FA Cup: Notts come from behind to avoid upset
Notts County 5 - 1 Alfreton Town
Notts County staged a comeback to avoid an FA Cup upset, ultimately securing a 5-1 win over Alfreton.
Despite an early setback when Liam Waldock put the visitors ahead at Meadow Lane, Alassana Jatta and Jevani Brown both scored twice in the second half to push County through to the second round.
Jake Day had a chance to put National League North side Alfreton in front, but his volley was comfortably held by Alex Bass. However, the breakthrough came in the 14th minute when Day’s shot deflected into Waldock’s path, allowing him to slot it home.
County responded almost immediately, levelling the score just two minutes later with Matty Platt’s long-range strike nestling in the bottom corner.
The League Two side took control early in the second half when Brown crossed for Jatta, who found the back of the net. The pair linked up again in the 62nd minute, with Jatta sliding the ball under George Willis to claim his second goal.
Brown added to County’s tally from the penalty spot after Ryley Reynolds was fouled in the area, and he rounded off the scoring late on by slotting in after Kellan Gordon's effort was saved and rebounded into his path.
My reaction
For two glorious minutes, it looked like Alfreton Town were going to cause a huge shock. Even then, it took the League Two side until the second half before their quality shone through.
Once they went 2-1 up, it never looked like they were going to be eliminated. Now, they're only a round away from having the opportunity to cause a huge shock of their own.
Alfreton Town now return to National League North action. They are 7th in the table and will be dreaming they can end the season with a promotion to the National League.
