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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Oliver King

Notts County player ratings v Maidenhead as Macaulay Langstaff nets dramatic winner

Macaulay Langstaff's 83rd minute strike was enough to seal all three points for Notts County as they edged a thrilling encounter 4-3 against Maidenhead.

The Magpies got off to the perfect start when Ruben Rodrigues smashed home Kyle Cameron's deflected cross right in front of the travelling Notts fans, only for Emile Acquah to equaliser on the half-hour mark.

But two quickfire goals from Quevin Castro and Langstaff saw the visitors hold a two-goal advantage going into the break.

READ MORE: Notts County team news vs Maidenhead confirmed as new signing named in squad

Alan Devonshire's side responded almost immediately going into the second half, Acquah again capitalising on a mistake in the Notts defence, with Kane Ferdinand levelling the scores in the 70th minute after a quick counter-attack.

But there was one final twist, with Cameron producing another brilliant ball into the box for the Notts number nine Langstaff, who finished acrobatically to net his 21st goal of the campaign.

Ahead of kick-off, Notts manager Luke Williams named an unchanged side from the win over Scunthorpe last weekend, with John Bostock and Aaron Nemane coming in to replace Ed Francis and Kairo Mitchell on the bench.

After a confident start, it took the visitors just nine minutes to open the scoring, with neat interchange between Adam Chicksen and Cameron seeing the Notts skipper deliver a deflected cross for Rodrigues to smash beyond Dan Gyollai.

Williams' side continued to dominate, but the hosts remained resolute defensively and punished Notts once again from a set-piece, with Acquah credited after bundling the ball beyond Sam Slocombe.

But Notts regained control of the fixture and continued to create, with their possession rewarded six minutes before half time, with Castro's teasing cross evading everyone inside the area to score his fourth league goal in his fourth start.

And the National League's top scorer hit another milestone during his short Magpies career, sweeping home is 20th goal of the season inside the area to put clear daylight between the two sides.

However, that two-goal advantage lasted just three minutes into the second period, with Notts again failing to deal with a set-piece when a long throw-in from Maidenhead eventually fell to Acquah to poke home his second of the afternoon.

The hosts continued to press for an equaliser after regaining the momentum, and were rewarded just before the 70-minute mark, Ferdinand firing in from the edge of the area albeit with questions of offside in the build-up.

And despite the game swinging in the favour of the hosts, Notts only need one chance to fall to one man.

Cameron's driving run on the left-hand side resulted in an inch-perfect cross into the area for Langstaff to acrobatically steer beyond the grasp of Gyollai.

Here is how we rated Williams' men.

Sam Slocombe - 5

Will be disappointed with the two goals conceded. Sometimes heart in the mouth stuff with the ball at his feet but was keen to be in possession at the back.

Kyle Cameron - 8

Continually drove forward and looked to create from the left-hand side. Grabbed an assist for Rodrigues' opener and Langstaff's winner and was always an option in the attacking third. Disappointed with conceding two avoidable goals.

Aden Baldwin - 6

Guilty of looking to play long when the simple pass was the better option. Won a number of aerial battles but lost the ball in dangerous areas during the second half.

Richard Brindley - 6

Kept possession simple and was confident under pressure, however was caught out a number of times with the ball over the top.

Adam Chicksen - 6

Much more lively this week, linking up brilliantly in the first half with Cameron and Castro. Kept possession simple but his threat was nullified during the second half.

Tobi Adebayo-Rowling - 6

Saw lots of the ball but did very little with it, not from his own doing - often crowded out when found in crossing positions.

Matty Palmer - 7

Another solid display from the midfield general. Think I am yet to see this man give the ball away.

Jim O'Brien - 7

Kept the ball ticking nicely alongside Palmer, looking to drive forward whenever possible to offer support to the front three.

Ruben Rodrigues - 7

Took his goal brilliantly, finishing well from a tight angle. Was guilty of giving possession away on a couple of occasions but continued to get on the ball and influence Notts' attacking play throughout.

Quevin Castro - 7.5

Was it a cross? Was it a shot? He won't care as the West Brom loanee continues to impress with a run in the side. Produced great link up play on a number of occasions between Cameron and Chicksen and was a constant threat all afternoon.

Macaulay Langstaff - 8

The main man. Took his goal extremely well after being kept quiet in the first half. Rarely had an opportunity on goal in the second period but continued to work hard and eventually got his chance to win the game.

SUBS:

Sam Austin - 6

Buzzed around and looked to make things happen following his introduction.

Cedwyn Scott - 6

Almost made an instant impact to set up Rodrigues, and continued to work hard during his time on the pitch.

John Bostock - N/A

A late change for Palmer in midfield.

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