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As Notts took to the field to entertain Oxford United in today’s ‘League 2’ encounter, there was little idea of the drama that was to unfold. All that could be said was that Notts, buoyed by two excellent away days at Bradford in the Carling Cup and Lincoln only two days previous in the league, were looking the likely side to take maximum points.
Oxford, though, filled with good attacking prowess in journeyman Lee Bradbury and the charismatic Tommy Mooney, weren’t seen as too much of a threat to Notts’ new found confidence. This despite the fact they were placed inside the playoff zone, 3 points ahead of Notts prior to today’s proceedings.
Notts began well enough, with some neat and intricate passing movements. Scully, on the back of his brace at Sincil Bank, and captain Robert Ullathorne were linking up well, and even the forlorn Hurst began brightly, beating Oxford's centre half Leo Roget for pace on several occasions, and creating several openings which weren’t to be finished.
He did himself manage to fire a header wide in the second minute, which turned out to be Notts’ only attempt of a sorry 45 minutes of football, if you could call it that.
The game's decisive moment was to follow soon.
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That faithful, the vast majority in an attendance of just over 5,000, were to be ripping hair from their head very soon, as the referee threatened to become Oxford's twelfth man. As a hopeful ball was plunged into the depths of the County back-line, Oxford captain, Lee Bradbury, appeared to knock the ball from his own hand onto County veteran Ian Richardson’s hand. Instead of giving Notts the advantage, the referee pointed to the penalty spot, to much aggravation and sheer astonishment from three-quarters of the Meadow Lane stadium.
Bradbury converted his own fortune, and Notts were never to get back into this sorry encounter.
Fortunately, Notts’ defence wasn’t put under too much pressure, this despite Oxford's neat and tidy football. Julien Baudet was again immense, until being forced off at half time after aggravating a troublesome calf injury. Richardson was his usual determined self, and Mike Edwards was quietly effective, taking care of the wandering Mooney with great ease.
But Notts’ lack of creativity meant they finished the half without a single testing of the Oxford goalkeeper.
Mills must have sent the team out with a clear message in the second half. Feed Scully. That they did. Several times Matthew Gill managed to find the rampaging Irishman and several times he delivered. He looked like a man transformed, making darting runs inside the visitors’ defence, giving the full back many a torrid time. But too often, the strike-force of the rejuvenated youngster Matty Williams and Hurst were unable to get on the end of his superb deliveries.
Scully continued to pop up everywhere, determined to grab Notts a lifeline, to please the now vociferous following. The crowd expected, Scully teased, Notts couldn’t finish.
This led to many believing, once again, that Notts weren’t good enough for promotion. That could be correct. They seemingly have the talent; the unfortunate injury situation has robbed the creativity, yet chances are being created. They aren’t, however, being converted. Hurst looks poor, Gordon, when playing, ineffective, and Williams not a natural finisher.
Yes, the referee was poor, even more so as he flatly turned down two clear-cut penalties for the Pies in the second half, as firstly Williams was upended by two Oxford defenders, and secondly David Pipe was clipped as he came close to pulling the trigger on an almost empty net, but if Notts had finished their openings, they would not be needing to mention the poor standard of officiating displayed here today.
It would be a case of the less said the better; the same applies for Notts’ finishing.