Magpies finish overseas friendlies with a win...
Goals from Neal Bishop, Lee Hughes and Spanish trialist winger Juan Fri gave Notts County a 3-1 win against UD Marbella. The hosts took the lead late into the first half but the second-half triple saw the Magpies prevail.
Notts dominated from start to finish, limiting Marbella to very few chances. Still, the local outfit provided another physical test for Keith Curle’s side, who were on the receiving end of multiple reckless challenges.
It could easily have been County that went into the break ahead, following two fine efforts from Alan Judge, including a lobbed volley that beat the goalkeeper but not the crossbar. Hughes also provided a delightful cross towards Yoann Arquin at the back post but the goalkeeper was equal to his downward header.
Ahead of the interval, Marbella moved in front, when a brave header from a right-wing cross made its way into the corner. The goal-scorer, Manuel Morilla, was unable to celebrate, due to a head injury picked up during the finish.
Bishop, a half time substitute, wasted no time in getting his team on even terms. Fri’s low centre from the left wing found the Notts’ skipper’s feet, allowing him to take a touch before smashing home.
Lee Hughes, who had also been instrumental in the leveler, then put the Magpies ahead. Latching onto a long pass, the striker proceeded to work his way around the goalkeeper, leaving him with a simple tap in.
The final goal of the match came from Fri, who placed coolly into the bottom-right corner, after being picked out by fellow trialist Enzo Fuentes’ cross. The 3-1 victory was fully deserved and Notts could easily have netted four or five on a humid night at the training camp.
The only negatives on the night were the withdrawal of Jamal Campbell-Ryce and trialist Carl Regan. Both were feeling slight injuries and no risks were taken.
Notts County Starting Line-up: Bialkowski, Regan, Leacock, Bencherif, Sheehan, Boucaud, J Hughes, Judge, Campbell-Ryce, L Hughes, Arquin.
Subs From: Mitchell, Smith, Williams, Bishop, Labadie, Fuentes, Fri.
Look out for post-match interviews and highlights on Magpie Player.