Scoffham & Antoine-Curier Both Open Their Accounts

Notts got off to a good start with Mickeal Antoine-Curier (M.A.C) having a shot blocked by Grimsby defender Craig Armstrong after only 2 minutes of play. The subsequent corner was taken by Darren Caskey but again the clearance was the duty of Craig Armstrong.

And after Notts making a good start to the game with another shot on goal by Caskey after only a few minutes, it looked as though Notts would have the game sewn up but Grimsby soon bounced back into the game when they had a corner, swung in by Darren Barnard and headed over the bar by Craig Armstrong.

Notts began to look as though they weren’t quite concentrating, especially amongst the back four. The first goal of the game was struck. Tony Crane for Grimsby headed in the ball from a Barnard free kick that was awarded after by Simon Baldry fouled Phil Jevons.

Notts began to bounce back into play when David Pipe crossed the ball, only to see it be cleared by Isaiah Rankin resulting in a corner ball which was taken by Stefan Oakes but caught by the Grimsby ‘keeper Andrew Pettinger.

M.A.C then missed another golden opportunity from a Caskey corner by heading the ball to the right of Pettinger. It was the fate of the game – missed opportunities.

M.A.C - Opens His Account At Notts

But after only a minute or so later M.A.C made up for missed opportunities and scored his first GOAL at Meadow Lane on 17 minutes to bring the scores level.
Only minutes later Grimsby were forced into an early substitution after Isaiah Rankin came off injured and Darren Mansaram came on.

Notts had yet another chance at goal, again from an inswinging corner, only for M.A.C to head the ball wide.
Meanwhile at the other end of the pitch Ian Richardson showed his stability in defence by blocking a goal bound shot by substitute Mansaram and then a few minutes later another attempt on goal by Graham Hockless.

Tony Barras, who is beginning to look almost back to his former self after his recent injuries, cleared a series of shots by Lee Thorpe.

The game had pretty much opened up by this stage and was fairly equal, despite officials that didn’t seem to know the rules…..yet again at Meadow Lane.
Both teams had plenty of chances on goal, but on show was poor defending from both sides and many goal scoring opportunities given the offside flag, debatable decisions most of the time.

Paul Heffernan sprang into action in the 26^th minute of the action when his cross was cleared by Barnard. Moments later Heffernan scored the second

Heffernan & M.A.C Both Score In 3-1 Victory Over Grimsby

GOAL on 27 minutes for Notts. Heffernan headed the ball into the bottom right of the goal from winger Simon

Most of the possession in the subsequent minutes was in the Notts half and an attempt on goal was had by the veteran ‘Richo’.
Fouls were commited and the resulting free kicks were unproductive in any attemot to grab a third goal. Both M.A.C and Caskey had opportunities to score from a cross and a header respectively but both narrowly missed their chance to put their name on the scoresheet.

Again M.A.C had another shot saved by the keeper as Pettinger tipped the ball round the post for a corner. Nothing resulted from the corner.

And yes, even Barras had a shot in the 6 yard box blocked by Simon Ford in the final five minutes of the first half. Pettinger had to parry another shot by Barras only minutes later, while Richo shot the parried ball over the bar.

Grimsby at this point were looking well out of the game at this stage as Notts had the most possession and numerous attempts at goal. Baldry yet again fouled Jevons and Grimsby had a free kick cleared away by Tony Barras. While Lee Thorpe missed the goal by only inches to the right a couple of minutes later.

As half time approached Heffernan had a (yet another) shot from 20 yards saved by the keeper while Tony Crane had a shot for Grimsby (albeit he missed!) down the other end after Oakes was deemed to have handballed.
A good first half performance but despite the score being level it was clear Notts were the better of the two side and had more goal scoring opportunities then the ‘fishy people’.

Half Time: NOTTS COUNTY 2-1 Grimsby Town

Soon after the break, and Notts were slowly looking as though they were beginning to lose grip of the contest, as the Mariners looked to be edging back into the encounter.

However the case was not so as Grimsby’s constant squandering of endless opportunities cost them dear– the first of the half coming from Lee Thorpe.

The game, slowly looking as though it was going through the motions of a dog-fight, began to feel every bit as desperate as the encounter of two sides with such poor fortunes. Fouls became commonplace and the tide began to sway one way, and then the other.

But Notts were thrown the line to further their lead in the 55^th minute as M.A.C got the better of his man-marker before waltzing into the box – only for his somewhat half-hearted effort to be blocked by the on-rushing Grimsby defender, Tony Crane.

The resulting corner amounted to nothing.

Stuart Garden once more staked his claim to remain top-dog ahead of Irishman, Saul Deeney in the absence of Steve Mildenhall as he made a save of pure brilliance when Graham Hockless threatened the goal.

Seven minutes later, and at the other end of the pitch, Paul Heffernan fluffed his shot way over the crossbar from another excellent Simon Baldry cross.

Garden was soon to be again called into action when Darren Barnard before M.A.C received a booking for persistent fouling.

Heffernan then missed his second effort in seven minutes before a scramble ensued in County’s half, in which Grimsby will be cursing missed chances – chances which could well, should they have been taken, won them the tie and all-three points.

However, the revived Notts outfit seldom looked like a side capable of throwing away such a comfortable – albeit just a single goal – lead.

Manager Mills then introduced to pairs of fresh legs in the form of Steve Scoffham and Fraser McHugh who replaced Antoine Curier and Caskey – both received standing ovations from the Meadow Lane faithful.

Then, new-signing Steve Scoffham opened his account for the Magpies as he turned home a Paul Heffernan cross before retreating to celebrate with a cheeky somersault. Nice.

But the provider of the goal, Paul Heffernan was soon to be following M.A.C into the referee’s book after picking up the caution for dissent.

Veteran defender, Ian Richardson nearly sent Notts cruising into a three-goal lead when he headed a Simon Baldry cross towards goal – only to see the ball sail narrowly over the cross-bar.

Full Time: NOTTS COUNTY 3-1 Grimsby Town

Another crucial victory in the battle against the drop as the Magpies rose from the grasp of relegation to sixth-off bottom thanks to the favourable defeats of Chesterfield and Brentford, both defeated tonight by Hartlepool and Brighton, correspondingly.

Match ratings to follow.