Notts pick up Second home win

Notts made 3 changes to the side that were beaten at GRimsby in the week, with Danny Livesey & Michael Brough injured and Paul Bolland dropped to the bench.

Stall- returned this afternoon, but only to the bench

Ian Richardson, Simon Baldry and Paul Riley were drafted in, which signalled a return to 4-4-2. Mark Stallard was fit enough to take his place on the bench.

Brentford, who have been climbing the table of late, should have been infront with just 3 minutes on the clock.

A cross came in from the right, and with Notts' defence asleep, any one of 3 players could've scored, but in the end Tabb sliced his effort wide.

That was the wake up call Notts needed and from that moment on, there was no contest.

First, Paul Riley whipped in a dangerous cross which Clive Platt was close to connecting with, but Brentford 'keeper Paul Smith just beat him to it.

Simon Baldry was then in behind the Brentford defence, but could only manage to win a corner, which Ian Richardson headed over.

Notts were dominating and won 4 corners in a row, with Nicky Fenton getting the best oppurtunity from them, heading the last one narrowly over.

On 13 minutes Notts had the ball in the net, but Paul Heffernan's effort was ruled out for handball.

How Notts weren't ahead is beyond me, with Platt winning everything in the air, Baldry running riot down the right and Darren Caskey running the show from the middle.

With 20 minutes on the clock, there was a giant goal mouth scramble in the Brentford penalty area, at least 3 players had chances to score, but eventually it was Paul Heffernan who managed to make the 'keeper work, Smith just managing to stop it from heading into the corner.

Brentford then had a great chance to score, very much against the run of play.

They were awarded a free-kick somewhat harshly, and they then took it about 5 yards nearer to goal then it was awarded.

Clive Platt- Fired his third of the season this afternoon

It was well-taken and centre back Ben May somehow managed to head over the bar when just 3 yards out.

With 25 minutes on the clock, Notts took a well deserved lead.

Simon Baldry did extremely well to even keep in Steve Jenkins pass, never mind direct a pin point cross, which Clive Platt nodded home for his third goal of the season.

This goal was so important, as in most first halves this season, Notts have dominated but failed to take their chances and have gone on to lose.

Notts were flying, and were pushing for a second, with Caskey again looking impressive in the middle of the park.

With just under 10 minutes of the half left, Caskey hit a wicked strike from the left of the penalty area, but Smith, who was becoming more and more vital to Brentford's cause got down well to save.

On the brink of half time Paul Heffernan had a great chance to put Notts two ahead but the Brentford defender did just enough to put him off, although his toe poke was only narrowly wide.

HALF TIME: Notts County 1-0 Brentford

Notts certainly picked up from where they left off, with Brentford defender Frampton booked for holding back Heffernan, Caskey put the free-kick narrowly wide.

Brentford then had another great chance to score, again against the run of play, but Tony Rougier could only direct his free header straight at Mildenhall, who practically had a day off.

Darren Caskey- Was a star this afternoon, and scored Notts' second

Clive Platt was the next Notts player to come close to scoring, but his shot was well blocked by a flying Michael Dobson.

With just 49 minutes gone Notts made the first change of the afternoon, bringing on Kevin Nicholson for Ian Richardson, who was a doubt before the game.

Notts were continuing to pressure, and Baraclough and Heffernan both saw their efforts fly over the bar.

With 65 minutes gone, Darren Caskey played through Simon Baldry who was in on goal, but Paul Smith made his best save yet, to deny his powerfully struck shot.

Darren Caskey then hit yet another free-kick just wide of the post.

Paul Heffernan then missed a chance he really should have taken. Heff was clean through, but rushed his shot and it flew wide of the post.

In between this period, Notts seemed to have a zillion corners and by the end of them, everyone seemed to know we weren't going to score, so maybe some practice in training on those would be helpful.

With the clock winding down, Darren Caskey struck his effort just wide of the post. Caskey was flying and is enjoying the best spell of his Notts career, it's a pleasure watching him when he's playing like this.

Notts really should have (again) put the game beyond doubt. Darren Caskey whipped in a free-kick from the right, but Tony Barras could only put his unchallenged header into the back of the Family Stand.

84 minutes gone and Notts still couldn't finish the game off, this time Simon Baldry was the culprit as he fired his shot well over, when well placed.

With 5 minutes left, Brentford had a half chance to equalise but a cool Kevin Nicholson intercepted the cross and headed it behind for a corner.

No-one could convince me that Brentford weren't going to equalise. All the signs pointed towards it, Notts had dominated but couldn't get that elusive second goal and this had been the case in the past, and I really could see Brentford stealing an undeserved point.

Steve Parkin- Was more animated than usual today

But with Notts' players trying to run down the clock, Simon Baldry played it down the right hand-side to Darren Caskey and instead of holding the ball in the corner, cut inside and his shot almost broke the net as it smashed in off the underside of the bar.

The goal, somewhat strangely, reminded me of Geoff Hurst's winner in the 1966 World Cup Final, but instead of Jack Charlton screaming to kick the ball into the crowd, we had Steve Parkin screaming for Caskey to hold the ball in the corner.

He ignored him, and most of the Notts crowd and defiantly stood infront of the Jimmy Sirrel stand Z Block, to reveal the back of his shirt CASKEY, the action told more than a thousand words.

FULL TIME: Notts County 2-0 Brentford

A deserved 3 points for Notts, who haven't domitated a game like this for a long, long time. In fact, Notts won 16 corners, that must be a record!

2-0 really doesn't do them justice, on another day they would've had 5 or 6 and although Brentford won't of played any worse this season, Notts can take much heart from this performance and should now enjoy their big night out in Chelsea, we certainly will!!

Special mentions go to Darren Caskey (sorry, his performance was THAT good), Clive Platt (proving a lot of fans wrong), Simon Baldry (Proved Dearden wrong, should never be on the bench) and last but not least, Steve Parkin, who was showing some real passion on the touchline, that's what we like to see!!

Match Ratings to follow.

rob@nottscounty-mad.co.uk