First away win since March sends Notts off the bottom

Last updated : 13 September 2003 By Richard Brown

Back with a Bang
A game that might not have happened at all probably won’t be remembered for the attractive play that was displayed. It will probably not be remembered for the fact that it was the Magpies first win at Saltergate for 17 years – when the likes of Dean Yates was the commanding force at the heart of defence. However, it may well be remembered in the short term for the relief it brought to the travelling Notts faithful who witnessed the first clean-sheet AND first victory on the road since that memorable day at Ninian Park in early March 2003.


Notts pressured Chesterfield right from the off, causing the Sprieites to concede 3 corners in quick succession each, each taken by Darren Caskey and each coming to nothing.


Mark Stallard soon made his presence known to non-too-popular Carl Muggleton when the
Derby born striker cheekily nicked a header from the [two handed might I add] grasp of the stocky shot stopper.


Between the two sides it appeared that Magpies looked far more threatening than their Derbyshire counterparts as they continuously forced the blue’s defenders to make rash decisions on their behalfs as they illustrated their inability to cope with the partnership of Clive Platt and Mark Stallard.


Steve Mildenhall was the first of the two ‘keeper’s to be tested, when the former Swindon Town goalkeeper palmed away Mark DeBolla effort from 20 yards out.


Chesterfield’s Mark Hudson was adjudged to have infringed upon Mark Stallard on the 25 minute mark, therefore finding himself with a booking from referee, R.J.Oliver -who was having a hard time of establishing an understanding with his linesmen.


Chesterfield then found themselves beginning to create some confidence amongst their ranks when Mark Hudson and Caleb Folan found their efforts blocked by Ian Baraclough and Steve Jenkins respectively.


Looked solid at the back
Spireites striker, Caleb Folan, followed team-mate Mark Hudson into the book when he fouled loan defender, Danny Livesey, on the 29 minute mark.

The Magpies so very nearly found themselves ahead on the half-hour when a pin-point pass from Mark Stallard led to Simon Baldry nipping past a defender before, somehow, managing to scuff his shot over the cross-bar from close range.


On 38 minutes, Stallard found his cross blocked by Nottingham Forest’s Michael Dawson’s older brother, Kevin. The resulting Darren Caskey corner picked out Ian Richardson at the far post – but ‘Richo’ failed to keep his header on target as it sailed wide of Muggleton’s left-hand upright.


Mark DeBolla was the next person to test Steve Mildenhall’s wits when a volley from no more than 6-yards out was plucked from the air with considerate ease from the big man.


HALF TIME: Chesterfield 0-0 NOTTS COUNTY


Whatever Billy Dearden had said to his side during the break had clearly sparked fight amongst the Notts line-up as they came out after the break looking like a side with a real attacking proficiency. Their offensive approach nearly paved the way for the Magpies to go one up straight after the break when a Mark Stallard cross drifted kindly into the area, only to be cleared by Chesterfield’s Ian Evatt.


Bolland proved to be the decisive factor today.
However, when their break finally, on 48 minutes, did come it proved to be Mark Stallard who was influential once again. Paul Bolland tackled well in the heart of midfield before releasing ‘Stal’ off down the right wing, meanwhile Paul Bolland continued his run along with Clive Platt. Stallard glanced the ball across the face of goal, a ball which fell kindly for Paul Bolland to put the Magpies in front in a game for the first time since May.,


Notts then opted to defend their lead, much like the Arsenal side of times gone by, to such an extent that Stallard tracked back to clear an Alan O’Hare cross.


However, clearly not content by simply defending a one-nil’ lead the Magpies piled forward once more as winger Simon Baldry, who was strangely being played wide-left instead of his more familiar wide-right position, again silently nipped into the area to fire at goal – only to see his shot caught by an appreciative Paul Muggleton.

Paul Bolland once again carved himself out with half a chance after what he described “a rush of blood to the head” came over him as he struck a somewhat ambitious effort against Ian Evatt after 66 minutes.


Then 79 minutes into his Chesterfield debut, Charlton’s Mark DeBolla saw his three-month loan end in an instance after landing funny on his knee causing, what NCM believe to be a serious degree of knee ligament damage – an injury that must surely coincide with the termination of his contract with the Derbyshire club.


Steve Mildenhall was once again on hand to prevent 2 potential match levellers from Chris Brandon.


The wailing ‘Man of the Hour’ Paul Bolland was then substituted towards the end to a standing ovation from the Notts fans as Michael Brough entered the fray following serving international duties with the Welsh under-21 side.


FULL TIME: Chesterfield 0-1 NOTTS COUNTY


And as the assembly of Chesterfield fans ran dry, the cry of ‘County…County…County’ reigned supreme.


All in all a good day for the Magpies, giving the supporters a glimmer of hope before the Tuesday night against Rushden & Diamonds [H].

Match Ratings to follow.