Who says that the romance of the FA Cup is dead? The world’s oldest professional club are through to the next round of the world’s oldest cup competition thanks to one of their elder statesmen.
Jon Stead was Notts County’s hero as his moment of quality proved the difference at Brentford.
He may be 34, and now playing in League Two, but this is a marksman who graced the Premier League for several years in his prime. At Griffin Park he produced a vintage display from those days in the top flight.
Jon Stead of Notts County celebrates with team-mate Lewis Alessandra after scoring the goal
In a hard-fought match, it was Stead’s majestic 25-yard curling strike with his left foot that stung the Bees and saw the Magpies soar into Monday’s fourth-round draw.
Visiting manager Kevin Nolan sensed a shock and this was evident by the strength of his starting XI. Terry Hawkridge, who was part of the Lincoln squad that reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last season, came in for Jonathan Forte in their only change from beat Port Vale on New Year’s Day.
Brentford’s approach was different to their League Two rivals as they rung eight changes following their Championship defeat at Wolves on Tuesday. Chris Mepham, Yoann Barbet and Kamohelo Mokotjo were the only starters with Emiliano Marcondes making his debut.
And in the opening exchanges it was clearly the continuity of Notts County’s team selection that told as they went on the attack early. Right back Matt Tootle found Elliott Hewitt who crossed at the second attempt to Stead. However, the former Premier League forward was off target as his left-foot turn and swivel sailed well wide of Luke Daniels goal.
Stead was causing the Brentford defence problems and he missed another opportunity to capitalise just moments later when he flicked a Jorge Grant free-kick over with his right foot.
That appeared to be enough of a warning sign to the Bees who started swarming their own pressure towards the County goal. After Marcondes won a free-kick, Josh McEachran’s delivery found the head of Mepham – but the latter could only direct it straight at goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons.
Notts County wasted another good chance to take the lead, when Ryan Yates headed over another Grant free-kick at the near post, before they demonstrated the quality that sees them sitting second in LeagueTwo.
Gathering an aerial ball on the halfway line, Barbet was immediately harried and disposed by Stead. He found Hawkridge who played a return ball to the veteran forward, but he was unable to get a shot away.
Dean Smith’s side were looking disjointed and it wasn’t until midway through the first half that they finally tested Fitzsimons. Wiry winger Florian Jozefzoon forced him into a fine stop from outside the penalty area before striker Neal Maupay did likewise shortly after.
That was about as good as it got for the hosts with Kamohelo Mokotjo heading straight at the untroubled County stopper on 37 minutes.
The second half started like the first with the visitors in the ascendancy as Stead teed up striker partner Lewis Alessandra from 20 yards out. However, the latter’s effort was so wild it flew over the Brook Stand – much to the amusement of the home fans.
Their amusement turned into bewilderment around the hour mark though following two incidents. The first was at a penalty appeal turned down amid calls of a handball by Daniel Jones. The second was somehow seeing substitute Ollie Watkins’ effort cleared off the line within seconds of coming on.
What a story that would’ve been on 64 minutes. However, just 60 seconds later County took the lead when Stead cut inside from the right wing before curling an effort beyond Daniels and into the far corner.
It was a striker worthy to win any game and it was made all the sweeter for him as it was in front of the delirious away supporters – who didn’t stop singing throughout the match.
Brentford pushed in search of an equaliser and came close several times – with Jozefzoon and Maupay in particular being left frustrated. Substitute Alan Judge also had an effort at goal – in what was his first appearance for the club in 21 months since suffering a horrific leg injury.
County should’ve sealed the game when Stead played Grant through one-on-one with Daniels but he could only shoot straight at the goalkeeper.
There was late drama in injury time too when Marcondes thought he earned the hosts a replay but his header from a corner cannoned back off the far post.
For the hosts, their attentions turn to a play-off place in the Championship. For the visitors though their fantastic season continues with a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup, thanks to Stead’s brilliance.