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Cambridge United 2-3 Mansfield Town (Nicky Maynard x3) | Sky Bet League Two | Wednesday 1st January 2020| Abbey Stadium  *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations* Hurrah! That winning feeling is so good, it’s been far too long since we’ve got it but with a new year comes new opportunities and new chances – and that’s exactly how boss Graham Coughlan sold the Cambridge match to the players – forget what’s gone, focus on the here and now. A 3-2 victory wasn’t the easiest to achieve and the Stags were helped on their way with a red card to former Mansfield winger Reggie Lambe, but in truth given the way the Stags responded to being 2-1 down at the break – they started the second half with real energy, real determination and there was only one side winning that game. Mansfield’s season had lacked fight, lacked the energy to get at teams and dictate the play – but even despite a woeful start, conceding just three minutes in, the Stags showed the characteristics they’ve been lacking for far too long to reward the travelling fans with a long overdue victory. The players know the threat of losing their place is real, Coughlan made five changes from the Bradford defeat, and didn’t hold back in his statement about incomings and outgoings – they needed to grasp the opportunity to keep their shirt and unlock their potential. One such player was Nicky Maynard who has lacked confidence so far this season, his display today was excellent and Rose really complimented him dropping deeper to create space and openings for him to pounce – and pounce he did, thrice! His second hat-trick of the season. Quickly on Rose, people lambast him for the lack of goals at times, and whilst he’s capable – his support play is phenomenal and is the type of play that will work given time under Coughlan with the right partner and service around him. The scenes at the end were magical and a delight to see all the relief from the players after such a negative run, October being the last time we won a League game, however within that came the determination for the winning goal, with forceful headers from Pearce and Cook who were determined to get the ball, and the Stags, over the line. One win doesn’t change too much, there is a huge road ahead of Graham Coughlan’s men – they’ll be ins and outs, twists and turns throughout January, going unbeaten would be a massive step in the right direction – we’ve got some tough games coming up, but IF we can continue the performance from today, who knows where 2020 may lead. Small steps, but at least we’re taking them. Match Recap Graham Coughlan was forced into two changes with Sweeney and Tomlinson injured, Pearce and Bishop came in to replace them – whereas three more changes were made, as out went Khan, Cook and Clarke, for Mellis, Maynard and the much missed Hayden White. Click HERE to read the clubs detailed report FULL TIME: Cambridge United 2-3 Mansfield Town | Attendance 3,848 STAGS: [4-4-2] Conrad Logan | Hayden White (James Clarke 79) Krystian Pearce ©, Matt Preston, Mal Benning | Alex MacDonald, Neal Bishop (Andy Cook 79), Jacob Mellis, CJ Hamilton | Danny Rose, Nicky Maynard Unused Subs: Bobby Oljenik, Craig Davies, Alistair Smith, Jimmy Knowles *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations* Comments are closed.
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