The Magpies started immediately gained command and passed the ball incisively in the midfield with Ben Davies, Ricky Ravenhill and Neal Bishop combining well. A through ball from Bishop put Westcarr away for the first opening of the match but the former Kettering man angled a shot just wide of the post, Sean Canham was the next to come close but he was unable to get enough of a connection with his head after a fine Westcarr cross. Those two were causing all the problems however and it was they who combined to give Notts the lead after thirteen minutes. Brendon Moloney and Westcarr linked well down the right before Westcarr's cross was expertly flicked home by Sean Canham.
It was Canham who turned provider for the second goal, when Luke Rodgers' attempted cross looped off a defender to the far post, Canham nodded the ball back into the path of Westcarr who turned it past the Arnold 'keeper to double County's advantage. Ricky Ravenhill was the next to try and get in on the act, but his spectacular 35 yard effort clipped one of his own teammates and flew just past the post, before Neal Bishop's acrobatic volley was clawed away by the Arnold goalkeeper. Mike Edwards then missed a gilt edged chance to make it 3-0 but he headed over at the far post when it seemed easier to score.
The magpies didn't have to wait long for their third goal however, as Luke Rodgers broke away down the left and cannoned a low cross into the box that deflected into the path of Sean Canham who tucked it away for his second goal of the night. Rodgers himself then got in on the act as he chased down a long ball before finding himself one-on-one with final town defender, who he beat superbly before calmly slotting the ball hoe with his left foot. Just before the half-time break the Magpies were able to add a 5th, as Jamie Clapham broke into the Arnold box and fired a low ball across which was turned into his own net by unfortunate Eagles defender Chris Hudson.
After a handful of changes at the break Notts re-emerged for the second half and quickly got back on the goal trail, as Craig Westcarr got his second of the night as he deftly lifted the ball over the onrushing 'keeper after being smartly played in. Substitute Ben Fairclough worked hard down the Notts right and his pace often trouble the Arnold defence, although after making himself an opening he could only a scuff a left footed shot wide. Delroy Facey carried on where he left off also, chesting down a deep cross only to stab the ball over the bar from point blank range. He did show an excellent turn of pace to get away down the left however, and pulled the ball back for Ben Davies who twisted and turned past three defenders but saw his shot cleared off the line after it had evaded the Arnold goalkeeper.
Facey's efforts to get in the scoresheet continued to be blighted as he failed to connect with a quickly taken Westcarr free kick, and Westcarr himself couldn't find his hat-trick goal as he saw a low shot from the edge of the box smartly saved. Notts were able to add a sixth however as Ben Davies, who had earlier had a penalty shout turned down, was tripped in the box. He dusted himself down and smacked the resulting penalty into the top corner, despite the Arnold stopper getting his fingertips to it. The only sour note for the Magpies came late on, with midfielder Ricky Ravenhill being carried off after a late tackle, Ravenhill could be seen to have a large cut just under his knee and re-emerged from the dugout bandaged up at full time, and limping gingerly. Matt Hamshaw and Stephen Hunt also missed the game with knocks, while the Magpies fielded two unidentified trialists in the second half.
Notts First Half
Hoult
Moloney Thompson Edwards Clapham
Westcarr Ravenhill Bishop Davies
Canham Rodgers
Notts Second Half
Pilkington
Thompson (Trialist) Lee Edwards Clapham
Fairclough Ravenhill Bishop (Trialist) Davies
Facey Westcarr