Notts turn on style to demolish Darlington

WITH the promise of promotion, Notts County are eager to entice more supporters to Meadow Lane for the second half of the season.

They launched a major campaign, "Take your seat, it's show-time", on Monday. This big win against Darlington will surely do even more to lure fans to games.

It certainly was show-time in the opening 17 minutes as the Magpies roared into a three-goal lead. Even at that early point, the game was all over.

OK, so bottom side Darlington are the whipping boys in League Two and greater tests certainly lay ahead for Notts in their quest to win promotion out of the basement division.

But still, the Magpies looked irresistible as an attacking force and it should have been even more than 4-0 in the end.

Hans Backe demanded a bright start from his players after some lacklustre first half displays. How he got it. He wanted his first league win too. He got that as well.

The tone was set after only three minutes when the reinstated Luke Rodgers brilliantly volleyed Brendan Moloney's right-wing cross in off the post. His joy was short-lived as his effort was ruled out for offside.

His disappointment lasted only ten minutes as he put the Magpies ahead on 13 minutes, racing on to a clever flick-on by Lee Hughes and beating the visitors' keeper Ashlee Jones.

The home supporters were still celebrating the opening goal when Hughes doubled their lead a minute later. Craig Westcarr broke down the right and lifted a delightful cross to the far post for Hughes to head into the net.

It was 3-0 three minutes later. Rodgers was involved again, breaking on to a long ball down the left. He accelerated away from his marker and then laid a measured cross across the penalty area for Ben Davies.

In acres of space inside the penalty area, the Magpies' midfielder side-footed supremely past Jones to spark the chant of "It's just like watching Juve!" in the Kop.

The only setback for Notts in those outstanding opening stages was a fifth booking of the season for captain John Thompson.

Having started in his preferred centre-back position alongside Graeme Lee, he was looking to re-establish himself in the heart of the Magpies' back-four. Instead, he will now serve a one-game ban at Hereford United.

It should have been 4-0 just after the half-hour mark when Westcarr sent Matt Ritchie racing clean-through on goal. His first touch was too strong, however, and Jones came racing off his goal-line and blocked at the winger's his feet.

Westcarr then fired wide from long-range on 38 minutes and Hughes glanced a header wide of the far post minutes later, before Kasper Schmeichel was tested for the first time by Mor Diop on the stroke of half-time. The Magpies' keeper confidently parried his effort from inside the box past his left-hand post.

The visitors got the first sight of goal in the second half and on-loan Danny Hall should have scored but directed a far post header narrowly over the crossbar.

Davies volleyed over the bar in reply for Notts before Moloney almost tiptoed his way through, following a neat interchange with Westcarr who was once again in impressive form.

The same could not be said for the Darlington keeper, Jones. He was having a nightmare and almost gifted Hughes his second, the Magpies' fourth, just before the hour mark when he palmed the ball straight to the striker inside the box.

In fairness, he recovered quickly to block his volley at the expense of a corner from which Hughes headed just wide.

Schmeichel was then twice called into action in quick succession and made good saves to deny Jeff Smith and Paul Harsley and preserve a precious clean-sheet.

Such was the Magpies' command that Backe made two changes, introducing Karl Hawley for Rodgers and Matt Hamshaw, last season's Supporters' Player of the Year, made a rare appearance as a replacement for Westcarr.

Hawley missed a glorious chance to score 11 minutes after his arrival, on 74 minutes. Jamie Clapham cut a low cross invitingly into his path inside the penalty area and he turned terrifically past his marker but then lifted the ball over the bar.

Hamshaw made a telling contribution for the Magpies' fourth goal, playing it down the right for Hughes who, from an unbelievably acute angle, lifted the ball high over Jones and inside the far post. It was his 14th goal of the season, and a class finish too.

There was even time for youth team player Nathan Fox to made his debut, as a late substitute for Ritchie.

This victory was entirely expected, and Notts were entirely impressive.