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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Oliver King

Another record broken and thank you Halifax: Key talking points from Notts County's win over Wealdstone

The first Notts County team to reach 100 points in a league season. This group of players assembled by Luke Williams possess something special and now have their eyes firmly set on the Racecourse Ground.

In another remarkable twist in the National League title race, the Magpies regained top spot from Wrexham following their shock 3-1 defeat to Halifax Town at The Shay Stadium, making Monday's fixture an even more nail-biting prospect for those in attendance.

This script is something never seen in Hollywood before, but one that will go down as an all-time classic in years to come.

READ MORE: Luke Williams gives Wealdstone verdict as double injury concern explained

Here is a look at the key talking points from Meadow Lane.

Record breaker...again!

Another day, another record is broken by Macaulay Langstaff.

The National League record of 40 goals set by Ricky Miller in the 2016/17 season seemed almost impossible to reach, little did everyone know that a man who was released from York City in 2020 would go on to become one of the best strikers the world's oldest professional football club had ever seen.

Unlike in previous weeks, Langstaff was made to wait for the record-breaking strike as he came agonisingly close on three occasions during the first 45 minutes, seeing a header come back off the post, before being denied superbly by Sam Howes twice - the Stones goalkeeper perhaps keeping the scores at a more respectable level.

But when another chance came his way, no one inside Meadow Lane expected any other outcome as Archie Mair's clearance evaded a peculiar attempt at a scorpion kick to send him through on goal.

With a glance to the referee's assistant, Langstaff took full flight and raced towards goal, steadying himself before smashing the ball into the back of the net to capture his second goal-scoring record of the season during his first season at Notts.

Sam Austin display

It was another dynamite display from Sam Austin yesterday as he continues to assert himself as one of the most important pieces of business the club achieved during the summer transfer window.

You could see from the first moment he pulled on a black and white shirt the quality and class he possessed, but he has somehow continued to grow and flourish under the guidance of his manager, and that is a testament to his hard work on the training pitch.

His combinations with the players around him show the fantastic awareness he has for the space surrounding him - his first contribution saw him link up with Aaron Nemane down the right-hand side in the opening four minutes of the game which proved to be a successful avenue for the Magpies during the first half.

Having netted his first two league goals against Southend at the end of February, it was only a matter of time before he grabbed his third - with Jodi Jones and Langstaff pressing well to force a mistake from Jack Cook which presented the opportunity for the Notts number eight to curl a fine effort in off the post, followed by a beautiful celebration to Jason Turner as held the t-shirt worn in tribute to the much-loved CEO aloft which brought great cheers from those inside Meadow Lane.

But his overall performance was excellent, combining speed and determination with that sprinkle of quality in the final third - evident in Frank Vincent's finish as he threaded an incisive pass into Adam Chicksen which lead to the 23-year-old's finish.

That was for you, Jason

On an emotional day for everyone involved with Notts County Football Club, I think many will agree that Jason Turner would have been extremely proud of the performance from this exceptional group of players.

Having suffered such a great loss just a week earlier, for this group of players and management staff to come together and put on a showing like that is a testament to the characters they are and their passion for this fantastic football club.

There was not a dry eye inside Meadow Lane as kick-off approached, with Mr. Turner's parents, Jen and David, walking out with the players and shaking hands with the Wealdstone players before applauding the fans in front of them.

The minute's applause that followed was impeccably served by everyone in attendance, with everyone who works at the football club joining Williams and his staff down on the touchline to remember a special man who gave his everything for Notts County. A perfect day to celebrate the life of Jason Turner.

Thank you, Halifax

It was a moment during the contest that sent goosebumps throughout my body when a section of the Kop erupted in celebration despite the ball on the Meadow Lane pitch being nowhere near either goalmouth.

A quick browse of the latest scores and suddenly I realised the change in mood inside the stadium - Milli Alli's second goal of the afternoon for Halifax Town had put them two goals in front against Wrexham.

They always say that surprises come when you least expect them, and I don't think anybody saw the Shaymen providing an upset ahead of Notts' trip to the Racecourse Ground this Monday.

With the game at The Shay kicking off slightly later due to a bumper crowd in West Yorkshire, there was an agonising wait from when the full-time whistle blew at Meadow Lane until the end of the contest 85 miles north.

And with fans emptying the stadium, cue another outburst in celebrations, Mani Dieseruvwe this time fired the hosts two goals in front to set up an even more tantalising encounter with even more at stake in two days' time.

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