and but for a close range miss in the dying minutes by Ade Akinbiyi Notts would have came away with their third draw in November.

Notts then visited the Cherries at the 'Fitness First Stadium' for the second round F.A Cup tie. Bournemouth were undefeated in November and were top of the pile in the league and after Notts' blip you would have put your money on the Cherries; especially after hitman Brett Pitman but them in the lead. But Lee Hughes and Craig Westcarr both scored second half goals to ensure Notts were in the 3rd round draw.

Goals Scored in November: 8 (1 failed to score)

Goals Conceded in November: 8 (1 clean sheet)

Top Scorer for November: Lee Hughes: 3 goals

Most assists in November: Matt Ritche: 3 assists

  • Notts were drawn against Forest ... Green Rovers at home which will be played on Sunday January 3rd at 3pm.
  • Notts are travelling down to Bournemouth again on Monday 21st December - a game which is live on Sky television.