The individual guise of Stefan Oakes had largely – until yesterday – been overlooked on home turf, with the midfielder never really having had his talent appreciated at the ‘Lane. But, after Oakes single-handedly inspired the Magpies to a less-than deserved point yesterday, it would surely endow the midfielder into County folklore long after his time with the club is over.
It took two 25 yard-plus free-kicks from Oakes – coming 14 and two minutes from time – to deny the also poor Mariners all three points.
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However, midfield maestro Oakes delivered the spectacular to push Notts to the 50-point tally with just three games now left to play from a write-off of a campaign.
Pity, however, that the Magpies had to endure 88 minutes of typically late-season football before their admission fee being justified with two glances of individual brilliance from the former Leicester man.
With Magpies manager Ian Richardson naming youngster Shane McFaul at the heart of defence for the first time in his senior Magpies career alongside a semi-fit Julien Baudet, County chances looked bleak compared with their Humber-side adversaries, with former Notts loanees Simon Ramsden and Andy Parkinson in tow.
The signs were there from the off that a true advert for British cricket was to ensue when the full Magpies team was announced – with winger Chris Palmer shifted to left-back, midfielder McFaul to central defence, central man Zadkovich to the flank and midfield workhorse Bolland to right-back, it hardly seemed that the match would be one for the football fans amongst those 5,500 or so gathered at the ‘Lane.
Former Magpie Parkinson could quite easily have opened the scoring early on when, after being played in by some sloppy Notts defending, the nimble striker crept round the path of Saul Deeney only for the ‘keeper to recover and claim the ball, much to the delight of his embarrassed defence.
But if the home support thought that the early alarm bells would liven the Magpies into a rousing first half turnaround, then they were wrong – very wrong, indeed.
It was Parkinson again who asked all the questions, misfiring from long-range.
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When midfielder-cum-right back Paul Bolland was caught in possession inside the opponent’s half, Notts allowed Grimsby to break with Martin Gritton running the half-length of the pitch in front of him unchallenged before delivering a quality, looping ball onto the toe of Parkinson who slotted home with little trouble.
Notts, however, weren’t without chances during the first half, with County strikers, Glynn Hurst and Mark Stallard missing decent half-chances. The worst, perhaps, was that of Hurst who, virtually unchallenged in the Mariner’s area, headed a weakened effort into the arms of a grateful Anthony Williams.
Notts, tail between legs and all, were left ruing their sorry first half performance going in at the interval.
Half time: NOTTS 0-1 Grimsby
After the Magpies were half-treated to a glimpse of the proposed shirt designs for next season, and half to an appearance from Hooters staff at half-time, Steve Scoffham made his longest showing since his return from the broken leg that had kept him out for almost ten months of action.
The former tradesmen replaced Hurst at the break, with Notts moving to a more innovative 3-5-2 formation.
Richardson’s gutsy tactical move, however, was greeted only by a Grimsby second just five minutes after the restart.
When Notts failed to clear, Grimsby man Jason Crowe shone through the mix-up to prod home from close range as the Magpies were caught on the counter attack once again.
Grimsby, at this point, had the game to give away. The basic inability of the Magpies to contain their less than emphatic opponents was all too telling, as the naivety of certain players started to shine through.
Surprisingly, however, it was those less senior players amidst the more tested individuals amongst the side – notably McFaul and Zadkovich – who impressed. Both out of position, and both outshining their more seasoned team-mates.
Notts, however, succeded in taking the game to their opponents, forcing defender Justin Whittle into heading against his own crossbar.
By the time Oakes’ first free-kick had arrived, it seemed that the Magpies were a country mile off the pace, and defeat looked inevitable. Whilst it seemed academic at the time, the quickly taken free-kick of Oakes – from that reputable left-foot – crept inside the left-hand post of the poorly positioned Grimsby ‘keeper for the midfielder's first ever strike at Meadow Lane.
The 25-year-old nearly added a second soon after although that effort was deflected over the crossbar by an on-rushing Grimsby defender. So it was no surprise to see the honourable Mr. Ross award the visitors a goal kick, in a decision that summed up his afternoon's work.
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Their unbinding loyalty was, ahem, clearly noticed on the pitch and duly rewarded with yet another piece of brilliance from Oakes.
When under similar circumstances Oakes was given the chance to level the tie with just two minutes remaining, the former Leicester and Walsall man was hardly likely to pass up the chance as he, slightly more emphatically than the last, repeated the feat of his previous exploits to earn Notts a point.
It was indeed harsh for Grimsby to come away with so little from the tie, but it would have been a harder pill to swallow had a late header from Stallard not rattled off the crossbar of the Mariners with seconds remaining. Fortunately, however, the Magpies were able to retreat with some sort of pride from the match, and Oakes with two absolute stunners.
Full time: NOTTS 2-2 Grimsby
For more action and reaction, including comprehensive player ratings from yesterday’s affair, be sure to check back to NCM over the next few days.