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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Oliver King

Five things we learned from Notts County's 2-2 draw with Boreham Wood

Whilst a point is not a bad result against a potential play-off contender come the end of the season, Notts County can feel disappointed with their performance at Meadow Park on Saturday.

The Magpies twice led through Ruben Rodrigues' early penalty and Kairo Mitchell's excellent strike, but two lapses in concentration at the back saw the hosts hit back. Danny Elliott capitalised when Notts failed to clear from a corner and Jamal Fyfield won a penalty late on after a clumsy challenge from Mitchell, which Tyrone Marsh dispatched.

There was still a number of positives from the performance, with Rodrigues and Macauley Langstaff putting in solid performances ahead of the Notts number nine's return to former side Gateshead on Tuesday night.

READ MORE: Kairo Mitchell eyes starting place following first goal of the season for Notts County

But four points from six games is a foundation Luke Williams will be pleased with so far, having integrated his new signings into the squad, and with the possibility of more new faces joining edging ever closer.

Reflecting upon the game, here is five things we learned.

Mitchell ready to make starting XI leap

Albeit a mixed afternoon for Mitchell, his performance was something to be admired, and he did his chances of starting against Gateshead no harm following his 30-minute cameo yesterday.

With Notts struggling to get Langstaff into the game, Williams made the change to bring on Mitchell for a better aerial presence against the towering Boreham Wood defence, and it was an effective tool that could work going forward into the season.

His hold up play against Fyfield was excellent, as the Boreham Wood number 12 imposed himself with his dominance over Langstaff throughout the game. But that changed when Mitchell came off the bench.

He was strong, direct and worked extremely hard in testing conditions at Meadow Park. He showed great skill and balance on a number of occasions, linking up well with the forward players.

And his goal. What else is there to say. He was confident, took the ball forward and smashed his effort hard and low beyond Nathan Ashmore. I don't think any 'keeper in the league was stopping that.

He could of had two, again showing great trickery on the left-hand side before curling an effort agonisingly wide late on. It was an encouraging performance from the Notts number seven, and one that could see him become a regular under Williams.

Tactical changes paid off

Whilst Langstaff was a constant threat going forward against Boreham Wood, on a number of occasions the Magpies persisted on playing the ball long, rather than to his feet.

The average height of the Boreham Wood defence yesterday was 6ft 1, and against Langstaff, who is only 5ft 8, it made no sense to keep pumping the ball up to the striker.

Around the hour-mark, Williams made a tactical switch, bringing off Sam Austin and Jim O'Brien, dropping Langstaff further back and putting Mitchell's aerial presence in front of Boreham Wood, and it worked almost instantly.

The energy in midfield was needed which Matty Palmer provided, and dropping Langstaff further back enabled him to pick up the ball in the pockets and create chances for Mitchell, and the pair combined for Notts' second goal.

Defensive lapses prove costly

As Williams eluded to before their National League opener with Maidenhead, Notts' defence was a slight Achilles heel last season, and he was quick to suggest his side had been working on tightening up at the back.

But both Boreham Wood's equalisers came from lapses in concentration at the back, and there were signs that those bad habits from last season were creeping in again, but hopefully, it is just a one off.

For the hosts first goal, Notts simply had to do better from the initial corner. Whilst Boreham Wood's aerial presence is strong, the Magpies had a number of opportunities to clear, but were unable to do so. Adam Chicksen made an unbelievable tackle to deny Zak Brunt, but the ball ricocheted and eventually fell to Elliott to smash beyond Sam Slocombe.

Maybe the 33 degree heat played a factor, but Notts just looked more uncomfortable as the game went on. They looked tired when making passes and were allowing Boreham Wood a way back into the game.

The second goal, albeit a harsh decision, was completely avoidable. A mix-up between Slocombe and substitute Geraldo Bajrami forced Ed Francis to concede an unnecessary corner, with that set-piece leading to the foul by Mitchell on Fyfield.

Whilst it is only the second game of the season, Williams will be looking to stamp out anymore defensive errors as Notts enter a run of tough fixtures over the next couple of weeks.

Aden Baldwin injury concern

Whilst it was far from his finest day at the office yesterday, there will be a slight bit of concern surrounding Aden Baldwin's injury at Meadow Park.

The 25-year-old was substituted in the 77th minute after looking uncomfortable all afternoon, but speaking after the game, Williams explained that his centre back was playing with an injury that has persisted in pre-season, so an outing at Gateshead on Tuesday seems unlikely.

"I think Aden Baldwin went into the game with a very sore Achilles tendon," explained Williams.

"I think it is just because of the pre-season schedule and that the pitches are very firm, and I think we need to assess that now and see where he is with the injury."

Baldwin was replaced by summer recruit Bajrami who had very little to do, and you would think he would be the likely replacement for the Magpies ahead of their trip to Gateshead.

Zak Brunt shows his class

Whilst his loan spell at Meadow Lane didn't quite work out, Zak Brunt showcased his quality against the Magpies in what was a composed midfield display by the 20-year-old.

Brunt was on loan from Sheffield United for the second part of last season, and featured 14 times, mostly from the bench, but missed out on 11 games in total, whether it be an unused substitute or not being in the matchday squad.

And whilst his minutes were minimal in Nottingham, he proved to the Notts fans what he is capable of here, giving the Magpies midfield and defence a torrid time all afternoon.

His excellent close control and eye for a pass was arguably Boreham Wood's only threat before Tyrone Marsh's introduction, and he seemed like the only player that wanted to drive forward with the ball.

He almost silenced the travelling fans after being sent through clear on goal, but a great recovery tackle from Joel Taylor denied Brunt a goal, something he is yet to see in his professional career.

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