A beautiful spring day at Sixfields yesterday saw many things that haven't regularly happened this season, for a start most of the crowd were wandering round in nothing more than a t-shirt and the sun shone down on Northampton on an extremely pleasant afternoon. Secondly, Notts found themselves thoroughly outplayed by the best opposition side they have faced this season, but more about the game later.
Another away following that broke the 1,000 barrier mingled happily before the game as Notts looked to take their biggest step yet to automatic promotion, safe in the knowledge that three points at Sixfields would see them have three games in which to clinch a mathematical return to the third tier. In fact, strolling up the massive hill that overlooks the Cobblers' ground, you could be mistaken for thinking it was a home game for Notts such was the amount of black and white shirts walking around compared to the claret of the hosts. A couple of pre-match drinks were swiftly consumed by NCM in a bowling alley, with the idea of trying to get to the bar in either of the actual pubs near Sixfields seeming like a bad one. It's not a bad little ground, but the surroundings leave a lot to be desired and, like at Shrewsbury, it left us pretty thankful that Meadow Lane is located where it is, rather than on an out of town retail park where the best pre-match activity is aimlessly strolling round an oversized supermarket.
We strolled into the South Stand at ten to three and set about the difficult task of finding a seat, with the system for all ticket games of sitting where you're allocated having descended into chaos as ever. The stewards weren't happy with us standing on the stairs, but finally two seats together were located and we settled down for the first half. Notts' only changed saw the return of John Thompson at right back, replacing Jamie Clapham, whilst the hosts saw top scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa ruled out through injury. NCM felt this may be bad news though as it saw the pacy Billy McKay start alongside Steve Guinan, who has based his career around scoring past Notts. This concern seemed justified as Guinan had the first chance of the match when home grown midfielder Ryan Gilligan slipped him in behind a static Notts defence, but Kasper Schmeichel stood tall and big and was able to thwart the experienced forward with a fine save.
This failed to wake up the Magpies though and the Cobblers began to dominate the game, causing particular problems with the superb set piece delivery of Luke Guttridge. We still don't understand how one of these didn't end up in the back of the net as it fell to Dean Beckwith, but a combination of Schmeichel and Ben Davies were able to clear the ball off the line. Another Guttridge delivery caused chaos soon after and Guinan got his head to it, but the ball flashed just wide of the far post. In truth, the Magpies were overwhelmed by their hosts in the first period and when the half time whistle blew it was to huge relief, such was the domination of the Cobblers in the first period.
However, Steve Cotterill can currently do no wrong and whatever he said to the players at half time had an instant effect. Lee Hughes forced Craig Hinton into a terrible clearance within two minutes and the ball fell to Ben Davies, who slid it past Jason Steele with his left foot to give the Magpies an entirely undeserved lead with their first worthwhile effort. They nearly threw this away immediately though as a dangerous cross was only half cleared by Schmeichel and Guttridge fired it back in past the Danish 'keeper, it appeared to be going in but Graeme Lee appeared out of nowhere to hack the ball off the line and retain Notts' lead. The Cobblers continued to dominate the game but Notts were now creating chances and Hughes nearly doubled the lead when he headed a Ben Davies free kick narrowly wide of the post.
Another rare moment was to be seen next as Hughes missed an absolute sitter. Half time substitute Delroy Facey sent in a teasing cross and, from no more than two yards, Hughes saw his header brilliantly saved by Jason Steele, who got up to smother the rebound. This nearly cost Notts as Mike Edwards was the next to be called into clearing the ball off the line. Davies forced another fine save out of Steele on the break but the hosts laid siege to the Notts goal in the final ten minutes, but another immense defensive performance sealed a sixth straight clean sheet and a tenth in eleven for Notts. The 'p' word has been off limits all season for NCM, but three points against Lincoln City on Tuesday and Notts will be, to all intents and purposes, promoted.