WHO ARE THE SHOTS PLAYING?
Notts County, also known as The Magpies, Founded 1862 (the oldest professional association football club in the world)
WHERE IS THE MATCH BEING PLAYED?
At Meadow Lane, Nottingham, Capacity (for National League games) 18,816 (all seated).
HOW DID THEY DO LAST SEASON?
The Magpies finished 5th last season, with 70 points. They beat Chesterfield in the Play-Off Eliminator before losing 4-2 in the Semi-Final at Torquay United.
HOW DID SHOTS GET ON AGAINST THEM LAST SEASON?
Aldershot Town did the double over Notts County last season, with 1-0 victories at the EBB Stadium in November 2020 and at Meadow Lane in March 2021. Harrison Panayiotou scored the only goal in both matches.
WHO’S THEIR GAFFER?:
38-year-old Ian Burchnall was appointed Head Coach of Notts County on 25th March 2021, following the departure of previous boss Neal Ardley. Prior to his appointment, Burchnall had managed Norwegian clubs Viking and Ostersund.
WHO’S DEPARTED?
Several key players returned to their parent clubs, including the influential Mark Ellis, Calvin Miller (now at Chesterfeidl) and Jimmy Knowles. Midfielder Jake Reeves signed for League Two side Stevenage Borough, whilst rather surprisingly, tricky winger Enzio Boldewijn was released and was snapped up by League Two Sutton United.
WHO’S STAYED?
Despite Burchnall inheriting last season’s playing squad, he has kept 14 of them for the 21/22 season. They include keeper Sam Slocombe, Defenders Richard Brindley, Connell Rawlinson and Dion Kelly-Evans. The experience Jim O’Brien and Michael Doyle both remain at Meadow Lane, with the latter now taking up a Player-Coach role. Wingers Callum Roberts and Ruben Rodrigues will continue to torment National League defences this season and top scorer Kyle Wootton almost remains, having scored three goals already this season, including a delightful header at title favourites Wrexham midweek.
WHO’S ARRIVED?
8 new players have signed contracts at Meadow Lane for the 2021-22 season. They include; Defenders Joel Taylor and Kyle Cameron, Midfielders Ed Francis and Matt Palmer and Striker Kairo Mitchell, who was Kings Lynn’s top scorer last season, before signing a long term deal at Chesterfield, only for County to then sign him for an undisclosed fee.
ANY EX-SHOTS?
For the first time this season, The Shots face opposition which do not include any ex-Aldershot Town players.
WHO’S GOT THE WHISTLE?
Saturday’s referee is Robert Massey-Ellis. Last season, he took charge of 13 National League matches, showing 52 Yellow Cards and 4 Red Cards. This season he has shown an astonishing 16 Yellow Cards in his opening two National League matches.
WHERE TO FOLLOW THE MATCH:
If you are not going to Meadow Lane, there will be ‘Live’ BBC Radio Surrey Sport Online commentary of the match with Rob Worrall and Guest Summariser, former Conference Title winning Shot Anthony Charles. There will also be Social Media coverage on Instagram & Twitter (@OfficialShots) with team news, updates and post-match coverage throughout the afternoon.
