2nd tier* League fixture
*Then known as Division One

Notts County 3     Sunderland 1
Reeves 4                                                Ball 68
Smith 19
Draper 38

Attendance :- 14,417
Referee:- P Foakes (Clacton-on-sea)
Weather:- Sunny & breezy
Corners:- Notts 5 Sunderland 5
Goal attempts on target:- Notts 6 Sunderland 4
Goal attempts off target:- Notts 2 Sunderland 6
Bookings:- Martin Gray (Sunderland) for a foul
 

Notts County
Colours:- Black & white striped shirts, Black shorts, Black socks
League Position:- before match 20th/24, after match 17th/24
Manager:- Mick Walker

1.   Steve Cherry
2.   Phil Turner
3.   Michael Johnson
4.   Kevin Wilson
5.   Paul Cox
6.   Dean Thomas
7.   Gary Lund *
8.   Mark Draper
9.   David Reeves
10. Paul Devlin
11. David Smith

Sub: Tony Agana *77
Sub not used: Chris Short
 

Sunderland
Colours:- Red & white striped shirts, Red shorts, Red socks
League Position:- before match 18th/24, after match 21st/24
Manager:- Terry Butcher (as player manager)

1.   Tony Norman
2.   Gary Bennett *
3.   Michael Gray
4.   Gary Owers +
5.   Terry Butcher
6.   Kevin Ball
7.   Shaun Cunnington
8.   Don Goodman
9.   Mick Harford
10. Brian Atkinson
11. Gordon Armstrong

Sub: Martin Gray *45
Sub: Peter Davenport +60

Up the Maggies note:
This was a memorable final day of the season clash that could have seen either Notts or Sunderland relegated, indeed it turned out that Notts would have gone down had they lost this match by 2 goals or more without scoring (teams who were level on points were separated by goals scored ahead of goal difference this season). Results elsewhere meant that Sunderland also survived but only just, they finished 1 point ahead of relegated Brentford who had a better goals scored tally. Notts still had to anxiously await a decision as to whether or not they would be docked points over alleged irregular transfer dealings at the beginning of the season. Happily, it soon transpired that there was nothing to worry about.

Video of the match:- Recorded by Central Television for a goals report on "The Central Match Live", Notts manager Mick Walker was also interviewed on the pitch after the match.

Nottingham Evening Post Report

SUPER NOTTS WIN THE FIRST BATTLE
By David Stapleton

Manager Mick Walker today expressed the hope that Notts County's exciting retention of their First Division status would help the club when they face a Football Association misconduct charge. Notts face the possibility of having points deducted, which could spoil the all they have worked for, if they are found guilty of making illegal payments to an agent over the signings of Australians Bob Catlin and Shaun Murphy. But Walker, who helped mastermind a superb final day 3-1 win over Sunderland, said: "Hopefully, the fact we've avoided relegation might turn the hands of the people in judgement and, that if we are convicted, they will say let's keep a sense of proportion. Otherwise, it would be the kiss of death for us." The total £137,000 signings of Catlin and Murphy were conducted in the pre-Walker managerial era. Chief executive Neal Hook has said the club "will defend itself vigorously" and added: "We believe that we did not infringe any regulations or break any rules."
Walker said that the charge had "not been on the mind at all" before the potentially crucial clash with rivals Sunderland, who also escaped the drop. And the players clearly had no other distractions as they killed the game with three magnificent goals in 38 minutes, The ice cool first in four minutes by David Reeves was the ideal start and there was only one team in the game until well into the second half.

When the best goals seen at the ground in recent memory are recounted - that by midfielder Mark Draper in 38 minutes will figure among them. Though Dean Thomas's cross from the left was firmly struck, Draper caught it perfectly on the volley with his right foot and no goalkeeper on earth would have stopped the ball as it flew into the far comer. The 19th minute second goal from David Smith was another fine strike, leaving him with eight goals, firmly in second place in the scoring charts to the 12-goal Draper. Such a statistic shows only too clearly where Notts must improve next season. Before the Sunderland game they had scored six goals in eight games, while in every other respect looking nothing like relegation material.

On Saturday everything came together to subdue the 6,600 Sunderland fans in the 14,417 crowd who sat in the visitors section. There was evidence of Sunderland backing in other areas, causing Notts chairman Derek Pavis to admit that the Nottingham support was "disappointing." Notts, perhaps not unnaturally, sat back on their lead in the second half, during which some belated Sunderland menace enabled them to pull their goal back in 68 minutes through Kevin Ball.

Goalkeeper Steve Cherry was forced into good saves, one being an outstanding piece of Judgment when he robbed Don Goodman in a one-against-one situation. Young central defenders Paul Cox and Michael Johnson did superbly against this raised activity. Such was their command that former England striker Mick Harford was blotted out completely.
Draper had a match more in keeping with his capabilities in midfield, where Phil Turner showed the benefit of his improvement in fitness. Paul Devlin's familiar persistence took the eye, but I gave the Notts man of the match vote to Smith, who yesterday went to Birmingham for an operation on his troublesome left knee. Smith caused a buzz of anticipation whenever he got the ball and, apart from his brisk raiding and crossing ability, he worked hard, in keeping with the rest of the side.

Said a delighted MICK WALKER: “The script couldn't have been written better. We scored three super goals after missing a stack of golden chances at Derby in midweek, the players have been absolutely wonderful. Before we went out I thanked them for all they'd done. After all, it might have been the last game for Russell Slade and myself.”

MARK DRAPER on his stupendous volley which gave Notts their third goal: “I think it was probably the best goal I've scored. The most important anyway. The cross from Dean Thomas bulleted towards me and I got my shape right early. It then flew off my boot.”

DAVID SMITH on netting County's second goal: “I've got to be honest. I tried to curl the ball to the far post where our fellows were and it went in. But as a trio of goals they were probably the best you'll see.”

DAVID REEVES who set the side off on the victory road: “There was no way I was going to miss such an early chance. Had I scored at Derby three days earlier - and I should have done - I think we would have gone on to win it. I'm over the moon because Mick Walker and Russell Slade have done brilliantly for Notts County. The players really respect the pair of them. I'm sure next season, with the fans behind us, we'll be as  big as Forest.”

TERRY BUTCHER Sunderland player-manager who missed the ball which enabled Reeves to score: “I Wasn't at all happy even though we avoided the drop. I wasn't deliriously happy with our performance and I feel as though I've let people down.
But give County credit. They did well and were a big improvement on the side we knocked out of the FA Cup in January.”
 
 

Notts County Season 1992/93
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