Pre-Season Summary
Notts struggled in pre-season against the tougher opposition, not helped by the loss of key striker Jimmy Spencer in the opening friendly. The losses against Birmingham and Derby won't have come as a surprise to most, but a first-team side lost 1-0 away to Halifax and also failed to beat Nuneaton, drawing 0-0. The victory against Osasuna whet the appetite for the season as late signing Gary Jones helped himself to a goal and an assist which you can see below. Notts also dispatched Arnold, Carlton and Rolls Royce based in Hucknall - putting 4 past each of the local sides.
Overall Record
P 9 W 4 D 1 L 5 GF 16 GA 12 GD +4
The Matches
Arnold Town [East Midlands Counties League] (a) 4-0 – Murray (p), Trialist, Waite (2)
Attendance – 1,019
Match highlight – Jimmy Spencer injury resulting in the striker being ruled out for the season.
Mansfield Town [Sky Bet League 2] (a) 1-3 – McGowan
Attendance – 2231
Match highlight – Balmy the highlight of a poor performance from an experimental side with youth prospect Colby Bishop starting up front.
Nuneaton [Skrill Conference Premier] (a) 0-0
Attendance – 510
Match highlight - N/A
Rolls Royce Leisure [Nottinghamshire Senior League] (a) 4-1 – McGowan, Waite, Balmy (2)
Attendance – 302
Match highlight – youthful team including Derry ease to win, whilst Balmy continued his positive pre-season form.
Derby County [Sky Bet Championship] (h) 1-3 – Whitehouse
Attendance – 3235
Match highlight – Whitehouse opened the scoring with a vicious shot which went in off the underside of the bar (which you can see by clicking the scoreline) - a Chris Martin hat-trick with no reply saw Derby ease to a 3-1 win.
Carlton Town [Northern Premier League Division 1 South] (a) 4-0 – Wroe (2), Whitehouse (2)
Attendance – N/A
Match highlight – Mike Edwards pulled on the black and white stripes once more, as youth team graduate Andrews kept a clean sheet against local opposition.
Halifax Town [Skrill Conference Premier] (a) 0-1
Attendance – 720
Match highlight – Roy Carroll made his first appearance for the club in the narrow defeat.
Birmingham City [Sky Bet Championship] (h) 0-4
Attendance – 2016
Match highlight – Dumbuya made his first appearance of pre-season on his way back from injury – Derry criticised the performance of the team stating they must improve.
CA Osasuna [Liga Adelante] (h) 2-0 – Jones, Mullins
Attendance – 1114
Match highlight – Carroll made an outstanding double save, whilst experienced midfielder Gary Jones – formerly of Rochdale and Bradford scores a great volley and sets up Mullins for the header.