| Danny’s U’s to take Notts County’s solitary wheel off 17:50 - Apr 24 with 2190 views | wessex_exile |
And so here we are, at the penultimate game of the 2025/26 season, with the U’s chasing 69 points to better our points tally from last season. If we’re to do so, we’ll have to be sharper in front of goal, and perhaps not go to sleep defensively as we did at Harrogate. Still, that 1-0 defeat has certainly made things spicy at the wrong end of the table, with two points separating the bottom four. Technically, Tranmere could still be dragged into the scrap, but my money is still on Barrow and Harrogate to return to non-league.
There’s not much more really to be said about the Harrogate game to be honest. We huffed and puffed, created enough chances to win comfortably, even hit the woodwork, and then fell to a 99th minute sucker punch from the Sulphurites. As if that wasn’t bad enough, our injury hoodoo struck again, with Ellis Iandolo limping off in the first half, having only just returned from another injury. It was small consolation that our faint play-off hopes were already over, with Chesterfield snatching an 89th minute equaliser at Fleetwood and their final whistle already blown well before Harrogate’s winner. Ho hum, it was never likely to happen, just a shame we couldn’t finish with six wins out of six.
Still, five wins out of six would still be a strong finish, with promotion contenders Notts County in fifth place the next to stand in the way of us achieving that. They could still make the automatic promotion places, but they could still also drop out of the play-offs all together, albeit they have a far superior goal difference over Chesterfield in eighth place. As if that wasn’t enough focus for them, they will also be wanting to avenge their humiliation at home when the U’s were utterly rampant.
Form-wise, the Magpies have stumbled somewhat at the pressure end of the season (again), with four defeats and just two wins in their last six. Considering most of their challengers, including Barnet, Chesterfield, Salford, Grimsby, and Swindon, are in much better form, that must be ringing alarm bells at Meadow Lane. Even the U’s with ten points from the last six games are performing better. They had a similar wobble at the end of last season, losing four and drawing one of their last six (including a 1-0 defeat at the JobServe), eventually limping out of the play-offs to two 1-0 defeats against AFC Wimbledon.
The ‘they played for both’ group for this one is littered with stellar names, including one of my boyhood heroes John Froggatt, who began his football career at Meadow Lane. Others include Mark Yeates, Johnnie Jackson, Liam Chilvers, Alan White White White, Sean Farrell and Aaron Collins. Whilst on the books at Wolves, and having already had a loan spell at Notts County, Aaron made his loan debut for the U’s against Notts County (it was 0-0 btw).
As to our line-up, and assuming Iandolo isn’t available, I think I’d tweak things slightly. I’m going for KVY back in on the right, Terry on the left, and a welcome return to Flanagan alongside Tucker in the centre. That does unfortunately leave Hunt on the bench, who has done absolutely nothing wrong, but that back four fits closest with their natural positions. The midfield more or less writes itself, but I’ve gone for Lisbie ahead of Edwards to start, and the much improved Goodwin leading the line up front.
MaceyVincent-YoungTuckerFlanaganTerryBarbrookReadAndersonPayneLisbieGoodwin Substitutes: Chamberlain Akachukwu Hunt Edwards Tovide Back Williams
It goes without saying that this will be a tough game, every bit as tough as the game last November was expected to be…and we know how that turned out. It is also poignant that the Meadow Lane game was when we were all only just starting to come to terms with the passing of Durham. He would have enjoyed that one so much, but maybe he’ll enjoy this one just as much, as the U’s remind League 2 of what could have been with a bit more luck (and consistency) on our side. The U’s to replicate that win, with a 3-1 double over the magpies, with Anderson to start things off, Goodwin to get the second, and Samson off the bench in the 95th minute to wrap things up in front of a bumper near 7,000 crowd.
It will be a lovely warm afternoon to sign-off our home campaign for 2025/26, with only patchy cloud about during a rain-free sunny afternoon, just a gentle breeze from the southwest and a shirt-sleeves order balmy 17-18 degrees.
As I’m heading off to Cheltenham next Saturday, this will be me signing off for the 2025/26 Match Previews in honour of Durham. I have really enjoyed the spirit of togetherness it has brought to the forum – long may it last – and I’m looking forward to doing more next season. Special thanks to RS for coming up with the excellent idea in the first place.
Up the U’s!
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| Danny’s U’s to take Notts County’s solitary wheel off on 20:03 - Apr 24 with 2135 views | RSCOSWORTH |
Thank you so much for your input wessex. We literally couldn't have done it without you and you have most definitely done durham proud with your excellent match previews.
CheeRS |  |
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| Danny’s U’s to take Notts County’s solitary wheel off on 22:02 - Apr 24 with 2105 views | noah4x4 |
I recall a hilarious trip to Notts County on the CUSA bus.
I suggested that there was only ever one EFL player called Stead (Jon). Then came the witty responses….
Instead - always a substitute
Bedstead - lazy git.
Hemel Hempstead - his German cousin.
How many more can you suggest (we kept this nonsense up for about two hours)….. |  | | |
| Danny’s U’s to take Notts County’s solitary wheel off on 23:29 - Apr 24 with 2082 views | wessex_exile |
| Danny’s U’s to take Notts County’s solitary wheel off on 22:02 - Apr 24 by noah4x4 |
I recall a hilarious trip to Notts County on the CUSA bus.
I suggested that there was only ever one EFL player called Stead (Jon). Then came the witty responses….
Instead - always a substitute
Bedstead - lazy git.
Hemel Hempstead - his German cousin.
How many more can you suggest (we kept this nonsense up for about two hours)….. |
Let's put some names to these:
Covenstead - Ian Holloway's wiki witch wife
Hempstead - Jamie Guy?
Bedstead - John Terry
Farmstead - Ray Crawford
Any more? | |
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| Danny’s U’s to take Notts County’s solitary wheel off on 14:04 - Apr 25 with 1896 views | wessex_exile |
A few changes I didn't see, Tovide starts, probably in place of Anderson out on the right, Hunt preferred over Flanagan (no problem with that) so I assume Tucker moves across next to Terry, and Edwards instead of Lisbie. Here's my guess at formation.
MaceyVincent-YoungTuckerHuntTerryBarbrookReadTovidePayneEdwardsGoodwin Substitutes: Chamberlain Anderson Lisbie Gape Williams Akachukwu Kuffour | |
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| Danny’s U’s to take Notts County’s solitary wheel off on 14:46 - Apr 25 with 1876 views | wessex_exile |
Flanagan an achilles injury in training yesterday according to the commentary, could be out well into next season - and the hits just keep on coming. | |
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| Danny’s U’s to take Notts County’s solitary wheel off on 15:13 - Apr 25 with 1866 views | TAFKAT |
Is Shagga in da house today, or is he saving himself for the Leeds game tomorrow? [Post edited 25 Apr 15:14]
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| Danny’s U’s to take Notts County’s solitary wheel off on 16:16 - Apr 25 with 1817 views | wessex_exile |
Easy goal for Notts County, all the hard work of the first half immediately undone. It has been coming though. Come on Col U! | |
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| Danny’s U’s to take Notts County’s solitary wheel off on 16:25 - Apr 25 with 1797 views | wessex_exile |
Lisbie already on for Edwards, now Kuffour on for Hunt and Anderson for Samson. | |
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| Danny’s U’s to take Notts County’s solitary wheel off on 17:03 - Apr 25 with 1771 views | wessex_exile |
Can't argue with the result tbh, shame though. See those who are there at Cheltenham.
Edit: best wishes to Lewis Macari - I had to google to check, but grandson of Lou Macari. [Post edited 25 Apr 17:07]
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| Danny’s U’s to take Notts County’s solitary wheel off on 18:11 - Apr 25 with 1710 views | mfb_cufc |
| Danny’s U’s to take Notts County’s solitary wheel off on 22:02 - Apr 24 by noah4x4 |
I recall a hilarious trip to Notts County on the CUSA bus.
I suggested that there was only ever one EFL player called Stead (Jon). Then came the witty responses….
Instead - always a substitute
Bedstead - lazy git.
Hemel Hempstead - his German cousin.
How many more can you suggest (we kept this nonsense up for about two hours)….. |
Callum Stead scored five goals for Barnet today. |  |
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| Danny’s U’s to take Notts County’s solitary wheel off on 18:51 - Apr 25 with 1676 views | bwildered |
If this game was to finish on a positive note for the U’s, it failed by some margin. Macey MOTM , with a string of fine saves, and did not threaten only in late stages, without bothering the visiting keeper. Lacklustre display, while visitors showed they had much to play for and managed the game out after taking the lead early in the second half .
Visitors Speedy recovery to Macari, strechered off with leg serious injury . |  |
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