Lavery injured, U's lose and no chances

The U's named an unchanged lineup from the side that beat Bromley at the Abbey last week. The U's started the game by sitting in a mid block. Lavery and Kouassi were pressing from the front with the assistance of Kaikai and Mayor. The U's never really got into the game with the ball at their feet. 30% possession throughout the opening 50 minutes. Gibbons came closest with a header from about 8 yards out that just went wide. It was a good move from the U's to set up the chance, Mayor and Purrington work it well on the left and a deep cross was headed across goal by the leaping Watts which Gibbons couldn't force home. Just the 1 shot on target in the first half for the U's but defensively very solid and didn't allow any chances for the home side. Meadow Lane was rather quiet bar the 1,300 travelling amber army. Lavery had to be subbed off due to an ankle injury midway through the first half. Kachunga replaced the bagsman up top. A big miss in not only this game and for the next couple games. He went down clutching his ankle, then walked off without any assistance. Both sides went into the halftime break at 0-0.

The home side looked to turn their possession into a goal and made 3 changes on the hour mark which changed the game massively. Notts County went from strength to strength and were knocking on the door. The U's had absolutely nothing going forward and couldn't contain one of the best strikers in the division who opened up the scoring with an easy header from close range in the 72nd minute. The U's then threw everything at it with 4 personal changes and a tactical change with 10 minutes left but it wasn't enough to stop Jatta once again who calmly curled his effort from the edge of the box into the back of the net. An appalling offensive show from the U's who add to their disgusting and embarrassing away record.

Up next for the U's is a Tuesday night fixture at the Abbey against Brighton and Hove Albion U21 in the Vertu Trophy.