Before this week's report of the win at Hereford United i've got a quick apology to make. Sorry, but this will be the first report i've had to do that only involves the action in half of the pitch, such was the view in the away terrace at Edgar Street. The events on the near touchline and particularly the two corners remain a complete mystery to me and anyone who didn't get a place down at the front in the rain. Anyway, for this away trip Hans Backe once again shuffled his pack, with Neal Bishop returning to the side after missing Tuesday's win and Mike Edwards returning to partner Graeme Lee at the back. The hosts lined up in a peculiar 5-4-1 formation, with ex-Notts loanee Nathaniel Wedderburn charged with dominating the centre of the park along with Jordon Mutch. The Bulls were looking to preserve a proud home record that had seen only Bury come away from Edgar Street with three points way back in August.
The Magpies started on the front foot and were playing some neat football around their hosts, although Craig Westcarr wasted the first real opening. Luke Rodgers' well timed run allowed him to cross for Jamie Clapham, but his knock down could only be hit tamely at goal by Westcarr, allowing for a comfortable save from Adam Bartlett. This early dominance counted for very little though as the hosts were awarded a penalty with their first meaningful foray into Notts territory mid-way through the half. A long ball over the top was chatastrophically left by Graeme Lee, due to a communication mishap it later emerged, allowing Marc Pugh a free run on goal. He tried to round Kasper Schmeichel and was clattered by the Dane in the process, leaving a pretty simple decision for the referee. The home fans demanded a sending off for the Notts stopper, but with the ball running away from Pugh it would've been harsh to adjudge it a clear goalscoring opportunity. Schmeichel was to redeem himself too as Ryan Valentine's poor spot kick was parried to safety for Schmeichel's second penalty save of the season.
This gave Notts a boost and within ten minutes they took the lead as Craig Westcarr continued his impressive goalscoring form. Graeme Lee's ball forward caused havoc in the home defence and Lee Hughes brought it down and seemed to be about to tap it home, only for Westcarr to steal in and stab the ball past Bartlett from close range to give the Magpies the lead. The Bulls thought they'd equalised almost immediately as a teasing set piece was headed into his own net by Mike Edwards under huge pressure from two Hereford forwards, but they were both adjudged to be offside and the goal was disallowed. Luke Rodgers nearly doubled the lead on the stroke of half time as Westcarr's clever backheel in the area allowed the striker an effort, but he dragged a poor shot wide of the far post.
The second half started without much goalmouth action, but with the first chance Notts were able to double their lead through Edwards' knee. Ben Davies whipped in a delicious free kick which Edwards managed to divert past Bartlett and into the corner with his left knee to claim his second goal of the season. With Ricky Ravenhill, Notts' best player on the day, lying stricken by a late challenge, Hereford did nearly claw their way back into the game. A long ball forward by Keith Lowe was well controlled by Pugh who once again found himself baring down on Schmeichel, but this time as Pugh tried to round him the big Dane managed to stick out a hand and grab the ball as it seemed certain Pugh would halve the defecit. The last meaninful effort came from Jamie Clapham, who's well struck free kick from the edge of the box brought the very best out of Bartlett, as Notts played out the final moments of a fairly routine win in which they'd restricted the hosts to just one shot on target - and a penalty at that. It all bodes well for next week's home game against Accrington Stanley, which Hans Backe's side must be confident of securing three points from.
Notts Co - Schmeichel, Moloney, Edwards, Lee, Clapham, Davies, Ravenhill, Bishop, Westcarr (Hamshaw), Hughes, Rodgers (Hawley)
Hereford United 0
Notts County 2 (Westcarr '31, Edwards '51)