Ian McParland's Notts County impressed tonight, despite falling to their second 3-2 defeat of pre-season, against Nigel Clough's Derby County. The Magpies could definitely claim luck was against them, with Derby scoring three somewhat fortunate goals, while Luke Rodgers could easily have taken his pre-season goals tally into double figures. Despite the defeat there was plenty of cause for optimism in the Magpies' performance, not least from the forwards who once again ran a good defence ragged.
Stephen Hunt and Matt Hamshaw both returned for the Magpies after injuries but it was the visitors who had the early efforts, with the lively Steven Davies flashing a long range effort over Kevin Pilkington's crossbar. Davies should've put the Rams infront after a quarter of an hour but after racing clean through he dragged his shot wide of Kevin Pilkington's far post with the goal at his mercy. After these early scares Notts found their composure and began to play some fluid football in midfield, with their rewards coming soon after.
Lee Hughes' superb movement caused trouble for Derby all night, and he beat the offside trap and burst away down the left flank before delivering an inviting cross for Luke Rodgers, but before he could get there Jay McEveley diverted the ball past Stephen Bywater and into his own net to give the hosts the lead. This seemed to spring the Rams into life however and they levelled quickly, Neal Bishop seemed in no danger but he rolled a backpass horrifically short, allowing Steven Davies to pounce and slot the ball past Kevin Pilkington.
Derby could've doubled their lead soon after, when a goalbound header deflected onto Neal Bishop's arm, with the ref having little choice but to give a penalty. Davies stepped up to take the spot kick but could only blast it far too hard and it clipped the bar before heading over. The visitors did take the lead soon after however, with a freak goal scored by Robbie Savage. He attempted a looping cross from deep which seemed to hang in the air for eternity before dipping in under the crossbar much to the embarrassment of the flapping Kevin Pilkington, who had also been at fault for Lewis McGugan's strike for Forest on Saturday.
Luke Rodgers had a gilt edged chance to level things up for Notts on the stroke of half time, but as Hughes glided away from the Derby defence again and swung a cross over, he couldn't get enough contact when sliding in and could only divert the ball wide of Bywater's post. Notts went in at the break behind, but had created a couple of excellent chances and kept the ball well, whilst they were only beyond due to goals that they had gifted to Derby themselves.
Notts Second Half - Hoult, Moloney, Lee, Thompson, Hunt (Clapham), Westcarr, Bishop, Ravenhill, Davies, Hughes (Trialist), Rodgers (Canham)
Dean Moxey had the first effort of the second period for the rams, but his drive from just outside the box was comfortably saved by Russell Hoult. The match fizzled out slightly as both sides kept possession in midfield, but the Magpies got the break through after the hour mark when substitute Craig Westcarr chased down a clearance and the ball broke to Hughes, who showed great composure to pick out Rodgers on the edge of the six yard box who made no mistake as he tucked the ball into the bottom corner past Bywater.
The hosts were now completely on top with Ben Davies and Beal Bishop's neat and incisive passing causing problems for the visiting rams. Hughes headed wide from a Craig Westcarr cross, before Westcarr himself came close to giving Notts the lead once again when he linked up superbly with Brendan Moloney down the right flank, but as the ball was cut back to him Westcarr's goalbound shot was deflected over the bar by the sprawling Jay McEveley.
Kris Commons had been introduced by Derby manager Nigel Clough at this point, and it was he who won the game for the Rams with another freak goal with ten minutes remaining. His chipped cross to the far post was slightly overhit and deceived Hoult before hitting the woodwork and crossing the line. Ben Davies nearly levelled twice late on for Notts, firstly his curling effort from 25 yards was tipped past the post by Bywater, before a superb one two with Sean Canham saw Davies in on goal, but he was denied by a superb last ditch block.
Having played well it was a disappointment for the Magpies to have come away with a defeat, but with Derby's goals coming from individual mistakes and freak instances rather than the Rams actually breaking through the Notts defence, postitives can be taken. Ian McParland will also be pleased with the blossoming striker partnership between Hughes and Rodgers and the chances created by his side.
Notts County 2 (McEveley OG, Rodgers)
Derby County 3 (Davies, Savage, Commons)
Att - 3,859