Wootton 54, Vincent 68
STOCKPORT CO 1
Whitfield 90+4 (pen)
NOTTS COUNTY turned on the style in front of a big match atmosphere to ‘set down a marker’ for delighted head coach Ian Burchnall.
Kyle Wootton and star man Frank Vincent netted the goals the Magpies thoroughly deserved with Ben Whitfield’s last-gasp penalty kick putting gloss on the scoreline for disappointing Stockport.
The Hatters’ incredible away support – more than 1,600 made the journey to Nottingham – contributed to a crackling atmosphere for the game. And if you like having a selection of games to play head to casino quatro.
Much of Notts’ play was higher class as they seem to be putting Burchnall’s pure footballing principles into entertaining practice.
The home side were worth a goal for a dominant first half and cruising to a convincing victory afterwards save for defender Con- nell Rawlinson’s late high challenge on Stockport’s key new signing Antoni Sarcevic.
“It was our best performance of the season by a mile,” Burchnall enthused.
“I liked it because we were brave. We didn’t kick long balls when we went 1-0 up but continued to pass and press.
“Frank (Vincent) has needed time to settle in but he was brilliant today.
“We have set down a marker with this display of where we want to be.”
Indeed, former Bournemouth midfielder Vincent, 22, added to an eye-catching first half display by providing an assist and a coolly-taken goal after a lung-busting forward run.
Notts controlled the first 45 minutes with in-form Ruben Rodrigues their chief creator and Vincent impressing.
Fellow striker Kyle Wootton spurned their two clearest chances. As he was played through by Rodrigues, his angled shot in the 34th minute allowed the giant Ethan Ross to parry to safety.
Stockport’s more sporadic raids caused two moments of panic in the Notts area – and nearly a memorable start for Sarcevic. Kyle Cameron cleared Liam Hogan’s shot off the line whilst Sarcevic nearly netted with his first touch after replacing the injured Paddy Madden when he deflected Scott Quigley’s shot wide of the target.
It was business as usual for Wootton on 54 minutes when his deflected shot found the net from 12 yards after Vincent burst into the box.
The second was a result of a thrilling counter attack. Wootton fed Rodrigues who slipped Vincent into the clear. After running from inside his own half, his finish was calmness itself.
Stockport upped the ante in the final quarter but it was Notts who looked the likely scorers as Ross tipped over Rawlinson’s header.
The Notts defender was ‘dead on his feet’ in his otherwise solid comeback when he conceded the penalty before Stockport forced a couple of late corners.
STAR MAN: Frank Vincent (Notts County)
ATT: 7,418
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★
REFEREE: Robert Massey-Ellis
