It has been a difficult end to the campaign for Notts County. After their semi-final play-off first-leg defeat to AFC Wimbledon, the club have now suffered another fresh blow ahead of the decider on Saturday.
Stuart Maynard’s side missed out on automatic promotion after ending the season with just one win from their final six matches.
They now face a daunting task to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the play-off semi-final second leg, with the news that another star player is set to miss out.
Notts County were the great entertainers at times in League Two this season, with only four sides scoring more than their tally of 68 and just champions Doncaster Rovers averaging more shots per game throughout the campaign.
Much of their attacking success can be attributed to the form of Gambia international Alassana Jatta.
The 26-year-old scored 19 regular-season goals to take his tally to 27 in 53 appearances since joining on deadline day in the 2024 winter transfer window.
However, the forward will be ruled out of the second leg after receiving a straight red card for a lunge on Alistair Smith in stoppage time in the opening contest.
It capped a frustrating match for the player, who failed to register a shot on goal in the defeat and won just four of his ten aerial duels.
His absence will be further felt due to the news that David McGoldrick has now also been ruled of the fixture due to injury.
Notts County Wounded Ahead of AFC Wimbledon Clash
The former Republic of Ireland international has become a cult figure at Notts County due to some of the world-class goals he has scored since joining in July 2023.
McGoldrick was playing Premier League football just four years ago with Sheffield United and has scored 30 goals in 87 appearances for the League Two outfit.
The news that he is set to miss the play-off semi-final second leg was broken by Notts County on X, who congratulated the player on an impressive season, for which he was awarded the club’s player of the year.
The player spoke after suffering a hamstring injury in the first leg, wishing his teammates luck in overturning the deficit:
“I’m obviously gutted that my season has come to an end – but I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported me.
“To be voted Players’ Player of the Season is really special – and I’m also massively grateful to the fans who voted for me to win both Player of the Season and Goal of the Season.
“Let’s all get behind the lads on Saturday – it’s still all to play for and I believe in this team.”
AFC Wimbledon may have become significant favourites to book a place at Wembley in the final with Notts County lacking firepower due to Jatta and McGoldrick missing the deciding fixture.
The next highest goalscorer currently at the club is 19-year-old midfielder George Abbott, who has a total of five goals in League Two.
AFC Wimbledon have won six of their last seven matches against Notts County and will not receive a better chance to extend that record on Saturday.
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