Spurs loan watch: Tough day in League Two | OneFootball

Down in League Two, Spurs loanee George Abbott and his Notts County side were looking to build on their huge midweek win at Grimsby Town, when they hosted Chesterfield on Saturday afternoon. In the reverse fixture, back in October, the teenager registered his first professional assist.

How thigs went for George Abbott and his Notts County side in League Two

As always, Abbott was named in the starting XI by manager Stuart Maynard – his 30th league start of the season, and 32nd start in all competitions. It was his 32nd total appearance in League Two, and 34th in all competitions.

In the first half, Notts completely dominated the game, having more possession and territory, as well as creating good chances, but just could not put any of them away, and the sides went into the break goalless.

A minute into the second half, Abbott had an effort on target, but that would prove to be their last shot of any kind until the 75th minute. Five minutes before that next effort, they had seen Chesterfield take the lead.

With nine minutes of normal time remaining, Notts equalised, and the assumption would have been that they would push on for the winner. However, four minutes from time – Chesterfield took the lead for a second time in the game. Disaster.

This time, the Magpies could not find an equaliser, and they were condemned to a 2-1 defeat, very tough to take. The good work of midweek now undone, as they start looking over their shoulders again when it comes to a play off spot. They are now in fifth place in League Two, with 63 points from their 37 games – four points ahead of the side in eight.

As for Abbott, another 90 minutes for him – making it 2740 in the league, the most of any current Spurs loanee this season. He can perhaps feel aggrieved not to be in any of the England age group squads, considering the season he is having in men’s football. The U21 squad is unrealistic, given some of the names in there – but he definitely will feel he had done enough to be in the U20 squad.

Notts will certainly not be complaining, however – particularly with a huge game against Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, live on Sky Sports. The “side in eighth” mentioned earlier is in fact Crewe. They showed in the game against Grimsby that they can get over the line in big games, so this is another great chance to prove it once more. 12:30 GMT kick off for that one.