At the time of writing this, Notts County are four points clear at the summit of the National League.
With the National League fixture list set to get underway later this afternoon, the Magpies can sit back and put their feet up following their victory over Maidstone on Friday evening to put the pressure on the sides below them.
It was a controlled and comfortable performance from Luke Williams' side, with goals from Macaulay Langstaff, Rodrigues and Cedwyn Scott putting Notts back on track following their FA Cup exit to Coalville Town a week ago.
READ MORE: Ruben Rodrigues talks first open play goal, penalty miss and Notts County win
Following the win, here are five things we learned as the Magpies sit pretty at the top of the National League.
Rodrigues masterclass
Finally, after 13 games, Ruben Rodrigues has scored from open play.
The midfielder spoke about his eagerness to find the net from open play after his second goal of the season at Woking two weeks ago, and his strike against Maidstone was some way to get off the mark.
It was a brilliant overall performance from the Portuguese, who worked tirelessly all afternoon whilst producing a number of brilliant pieces of skill, including adding to his nutmeg counter with a quite brilliant turn on Reiss Greendige that almost saw the ball rifled into the roof of the net.
Rodrigues spoke about his relief of finally finding the back of the net rather than from the penalty spot, with his previous two goals this season coming from 15 yards out against Boreham Wood and Woking.
His understanding with Aaron Nemane caused Maidstone all kinds of problems, perfecting that inch-perfect pass inside of the opposition full-back on a number of occasions which allowed the Magpies to create a number of openings from the wide positions.
And with that performance and goal, Rodrigues explained he was keen to kick on and bring those numbers up this season, with a tough trip to Wealdstone the next test for the 26-year-old.
Midfield importance
With Jim O'Brien out injured until next month the onus has been placed on the midfield pairing of Geraldo Bajrami and Matty Palmer during his absence, and the pair have built up a strong relationship in such a short space of time.
During the game yesterday, the pair were influential in breaking up the few Maidstone attacks and keeping the pace of the game moving in Notts' favour to ensure the contest was played at the high intensity Williams expects from his side.
The Albanian's flexibility was highlighted from the Magpies boss in the build-up to their encounter with the Stones, and it was another battling midfield performance from the 23-year-old, breaking up play and often drifting into wide positions to create space for Rodrigues and Palmer to pick up the ball in dangerous positions.
Palmer has been one of the most consistent performers under Williams this season and does the simple stuff effectively, often going unnoticed for his brilliant performances in midfield. For example, the second goal comes from him dropping deep to receive the ball before firing an incisive pass into Rodrigues which eventually results in the second goal.
There is a great understanding between the pair, and whilst O'Brien's absence from the side is a big one, Palmer and Bajrami's importance has been highlighted and will be a key component to Williams' side in the coming weeks.
Langstaff goal train continues
It's hard not to mention his name, but 16 goals in 14 National League games so far. The Magpies need to turn off their phones when the January window comes around.
Langstaff is yet to go more than two games this season without finding the back of the net and thought he had scored a sublime opening goal with an instinctive finish, only to see the linesman's flag raised on the far side after Rodrigues was thought to have got a touch on the cross into the area.
But there is simply no way of keeping this man quiet, and he was quickest to react to his initial headed effort to smash the ball in off the 'keeper to get the goal Notts' possession deserved.
It is incredible to think that the 25-year-old could hit 20 National League goals by the start of November, having already equalled Cal Roberts' total from last term, he is just three goals away from Kyle Wootton and Rodrigues' 19 goals last campaign.
The non-league Erling Haaland continues to impress, and I am sure he will be raring to add to his tally on Tuesday night against Wealdstone.
Sixth clean sheet of the season
Whilst it was a comfortable evening for the Magpies defence, a sixth clean sheet of the season is something to be extremely proud of this season.
For all of Notts' dominance in the final third, the back three remained focused and switched on to the long balls sent their way by Maidstone, with Kyle Cameron in particular producing an excellent performance on the left-hand side, offering an option going forward and aiding the attacks.
Sam Slocombe was kept quiet all evening, making only one real save of note when former Magpie Reegan Booty took aim from long range, with the Notts 'keeper able to make a comfortable save from the effort.
The 34-year-old currently sits top of the clean sheet table in the National League, with the four 'keepers below him in action this afternoon including Bromley's Reice Charles-Cook.
Fortress Meadow Lane
It is now seven unbeaten at Meadow Lane for the Magpies, with yesterday's win their fifth consecutive victory as they tightened their grip at the summit of the National League table.
Notts are currently averaging 2.71 points at home, compared to a league average of just 1.64. They are averaging just over two goals a game so far this season, whilst ensuring they remain resolute at the back, conceding just three times in front of their home fans this campaign.
One interesting statistic that came out of yesterday was that the Magpies have scored in every home game since May 2021, drawing 0-0 at home to Dover Athletic under Ian Burchnall at the back end of the 2020/21 season.
At the start of the season, Luke Williams identified the crowds inside Meadow Lane as a defining factor if his side were to obtain promotion this season, and his players are most certainly delivering.
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