Neal Ardley sees hope for Notts County after victory at Forest Green

Posted Sunday, February 10, 2019 by PA

Notts County boss Neal Ardley was delighted after his side picked up a shock 2-1 victory at promotion-chasing Forest Green.

County, bottom of the Sky Bet League Two table, scored the opening goal their dominance deserved after 57 minutes.

Mitch Rose’s torpedo throw was headed clear by Rovers captain Gavin Gunning, but the ball dropped at the feet of Jim O’Brien who wrapped his foot around the ball to beat Lewis Ward.

Rovers were back in the contest just six minutes later. County keeper Ryan Schofield was booked after punching the ball outside the box and Joseph Mills took the opportunity to fizz home the subsequent free-kick.

The Magpies picked Rovers off with a sublime moment from Enzio Boldewijn – cutting in from the left the County man unleashed a right-footed effort to beat the flying Ward after 77 minutes.

And Ardley felt his side, who are now four points adrift of safety, kept their momentum going after drawing at league leaders Lincoln last time out.

“It was important after playing so well against Lincoln that we tried to keep momentum,” he said.

“I said to the players whatever happens we come away two games unbeaten and that was the aim.

“We could have scored five or six with some great flowing moves and Virgil (Gomis) could have had a hat-trick.

“We knew we could come under pressure. They’ve been playing 3-5-2 and maybe a diamond and I just said that if we do the homework and you carry out the game plan, it’s a good combination.

“It’s only two games but we have threats going forward. It was a brave starting line-up with three forwards and a winger on the pitch away from home against a team that likes to dominate with the ball.

“We knew it would be a risk, but the attacking players were motivated to do their defensive jobs and Enzio (Boldewijn) has conjured up a bit of magic.

“That’s important because even if they score, you still feel you’ve got two or three more chances in you.”

Meanwhile, Forest Green boss Mark Cooper felt his side were simply off-colour, saying: “We didn’t play well enough, individually or collectively and too many players were not at the races.

“County sat behind the ball and made it difficult for us, but the two goals we conceded were horrific. One to 11 we were poor, but our goalkeeper was outstanding.”

Cooper pointed the finger at his defence, who failed collectively to cope with the lung-busting running of Boldewijn.

“We know he’s right-footed and our centre-half allows him to cut inside on his right foot on the edge of the box,” bemoaned the former County boss.

“He was sent a file of clips yesterday, showing Boldewijn’s strength is his right foot and we told him ‘don’t let him cut inside’. He watched the clips knowing his strength was his right foot and he showed him on his right foot.

“We didn’t play well enough, individually or collectively, and too many players were not at the races.

“County sat behind the ball and made it difficult for us, but the two goals we conceded were horrific.”