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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Oliver King

Notts County player ratings vs Yeovil as Macaulay Langstaff hits 30 goals in stellar season

Macaulay Langstaff became the first Notts County player to hit 30 goals in a season since Lee Hughes back in 2010, as three late goals ensured Luke Williams' side remained five points clear at the summit.

The Magpies master marksman opened his account for the afternoon inside five minutes, nodding home Sam Austin's cross to give his side a half-time lead.

But a mix-up between Geraldo Bajrami and Sam Slocombe allowed Andrew Oluwabori the opportunity to level the contest, but a late flurry of goals courtesy of a Ruben Rodrigues penalty and a quickfire brace from the Notts number nine saw Notts record six-straight wins in the National League.

READ MORE: Notts County team news vs Yeovil as four changes made amid injury concerns

Ahead of kick-off, Williams made four changes to the side that beat Barnet in midweek, with Tobi Adebayo-Rowling and Cedwyn Scott missing out all together following injuries picked up at Meadow Lane on Tuesday evening, with Aaron Nemane and Austin recalled along with Bajrami and Jim O'Brien.

With the Glovers the only side in the division to keep the Magpies from scoring in a game this season, it took Langstaff just four minutes to breach Mark Cooper's defence - the National League's master marksman left unmarked inside the area to head home his 28th goal of the season following good work from Austin down the right-hand side.

Despite that early setback, the visitors had Slocombe to thank in preserving their early advantage, with the Notts number one forced into making a smart save from point-blank range following Malachai Linton's flicked effort at the near post.

Fresh from taking his tally for the campaign into double figures, Adam Chicksen had an opportunity to add a second late in the first half, with Rodrigues hounding Jamie Reckford into a mistake before firing a pass into the Zimbabwean only to see his right-footed effort fail to trouble Grant Smith in the Yeovil goal.

Notts almost replicated their fast start early in the second period, with Langstaff nearly adding to his tally for the afternoon after Austin's header caught out both of the Yeovil central defenders and sending the Notts number nine away - with the ball bouncing, Langstaff opted to lob the ball over the Glovers keeper but failed to scamper in time to knock it home, with his eventual effort coming off the post and cleared.

And that missed opportunity was punished ten minutes later following a defensive blunder, this time Slocombe and Bajrami the culprits with another lapse in concentration and communication following a ball over the top - giving substitute Oluwabori the opportunity to curl the ball into the unguarded net as the Notts keeper scampered back towards his goal.

It seemed an inspired substitution from the Glovers boss, with the number 27 jinxing beyond Chicksen and Kyle Cameron minutes later before forcing Slocombe into making a smart save at his near post.

But after surviving that spell of pressure, one more opportunity fell to the league leaders as neat play on the edge of the area saw Matty Palmer fouled inside the box with five minutes to go, with Rodrigues stepping up, stuttering, and sending Smith the wrong way in front of the travelling 479 Notts fans.

And this rollercoaster season continued to provide twists and turns at Huish Park with Edwin Agbaje's speculative effort glancing off the crossbar just minutes before Langstaff was slipped in behind by Rodrigues to finish emphatically with his left foot.

But he wasn't finished there, bearing down on goal in the dying embers which saw his first effort repelled by Smith, but was on hand to follow up the rebound to notch 30 for the campaign, just ten shy of the National League record by February. Unbelievable.

Following the game, here is how we rated Williams' men.

Sam Slocombe - 6

Produced an excellent save shortly after the opener, doing well to anticipate the balls over the top. At fault for the equaliser but didn't affect his performance, producing an excellent save late on to deny Jordan Young's free-kick.

Kyle Cameron - 7

A professional performance from the Notts captain, dealing well with the threat of the Yeovil attack until Oluwabori's introduction late on.

Geraldo Bajrami - 5

A tough afternoon on his first start since New Year's Day, struggling with the aerial presence of Alex Fisher and his evident involvement in the Yeovil equaliser.

Connell Rawlinson - 7.5

Guilty of losing possession on a couple of occasions after being crowded out in midfield early on, but was an absolute rock in the middle of that back three. Colossus.

Adam Chicksen - 7

A mature performance from the Zimbabwean, combining that attacking threat with defensive solidity to great effect that participated in the win.

Aaron Nemane - 7.5

Another threatening performance from the Frenchman, looking to attack at every opportunity and creating several chances for his team-mates all afternoon.

Matty Palmer - 7.5

Played a pivotal role in Rodrigues' penalty after venturing forward and going down in the area. Dictated the play from the middle of the park in testing conditions at Huish Park.

Jim O'Brien - 7

A combative midfield display from O'Brien, working well alongside Palmer in midfield, with Bostock's introduction needed to provide those incisive passes to unlock the Yeovil defence.

Ruben Rodrigues - 8

Endured a tough battle with Morgan Williams in midfield, but had one of the last laughs - stepping up to give the Magpies the lead from the spot.

Sam Austin - 7.5

Instrumental in the opener, and it was another busy performance from the midfielder on his return to the side as he took his assist tally to 11

Macaulay Langstaff - 10

30 goals for the season. Absolutely incredible from the Notts number nine with three difficult finishes made to look so easy on a testing surface.

SUBS:

Jodi Jones - 7

Looked to attack immediately after his introduction, creating a number of opportunities late on.

John Bostock - 7

Provided that experience needed to unlock Yeovil's resolute defence - another excellent substitute appearance.

Frank Vincent - 6

A late change for Aaron Nemane.

READ NEXT:

  • Luke Williams praises 'incredible' Notts County backroom staff amid fine league form
  • Matty Palmer pinpoints key Notts County difference as 'difficult' Barnet showing explained
  • Elite mentality and playing to the whistle - key talking points from Notts County's win over Barnet
  • Jodi Jones relishing Notts County opportunity after impressive Barnet display
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