Issue 112 – 25 January 2010

County forget troubles with gutsy performance
Notts County came within seven minutes of causing the biggest shock of the FA Cup fourth round, before being held to a draw by Premiership side Wigan Athletic at Meadow Lane. Goals from Lee Hughes and Ben Davies had given the Magpies a 2-0 lead at half time, but the Latics’ second half possession paid dividends as Jason Scotland pulled one back before Watson headed in from close range to spare the blushes of Roberto Martinez and his side. Notts lined up in an unfamiliar 4-5-1 formation, with Johnnie Jackson at left back and Jamie Clapham sat just infront of the back four. For the visitors, a strike force of Hugo Rodallega and Jason Scotland was always going to cause problems, whilst Titus Bramble captained the side in defence alongside Spaniard Antonio Amaya.

The game started at a breakneck pace with Ricky Ravenhill and Neal Bishop flying into tackles and disrupting the rhythm of the visiting side’s midfield. The hosts carved out the first chance of the game too as Craig Westcarr slid in Lee Hughes, but the angle was too tight for League Two’s leading scorer and his shot went narrowly wide of the far post. Despite Notts’ earlier territorial advantage however Wigan nearly took the lead with their first attack as Scotland played in Rodallega, who steadied himself before hitting a fierce low drive which was tipped onto the post by Schmeichel. This let off only spurred Notts on however and they took the lead soon after, once again through the in-form Hughes. An incisive counter attack saw Ben Davies play him in down the line, allowing Hughes to wriggle clear of Amaya and steady himself before slotting the ball underneath Stojkovic in the Wigan goal to give the underdogs the advantage.

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