MANSFIELD MATTERS:FOR THE FANS, BY THE FANS!
  • Home
  • 2022/23
  • MM Club Shop!
  • PODCAST
    • Series 1 (2017/18)
    • Series 2 (2018/19)
    • Series 3 (2019/20)
    • Series 4 (2020/21)
    • Series 5 (2021/22)
    • Stags Stories >
      • A Trip Down Memory Lane
      • Legends LIVE
  • Back In Time
    • Into The Unknown
    • The Conference Years >
      • Stags 2011-12 (Play-offs)
      • Stags 2012-13 (Champions) >
        • Audio Highlights
        • Reserves & Youth
        • Youth
      • 2011: When Dreams Came True
      • 2012: The Year Of The Stag
    • Stags 2013-14 (Football League Return)
    • Stags 2014-15
    • Stags 2017-18
    • Stags 2018-19
    • Stags 2019-20
    • Stags 2020-21
    • Stags 2021/22

BLOG: Judge, Jury and Executioner – Chester 0-1 Mansfield 

17/7/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
Craig Priest writes…

Conference Champions Mansfield Town last night won the battle of the Champions against Conference North winners Chester. Richard Cooper and Adam Murray played the part of Judge and Jury in the absence of Paul Cox, whilst Nathan Arnold was the executioner – his 75th minute strike earning Stags’ their first win of pre-season.

Winger Arnold has been on trial with Cox’s men wince the start of pre-season and last night was the game for the management to make their mind up on him, his fate will ultimately be left to Murray, Cooper and chief scout Paul Ogden who also watched on as the manager stayed at home with his wife, who is expecting the arrival of their second child in the next few days.

Also on trial were strikers Jordan Robertson and Amari Morgan-Smith, the former netted in the 4-1 defeat at Worksop last week whilst the latter is on the lookout for a new club following his summer exit from Macclesfield – in honesty I dislike trialists after a certain point but would certainly have another look at the former Luton and Macc front man after an impressive game last night in the coveted number 10 shirt.

Defender Julian Kelly, formerly of Notts County, was on trial at right back but had a stinker – I guess the weight of expectation on his shoulders after Murray gave him a name change to Gary Kelly (Famous Leeds Utd right back) was too much to bare! Murray revealed before the match that he said “Gary Kelly” to the club secretary as a joke, which he and ultimately us in the press box, fell for – nice one Muzza!

Chester, to their own press’ admission, we’re under-par in terms of performance but did field the majority of the side which romped to the Conference North title – I was expecting Chester to provide a tough and physical test and have to say I was very disappointed by the blues. On the other hand though, I have to credit Mansfield’s professionalism and commitment, it was a dominant display from the Stags and included fine displays from Clements, Murtagh and George Pilkington who was called into the side late to replace Tafazolli who fell ill after the long journey.

Nathan Arnold also shone in his “make or break match” and came close to opening the scoring in under a minute as he latched onto Meikle’s flick to the left of the box, the narrow angle made it difficult to get a shot away however Arnold did, but failed to keep it down firing over the bar.

Arnold had another pop seven minutes later but this time was denied by Chester legend John Danby, again to the left of the box following a strong challenge by the otherwise absent Jordan Robertson.

At the other end Ian Deakin was counting his blessings that the match was a friendly as he made a strong challenge outside the box on Craig Mahon, a challenge that would have resulted in at least a booking in a competitive fixture. Chester ultimately wasted the resulting free kick, working it short and seeing it fade out for a Stags goal kick.

Mansfield looked the stronger of the two sides and came close again on twenty eight minutes as excellent footwork saw Lindon Meikle beat the Chester full back and cross into the middle for Morgan-Smith, the trialist front man his sweetly on the volley and saw his effort cannon behind for a corner, skipper for the night Ritchie Sutton nodded wide at the far post from Clements’ well weighted delivery.

The golden chance fell four minutes later as Stags split the Chester defence following Murtagh’s clearance, Nathan Arnold latched onto the ball and calmly rounded the on rushing Danby. Arnold needed to cut back inside to shoot and did, however Danby threw himself back up from the floor to block the vicious effort and deny Stags the opener.

Further efforts from Morgan-Smith and Arnold went astray before the break, Stags headed into the dressing room level, but not for the want of trying. The second half was the same story as Stags continued to dominate the match, Morgan-Smith saw an effort saved by Danby on 52 minutes from Arnold’s slotted pass before Meikle lofted in a great cross two minutes later – the cross sat up perfectly for the advancing Paul Black who sadly, couldn’t keep his half volley on target, blasting out of the ground and over the England-Wales border.

The game was going flat until the 75th minute when Murtagh embarked on a solo dominant gauntlet style run down the right hand side. He did well to beat Chester’s Kevin McIntyre before pulling the ball back for Arnold, who drove an effort into the bottom corner beyond the reach of Danby to give Stags the critical lead.

Arnold’s goal was pretty much the final piece of action in front of either goal, the final ten minutes dragged by before the full time whistle, Arnold’s strike wrapping up the Stags first win of pre-season.

FULL TIME: Chester 0-1 Mansfield Town

STAGS: 33 Ian Deakin, 2 Julian Kelly (TRIALIST) (19 Liam Marsden 82), 15 George Pilkington, 6 Ritchie Sutton ©, 3 Paul Black, 7 Lindon Meikle, 8 Chris Clements, 4 Keiran Murtagh, 11 Nathan Arnold (TRIALIST), 9 Jordan Robertson (TRIALIST) (14 Ben Hutchinson 60), 10 Amari Morgan-Smith (TRIALIST) (12 Jack Thomas 87)
UNUSED SUBS: Godfrey Poku, Chris Spencer (Youth Team), Jason Gregory, Harry Waldram (Youth Team GK), Evan Garnett (TRIALIST)

REFEREE: Rob Jones (Wirral)

The views expressed in this blog are those of the writer and not those of Mansfield Matters or its related organisations, to submit a blog email mtfcmatters@gmail.com
1 Comment
Richardson Dating link
9/10/2013 12:13:07 pm

Great blog post, thanks for posting this.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    ABOUT MM-BLOG

    If you enjoy the Mansfield Matters Podcast, our Blog page is very similar - just in article form as team members share their views on matches and events! 

    Fancy submitting an article, DM us on Facebook/Twitter to get our attention, or email mtfcmatters@gmail.com (please note, this inbox isn't monitored often so it may take a while to get back to you) 

    Please read the disclaimer on the home page. 

    Categories

    All
    2011 12 Season Review
    2011-12 Season Review
    2013 14 Pre Season
    2013 14 Pre-Season
    2013/14 Season
    2014/15 Pre Season
    2014/15 Pre-Season
    201516 Seson
    2016 17
    2016-17
    2017 18
    2017-18
    2018 19
    2018 19 Pre Season
    2019 20
    2019-20
    2019 20 Pre Season
    2020 21
    2021 22
    2021 22 Pre Season
    Awards
    Capital One Cup
    Checkatrade Trophy
    Craig Priest
    EFL Cup (Carabao)
    EFL Trophy
    EFL Trophy (Leasing.com)
    EFL Trophy [Papa Johns]
    Fa Cup
    Farewell Matt Green
    Featured Bloggers
    Friendly
    Game Review
    Green Energy Challenge Trophy
    History
    Hot Topics
    Into The Unknown
    John Thompson
    Jpt
    Kirsty Swann
    League Cup
    Legends Live
    Manager Review
    Mansfield Matters Weekly
    Mark Plumb
    Match Preview
    Match Preview 2012 13
    Match Preview 2012-13
    Match Preview 2013 14
    Match Preview 2013-14
    Match Preview 2017 18
    Match Report
    Match Report 13 14
    Match Report 13-14
    Match Report 14 15
    Match Report 14-15
    Match Report 17 18
    Match Report 18 19
    Match Report 19 20
    Match Report 2012 13
    Match Report 2012-13
    Match Report 20 21
    Match Report 21 22
    Memory Lane
    Mid Season
    News
    Paul Cox 100
    Player Review
    Play Offs
    Play-Offs
    Play Offs [League Two]
    Podcast
    Pre-season1213
    Pre Season 17/18
    Reserve Team
    Rhys Day Testimonial
    Road Trips
    Season Review 2012 13
    Season Review 2012-13
    Sky Bet League Two
    Stags Stories
    Stags Youth
    Supporter Blog
    The Exhibition XIs
    Twelve Against Time
    Under 21s
    Wembley 2011
    Where Are They Now
    Your Views

    Archives

    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    January 2016
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • 2022/23
  • MM Club Shop!
  • PODCAST
    • Series 1 (2017/18)
    • Series 2 (2018/19)
    • Series 3 (2019/20)
    • Series 4 (2020/21)
    • Series 5 (2021/22)
    • Stags Stories >
      • A Trip Down Memory Lane
      • Legends LIVE
  • Back In Time
    • Into The Unknown
    • The Conference Years >
      • Stags 2011-12 (Play-offs)
      • Stags 2012-13 (Champions) >
        • Audio Highlights
        • Reserves & Youth
        • Youth
      • 2011: When Dreams Came True
      • 2012: The Year Of The Stag
    • Stags 2013-14 (Football League Return)
    • Stags 2014-15
    • Stags 2017-18
    • Stags 2018-19
    • Stags 2019-20
    • Stags 2020-21
    • Stags 2021/22