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Full Time Score Exeter City 1-4 Mansfield Town Competition Sky Bet League Two Venue St James Park Stags Goal Scorer(s) CJ Hamilton (2), Tyler Walker (2) Attendance 5,017 (356)  Craig Priest writes…
Anyone can pick a team of eleven players and send them out to play – but it takes leadership and trust to acknowledge when things are going wrong and then take action to put things right. Fortunately Mansfield Town have a man at the helm capable of doing just that – which is why we made the long journey back from Exeter with all three points and our hopes still very much alive. Men in the main have a reluctance to talk openly about their feelings, to talk about who and what drives and inspires them. Sportsmen even more so, but the fact is if you’re open about that you can look beyond winning and losing and not get stuck in a rut of poor form – so for David Flitcroft to open up to his players this week and in turn, get them to follow suit, that has to be admired. Football IS just a game and you can very easily get swept up in its emotion which means sometimes you lose focus of what you’re trying to achieve – Mansfield Town’s players needed that purpose and focus bringing back to the forefront of their minds, and regardless of performance and style of play – I for one, put yesterday’s vital victory down to that focus, a word which can never be over used at this stage of the season. A happy and focussed dressing room is a winning dressing room. I’ve felt for weeks (alright, months) that there’s been a darkness creeping in, something sucking the life out of our play and confidence and if you look back at the way we started last weekend at home to Crewe, I don’t think you can disagree it firmly took hold and has damaged our chances. What was key was going on a journey of discovery within ourselves to say this is what we are good at it, this is how we can hurt teams, this is how we can progress – and then putting that into practise, which is exactly what we did with, in my view, the best footballing display from a Flitcroft side for months. You could sense the want to run at the opposition, to play for each other and cause damage with intent. We have the players within our ranks which thrive off of that, which is why every single player walked off that pitch yesterday buzzing having put in a real shift. Naturally CJ Hamilton and Tyler Walker get the plaudits and headlines with two goals each – CJ is a real danger when the handbrake is released, the Exeter back four will be having nightmares for weeks about his pace, movement and running across the line – highlighted none more so than in his two first half goals. Walker’s talent was clear too, dropping deep to allow CJ to drive and attack, the finish for our third was sublime and the penalty composed – however you must tip your hat to CJ for the unselfish pass to win the spot kick and then to walk away from the chance to seal a hat-trick from the spot. Alex MacDonald, Neal Bishop and Will ‘Mini-Bish’ Tomlinson were fantastic behind them in midfield and adapted well to cover each other and make it tough for the hosts to find an outlet, whilst at the back – the back six (Logan included) were solid enough, bar for the one slip for Exeter to score and make it 1-1. Off of the pitch, it was great to see Rose back in the fold, infectiously smiling and laughing – lapping up the crowd, after such a bad injury which could have really dented his self-confidence, having him within the dressing room lifts everyone and it gives us another attacking option with games running out. The inclusion of Zayn Hakeem and 17 Year Old Jimmy Knowles is testament to the links forged between academy and first team over the past year, Hakeem gave a very good account of himself and I’m sure for Knowles it was a brilliant experience – certainly ones to keep an eye on in the future. As for the here and now, Mansfield appear to have their mojo back and whilst it’s now a hard task to get into the top three, it’s not impossible as they sit two points behind Bury, although they have a game in hand over us on Tuesday. Whatever the other teams do as I said weeks ago is somewhat irrelevant because if we focus on us and play the way we did yesterday – the pendulum swings into our court again, with us mentally refreshed and hungry to succeed – nobody will fancy coming up against that, so come on you Stags – show me that you miss that top three, show me that you want success and go and bloody get it, after all, we’re all on this journey together. MATCH REPORT Changes were bound to happen after a poor showing the previous weekend, Jorge Grant missed the trip completely through an on-going ankle issue, whilst defender Ryan Sweeney did travel, but was kept out of the squad due to a sickness bug picked up on route. Logan replaced Smith in goal, Ben Turner replaced the sick Sweeney, whilst in midfield Alex MacDonald replaced Grant, with Mellis also missing out – replaced by mini-bish, Will Tomlinson. Mansfield stared well in the Devon sunshine and put pressure on the hosts with early set-plays, Alex MacDonald the first to register a shot on four minutes – his long range effort whistled beyond Christy Pym but landed wide of the target. Pym was then forced into two saves from Hamilton as he weaved his way through the city defence and on twenty minutes, his persistent running earned him and Mansfield the opening goal, Hamitlon flashed his way around Pym and turned into the empty net with twenty minutes on the clock. The Stags lead lasted just a minutes however as the hosts attacked and Mansfield failed to stop the right sided cross – a mix up between Logan and the defence allowed Matt Jay to prod home. Mansfield were not going to allow Exeter further opportunity and fought hard to regain their lead – Walker was denied by Pym before on 33 minutes Hamilton proved that lightening does strike twice, finishing a thirty yard run with a cool finish. Tyler Walker clipped a free-kick just over the bar with three minutes of the first half remaining before Mal Benning stepped up with a free kick of his own, Benning’s dead ball landed a whisker wide before the referee called time on the first half. Mansfield made it 3-1 in style on 57 minutes as Walker controlled the ball from Benning’s throw, shrugged off his marker and curled from distance a peach of a shot beyond a stunned Pym into the net. Jacob Mellis replaced Bishop on 72 minutes and a minute later watched on as CJ Hamilton tore down the left wing and into the box – he was just about to let fly and seal his hat-trick when at the last second, he pulled the ball back to Walker who was upended for a penalty. Walker stepped up and made no mistake to make it 4-1 and two goals each for him and Hamilton, who terrorised the Exeter back line all afternoon. Mansfield had a moment of heart in mouth when the hosts were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box but Randell Williams’ effort was watched over by Logan, Zayn Hakeem was hand a debut in the second of three additional minutes replacing Hamilton who received a great ovation from the Stags faithful – not to mention a cute kiss of the forehead from a proud Flitcroft, who was just as jubilant moments later when Ben Toner called an end to proceedings, a well-earned and overdue three points. FULL TIME: Exeter City 1-4 Mansfield Town STAGS [3-4-1-2] Conrad Logan, Matt Preston, Krystian Pearce ©, Ben Turner, Gethin Jones, Neal Bishop (Jacob Mellis 72), Willem Tomlinson, Mal Benning, Alex MacDonald, Tyler Walker, CJ Hamilton (Zayn Hakeem 90+2) Unused Subs: Jordan Smith, Otis Khan, Will Atkinson, Danny Rose, [#38] Jimmy Knowles Referee: Ben Toner Full Time Score Mansfield Town 1-2 Crewe Alexandra Competition Sky Bet League Two Venue One Call Stadium Stags Goal Scorer(s) Krystian Pearce Attendance 4,675 (247)  Craig Priest writes…
Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night, dripping in a chilling cold sweat sitting bolt upright surrounded by darkness, unable to shake the visions of the nightmare you’ve just awoken from? That’s exactly what happened to me at 4am this morning as I pondered what on earth has happened to my Mansfield Town. It feels like we’ve been zapped back through time to a point where defeats were a forgone conclusion and players didn’t care in the slightest about fighting for the shirt, unfazed by how much those around them do care. It’s strange to think that only a few months ago, this Mansfield Town side were playing mouth-watering football – they had us wanting more, they had us believing. All of that feels fake – it feels like we’ve been promised top quality merchandise by an honest and reputable seller, only to be greeted by Del Boy and his three wheeled van. So what has gone wrong? How have hungry, bloody thirsty Mansfield transformed into this team of lazy, uninterested bunch of gutless waters – happy to watch as the hard work comes crashing down around us? If I knew the answer I’d tell you, but I don’t – I just watch on each week with frustration boiling inside me as every value David Flitcroft installed into his players crumbles infront of my eyes. A year ago we were played off the park by Forest Green Rovers in the match which killed hopes of a play-off charge under the newly installed Flitcroft, more defeats followed as a lack of want and desire to play for the manager, for each other, for the club and for the fans toxically spiralled out of control – a 4-3 loss to Crewe at home the tip of the iceburg – simply, we can’t allow this to happen again. I go on social media and see negativity, I walk from the ground biting my lip as negativity fills the air and I write this morning angrily smashing the keyboard as I allow myself to churn out a negative picture, scorned, frustrated and utterly (insert swear word) off with the way we’ve carelessly allowed ourselves to fall from grace. Questions fill my head – did we get our recruitment wrong in January? Are certain players dragging us down with there want to play for the name on the back of the shirt rather than the one on the front? Are we blighted by the curse of injury? Are we ever destined to progress as a club? Do we even want it? These questions have to be answered on the pitch, as fans we have a right to be negative because we’re driven to it through false promise and a lack of inspiration from on the pitch – we desperately want to sing, shout and support the team but simply can’t when what we get back from the players is a flat and sluggish display which lacks desire and care. The players have to show us they want to deliver what they set out to achieve. Above all else what annoys me most about our fall from grace is not the face we’ve fallen, but the fact nobody is taking responsibility – so here is where I hope it all changes; to those who can affect our destiny, if you WANT to ACHIEVE something POSITIVE, if you have the DESIRE to turn things around and SUCCEED – then go and show us, no hiding behind excuses. If you DON’T CARE then PLEASE walk away now and play no further part – because just one person’s negative energy brings the whole thing crashing down. David Flitcroft in his post-match interview alluded to something similar; I hope he has the gumption and power to remove those who don’t care. If this means our squad is made up on more hungry, but unproven, youngsters rather than the so called established higher level players then so be it. I’d rather have a team who have the want, desire and bottle to give it a go, than a team who don’t care. Changes? Yes I’d make a few, and to be honest they may appear drastic to some but it’s mainly due to circumstance. The goalkeeper situation means no Oljenik, Smith and Logan can alternate I’m not bother – just back whoever is played, the goalkeeper at this stage of the season when things aren’t going our way will always be the first in the firing line. My system would be a basic 4-4-2 with a back four of Jones or Atkinson, Pearce and Preston in the middle and Benning at left back (I’ve omitted Sweeney for a reason – bare with). In midfield I’d go Khan (he’s looked bright whenever he’s come on a deserves the opportunity), MacDonald and Bishop with Hamilton on the left. Up front, Walker and SWEENEY! Yes, I’m playing a central defender as an out and out striker! I’m not mad, maybe slightly desperate BUT, we have no Danny Rose (Target man, his chance creation and link up play is missed), we have no Craig Davies (similar reason to Rose, perhaps not on the same level but still) and we have no Jordan Graham (young enthusiasm who can do the above) – AND every time Sweeney has gone up front, the fact he can actually play with the ball at feet has made him difficult to deal with – he’s excellent in the air and physically fit, thus bringing the work rate in the final third that we are so obviously missing. It may well seem a little bit square peg in a round hole but right now we need to go and dominate teams – showing some passion and fight for the cause. Alas I’m not the manager, I don’t coach the team and have no desire to. I believe in David Flitcroft and I believe that underneath this thick layer of frustration and woeful form lies a team capable of delivering. ONE GAME CHANGES EVERYTHING. I am however a supporter. I WILL make the journey to Exeter and I WILL ALWAYS back my team. Come on you Stags, turn this living nightmare – into the dream we all wish for. NOTHING is impossible. MATCH REPORT David Flitcroft made just the one change, Smith for Logan between the sticks with question marks hanging over the latter’s part in the debatable spot-kick against league leaders Lincoln. CLICK HERE for the clubs official report. FULL TIME: Mansfield Town 1-2 Crewe Alexandra STAGS [3-4-1-2] Jordan Smith, Matt Preston, Krystain Pearce ©, Ryan Sweeney, Gethin Jones (Nicky Ajose HT), Neal Bishop, Jacob Mellis, Mal Benning (Otis Khan 76), Jorge Grant (Alex MacDonald 63), Tyler Walker, CJ Hamilton Unused Subs: Conrad Logan, Willem Tomlinson, Ben Turner, Alistar Smith, Referee: Thomas Bramall Full Time Score Mansfield Town 1-1 Lincoln City Competition Sky Bet League Two Venue One Call Stadium Stags Goal Scorer(s) Krystian Pearce Attendance 7,177 (1,603)  Craig Priest writes…
You can practise something a million and one times, but in football there is only the ONE time something counts for real – match day. There’s never any room for error and as we approach the business end of the season the pressure to perform live every single week is ramping up – so what better test of our character than by taking on League Leaders Lincoln City LIVE in front of the nation of Sky Sports. The Stags have suffered of late with injuries, suspensions and tiredness really catching up on them and taking their toll, the 0-0 draw with Crawley last week sort of hit the reset button but what Mansfield needed was something to cheer – so going into the last eight games, have David Flitcrofts men got enough in the tank to finish in the top three? I’ll always believe so deep down, although last night I couldn’t help but think we need to find some energy from somewhere, as again after about an hour or so, we were slowing down and starting to make silly mistakes and given our lack of real fire power, we can’t afford to do this. Fortunately our defence has been solid all season predominantly and really kept the Imps at bay, had it not been for a debatable penalty, the Stags may well have taken all three points from the Champions elect – I think the squad can take that as a positive and use that to once again tighten the screw and give us the foundation to see out the season unbeaten, which should be enough to deliver league one football. We were backed by a brilliant crowd and we need to maintain that energy in the terraces for the remainder of the season, the players seem to thrive upon it and on any other night, may well have done so to put us into a more commanding lead. I’ve sat here debating what to write, do I pick out errors and ifs and buts? Do I say what shape and personnel I’d opt for? No. What’s important now is togetherness, belief and energy – from the very first second to the last. We are LIVE, there is no room for error, we can create TV Gold or a classic movie – or we can play out a flop and a farce. It’s in our hands - eight games to go and back into third. MATCH REPORT Critically Stags were able revert to the back three which has been near water tight all season as Matt Preston and Ryan Sweeney both returned from injury, they replaced Turner and MacDonald respectively, as Mansfield reverted back to the trusted 3-4-1-2 CLICK HERE for the clubs official report. FULL TIME: Mansfield Town 1-1 Lincoln City STAGS [3-4-1-2] Conrad Logan, Matt Preston, Krystain Pearce ©, Ryan Sweeney, Gethin Jones, Neal Bishop, Jacob Mellis (Willem Tomlinson 90+3), Mal Benning, Jorge Grant (Alex MacDonald 59), Tyler Walker, CJ Hamilton Unused Subs: Jordan Smith, Otis Khan, Nicky Ajose, Ben Turner, Alistar Smith, Referee: Graham Scott Full Time Score Crawley Town 0-0 Mansfield Town Competition Sky Bet League Two Venue Broadfield Stadium (People’s Pension stadium) Stags Goal Scorer(s) / Attendance 1,909 (219  Craig Priest writes…
After three away defeat on the spin accumulated in the Stags dropping out of the top three on Saturday, it was clear something needed to change as Flitcroft’s men made the trek to Crawley last night – and whilst we came away frustrated at not winning, Mansfield are on the way at least to spring back into action. A spring absorbs so much pressure and will go one of two ways – it’ll snap causing disaster, or it’ll force back open and release whatever is pushing down on it, back into the air – I’ve tried to think of other ways to describe last night’s game – and that’s as far as I’ve got. For weeks the strain of pushing for automatic promotion, coupled with injuries and suspensions to key players has caused our spring to buckle and not do its job, but after an apparent heart to heart and open conversation with the entirety of the squad on Sunday – the players have refocused and began to fight for the cause once more, rather then let tiredness and excuses come bursting to the surface with nine games remaining. Judging the game as one, Mansfield should have won and performed better – at times they looked short of ideas and could have done with fresh legs to really penetrate the final third, but out of isolation – what was more important, going all guns blazing and a potential fourth straight away loss, or airing on the side of caution with a point to relight our fire? When you lean towards the former you could argue at this stage of the season with points so tight you need to be a bit braver and perhaps introduce the likes of Khan and Ajose to effect the game – but the unity we’ll gain from a clean sheet is far more important, a team with a strong character and belief is a team who has the nerve to fight until the very last breath. Did we have that at this stage last season? No – look what happened. We needed players to really step up and we got that last night, Ben Turner despite lacking a bit of pace, looked absolutely solid and needed that display to boost his, his team mates and the fans confidence – as no doubt he’ll be called upon with Preston and Sweeney both on the treatment table. Conrad Logan too had a good game between the sticks with a vital clean sheet, whilst Alex MacDonald gave us that bit of added zest – which I think in front of a bumper crowd on Monday in a fixture which is so important, will really help fuel the fire. Frustrating that we missed a chance to put some distance between ourselves, MK Dons and the chasing Tranmere yes – but all in all, our spring is now coiled and set for release, let’s get a good weeks work in now and celebrate the off pitch news with victory on Monday. MATCH REPORT Five changes were made by Stags boss David Flitcroft who hasn’t been happy with Mansfield’s dwindling away form of late – Conrad Logan replaced Smith in goal, Ben Turner and Gethin Jones were selected in a back four, whilst completing the spine of the team were MacDonald and the back from suspension Walker, as the Stags went 4-3-3 – Sweeney missed out through concussion as per FA Ruling, whilst Matt Preston remained side lined with a knee issue. CLICK HERE for the clubs official report. FULL TIME: Mansfield Town 4-2 Cheltenham Town STAGS [4-3-3] Conrad Logan, Gethin Jones, Krystain Pearce ©, Ben Turner, Mal Benning, Neal Bishop, Alex MacDonald (Willem Tomlinson 82), Jacob Mellis, Jorge Grant, Tyler Walker, CJ Hamilton Unused Subs: Jordan Smith, Otis Khan, Will Atkinson, Nicky Ajose, Alistar Smith, Zayn Hakeem Referee: Lee Collins Full Time Score Port Vale 2-1 Mansfield Town Competition Sky Bet League Two Venue Vale Park Stags Goal Scorer(s) Nicky Ajose Attendance 5,231 (1,430)  Craig Priest writes…
Standing on a plug with your bare foot, being kicked in the nether regions and being flicked on the ear on a really cold day are all types of horrible pain – but nothing hurts more than watching Mansfield Town FC be so lacklustre and technically poor that they lose their grip on the top three and lose to a struggling side. What’s worse is that a few months ago the stags had an unblemished away record and were one of the toughest sides to beat away from home, and yet now David Flitcrofts men have lost their last three away games – a little feeling of panic is starting to creep in. It’s very easy to sit here on a Sunday and moan – listing all the things that are wrong with us, and whilst five minutes ago I had a phenomenal rant which saw me nearly break my keyboard, I’ve deleted it to type this – our only downfall at this stage, is dwelling. We were bloody awful, there is no escaping that fact – and we have been away from home since late December really, but we can’t afford to be looking back, placing blame and dwelling because that’s taking our eye of the ball – and we’re already doing that! We’ve become too focussed on what Lincoln, Bury and MK Dons are doing around us (and how badly Notts County are doing) and have let slip of what’s important – us! Management, supporters and players alike have put so much work into turning the attitude around into this positive wave of backing – to see that crumble yesterday really frustrated me, now more than ever we need to be together – on and off the pitch. It’s not like we’ve got a manager who is so blinded by his own arrogance to not change it up, I fully believe that they’ll be changes at Crawley, both in personnel where possible, in the system and in the way we approach the game. Alex MacDonald is probably ready to start now, Tyler Walker is back from suspension and fingers crossed Matt Preston could be back in the fold – the latter very much needed to bring some solidity back to what was a defence acting like melting butter meeting the sharpest blade. Not for a second do I question our commitment; it’s the more simple things like passing a ball and using players as a team rather than going for glory and being all flash. We committed to this together and must go forward in that manner. Crawley is no easy place to visit, but we need to be fuelled by our own ambitions and ruthlessly execute whatever stands in our way – it doesn’t matter about how good we were at one stage, it doesn’t matter how others are performing – we can only affect us, our attitude and our position. TEN games to go – we may well have taken a wrong turning, but we’ll get there in the end…. So long as Ajose steers clears of penalties! MATCH REPORT Will Atkinson was handed a start in place of Gethin Jones but otherwise it was as you were with Preston still out injured and leading scorer Tyler Walker serving the second of his two game ban. Click HERE to read the clubs official match report – but I’ll sum it up for you… We started so badly we gave the ball away from our own kick-off, squandered a golden chance to do real damage of 18 minutes when Ajose missed a penalty which everyone in the stadium could see where he was going to put it, failed to pass a ball to ourselves but somehow managed to be 0-0 at the break. Second half we got sloppy and allowed a man with a point to prove to do just that with two school boy finishes in quick succession before substitute Otis Khan’s cross hit Ajose and went in to give us slight hope. However we still couldn’t find the net and had to ask our goalkeeper to try and do it for us – to be fair he perhaps should have won us a spot-kick which, if won, had anyone other than Smith taken it – we’d have missed. FULL TIME: Mansfield Town 4-2 Cheltenham Town STAGS [3-4-2-1]: Jordan Smith, Krystian Pearce ©, Ryan Sweeney (Ben turner 51), Mal Benning, Will Atkinson, Neal Bishop, Willem Tomlinson (Otis Jhan 56), CJ Hamilton, Jacob Mellis (Alex MacDonald 66), Jorge Grant, Nicky Ajose Unused Subs: Conrad Logan, Gethin Jones, Alistar Smith, Zayn Hakeem Referee: Darren Bond Full Time Score Mansfield Town 4-2 Cheltenham Town Competition Sky Bet League Two Venue One Call Stadium Stags Goal Scorer(s) CJ Hamilton (2), Will Atkinson, Alex MacDonald Attendance 5,276 (181)  Craig Priest writes…
The beautiful game is full of ups and downs, twists and turns, heartbreak and elation – but it’s that raw emotion which keeps us coming back week up on week – and yesterday as Mansfield grabbed three more precious points, they certainly put us through every raw emotion going, in a game full of determination and will power. David Flitcroft was celebrating his first year in charge of the Stags and recapped twelve months within ninety minutes as his sides merged between lacklustre, flat, hungry, lucky, dangerous, unlucky, deflated, bemused, courageous and in the ends – down right bloody brilliant! It’s one of the strangest games I’ve watched for a while as supporters watched the changing mood play out, but ultimately at this time of the season pretty football won’t take you up – togetherness and a commitment running through the core will. We didn’t have that when Flitcroft first took charge, a lot of the so called core was rotten and it’s taken time to remove that and rebuild, yesterday showed that no matter what, nothing is going to poison our core and we will fight until the very end. This goes way beyond the eleven players put out to start the game, a one man circus is never going to be the greatest show – yesterday especially showed that everyone believes in what we are trying to achieve and are ready, when called upon, to fight to make it a reality. Will Atkinson, Alex MacDonald and Ben Turner are examples of just that – Atkinson is Mansfield’s marmite but for me is a vital weapon to have within as he can comfortably play anywhere and has experience of consistently playing at a higher level which is where we aspire to be. Atkinson yesterday came on and helped with the change of shape (I won’t go on about changing shape too much, but even Stevie Wonder can see we are FAR MUCH BETTER and dangerous with a flat back four) and was tremendous down the right hand side, topping off a solid display with that critical third goal – throwing himself into the fire, not bothered about getting burnt. Alex MacDonald is, and has been since day one, Mr Mansfield Town – we’ve missed his flare and infectious enthusiasm at times and really needed that at 3-2 yesterday to blunt the knife edge game and see us through to a critical victory, his goal was breathtakingly beautiful as it defined what Mansfield Town Football Club are about – never giving up, no matter what obstacles stand before us. Turner’s late appearance helped lock down the defence and slam darkness on Cheltenham’s chunk of light, we’re a young squad predominantly and at times we forget that – we need his experience in situations like that to prevent the pot from boiling over. It goes far beyond those ON the pitch though, we’re missing key figures through injury and suspension but they are all committed to the project and supporting in whatever way they can, players like Danny Rose and Bobby Oljenik are not letting injury hold them back as they get their heads down and focus on recovery, they’re in on a match day to be a part of this team, this unit, this core – and for that to be totally transformed in the space of a year with the results to match just goes to show the right appointment was made. Eleven games to go, but only ONE to focus on and that’s next weekend’s trip to Port Vale, the league table is starting to see a real split in terms of points but we can only affect our own position – so let’s get across to Port Vale next weekend and back this group of players who are giving everything to make our dreams a reality. MATCH REPORT Defender Matt Preston was given a deserved rest as it was revealed he’d be carrying an injury for a long time, Ryan Sweeney fresh from a two game ban came into the starting line to replace him, whilst Ajose replaced the suspended Walker as the Stags lined up 3-4-2-1, young striker Zayn Hakeem given a slot on the bench to boost attacking options. The Stags were kicking towards the Quarry Lane Stand in the first half but it was at the other end where the first bit of action took place as Jacob Maddox got a volley all from for the visitors two minutes in. Two minutes later Hamilton played in the lively Ajose who saw an effort blocked, Grant and Bishop saw efforts go stray as the game bundled on past the half hour mark – the stags best chance came on 39 minutes as Hamilton saw an effort blocked before from the resulting corner, Mellis hit one sweetly only to be denied. Stags needed some luck and twice struck lucky before the break as Hamilton notched two goals – his first on 42 minutes came after Ajose’s effort was blocked into the path of the lightening winger who just got enough power on the follow up from an angle to open the scoring – three minutes later Hamilton again had just enough power, tucking beneath Flinders to double his, and Mansfield’s tally. Moments later Hamilton nearly turned goal scorer into provider with a pinpoint ball for Ajose, the on loan Charlton man turned the inviting cross wide – Mansfield however were somehow two-nil up as the half time whistle blew. After the restart the next goal was critical and it should have been the Stags who got it, Hamilton denied a hat-trick by Flinders on 49 minutes before Ajose was also denied by a last ditch challenge. Mansfield’s first half luck then did a U-turn as Mal Benning was judged to have given away a free kick on 59 minutes, Chris Hussey curled home a sweet dead ball which you couldn’t help applaud, before with the pendulum back in Cheltenham’s court, they pulled level on 69 minutes, Mansfield allowing Charlie Raglan a free header from a corner, after the Stags had carelessly given away the ball in midfield. The Stags then set about getting back into the lead and had chances twice through Mellis and once through Grant, before the former delivered a testing corner on 77 minutes, which saw Will Atkinson throw himself at a dipping ball to score a brilliant diving header to restore the Stags lead. Alex MacDonald was introduced to the home crowd for the first time since September late on and into the third minute of added time, his enthusiasm and grit secured Mansfield’s fourth as he charged through the middle via a bobble and calmly tucked beyond Flinders, celebrating with raw passion to the sound of his own name. Willem Tomlinson went into the referee’s note book in the dying seconds, but the full time result was far more important as the whistle blew – the Stags remain two points ahead of MK Dons in fourth and two behind Bury in second. FULL TIME: Mansfield Town 4-2 Cheltenham Town STAGS [3-4-2-1]: Jordan Smith, Ryan Sweeney, Krystian Pearce ©, Mal Benning, Gethin Jones (Will Atkinson HT), Neal Bishop, Willem Tomlinson, CJ Hamilton, Jacob Mellis, Jorge Grant (Ben Turner 79), Nicky Ajose (Alex MacDonald 90) Unused Subs: Conrad Logan, Otis Khan, Alistar Smith, [#34] Zayn Hakeem Referee: Alan Young |
