A no-score result could not personify County’s season better than yesterday’s drab 0-0 draw.
With little by way of football on show, as well as a distinct lack of muscle to influence proceedings, the Magpies were frustrated by Football League bottom-side, Cambridge United on the final day of the season yesterday.
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On the other hand, however, the Magpies can count themselves lucky that some lack-lustre defensive work wasn’t punished.
Whilst it was easy to see why the U’s were Conference-bound, it seemed, in patches, that there was precious little to choose between the two sides. A note that the club should seriously consider over the close season if they are to better this season’s nineteenth-place finish.
When Julien Baudet almost fired through his own net in the early stages, all the signs were in place for another shaky affair. And, as ever, the signs didn’t fail us…
Former Norwich-man, Iwan Roberts and Tesfaye Bramble both lashed efforts wide of goal early on without early response from the Magpies.
The dual efforts from the United’s husky strike-force sounded alarm bells in County ears, as the Magpies came to life after some shaky early dealings.
Mark Stallard – probably in his last Magpies game – burst through soon after, only for his effort to be well saved by Everton-bound ‘keeper John Ruddy.
The experienced front-man was twice, spectacularly denied by Ruddy, as well as Steve Scoffham rebounding a close range effort onto the cross-bar.
Later in the half, Tony Scully coursed some mazy runs through the middle, coming closest as Ruddy again denied the frustrated Magpies.
Whilst Notts pushed-on with some conviction, Cambridge reacted with little. Their attacks – whilst numerous – remained without real solution, as Warren Goodhind came closest to breaking the deadlock for United shortly before the break, only for Magpies ‘keeper, Saul Deeney to deny the U’s.
Half time: Cambridge United 0-0 NOTTS COUNTY
With Ruddy in spectacular form for United, Stef Oakes decided it’d take just that – the spectacular – to create the breakthrough. His long range effort, unlike others that went before it, managed only to find the steady arms of the young Cambridge ‘keeper shortly after the restart.
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As the match petered out towards its end, it suddenly hit-home all too painfully that – for all the pre-season optimism last summer – the close season was here once again. Another excuse to heighten expectations, another manager coming in and another, potential, season of disappointment ahead. Same old, same old.
And, unless some serious changes are made over the summer, it seems very much as though the club are resigned for an extended stay in the Football League’s basement division.
The introduction of Harrad, Hurst and Friars late-on did little to affect the late stages of the ‘contest’, and the game – as with the season – wilted towards an end without so much as a whimper. Bring on August.
Full time: Cambridge United 0-0 NOTTS COUNTY
So here is Notts County MAD, signing off for season 2005/06.