KP the hero as Magpies play out 0-0 ‘stalemate’

Last updated : 07 August 2005 By Richard Brown

Welcome back. Ninety-one days, an international manager, five new signings, six friendlies and a little-known Singapore International later and the new season is here. The Ice Age has begun.

After less than three months in the job, Gudjon Thordarson – along with new assistant, Ross McClaren – has spend little time in placing his rubber stamp on his newly acquired squad. Of the starting XI, Gudjon handed debuts to Kevin Pilkington, Dan Martin, Brian O’Callaghan and Lewis McMahon - all of whom rushed through the revolving doors of the ‘Lane over the summer - with fellow new-boys Andy White and Jake Sheridan perhaps unlucky to be named on the bench.

KP: Old safe hands
Straight from kick-off Torquay attacked and those oh so painful memories of last season came flooding back.

The Magpies’ defence – as was the case for much of the rest of the encounter, however – looked uncompromising. One hoof from the defence, and the danger was clear. Simple.

From those hoof’s, however, was a far more thought-out game plan. Whilst going forward the Magpies often look somewhat misguided, from a defensive mindset, Notts looked beautifully effective.
 
No inch of the pitch was left untouched, the midfield looked lively with McMahon and Mike Edwards two bustling figures at the heart of the field, the defence just as solid and the goalkeeping up to a typically high-standard.

David Pipe and McMahon both had shots well saved early in the first half, as Notts scarcely managed to muster up more than a half-chance during the opening exchanges.

Torquay, however, looked shaky, yet still the more likely a side to break the deadlock.

Although just a slight figure in the Gulls’ frontline, Jo Kuffour – standing at just 5"7 – proved a massive handful for the Magpies defence, though he proved a smaller problem for the immense figure of Pilkington between the Magpies sticks.

Twice Kuffour set his sights on goal in one-on-one situations, and twice Pilkington prevailed. The former Mansfield shot-stopper spreading his body to close down the former Arsenal trainee’s target.

The 31-year old’s debut was helped on by a few nothing short of miraculous saves, one to claw the ball wide of the post with both hands and another to single-handedly force another wide before half-time was even on the horizon. Saul who?

With less than half an hour played, Torquay strangely made a double switch for tactical reason. Gudjon’s plan to stop the opposition playing was in full swing.

A Kelvin Wilson header from the lively Chrissy Palmer’s cross forced the, ahem, Man of the Match Andy Marriott into a relatively simple save prior to the break. The ball was subsequently cleared, and the danger – and indeed the half – passed by without either of the respective sides’ defences having been breached.

Half time: Torquay United 0-0 NOTTS COUNTY

Regardless of the void of a score-line at half-time, the game was a highly competitive one, with some vicious tackles beginning to fly in. Edwards – returning for his first competitive game since injury – was on the receiving end of a particularly vicious tackle, with the sickening slapping of shinpads only adding to the all-round malice of the challenge.

The second half started in similar fashion, with some frantic if unattractive football being played. A half-time stalemate, however, against a newly relegated side is nothing to be ashamed of at this stage in the season. Don’t panic.

Dan 'Dean' Martin: Impressive
Perhaps the description of a ‘stalemate’, however, offered little reflection on the flurry of chances that were created, and subsequently squandered.

The lively Steve Scoffham – brimming with confidence and passion, as ever – burst through the Torquay rearguard only to see his shot agonisingly across goal and thus wide of the mark.
 
A fete the equally active Palmer had staged just moments prior to Scoffham’s surge into the box.

Palmer, unlike Scoffham, however, was on the end of many a chance on the south coast as his mazy run-and-shoot routines caused many a problem, as the former Derby man cut in from the left wing with some conviction.

Countless times the nippy winger cut in from the flanks to produce some stinging shots on goal, however, as was true at the other end of the field, the opening day was to be one for the goalkeepers, as former Forest man Andy Marriott proved worthy of the challenge.

Shortly after the goal-mouth action, and Sheridan – signed on a free transfer just days prior to the opening fixture – and, later, White were introduced with hope of spicing up the encounter further.

Within minutes of his introduction, the former Crewe striker White so very nearly crashed home an opener, although his shot was – like many of his team mates who went before him – saved in some style by Forest reject Marriott, with the 708 travelling Magpies die-hards were only too willing to remind him of his former employment on ‘the other side’.

And whilst the goals were scarce, drama and action – and even blood and gore – proved anything but.

30-yards away from goal and striker Scoffham could – with the kind of luck he has been experiencing over the last 18 months – so easily have had his leg broken for a third time after being on the wrong end of a two-footed challenge.

Rightfully so, the offender – 28th minute substitute Tony Bedeau – was to be given his marching orders by the inconsistent match referee.

Another of the Frenchman’s team-mates Darren Garner could oh so easily have suffered the same fate moments later, but the referee decided only to book the Torquay man, surely leaving Bedeau to wonder just how his tackle was worse.

For the safety of the players more than anything, the final whistle blew. No legs broken, no pride lost. The new season is here.

Full time: Torquay United 0-0 NOTTS COUNTY

As soon as the final whistle was over, a rousing applause from the whole Magpies faithful was directed pitch-bound in appreciation of the performance, whilst the players returned the gesture.
 
Whilst the Magpies were to travel home with one point instead of the preferable three, the beginning of something beautiful was born on a cloudy day on the south coast yesterday,

That’s stability, folks, and it’s a beautiful, beautiful thing.

For a comprehensive reflection on player ratings, as well as further reaction from the season’s opener, be sure to check back to NCM over the coming days.