Notts turn corner in 4-1 goal fest

Last updated : 03 April 2004 By Richard Brown
Gary Mills went back to basics in terms of formation as he re-opted for the traditional 4-4-2 formation meaning that there was no place in the side for Ian Baraclough who was totally scrapped from Mills' line-up - not even earning himself a place on the bench. Nor was there a role for Paul Bolland as he was ruled out through injury. Meanwhile, Andy Parkinson was forced to start the game alongside Mills on the bench as Steve Scoffham started for what was, somewhat suprisingly, his full home debut.

Paul Bolland- Injured
David Pipe, however, made his return to the action after recovering from a knee-injury.

No sooner was the contest 100-seconds young had both sides been within reach of getting their respective sides out of the blocks early on Grand National Day.

Tony Barras stepped up well to give Notts early hope of a head-start as his header was parried away by a very anxious-looking Phillip Barnes between the Blackpool sticks.

50 seconds later, however, and it was Blackpool who were bearing down on goal. An incisive through-ball back across the face of goal from Ciaran Donnelly fell in front of Pedro Matias whose shot was below-par and yet still managed to beat Stuart Garden. Frazer McHugh was fortunately back defending and his heroic block seemed to do the trick, putting the ball behind.

John Murphy also asked questions of the Notts defence, questions which put the Magpies defence on edge whilst he put his first effort onto the 'bar. The rebound fell kindly for him oncemore as he headed towards goal, only for Garden to somehow, someway claw the ball away.

Stuart Garden- Produced a quite outstanding save
The game began to settle into a rather unremarkable affair until the 12th minute when David Pipe battled forward and unleashed a powerful effort towards goal and subsequently into the arms of Barnes.

Pipe, minutes later, then found himself in a shooting position as he again struck a ball at Barnes. These efforts coming either side of a Tony Scully opportunity from range.

The youngster - on-loan from First Division, Coventry City - then found himself added to the referee's little black book for a late challenge on Blackpool's Pedro Matias. A decision for which, despite the hopeful appeals from large sections of the Notts crowd, there can be no complaints of. Ex-Notts man, Simon Grayson sooned followed Pipe for bringing down Paul Heffernan.

Notts soon found their breakthrough in the 23rd minute as a Stefan Oakes pass found its way to Tony Scully, who is now known for his moments of brilliance, as he weaved his way through defenders before elegantly curling home a dazzling shot onto the inside of the Blackpool post from 30 yards out. A truly wonderful goal indeed.

Stefan Oakes then had an effort of his own as he looked for goal but found only the fists of Barnes.

It appeared as though Scully's moment of quality had thrust a higher degree of confidence into the Notts outfit as his goal opened the flood-gates for a five minute-long goal rush.

First, in the 29 minute, Paul Heffernan managed to drop his shoulder and round a Tangerine's defender before slotting home his 18th of the campaign.

Then, Steve Scoffham marked his first home start in Notts' colours with a goal as he latched onto Heff's cross-shot to net his 2nd since signing from Gedling and County's third in ten minutes.

Notts began to play with an air of confidence, possibly even arrogance, as their unparalleled domination of the final fifteen minutes of half reflected in the fact that only two decent chances emerged.

The first came from a Pedro Matias cross which Garden so cooly snuffed out from a crowd of rising players. Whilst the second flew clean over the cross-bar from the boot of Blackpool's Mike Sheron.

Half Time: NOTTS COUNTY 3-0 Blackpool

The second half started as a harsh reminder to Notts that even with such a great cushion that the game was still not beyond Steve McMahon's Blackpool side.

Tony Scully's clearance from another Pedro Matias cross provided short-respite for Notts who were under pressure right from the off.

And with little over a minute played, Notts had found themselves down to just a two-goal lead. A cross from highly-rated Blackpool man, Danny Coid found Notts unable to weather the storm as he seeked out the head of their very own, John Murphy who flicked the ball onwards to Mike Sheron who tapped in from point-blank range.

Heffernan- Fired in another two goals
The goal, as was the case with Notts' first, gave the 'Pool a glimmer of hope as numerous attempts to get into scoring positions were hacked clear before Tony Scully managed to force a save from Phil Barnes at the other end.

Notts then found themselves in a position to steady the ship as Nick Fenton, still forward from a corner, found himself with the ball at his feet. But he could only put the ball over-board and over-bar from 20-yards.

Prior to his removal from the action, Steve Scoffham was booked for failure to back away from a Blackpool free-kick taker. Scoff was thus replaced by Andy Parkinson.

Parkinson's impacts on the game were both promising and regular as his lightening pace and one-touch control split gaping holes through the 'Pool defence - but, unfortunately, to no end product.

That was until the 78th minute, however, as another Parkinson break-away saw him slide the ball through to Heffernan waiting in the middle who rounded the goalkeeper before sliding home the goal that puts him one-off his 20th league goal of the season.

Shortly after, the once-again brilliant Tony Scully was substituted, leaving Gary Mills with some thinking to be done regarding his future at the club, to allow Paul Riley only his third run-out under Mills.

Although it was another of Mills' additions who made the next opportunity as another quality show from Stefan Oakes was twice nearly rounded off with equally spectacular goals as his two 25-yarders both dragged wide of the mark. Oakes was then withdrawn as Jon Bewers was handed a Notts debut since arriving from the Villa.

His debut, however, was short-lived as the full-time whistle blew leaving Notts with 6 games to secure their Second Division status ahead of the ever-hectic Easter schedule.

Full Time: NOTTS COUNTY 4-1 Blackpool

Notts: Garden , Pipe , Fenton , Barras , Richardson , Baldry , McHugh , Oakes (Bewers), Scully (Riley), Heffernan , Scoffham (Parkinson) Subs not used: Deeney, Williams.

Plenty of reaction, including another full match report, thoughts and match ratings, on today's game still to come.