As Notts County look forward to their second home game back in the EFL against Tranmere Rovers this weekend, fans will look back on a return of seven points from the opening four games as a widely positive outcome. Especially considering the opening day thumping away to Sutton United, which Luke Williams’ men have bounced back from effectively. Adding another three points to their league tally on Saturday afternoon with a dominant victory over Doncaster Rovers at the Eco-Power Stadium.

The Magpies travelled to South Yorkshire following a somewhat frustrating draw in midweek away to Morecambe, a game in which they dominated the possession, but just lacked that clinical edge in the final third to grind out a victory. However, the performance against the Rovers would be another story in front of goal for County, as they finally managed to turn possessional dominance into goals. Notts’ talisman Macaulay Langstaff was yet to get off the mark this season, however it only took the frontman half an hour to get on the scoresheet in this one, tapping home an inch-perfect John Bostock cross first time from 6 yards out to give his side the lead. County lead at half-time, and when the players re-emerged for the second-half, it did not take long at all for them to double their lead, when a Sam Austin cross from the right-hand side was converted by Langstaff with a diving header, giving Rovers goalkeeper Ian Lawlor no chance. Langstaff’s second goal of the game had the Magpies in total control of the fixture, and their grip was tightened around ten minutes later after good work from Dan Crowley to launch a dangerous ball into the Doncaster area, which was palmed clear by Lawlor, but only as far as Jodi Jones, who kept his cool to cut inside his marker and smash into the back of the Rovers net. The home side barely troubled the County defence all game, but any hope of a clean sheet for the defence and ‘keeper Aidan Stone was scuppered when Jim O’Brien was caught in possession on the edge of his own box, allowing substitute Ayodeji Sotona to grab a scrappy consolation for The Rovers.

For the first time this season, Luke Williams will gain the benefit of a full week’s preparation for his sides next game against Tranmere Rovers at Meadow Lane at the weekend, a game in which Notts will fancy their chances. Ian Dawe’s side make the trip to Nottingham after coming off the back of an entertaining defeat to Salford City in which they were beaten by four goals to three in front of their own fans. The side from Merseyside currently sit in 19^th place, after only being able to achieve one win from their opening four games, which was a 3-0 victory over Harrogate Town at Prenton Park. The Magpies will be aware of the goal threats that Tranmere possess, most notably, former Notts front-man Kristian Dennis, who will take on his former side for the first time since departing Meadow Lane in the summer of 2020. The 33-year-old managed over 20 goals for the Magpies over the course of two spells in Nottingham, most definitely a man to watch out for on Saturday.

*Article provided by Will Sey (Notts County Correspondent).

*Main image @Official_NCFC it’s been happier time for Notts in League Two of late.