Against Division 2 opponents we will surely not slip up,
As we begin another long journey in the F.A. Cup,
So after ninety minutes we should receive a bounty,
Having seen off the challenge of the oldest team, Notts County.

The visitors, by their opening play, show that they have come to win,
And this game, for the Boro, is a potential banana skin,
But they surely know, precisely, what now needs to be done,
And what a wonderful opportunity to start another unbeaten run.

In the first few opening minutes, County certainly played with pride,
Though it was clear to everyone that on the long ball they relied,
As soon as they received the ball they gave it one great punt,
And any headers were mainly won by their big guys at the front.

Ehiogu was then nutmegged but didn’t give up: does he ever?
He retrieved the situation and what he did was rather clever,
His leg he simply stuck out just as Platt was in full flow,
And the Boro now look shaky, as Notts’ confidence seems to grow.

A free kick was awarded and with the fans all feeling shivery,
County now pile in on goal to await a good delivery,
Mills then failed to clear, when under pressure, I must stress,
The ball then fell for Barras but the Billingham lad made a mess.

Notts are clearly showing they’ve not come to admire our skills,
Their guys are creating mayhem and providing many thrills,
Then came a chance for Boro from a typical Nemeth flick,
It fell for Downing who produced an out-and-out miskick.

Now came the best move of the game, with County in a stew,
French Franck and Joseph Job had played a wonderful one-two,
That was then repeated by Michael Ricketts and big man Franck,
But his shot was then deflected and so the score remains a blank.

It would appear that Boro’s pressure is starting now to mount,
So one hopes they’ll step things up a bit and make the next one count,
For we’re half way through the first half and to date it’s true, we have not,
Seen either side’s goalkeeper have to save a single shot.

That soon came to an end after another Downing probe,
Led to success for the Boro from a shot by Joseph Job,
It was deflected past the ‘keeper, who then simply stands and stares,
For another ‘own goal’ for Boro but, to be truthful, well, who cares?

Notts then came on strongly; they didn’t hang their heads,
And they tried to up the pressure on our favourite Boro reds,
They had a decent opportunity as a result of Boro foul play,
And then Caskey cleared the Boro bar but he wasn’t all that far away.

Ricketts, causing problems, seeks to hustle and to harass,
And County’s problems multiply as a red card’s shown to Barras,
His trip’s outside the area but in the rules of this great game,
The ref’s left with no option and that really was a shame.

Barras was the last man and how manfully he’d toiled,
And for this single indiscretion the game’s now rather spoiled,
‘Q’ then took the free kick and what a really marvellous strike,
That left the crossbar shuddering: now that I really like!

Then came a bit of ‘trouble,’ which the ref. didn’t overlook,
And Frank, who’d shown his other side, had his name put in the book,
It was just a bit of nonsense as George tried to give a gee-up,
And hardly worth a booking for a storm in the proverbial teacup.

A brilliant ball in by Downing, showing how it should be done,
After mesmerising County with another magnificent run,
A Ricketts shot saved on the line while defenders twiddled thumbs,
And Szilard Nemeth set to pounce and feed off any crumbs.

With half-time fast approaching, what more can Boro do?
For Ricketts really thought that he’d increased the score to two,
Then Queudrue was frustrated as he reached Downing’s brilliant ball,
And he saw his header skilfully saved by ‘keeper Mildenhall.

Stewart Downing has been, in the main, the thorn in County’s side,
With great play all along the left when pressure’s been applied,
But for Boro there still remains an awful lot to do,
And we must come out for the second half and score a goal or two.

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Downing’s on the ball again; his wing-play’s quite divine,
He sets one up for Joseph Job that’s saved right on the line,
In this present mood the young lad is indeed a treat to watch,
And he’s certainly a candidate for today’s “Man of the Match.”

There was real and imminent danger and Boro were very nearly done,
When a shot from Notts went well wide but it should have been 1-1,
McClaren’s not too happy and he’s fuming on the track,
As County are, without a doubt, now fighting their way back.

The visitors are now enjoying many more and better chances,
As those sitting on the Boro bench exchange some worried glances,
In the last few minutes they’ve enjoyed a few quite decent shots,
And on more than one occasion County have tied us all in Notts.

Now it’s the turn for Boro fans to be feeling somewhat bitter,
As Danny Mills, inside six yards, missed by miles an absolute sitter,
He went for the top corner but he’ll never wish to brag,
For it wasn’t the goal he threatened but a distant corner flag.

Downing once more threatens; my goodness, he’s been busy,
He’s juggled the ball so brilliantly; the Notts’ lads must be dizzy,
Another chance goes begging and by now we should be cruising,
Try as we may to grind them down, the Notts’ lads keep refusing.

Time now for substitutions as Boro seek to turn the screw,
As ‘Macca’ and James Morrison entered play and Boro hopes grew,
Not a lot is known about the Darlington-born debutant,
And I must also now accept my knowledge is somewhat scant.

Some might say McClaren’s changes were truly inspirational,
Certainly within seconds the result was quite sensational,
‘Macca’ with his first touch then found Nemeth with his head,
And he flicked the ball to Zenden who left the County guys for dead.

Zenden was in lots of space and about fifteen yards out,
When he let fly an unstoppable shot; that really was some clout!
The ‘keeper dived the right way but was beaten by the force,
For a goal to kill off County and bring Boro smiles, of course!

‘Macca,’ attacking on the right and so dangerous he looked,
Scythed to the ground by Richardson who was immediately booked,
That’s the first bad challenge of the day and was really rather crude,
Let’s hope, for that indiscretion, Notts become even more subdued.

Downing takes the free kick which we see the ‘keeper fumble,
Blaming everyone except himself while all around him grumble,
The ball finished high upon the net and there it somehow stopped,
Almost a candidate for the video of “Keepers’ Clangers Dropped.”

County almost got the goal, which they probably deserved,
When Stallard flashed one narrowly wide, Boro’s lead remained preserved,
He did the hard work brilliantly but the finish was not too clever,
Though perhaps they’d earned some just reward for their effort and endeavour.

Downing’s star’s still shining bright and his energy’s not draining,
He picked out Maccarone with five minutes still remaining,
The ‘keeper saves it on the line then makes an awful clearance,
And Morrison had the chance to score on his very first appearance.

Sadly, it was not to be and not as he’d expected,
And County fans now start to leave, some feeling quite dejected,
But credit must be given to Notts, who were certainly not disgraced,
We were not at all convincing and that’s the truth, which must be faced.