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MATCH PREVIEW: Notts County v Aldershot Town (A)

Following Saturday’s disappointing 1-0 defeat at Solihull Moors, Aldershot Town will look to ‘bounce back’ against play-off chasing Notts County on Tuesday evening (7pm kick off). The Shots will take on the Magpies at Meadow Lane. On Saturday, County suffered a penalty shoot-out defeat (4-5) at home to Hornchurch, who play in Non-League’s third tier 3 after drawing 3-3 in their FA Trophy Semi-Final.

In association with LV BET, Rob Worrall previews the game:

Shots Squad:

Lewis Kinsella and Craig Tanner continue to progress well from their long-term lay-offs, whilst Ross McCormack is again in consultation to find the best solution to his ongoing Achilles related issue. Alex Finney has had surgery (hamstring). James Rowe returned to the starting line-up at Solihull on Saturday. Otherwise, Manager Danny Searle has no new injury concerns.

Opposition:

Name: Notts County

Founded: 1862

Nickname: The Magpies

Manager: Ian Burchnall

Stadium: Meadow Lane

2019/20 National League position: 3rd (also 3rd on PPG) – lost in Play-Off Final (1-3) to Harrogate Town.

Current National League position: 6th

 

The Gaffer:

Following the departure of former Magpies Manager Neal Ardley a week ago, County moved quickly to appoint Ian Burchnall, who will take charge of his first National League game against Aldershot Town on Tuesday evening. 38-year-old Burchnall began his Coaching career in 2012, at the age of just 22, at the University of Leeds. After spells coaching at Leeds United and Bradford City, he landed the role of Assistant Manager at Norwegian club Sarpsborg. Two years later, he accepted an offer from Viking to take up a similar role and soon found himself in sole charge. He was fired a year later as Viking were relegated, but in 2018, he bounced back as Manager of Swedish club Ostersund, taking over from the now Brighton & Hove Albion Manager Graham Potter. He managed to sustain the good work and lofty position that Potter had achieved in challenging circumstances, finishing sixth in his first season. In the summer of 2020, Burchnall left Ostersund, to return to England, citing personal reasons.

Squad:

Key retentions by Ardley in the close season, included this season’s top goal scorer Kyle Wootton (14 National League goals to date), forward Enzio Boldewijn and experienced midfielder, 39-year-old Michael Doyle. Key signings this season include; 6’ 5” forward Elisha Sam (from Arda Kardzhali – Belgium), Winger Ruben Rodrigues (FC Den Bosch, Netherlands) and striker Jimmy Knowles (on a season long loan from Mansfield Town).

Form:

The Magpies have occupied a play-off place for the majority of this season However, in recent weeks, despite progressing to the Semi-Finals of the FA Trophy, they have stuttered somewhat in the League, with 4 draws in their last 7 league games, 1 loss and 2 wins.

Referee:

Tuesday’s referee is Thomas Parsons who has refereed 7 National League matches so far this season, showing 35 Yellow Cards and 2 Red Cards to date.

Match Coverage:

The match will be ‘live streamed’ and available to Shots supporters HERE. The stream will start at 6:40pm with the game will kick off at 7pm and there will be live BBC.