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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Oliver King

Notts County predicted line-up vs Boreham Wood for play-off semi-final

With just a day until Notts County take on Boreham Wood in their play-off semi-final at Meadow Lane, nerves will slowly be starting to creep in as Luke Williams' side looks to pencil in a date at Wembley next weekend.

The Magpies ended their remarkable National League campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to York City - Macaulay Langstaff's 42nd goal of the season cancelled out by Shaq Forde's late equaliser.

Ahead of kick-off, the Notts boss made six changes from the side that beat Maidstone a week prior, with several regular first-team starters rested ahead of their final league fixture.

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Sam Slocombe, Connell Rawlinson, Adam Chicksen, Aaron Nemane, John Bostock, and Langstaff all returned to the starting line-up for the visit of The Minstermen - perhaps a look at what Williams' believes is his strongest side going into Sunday's fixture.

Known for making regular changes throughout the season, tomorrow's fixture could be just the fifth time the Magpies head coach makes no alterations to his starting line-up, but he is not short of options.

Only defender Tobi Adebayo-Rowling remains unavailable after suffering a season-ending injury against Barnet back in February, undergoing successful surgery on his ankle last month.

In both games against Luke Garrard's side this season, Williams' back three consisted of Kyle Cameron, Aden Baldwin, and Richard Brindley after Rawlinson missed the first seven games of the season through injury.

That could be a factor in Williams' selection in the back three, but with Brindley's recent return to the side having suffered with an ongoing back issue, Rawlinson may get the nod potentially down to match sharpness.

In recent weeks, the threat of both Chicksen and Nemane have been nullified from the wide areas, positions that have been fruitful for the duration of the campaign, with both Frank Vincent and Jodi Jones utilised as alternate options from the bench - but you feel as though their experience and performances are custom-made for this fixture and will be key to unlocking Boreham Wood's tight defence.

Arguably the first two names on the team sheet, ever-present Matty Palmer and January recruit Bostock are expected to anchor the midfield having developed a strong connection that has flourished over the campaign - Ruben Rodrigues just ahead of them who has enjoyed yet another fine season at Meadow Lane.

One change that could be seen is that of Sam Austin. The midfielder has been used as an impact substitution for the majority of the season, but his influence when starting games has also been felt - Williams tasked with the difficult decision as to whether Austin is better equipped from the start or the bench.

Cedwyn Scott's timely return to the squad has been a huge boost after scoring his first goal since returning from injury against Maidstone, and along with Langstaff provides that grit and tireless pressing energy from the top of the pitch - but it really is take your pick as to who starts out of Scott or Austin.

With experience of the play-offs, midfielder Jim O'Brien may be picked ahead of Vincent from the bench to try and see the game out and provide that calming head amid all the madness.

Notts County predicted line-up: Slocombe; Cameron, Baldwin, Rawlinson, Chicksen, Nemane; Palmer, Bostock; Rodrigues, Scott, Langstaff.

SUBS: Mair, Brindley, O'Brien, Austin, Jones.

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