Stuart Garden : 7 – Ther Scotsman’s first full 90 minutes in the action since August was a fairly successful one, not at fault for the three goals and should be seeing a lot more of him over the coming weeks : much to the discomfort of Saul Deeney.
Paul Boertien : See
Ian Richardson – 6 – Must be considering buying a set of rugby studs as he lost his footing on numerous occasions – sending the travelling Notts contingent’s hearts into their mouths. But apart from that, a fairly solid display as he continues to improve into his senior years. A fairly decent goal too.
Nicky Fenton – 6 – At times was back to his old-self; winning headers left, right and centre and helping lead the Notts line. But he still has a LONG was to go before the real Nicky Fenton returns. But I stand to be corrected.
David Pipe – 6.5 – His over eagerness nearly cost us as he attempted an audacious piece of skill inside his own half. However he again looked composed even on the right side of midfield.
Kevin Nicholson – 5.5 – Is not a wing-back for sure! But on the left side of midfield, he seemed a little less shaky as maybe the weight of the defending the flanks as a wing-back were somewhat relieved.
Ian Baraclough – 6 – The words ‘grit’ and ‘determination’ typify the one we know as Bara. As an individual his talent looks limited, but with players around him he turns into a different player all together. Still not sure which position suits him best, though.
Darren Caskey – 6 – Apparently was our best player and shouldn’t have been taken off. I wasn’t convinced however. Although a generally overrated player, Caskey played his part today and spread the play beautifully. Won the odd tackle too.
Fraser McHugh – 6 – ‘Average’ pretty much summed his performance up – but since when has it been bad to be ‘average’? Not a right winger by any means though and would have been more comfortable in the centre. But Sir Gary knows his stuff and didn’t bring him here for nothing.
Andy Parkinson – 7 – Pretty much trodden into the ground with Clarke Carlisle breathing down his neck, but when moved to the left wing, he flourished. He cut inside, made runs down the wings, brought Bara into the attacks and scored one – although its path towards goal was…fortunate.
Paul Heffernan – 6 – Was slaughtered by Rs’ two big centre-backs and his time on the ball was short and hard to come by. But Heff made his way back to aid the midfield and yet again showed his ever-growing potential to shine.
Subs used:
Shaun Harrad (Darren Caskey ’61) – 6/7 – played his part in Parkinson’s goal, he SAT on the ball! But seriously, he looks to be another Paul Heffernan in his own right and the prospect of two Paul Heffernan’s is mouth-watering.
Paul Bolland (Nicholson ’61) – 6 – To be brutally honest, I cannot remember his contributions – but on the other hand he did nothing wrong.
Subs not used: Deeney [gk], McGoldrick and Friars.
Star Man: Paul Boertien – 8 – His first-half performance set himself ahead of the rest of the pack as his raw talent began to shine through in a scrappy encounter where the football was far from pretty. His second half show was a measure behind the first, but still acceptable considering he was very much out of position at right-back. Definitely needs to work on his clearances though.