There was a certain sense of déja vu at Meadow Lane yesterday, with Notts' win against Walsall following a very similar pattern to last weekend's 3-1 victory against Bournemouth. After dominating for long periods Notts came close to throwing two points away, but young West Ham loanee Cristian Montano celebrated the extension of his deal for another month with an emphatic finish to give Notts the win.
There were fears that there could be a lethargy about Notts following the midweek exploits in Turin, whilst the lack of black and white striped zebras, opera and fireworks ahead of kick-off represented a decidedly different atmosphere to that at Juventus. There was no evidence of a hangover earlier on though as Notts took immediate control, coming close to opening the scoring in the opening moments for a second consecutive week. Montano showed good control and strength on the edge of the box to bring the ball under control and find some space, before driving a low shot against the base of the far post with former Magpie David Grof in the Walsall goal well beaten.
The hosts kept applying the pressure, with Krystian Pearce heading over the bar from an Alan Sheehan free kick whilst completely unmarked - he should at least have hit the target. Grof saved comfortably from a flicked effort by Hughes, who also headed inches wide after helping Alan Judge's inswinging free kick towards the far post. Walsall finally got some possession of the ball twenty minutes in, with Kevan Hurst bending a hopeful effort wide of the far post after a good passing move, but it offered only brief respite for the Saddlers. Julian Kelly skipped away down the right flank for Notts and swung the ball into the centre for Hughes, who guided the ball off target, whilst Grof theatrically beat away Judge's free kick.
The pressure refused to relent, with Notts then creating their most gilt-edged chance of the game thus far. Jeff Hughes had the time and space in midfield to slide an inch perfect through ball for Montano to run onto, but the Colombian seems to thrive on having no time to think and he scuffed a weak effort that Grof helped wide of the goal, with Hughes just unable to turn it home after sliding in. It did prove to be just a matter of time before the hosts opened the scoring though - with Lee Hughes breaking the deadlock in spectacular fashion. Judge swung a powerful cross towards Hughes at the far post, with the Notts forward chesting it into the air and swivelling to volley a powerful, dipping volley into the roof of the net before Grof had a chance to react. It was a truly sublime goal - the best of Hughes' numerous goals for the Magpies so far. Butler headed harmlessly wide of the far post from a free kick, but going into the break ahead was the least that Notts deserved.
Having allowed Notts to pass the ball around at will in the first half, Dean Smith had clearly looked to change things around at half time and the visitors began to press the ball ferociously and higher up the pitch. It worked at first too, with the game becoming scrappy and Notts' passing rhythm of the first half having been replaced by sloppy mistakes born out of frustration. The visitors' first meaningful effort of the half came on the hour mark, with experienced forward Jon Macken, comfortably their biggest threat, who brought the ball down well and hooked a volley towards the goal, which Nelson made a bit of a mess of parrying away. Within two minutes the Notts 'keeper had made an even worse howler though, as his mindless throw out to an unsuspecting Krystian Pearce forced the Notts defender to bring down his man. Richard Taundry accepted the invitation to swing a delicious ball into the danger area, which captain Andy Butler rose to head home. It may not have been a deserved equaliser taking the game as a whole, but there had been a sense that the game was starting to turn in Walsall's favour.
Just as conceding a ridiculous goal against Bournemouth last week had galvanised Notts though, Butler's header forced the hosts back into action. Their first good passing move of the half saw Neal Bishop clip a weighted pass over the defence towards Montano, who showed fantastic strength to hold off his marker before lashing a clinical left-footed finish past Grof and into the far corner. Despite going back infront, Notts were again unable to regain control of possession and the visitors continued knocking on the door. A hopeful set piece saw Nelson race of his line without ever looking like he was getting to the ball, Manny Smith diverting the ball goalwards but Pearce seemingly appearing out of nowhere to hack the ball off the line. An even better chance came soon after, again courtesy of Nelson - this time a woefully inept punch, but Macken failed to compose himself and blazed the ball into the depths of the Family Stand.