Northampton Saints 17 Nottingham 10

Northampton Saints expected a tough game, but few would have expected to come so close to seeing their 100% record slip away.

All the more so as Nottingham played the entire second half a man short following a red card for Joe Duffey. Any thoughts of a landslide though were swept aside as Nottingham put together what Glenn Delaney described as the best defensive performance of the season.

As if that were not enough, Nottingham finished the game camped in the home 22 and had a good case for a penalty try that could have brought a draw.

It was a magnificent effort all round, one that left every Nottingham supporter bursting with pride. A strong start from the home side saw New Zealand international Bruce Reihana kick a brace of penalties.

But as Nottingham began to get into the game they caused a few problems for their hosts, particularly at the lineout. Another spell of pressure from Saints looked likely to produce a score but when the ball fell loose Tim Usasz hacked it forward to set up a race that took play back into the home 22.

The defence cleared to touch, but the Nottingham pack got its reward with a pushover try from the resulting lineout, prop Matt Parr celebrating his 50th league game for the club and David Jackson giving them a one point lead a minute before the break with the conversion.

But then came the incident which changed the game as Saints hit straight back.

Duffey got a red card for allegedly stamping, and Reihana’s last kick of the half put his side back in front at 9-7. Duffey’s card meant Nottingham had to bring on a front row forward for the second half.

That in turn meant sacrificing winger Andy Savage, which left them seriously exposed down the right. And so what was already a difficult task should have become an impossibility. But the landslide many Saints supporters anticipated never happened. Joe Ansbro crossed ten minutes into the second half, but the longer the game went on the stronger the Nottingham defence became. Saints went close several times, with one shuddering try saving tackle from Tim Molenaar on former Green and White hero Mark Easter the highlight.

The frustration among the home crowd also grew, and there was considerable relief when Reihana slotted over his fourth penalty of the day to open up a seven point lead with a couple of minutes of normal time remaining. But it was Nottingham who finished the game on the attack, forcing a lineout in the home 22 and going for the drive.

With Saints penalised for pulling the first maul down the kick brought a closer lineout, and an even stronger drive. Saints supporters held their breath - the Green Army urged their heroes on. But somehow the defence held them up and eventually forced an error to regain possession and clear, signalling the final whistle.

But every Saint - player and supporter - knew how close they had come to losing their 100% record.

Nottingham: Jackson; Savage (Loney), Molenaar, Smith, Dodge (Nirmalendran); Thompson, Usasz (Pilgrim); Parr (Hopkins), Duffey, Hall, Rouse, Morley (Stannard), Hammond (capt), Sherriff, Montague. Try: Parr. Conv: Jackson. Pen: Jackson.

Notts 0 Mansfield 0

The travelling Mansfield supporters held aloft a banner which simply read ‘believe’, as both sides took to the field. But ironically, it will be Ian MacParland and his side who will believe they can stay up after the Meadow Lane stalemate.

Notts will be the happier of the two sides after the 0-0 draw, while Paul Holland’s Stags will be left to rue an afternoon of missed opportunities.

The opening exchanges were reminiscent of a Poker game, with both sides weighing each other up, not wanting to show their hand. Richard Butcher twice failed to accurately connect with long-range efforts, and neither goalkeeper was tested.

The Stags star player, Michael Boulding, began to show glimpses of the talent that once saw Aston Villa take a punt on him, with Mansfield breaking well on the counter-attack.

Stephen Dawson blazed over from 25 yards and Jefferson Louis tested Russell Hoult with a shot in the box, before a brilliant Boulding reverse pass cut the Notts defence to ribbons, but Nathan Arnold saw his crashing effort come back off the bar with Hoult beaten at his near post.

The visitors were showing far more quality in possession and Boulding will have felt he should have done better after a clever touch made him a yard of space, but his hooked shot was easily claimed.

Holland must have wandered whether his side would be punished for not capitalising on the first-half dominance. The second-half began much the same as the first, albeit Notts looked the more threatening.

As a contest, the game fizzled out, and it had the inevitable feeling that Mansfield would fail to break down the Notts back-line. County don’t give much away, it was their fourth straight clean-sheet, but they failed to muster any real threat in the final third, and this will again concern the Notts boss.

Both sides could have won it at the death, with the only notable chances of a dull second period. Firstly, substitute Simon Brown’s deep cross was met by Matthew Hamshaw whose cushioned volley should have hit the target. Then in added time, County substitute Spencer Weir-Daley’s clever swivel and shot could have snatched all three points, but Jake Buxton’s desperate lunge deflected it wide.

It would have been cruel on Mansfield to lose the game, but their failure to overhaul their county rivals may have now all but sealed their fate.

Dimi out for season

Nottingham Forest's new loan signing Dimi Konstantopoulos is set to miss the rest of the season with an Achilles injury-before he even played a game for the club.

The Greek goalkeeper only joined The Reds earlier this week from Coventry City on a deal until the end of the campaign.

But in only his first training session with the League One club on Thursday morning, Konstantopoulos ruptured his Achilles tendon.

He will require surgery and will be sidelined for several months.

The injury to Konstantopoulos leaves Forest short of goalkeeping cover after the former Greek under-21 international had been signed to provide competition to Paul Smith.

Forest’s number two ‘keeper Dale Roberts may now be recalled from jis loan spell at Rushden and Diamonds.

Konstantopoulos had been allowed to leave Coventry after becoming the Sky Blues third choice stopper following the recent loan capture of Kasper Schmeichel from Manchester City.

Forest swoop for Greek 'keeper

Nottingham Forest have completed the loan signing of Coventry City goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos.
The 29-year-old former Greek Under-21 international has joined until the end of the season.
Konstantopoulos has played 23 matches for the Sky Blues this season but has fallen down the pecking order under new manager Chris Coleman.
Forest boss Colin Calderwood said he is keen to give current number one Paul Smith more competition after Forest’s number two ‘keeper Dale Roberts loan deal at Rushden and Diamonds continues until the end of the season.

The best teams win ugly!

AFTER A LESS than emphatic victory against the Cornish All Blacks at the weekend, we have broken the 100 point barrier in the league for the first time in Nottingham Rugby’s 130 year history.

With only 5 games left in the season we currently sit on 101 points which makes us equal second with Exeter.

Northampton beat Exeter on Saturday at Franklin’s Gardens in front of a record crowd for the league, 13948, which sealed the inevitable-their return to the Premiership next season. The hunt is on for the second spot though.

We performed poorly last weekend but good sides win ugly sometimes and even when you are not playing well, especially in the first half, to come away with a bonus point win was all that was required.

The season really hinges on the next two weekends but whatever happens this year it has been a fantastic year for the club.

Realistically at the start of the season we were hoping for a top 6 finish and after the first month that was looking unlikely but we have picked up the habit of winning and we certainly were not going to give that up as a New Year’s resolution or for Lent and we have gone from strength to strength.

We are desperate to finish second and will be working hard in training right until the curtain closes on this season.

The body is feeling a bit battered and bruised but the mind is sharp and against the best sides in the league that is where the game is won or lost. We are talking about very fine margins over the next couple of weeks but I am sure we can beat the best that this league has to offer and clinch second.

Keep up to date with all the news, views and details of what is happening with the Green and Whites at http://www.nottinghamrugby.co.uk/.

Relegation keeps me awake at night

PAUL MAYO HAS indicated Notts County’s relegation fight has been so stressful that it keeps him awake at night.

The left-back returned to the Magpies line-up after a loan spell with Darlington in January and was overjoyed to see the side pick up a critical four points over the Easter programme. They pulled seven points clear of rivals Mansfield Town who they now face next.

But he re-iterated ahead of the derby showdown at Meadow Lane that there is still work to do to guarantee their survival in the remaining seven games.

He said: “We’re fighting for our lives at the bottom and our professional careers are at stake and there’s still going to be a lot of twists and turns.”

“It’s the first time I’ve really been in this position and it’s not nice because you find yourself at home sat on the couch or laid in bed at night thinking we’re a few points above the relegation zone, if we lose here or we lose there-it’s very stressful.”

“Once we’re out of it, it’ll be a huge weight off our shoulders-we can’t get safe quick enough.”

“There’s certainly a lot more pressure at this end of the table than the top end. It’s certainly something I don’t want to have on my CV as a player as being relegated from the football league and certainly a club like Notts County shouldn’t be anywhere near it.”

“It’s in our hands. Our home form has been poor all season and poor for three or four years.

“It’s not like we’re getting beat every week but we’re drawing a lot of games and obviously not scoring more than one goal in a game, if we can concede it makes it hard. But if we can score a few more goals and keep it tight at the back then we’ll be ok.”

And he compared his time in the North East to identify reasons why the Magpies have struggled all season to grab the goals to drag them away from the wrong end of the table.

He added: “Away from home we don’t look like getting beat but scoring goals has been a problem all season, I think we’re the second lowest scorers.”

“We haven’t conceded many goals in the last few games and that’s a base for us to build on, one goal is probably all we need at times.”

“The difference has been from my time at Darlington that when the strikers there had chances they stuck them in and nine times out of ten they’d put a half chance away.”

“I’m not saying it’s our strikers that have got the problem, it’s the whole team going forward-our play up them has got to be better.”

Reds wanted me 2 years ago-Ormerod

BRETT ORMEROD HAS revealed Gary Megson tried to sign the striker for Nottingham Forest over two years ago.

The 31 year-old has already bagged two goals in five appearances since the start of his loan spell and said he wanted to join from Southampton in 2006 when the opportunity arose.

He said: ”I had a chance to join a couple of seasons ago but it wasn’t meant to be. It was when Gary Megson was manager. I was Southampton at the time but I just wasn’t allowed to go.”

He also indicated he is unsure where his future lies after the end of the season.
He added: “I’m not ruling anything out. I’m not really thinking about my long term future-I’ve got another year at Preston, I’ve just come to get some games and hopefully help Forest get promotion. The opportunity to play for a club like this was too good to turn down.”

'Fans were like a twelfth man’-Kevan

Dave Kevan praised the influence of the Notts fans in the critical win over Rochdale-hailing them as their twelth man on the day.

The Magpies assistant manager saw the side gain a vitally important three points after Michael Johnson’s winner-their first win in six games at Meadow Lane.

And after a plea to the fans before the game to get behind the side despite a desperately disappointing season, Kevan was overwhelmed at the fans’ reaction in a key game in the fight for survival

He said: “The fans were fantastic. They responded to our pleas for their help and they were like a twelfth man today and we’re delighted that we’ve sent them home with a win.”

“Credit to Rochdale they put us under immense pressure in the second half and some of our defending at times was outstanding.”

“The supporters recognised that the lads were having a right go for them and we’ve always said if the lads are prepared to put their bodies on the line and give all they’ve got then they’ll get the backing and they got that today.

And Kevan played testament to the Magpies defensive resistance that has seen them concede just one goal in the last five games.

He added: “Defensively it was a team effort today but obviously the back four and goalkeeper they deserve special praise for the clean sheet and that always gives you a chance of winning games.”

“Even the lads that came on, Parkinson and Jason, they’ve come on and made important tackles and blocks so from the back to the front they’ve defended their lead very very well.”

Notts 1 Rochdale 0

Michael Johnson’s first ever Notts goal could prove to be one of the clubs most important in recent years as Ian McParland's side grabbed a precious 1-0 victory over Rochdale.

The win, County’s first in six and only their second at home this calender year, may prove so crucial in the final standings as they moved six points clear of the bottom two, ahead of Monday’s visit to Shrewsbury.

The blustery conditions around Meadow Lane were not conducive to free-flowing football and both sides struggled to adapt.

Rochdale’s best work stemmed from the right side, with Rene Howe first teasing Paul Mayo before Chris Basham fired a cross in at the near post, which was comfortably dealt with by Russell Hoult.

It was the Magpies who fashioned the first goal-scoring opportunity though when a hopeful punt forward dropped in to the path of the diminutive Danny Crow, who found himself alone with all the time in the world, but he snatched at his shot and his attempted lob dropped the wrong side of the post.

Notts took the initiative with Crow and Butcher going close shortly after, and the home side were rewarded for their endeavour when, after excellent work by Wayne Corden inside the Rochdale box, Michael Johnson tapped home from close range.

The visitors should have equalised right on the stroke of half-time, when a deep corner found its way to the back post, but Adam Le Fondre blasted over when it was easier to hit the target.

Rochdale started the second-half brightly, dominating the possession and laying siege to the County goal early on. Rene Howe must have wandered how he didn’t equalise when his powerful volley was somehow deflected over through a crowd of bodies on the goal line.

Notts failure to take control of midfield resulted in a shortage of supply to the front men and Danny Crow, who worked tirelessly for the Notts cause, was replaced by Jason Lee.

The substitution did little to stem the flow of the game, but County defended stoutly despite the visitors having a goal disallowed and Howe again going close at the death.

Northampton 1 Forest 2

Nathan Tyson's second-half penalty earned 10-man Nottingham Forest their first win in five games at Northampton.
Brett Ormerod gave Forest the lead when he finished off a move involving Chris Cohen and Julian Bennett.
James Perch was then controversially sent off for a challenge on Poul Hubertz before the Cobblers player equalised with a fantastically executed overhead kick from 10 yards.But Tyson grabbed the winner from the penalty spot after he was brought down by ‘keeper Mark Bunn on 63 minutes.

Nottingham v Launceston

There's a big incentive for the lads this weekend when they take on Launceston at Meadow Lane. A five point win could see them draw level on points with Exeter Chiefs, who are away at Northampton Saints, and put the pressure on for second place. What better way to make up for the disappointment of last week's cup exit? The previous cup round saw a big win against Launceston, but that will mean nothing when the All Blacks come back to the Lane for the re match. Expect them to be playing for pride, not to mention avenging that heavy defeat on their last visit. See you at Meadow Lane.

Holt makes Seasiders switch

Blackpool have completed the loan-signing of Forest striker Grant Holt for the remainder of the season.
The 27-year-old scored 24 goals in 109 games after arriving from Rochdale for £300,000 in January 2006.
He notched 18 goals and was the club’s Player of the Year last season.
But he has found himself out of favour after an inconsistent few months that has seen him bag only three league goals this term.
He has since fallen down the striker pecking order with the arrival of on loan Brett Ormerod.
Critics pointed to his dip in form not being helped through being used in a wider position in Colin Calderwood’s preference to play three forwards, instead of a two man attack that prompted his good form last year.
Blackpool manager Simon Grayson said: "We've enquired about him over the last year. "
"He's a big strong boy and gives us extra competition for places."
Holt himself indicated the move was the right one for him.
He said: "I was getting frustrated where I was and there weren't that many teams where I'd have gone out on loan.
"It's great for me location wise and it's a club that I think is on the up."

Sherriff: We've still got it all to play for!

Last weekend Nottingham Rugby failed in their attempt to reach their first Twickenham final in the club’s 130 year history. The Green and Whites lost 16-8 in a hard fought EDF National Trophy Semi Final with Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.

Both teams had to contend with driving rain throughout the game but considering the atrocious conditions both played positive rugby and Nottingham will no doubt be looking forward to seeking revenge on the Chiefs in their final home league game of the season at Meadow Lane on the 6th of April.

The cup run may well be over for Nottingham but there is still a lot to play for with 5 league games remaining. Northampton Saints have all but clinched the league title and thus their promotion back to the Premiership but 2nd place is definitely still achievable for the Green and Whites. Nottingham are currently positioned in third 5 points behind the Chiefs.

This weekend Nottingham entertain Launceston at Meadow Lane, 2:30pm kick-off, they then travel to Northampton before the Chiefs come to Nottingham for what could be the showdown for second spot. The Green and Whites end the season on the road with away games at Esher and Coventry respectively.

It was a huge effort by the boys last weekend and it was close but just not close enough. We will be pushing hard now in the last 5 games to try and clinch 2nd spot but we need all the support we can get for our last two home games at Meadow Lane.

Hope to see you down there.

Eddy: 'Johnno is key'

MIKE EDWARDS HAS hailed the impact of Michael Johnson in Notts County’s quest for League Two survival.

The Magpies have conceded just one goal in nearly five hours of football since his introduction to the side at the start of the month and Edwards is backing his influence to be crucial for the remainder of the season.

He said: "Johnno’s played internationals and Premier League and it’s good to line up up with someone who’s older than me!"

“It helps when you can use his experience and we’ve hit it off quite well at the back so far.”
“We’re talking across the back and hopefully giving the boys up the front something to build on. I’m still learning now and it’s good he can come in and everyone can learn off him.”

Back on track

NATHAN TYSON HAS reiterated he is back on track to score the goals to help Nottingham Forest’s play-off push.

The 25 year-old has been relieved to return to the side near unscathed in his comeback from a hamstring injury, finishing his first 90 minutes in over a month in the draw against Walsall.

And he is pledged he will seek to add to his six league goals indicating he is pleased
the side is playing to his strengths that led to the goals against Southend and Walsall.

He said: ”It was nice running on to the ball against Southend and Walsall-I haven’t had that for a while. It is nice playing more direct and I think that’s what we needed at that point at half-time in the first game-me coming on and trying to open up the game.”

“There’s not really much added pressure (with the other strikers not scoring) I just have to do what I need to and get my head down and work hard.”

“I’m not fully fit yet and I’m just getting told I’ve got to rest where possible.
If we end up going in the play-offs this year I definitely don’t want to miss them.”

“It’s something that needs to be keep worked on and I just have to do lighter sessions in the week sometimes.”

And he also discussed his blossoming partnership with Brett Ormerod, stating that having seven first team strikers at the club can only be healthy for Forest’s promotion hopes

He added: “Brett’s a good player, I think he’s something we need as a senior pro, he’s experienced which is an added bonus, the gaffer will makes his decisions with him but it would be nice to play up front with him more.”

“When I was at Reading there was a total of eight strikers, it was a nightmare and it was the reason I ended up playing on the left wing! It is healthy because in theory there’s always someone who’ll be scoring even if the others aren’t.”

“It can be a pain but we all want promotion, if someone’s scoring the goals to get you promoted that’s all that matters-it would be stupid and selfish and want to play but the team not to be successful.”

Johno: "We're more than capable"

MICHAEL JOHNSON IS confident he has seen enough ability and commitment in the Magpies squad to help Notts County stave off relegation out of the Football league.The 35 year-old has had an immediate effect on the Notts rearguard with sterling displays against Barnet and Lincoln City -despite the Magpies only being able to pick up two points in three games since his return.
But despite an inability to pick up crucial wins in recent weeks and one point in two home games, the former Birmingham man says he is sure the squad has what it takes to steer clear of the bottom two.
He said: "It’s embarrassing when you see the size of the club in this league and the players we’ve got but they’ve shown to me they’re more than capable to get his club out of the situation they’re in."
"I’ve played a few games down the years at a reasonable level, it’s now time to draw on that experience, put it into the team and hopefully amongst the players we’ve got here we can guide the club to safety. It’ll be up there with some of my achievements in my career if we can."
"The financial state of the club has taken quite a battering over the last few years and it’s disappointing but all we can do as a team and individuals is try and ensure this club stays in the football league this season."
"At 35, you’re called back and you’re not sure what to expect. You come here and see the pitch for instance and it’s a shocker. I don’t want to come here and be critical and opinionated but we’re a football club and want to be playing football-it’s taking away from what some of the lads want to do here."
"It’s a fighting game now because they’re taking the football away from Notts County by putting a pitch like that out. I understand the club is struggling for money but that needs to be addressed if we’re going to go forward."
And he is remaining open minded about where his future may lie next season.
He added: "The stage I am in my career and the fact I never left Nottingham and also the club coming back to me with the people in charge, I thought it’s a great time to go back to Notts."
"I’ll give it my best shot between now and the end of the season and obviously if I’m successful here I’ll decide what I’ll do after that."

Charlie must be backed

By Ed Palmer

BACKING managers when the chips are down is anything but fashionable in 21st century football but in Notts County’s case supporting Charlie McParland now could see them reap the benefits in the long term.

Notts fans have seen and heard it all before. Over a decade of under achievement finds the club at its lowest ebb and the fans doom and gloom is fully understandable.

But in such a precarious position just five points and three places above the trapdoor to non-league football, McParland’s CV should serve as a reminder of what can be achieved under his leadership.

It is not just his impressive time as caretaker boss across the Trent that should be focussed on but how quickly he rose to become a highly respected coach.

In the ten years he spent at Nottingham Forest his abilities at academy, reserve team and first team level were unquestionable. The mill of talent that was nurtured and the players he inspired and commanded, including two years in the Premiership bodes well for the Magpies-if they stick with him.

Safety this season is of course number one priority but it must be appreciated he can do little more with the current resources at his disposal particularly when the structure of the club itself lends no favours for options from reserve or youth levels.

It is easy to point to the old adage that a manager should bring in his own players and then be judged. But in McParland’s case that is exactly the point.

He has proven he can motivate and get the best out of teams that are centred around his ethos that was so successful with sides at all levels at Forest.

And whilst League Two is maybe not the breeding ground of total football, the fundamentals that he instilled as a coach so effectively earlier in his career of when to pass the ball and to defend sternly can be replicated at Meadow Lane.

Given years rather at the helm with a squad he can slowly add and improve to, Notts can start the road to recovery.

An exit in the right direction out of League Two could take considerable time but with McParland in place to oversee a longer term re-structuring of the whole club, better times will inevitably arrive sooner rather than later.