Forgetting about the playoffs for a minute this was a game I was really looking forward to. Finally we have a left winger in the team who has a left foot and judging by the Tranmere reports we were in for a treat with young Jerome Thomas making his home debut. First impressions last a long time and Jerome made a lasting impression on everyone in the stadium. The game kicked off and within second Jerome was on the ball looking strong and dribbled past three players before being taking a touch to many and giving the ball away. Instead of groans the bloke got a standing ovation as this looked like a very promising player prepared to attack defenders. Soon after he was off again, dribbling past players as if they were not there and the only way Notts County could stop him was by kicking him. This lead to some free kicks on the left and we almost grabbed the lead from one of them as Thomas crossed for Gallen who was unmarked but he headed wide when he should have done better. It was great to watch and we looked very good going forward, instead of all our play going through Langley we had another player with skill and vision to use and it was great to watch. Against the run of play we fell behind though after just four minutes. It was a good goal though as Danny Allsopp showed good movement to take Shittu wide and leave a huge gap for Caskey to run into and he arrived unmarked to slot in a simple goal. Rose or Peacock should have tracked the run of Caskey but neither of them looked up to the task of their defensive duties in that first half. On several occasions the defence was left with midfield players coming at us from all angles and none of our midfield getting back to help out. During this spell Bignot and Shittu were struggling and it looked like another home defeat was on the cards. Credit though to the attack as we looked dangerous going forward and you could see us scoring. Thomas was taking on the Notts County defence on his own and doing a fine job as he almost scored with one shot and created a half chance for Thomson as well. Thomson looked to be struggling with his back injury again and seemed in some pain during the first 20 minutes. He eventually came off to be replaced by Dominic Foley. An equaliser looked on the cards but they were very good on the break and Caskey should have made it 2-0 but Evans pushed his shot wide. They also hit the bar during one of their counter attacks and eventually grabbed a two goal lead after good work again by Allsopp and a cross in found Ian Baraclough to fire into the bottom corner. The former Rangers player got some stick as he celebrated but was also clapped by the majority of supporters as he didn’t make a big deal of the goal and just walked away. It would have been easy for him to cup his ear and celebrate a goal against his former club but Baraclough showed he is a model pro and walked back to get on with the game. Even with us two goals down we looked capable of getting back in the game. Foley missed a couple of half chances whilst Gallen missed two great chances to put us back in the game. We were so strong going forward you couldn’t see us not scoring and the goal finally came in injury time. A corner on the right was swung in and half cleared but fell to Thomas who hit a blistering shot towards the bottom corner only for Shittu to turn it in on the line. We were back in the game and it was no more than we deserved. I felt very confident we’d go on and win this game after this goal. We came out for the second half like a team possessed. Gone was the hoofing we were passing the ball and playing some great stuff. Thomas started the half surrounded by three players, he dribbled past all three and ran in towards goal curling a brilliant shot just inches wide of the post. What a goal that would have been and the crowd were on their feet urging the team on. More good work by Thomas saw a cross fly in and Foley hit a shot against the bar before Thomas again caused havoc and crossed for Shittu whose header went wide when he really should have scored. A goal was no far away though and it was no surprise to see it come down the left and they couldn’t cope with Thomas and another cross in found Rose who headed in from six yards out. The ground erupted and now everyone believed we would win this game. The pressure continued for a while but then we began to fade a bit from the game and resort to long balls again. Some of them worked as Gallen chased down their full back to win a few throw ins but most of the time it was to easy to defend against. Notts County began to get back in the game but never really looked like winning the game. They did have two good chances though but on both occasions Danny Shittu was immense in defence and cleared the danger.As Thomas began to fade from the game Richard Langley stepped up to take control of the game and Forbes was getting forward to help the attack. We looked dangerous again and got the winning goal we thoroughly deserved. Langley got the ball on the right and produced a sublime pass to set Foley in. Foley had time and space and made no mistake as he fired into the back of the net. Time was against the visitors but they gave it there all to get back in the game. A late corner and free kick caused panic but we held on for a deserved three points which probably isn’t enough for the playoffs but has provided us with an excellent afternoons entertainment and a lot of optimism for next season. Man of the Match: Jerome Thomas Players Ratings: 33. Rhys Evans: Not much chance with the goals and his kicking was better than it has been in the last few games. 7/10 17. Terrell Forbes: Hardly ever has a bad game, he was excellent at the back again and works so hard to get forward and give the midfield an option. 8/10 11. Marcus Bignot: A disappointing first half but he got better after the break when he worked out it was easier to sit back and let Thomas take on the team on his own. 6/10 4. Steve Palmer: Looked all over the place during the first half but much better after the break and he didn't hoof as much as he usually does 7/10 31. Danny Shittu: Struggled early on against Alsopp but got better as the game wore on and was very influential in getting us back in the match. He seems to be improving as the season goes on and he will be one hell of a player one day. 7/10 12. Matthew Rose: Very poor first half where he was hardly ever involved and offered the defence no protection at all. After half time he was a totally different player winning tackles, passing the ball and getting a deserved goal. 7/10 8. Gavin Peacock: Like Rose he was poor in the first half but he got better as the game wore on. Still nowhere near his best but when he plays like he did in the second half he is worth a place in the team. 6/10 9. Richard Langley: Brilliant as usual, getting better and fitter with every game and his pass for the third goal was quality. 8/10 26. Jerome Thomas: Words can't describe how impressive he was and the scary thing is he is only going to get better, I wouldn't be surprised to see him more involved at Arsenal next season. 9/10 27. Andy Thomson: Was doing ok before his injury, shame to see him go off as he is in good form. 7/10 18. Kevin Gallen: Should have scored at least one of the chances given to him and he was off form today. He still provides moments of quality with his link up play though and works hard for the team even when things are not going right for him. 6/10 Subs: 34. Dominic Foley: Scored one and almost grabbed a few more, he looked quite good and hopefully we'll see more of him before the end of the season. 7/10
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