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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Oliver King

Notts County player ratings vs Scunthorpe as Macaulay Langstaff equals 93-year club record

Macaulay Langstaff equalled Tom Keetley's 93-year record of scoring 39 goals in a league campaign as Notts County produced a comfortable 4-0 victory over National League strugglers Scunthorpe.

The Magpies produced in front of another bumper crowd inside Meadow Lane, with 16,086 in attendance for the club's Community Fun Day treated to four goals from Luke Williams' side.

Adam Chicksen opened the scoring after being found by Ruben Rodrigues' cross to the back post, with Ben Richards-Everton doubling the hosts' lead after deflecting Langstaff's goal-bound effort over his goalkeeper.

READ MORE: Notts County team news vs Scunthorpe as changes made from Barnet draw

The points were secured when Sam Austin's cross found the head of Langstaff inside the area, with the Notts number nine doubling his tally for the afternoon minutes later, rounding off an exquisite attacking move to go level with Keetley on 39 goals in a single league campaign.

Ahead of kick-off, the Notts boss made two changes from the draw with Barnet last weekend, with Sam Slocombe returning in goal after missing the previous three games while Jim O'Brien was preferred to Austin in midfield.

And the hosts almost provided the crowd something to cheer within the opening minute with neat play between Rodrigues and O'Brien saw the ball break kindly for Aaron Nemane - his pullback found John Bostock in space but saw his effort deflected on its way to goal.

But their fast start was rewarded in the eighth minute, with Rodrigues involved yet again to first dummy Geraldo Bajrami's raking crossfield pass before receiving the ball in the area and firing a dangerous ball to the back for Chicksen to place home his 11th goal of the season.

The lead was doubled three minutes later, with the National League's top scorer wheeling away in celebration after his effort was helped in with a deflection from Richards-Everton - the goal eventually credited to the Iron number 13 shortly after and confirming a comfortable advantage for the hosts early on.

However, the Notts chief was forced into making an early substitution when Slocombe came to claim an overhit ball to the offside Jacob Butterfield, with Slocombe coming out second best from the challenge and despite trying to continue, made way for Archie Mair for his first league appearance since joining from Norwich City earlier in the campaign.

The one-way traffic continued for the entirety of the opening 45, with Nemane going close after turning neatly inside the area before forcing a save from Billson - Rodrigues also going close as he took aim from around 25 yards out only to see his effort whistle over the crossbar.

With his earlier effort unable to add to his 37 league goals this season, Langstaff had a glorious opportunity to confirm the three points inside the first seven second-half minutes as Rodrigues' pinpoint delivery found the head of the Notts number nine who was unable to guide his effort on target.

However, Langstaff was not to be denied, with Austin's substitution injecting that added energy down the right-hand side, producing a pinpoint cross onto the head of Langstaff right in front of the KOP to net the Magpies' 100th league goal of the season.

And he added to his tally three minutes later, equalling Tom Keetley's 39 goals from the Division Three (South) campaign, rounding off a wonderful move to steer home Matty Palmer's inch-perfect cutback.

Following the result, here is how we rated Williams' side.

Sam Slocombe - N/A

A completely avoidable injury that should have been prevented by the linesman on the far side. Hopefully nothing too serious after just coming back.

Kyle Cameron - 7.5

Combined well with Chicksen down the left, picking up some nice positions out wide and maintaining possession in difficult situations.

Geraldo Bajrami - 8

Utilised the crossfield pass out to Nemane superbly, drawing players in before switching the play into space. Rarely tested all afternoon.

Connell Rawlinson - 7

Solid for the majority of the contest, dealing well with the physicality of Richie Bennett throughout.

Adam Chicksen - 7

Added to his goal tally with a goal we have become accustomed to seeing from him, stealing in at the back post to finish. A composed showing defensively, also.

Aaron Nemane - 7.5

His pace and directness caused all kinds of problems for the Iron back-line, with his substitution perhaps an indication of having one eye on Altrincham on Tuesday.

Matty Palmer - 8

Another typical Matty Palmer display, dictating the play from start to finish and picking up some nice advanced positions during the second half.

John Bostock - 8

Continues to form a great understanding alongside Palmer in midfield, with his composure on the ball allowing him all the time in the world despite a compact midfield.

Jim O'Brien - 8

Did the dirty work in midfield, working tirelessly for the full 90 minutes to win back possession and create in the final third.

Ruben Rodrigues - 9

Another influential display from the midfielder, playing in the opening two goals. His influence on this team can not be underestimated, he is the glue that brings them all together.

Macaulay Langstaff - 9

What is there else to say about this man? 39 National League goals while also equalling a 93-year club record, and he could have had even more.

SUBS:

Archie Mair - 7.5

Looked extremely comfortable during his first league appearance, fantastic with the ball at his feet and picking off some incisive, progressive passes, with a clean sheet to add.

Frank Vincent - 7

Worked extremely hard down the left-hand side, almost finding his first of the season when found inside the area.

Sam Austin - 7.5

Provided endless energy for the final half an hour, showcasing his qualities by notching another assist for Langstaff's first of the afternoon.

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