Notts County 3 – 0 Wealdstone
Notts County3 - 0
WealdstoneA valiant away effort saw the Stones fall to a 3-0 defeat to title-chasing Notts County at Meadow Lane on a sunny Good Friday.
Two unforced errors led to the Magpies goals with Jack Cook’s wayward pass allowing Sam Austin to open the scoring early, and then a misplaced clearance from Alex Dyer allowing Macaulay Langstaff to net a record-breaking 41st league goal of the season. Sub Frank Vincent wrapped up the scoring for the hosts on 76 minutes.
Tributes were also paid by both clubs before the game in memory of the home side’s Chief Executive Jason Turner who suddenly and heartbreakingly passed away this week aged just 50.
Stones boss Stuart Maynard was boosted by the return of Dyer and also Max Kretzschmar, with the two players drafted straight back in the eleven in his only two changes from last week’s draw with Oldham Athletic.
But any boost or hope was extinguished early. Stones captain Cook’s misplaced pass to Charlie Barker was collected by Langstaff who rolled it to Austin who swerved past Sam Howes on eight minutes.
Wealdstone weren’t fazed by the goal deficit and went close twice when Sam Habergham had a close range header blocked and Olufela Olomola had an effort spilled by County stand-in keeper Archie Mair.
National League top scorer Langstaff was on the prowl in the first half and a lick of paint saw him denied a goal when his header crashed off the post. Howes then made a great double save to deny Austin and then Langstaff moments later.
England C’s number one keeper denied the forward again just before half time but the striker notched his 41st goal of the season moments into the second half.
A long ball forward was missed by Dyer allowing Langstaff a clear run at goal and he made no mistake this time, slotting past Howes and breaking the 40-goal record Dover Athletic forward Ricky Miller set in 2017.
Wealdstone couldn’t rally and the hosts added a third on 76 minutes when Howes again got down well to deny Austin, but Vincent made no mistake with the rebound to get the party started at Meadow Lane.
As news of FC Halifax Town’s goals against Magpies title rivals Wrexham echoed cheers around the stadium, the Stones couldn’t muster a consolation and drop to 12th place in the league.
It’s a quick turnaround for Maynard’s men as Solihull Moors visit The Vale on Bank Holiday Monday in a 3PM Kick Off.
WEALDSTONE: Howes, Cook (c), Barker, Habergham, Clayden, Dyer (Lo-Everton 75), Simper (Charles 88), Ferguson, Kretzschmar (Andrews 60), Obiero, Olomola. Subs not used: Barrett, Whittaker.
Report by Chris Woods
Stuart Maynard post Match interview HERE
Jon Taffel Match pics HERE
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