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Notts County made it two successive league wins thanks to a brace from Kyle Wootton. However, it was debutant Jayden Richardson who stole the show just days after joining the Magpies on loan from arch-rivals Nottingham Forest.
The 21-year-old was thrown right into the deep end by County manager Ian Burchnall but wasn’t fazed whatsoever by the occasion and arguably should’ve had his name on the scoresheet.
Richardson started at right wing-back as Connor Parsons dropped to the bench in the hosts’ only change from their 2-1 win against Dagenham and Redbridge two weeks ago.
Burchnall has preferred the 3-5-2 formation in recent months with the team’s wing-backs playing an important role in both supporting the attack and getting back on the defensive end when needed.
Southend United’s Sam Dalby opened the scoring after just 10 minutes with Callum Roberts levelling the contest in the 31st minute.
After a relatively quiet, but tidy first-half, Richardson grew into the game and began to offer an immediate threat going forward as the Magpies searched to take the lead.
Blistering runs down the right-wing allowed the number 26 to get in behind Southend’s backline and test goalkeeper Steven Arnold, who did well to keep the new signing at bay throughout the game.
Just after the hour mark, Richardson managed to save his side from going a goal down once again with an important clearance and it proved to be exactly the confidence boost Notts County needed.
There were zero faults in the debutants effort levels and pressure as he gave it his all over the course of 90 minutes. Chasing down every last ball and giving his opponents little to no breathing room almost ended up in a goal.
Remarkable pressure from Richardson on Southend goalkeeper Arnold forced an unorthodox clearance which rebounded off the wing-back and trailed narrowly wide of the post as the hosts kept banging on the door.
Minutes later, the efforts were rewarded as Frank Vincent found a darting Richardson on the right flank. The loanee teed up Kyle Wootton who scored and put County 2-1 in front.
Rate this man's debut! ? @JRichardson2_ pic.twitter.com/CrnTCNshRq
— Notts County FC (@Official_NCFC) December 11, 2021
Wootton added a third less than 10 minutes later. Receiving the ball in the box with his back to goal, the forward turned and fired it past Arnold at the near post to seal a well deserved three points.
Captain Kyle Cameron added a fourth just before the end of play as his header capped off a first-class second-half performance from the play-off hopefuls.
Jayden Richardson, a unanimous selection for Man of the Match by many, has featured twice in the Championship this season for Nottingham Forest who will be keeping close tabs on his progress.
Ian Burchnall was ‘really pleased’ with the win after a less than ideal first 10 minutes.
“Really pleased. We didn’t start the game well although we did create a huge chance early on with [Kyle] Wootton, the goal we conceded was a little bit disappointing and we had to build back into the game but once we got into the flow of the game, certainly in the second half I thought we were excellent.”
The 38-year-old also had his say on the man of the hour, describing Richardson as ‘excellent’ and making a ‘big statement’.
“I thought he was excellent, you can see he’s a quick, powerful and direct runner. Caused a lot of problems for them and a brilliant assist for that [second]goal.
“He’s a young lad, coming in and only had two or three training sessions and to come in at home and perform in front of a crowd like that is a big statement. I was really pleased with him.”
The victory keeps Notts County in the play-off places as they sit sixth and are just four points adrift of league leaders Chesterfield who they will face in their next National League game on December 21st.
However, the Magpies turn their attentions to the FA Trophy Third Round as they take on Altrincham on Saturday.
