Hawks’ FA Trophy opponents Notts County leap into National League play-off zone

Notts County certainly won’t be short of match fitness by the time they run out at Westleigh Park in next month’s FA Trophy fifth round tie.
Kyle Wootton took his seasonal tally to nine goals with a brace against Solihull Moors at Meadow Lane. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images.Kyle Wootton took his seasonal tally to nine goals with a brace against Solihull Moors at Meadow Lane. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images.
Kyle Wootton took his seasonal tally to nine goals with a brace against Solihull Moors at Meadow Lane. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images.

While the Hawks’ National League South season is currently suspended, the Magpies are carrying on playing in the top flight of non-league football.

Neal Ardley’s men moved into the play-off positions last night with a 2-0 victory over Solihull Moors at Meadow Lane.

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Top scorer Kyle Wootton took his seasonal tally to nine with a late double - in the 79th and 87th minutes.

County - arguably the biggest club currently playing in non-league football - had held leaders Torquay to a goalless draw last weekend.

They make the first of two trips to the south coast in eight days this Saturday, travelling to lowly Weymouth, and are due to host Bromley next Tuesday.

In comparison, Hawks will have played just three games in 48 days by the time they meet the Magpies in the last 16 of the Trophy on Saturday, February 6.

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Currently observing a 10-day period of self-isolation, Paul Doswell’s squad are due to return to training early next week.

Ardley’s side - who have games in hand on most of the teams above them - have now won seven of their last 12 league outings, losing just twice.

They have only lost two away games all season - 1-0 at Dover on the opening day in early October and 1-0 at Aldershot on November 7.

County’s former Pompey star Michael Doyle - still going strong at the age of 39 - maintained his record of starting every National League game this season against Solihull.

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The midfielder, though, has started both of his club’s Trophy ties on the bench - a 3-0 win at Morpeth before Christmas and the recent 2-1 victory at fellow National League club Stockport County where Wootton plundered a last-minute winner.

Stevenage loanee striker Inih Effiong also started against Solihull, but he is ineligible to face Hawks after appearing for Barnet in their loss at National League South club Dorking last month.

Hawks were given a free passage through to the fifth round after scheduled last 32 opponents Altrincham were forced to withdraw following a single positive Covid-19 test in their squad.

Should Hawks produce a shock win next weekend, they will progress to the quarter-finals of the Trophy for only the fourth time in their history.