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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Oliver King

Tactical genius and redemption seized: Key talking points from Notts County Wembley win

Notts County Football Club are back in the Football League. It feels rather good to say that out loud.

The Magpies ensured their special season had the fitting ending as they came from behind twice to win on penalties - Cedwyn Scott scoring the resulting spot-kick after his heartache against Wrexham in April.

A memorable day for every Notts fan in attendance and at home. There will be some sore heads across the city this afternoon, but it was all worth it.

READ MORE: From Gateshead to the EFL: Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott open up on play-off glory

READ MORE: Gary Neville sends Notts County one-word message after Wembley heroics

Here are a look at the key talking points from Wembley.

Tactical genius

Luke Williams has often been likened to Manchester City's Pep Guardiola, and yesterday was further proof of the Notts head coach reaping the rewards from tough decisions made in the heat of battle.

As was first seen in the Netherlands' World Cup quarter-final with Costa Rica back in 2014, Louis Van Gaal opted to change Jasper Cillessen for Tim Krul which has been widely used in football since - a tactic that earned the Magpies' return to the Football League.

Having endured a difficult afternoon under the Wembley arch, Sam Slocombe was substituted with two minutes of extra-time to go, replaced by on-loan Norwich City youngster Archie Mair, the 22-year-old saving the last spot-kick he faced away to Altrincham at the end of March.

And that action at the J.Davidson Stadium may have had some impact on Williams' preparations for the possibility of penalties - Slocombe yet to save a spot-kick since joining the club in 2019.

That risk on the grandest stage of all with the club on the cusp of something they have set eyes on since their drop to the National League showed huge bottle, and with high risk, comes high reward.

Mair, along with Cedwyn Scott would prove to be the shootout heroes - the Notts goalkeeper saving twice from Darren Oldaker and Jeff King with two dives to his right leaving Scott to stroke the ball down the middle and send the fans behind them into scenes that will live long in the memory.

Redemption seized

10th April 2023, 97th-minute. The swing of the National League title race potentially decided by one kick of a football.

Scott, the man who stepped up to take the penalty at the Racecourse Ground, saw his effort saved by Ben Foster, putting one hand on the title for their north Wales rivals - but football has a funny way

Standing in front of over 20,000 Magpies fans, a puff of the cheeks and a three-step run-up as those behind the goal waited in anticipation, Scott slammed the ball down the middle with conviction as he wrote his name into Notts County folklore.

But not only for Scott, but also for the four players still part of the squad who were there three years ago when they lost to Harrogate Town - Richard Brindley, Connell Rawlinson, Jim O'Brien, and Slocombe all confirming their status amongst the supporters as 'legends' for what they have given to this club during times of uncertainty in recent seasons.

Calming presence

A man who has been in this position before, John Bostock rose to the occasion under the Wembley arch - oozing class from minute one and utilising his experience to help push his team over the line.

Since arriving at the club in December, the 31-year-old has formed a excellent relationship alongside Matty Palmer in midfield, and he could prove to be one of the most influential signings of the campaign so far.

He could have crowned an excellent display when produced with the opportunity to send Notts back to the Football League with a penalty, his Panenka attempt hitting the crossbar to keep the Spireites' slim hopes of promotion alive, but I think we can all forgive him for that now.

An 18-month contract at Meadow Lane is yet another masterstroke from the recruitment department, and he will play a huge part in the season that unfolds next year.

A day to remember

The sight of thousands of black and white shirts spread across Wembley Way is something that will stick long in the memory of those in attendance.

A football club that has been through so much over the past couple of years, they managed to crown their special season with the perfect ending.

Even at 10am, Notts fans could be seen for miles soaking up the pre-match atmosphere, pints in hand, smiles on their faces, and enjoying the occasion despite the obvious nerves.

But once the full-time whistle sounded, a culmination of relief, emotion, joy, and tears surfaced around the stadium - Notts County had done it. For all the memories of their four-year stay in the National League was over. The World's Oldest Professional Football Club were back in their rightful place of the Football League.

Looking over them

The sad passing of much-loved CEO Jason Turner hit everyone involved at the club, and the players delivered in his honour as he watched on inside Wembley with that infectious smile etched upon his face.

After their dramatic play-off final win over Boreham Wood, Williams explained that Mr. Turner may of had something to do with the events that unfolded at Meadow Lane - even insisting that he was frowning at him as he found his side 2-0 down against Luke Garrard's side.

But as he watched on high in the stands and over the travelling 20,000 Notts contingent, you felt he also had something to do with the outcome of proceedings yesterday.

That result was for you Jason.

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