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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
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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 Full Time Score Mansfield Town 1-0 Forest Green Rovers Competition Sky Bet League Two Venue One Call Stadium Stags Goal Scorer(s) Tyler Walker Attendance 5,265 (161)  Craig Priest writes…
After a rocky few weeks on the road with defeats at Newport and rivals Notts Couty, Mansfield Town needed some home comfort and to have a little re-think in order to maintain their grip on the top three, something they managed with a narrow but deserved 1-0 victory over promotion rivals Forest Green Rovers. David Flitcroft’s men looked reinvigorated as they soaked up the February sunshine and could, and perhaps should, have been comfortable winners – however at this stage of the season, it’s points which count the most. With twelve games remaining the Stags are in a far better position as a club than they were a year ago when the former manager and his dodgy assistant left for china via Peterborough (that ended well!), and boss David Flitcroft has really helped to create a much fitter, mentally stronger and professional environment where the focus will not be taken off the task in hand. Every club has a blip in form it’s natural in a long season and I’m glad that Flitcroft has been able to tweak the system to get us back on track. The Stags may well have finished with their natural back three, but they started in a 4-2-3-1 system, allowing Hamilton to play at his dangerous best higher up the pitch, whilst Willem Tomlinson made his full debut alongside Bishop in more defensive midfield roles, allowing Mellis, Grant, Walker and the aforementioned Hamilton to rotate across an attacking line. For weeks the Stags had struggled to get going and with injuries and suspensions playing a part looked a little hap-hazard with players playing out of position and new faces coming in who weren’t fit enough to play at the intensity demanded by Flitcroft’s brand of football. It’s no coincidence that we dominated the first half having a more solid foundation at the back with Jones and Benning playing as full backs rather than higher up as wing backs. The solid four allowed players such as Mellis, Grant, Hamilton and Walker to not only create, but hurt Forest Green, and whilst it didn’t work in terms of breaking the deadlock, we created a high percentage of chances which we’ve not done in the last two or three games – which has sucked the energy and confidence out of both the players, and the supporters. The confidence and spark the first half created allowed us to switch to the back three after 55/60 minutes and even though Benning was largely out of position as the left sided central defender, I thought he slotted in really well and as ever, put in the shift we’ve come to expect of him over years of service. Sadly the game ended on a sour note with Tyler Walker being shown a straight red card for abusive language and behaviour towards the officials, he’ll be a big loss as we face Cheltenham and Port Vale over the next two weeks – but with the tweak in system to go with one out and out striker, it’s an opportunity for others to step up to the cause and show we’re not a one man team. There are now twelve games of the season remaining, as always we take things one game at a time and keep our focus – that’s how we got back on track yesterday, every team has something to play for now, whether that be survival, promotion or for many, a job – there are no easy games – we were on the cusp of something good at this stage last season and threw it away, once bitten – twice shy. Let’s do this. MATCH REPORT Willem Tomlinson was handed a full debut, coming in for Ben Turner in what was the only change to personnel – however the Stags started in a new system, 4-2-3-1 which saw Hamilton pushed higher up to exploit the flanks, and Mellis, Grant and Walker given a free role to rotate. The Stags new system looked sharp from the off and stayed firm on two minutes as the visitors worked an opening – Tomlinson was on hand to snuff out the danger before two minutes later, Mansfield were pulling the strings as Grant and Walker combined but couldn’t quite break the lock. Grant and Mellis then combined to set Hamilton racing free, the lightening winger was denied by Ward who on eight minutes, could do nothing bar watch, as Stags’ skipper Pearce flicked the ball wide from Grants’ corner. Mal Benning then made a fine challenge on nine minutes to stop George Williams advancing before Jordan Smith made a smart save, keeping Mondal at bay. Forest Green then nearly scored an own goal as Hamilton did real damage down the left flank on 28 minutes before eight minutes later Hamilton again caused trouble, pulling back for Gethin Jones who showed tremendous effort to connect, but sadly turned the ball wide. Tyler Walker stung the palms of Ward from distance on 43 minutes before moments later former Stag Paul Digby was denied by Smith – the sides deadlocked at the break, but Mansfield predominantly in the driving seat. Mansfield moved up a gear as the second half got off to a flying start as both Walker and Jones had efforts inside the opening two minutes, before on the hour Matt Preston made a sublime tackle on Williams as he found space inside the box as the Stags slipped back into a back three, a 3-2-4-1 with Benning joining Pearce and Preston, Bishop and Tomlinson anchored, Walker up top with a midfield four of Jones, Grant, Mellis and Hamilton pushing very high. The visitors tamely tested Smith on 64 minutes but five minutes later the Stags found the breaktrough, Hamilton’s effort cannoned up into the air and Walker beat the keeper to it and headed towards goal – he was credited with the goal but replays strongly suggest it was a Forest Green defender who turned the ball in as he tried to head it away for a corner. The dangerous Christian Doidge had two efforts inside the last ten minutes but couldn’t find the target before inside stoppage time Tomlinson was booked for a frustration induced but careless lunge seconds before he was subbed for Turner, before Tyler Walker was shown a straight red for foul and abusive language towards the match officials – the full time whistle a glorious sound as the Stags sealed three points to remain in third two points behind Bury and two ahead of MK Dons, who both picked up wins. FULL TIME: Mansfield Town 1-0 Forest Green Rovers STAGS [4-2-3-1]: Jordan Smith, Gethin Jones, Krystian Pearce ©, Matt Preston, Mal Benning, Neal Bishop, Willem Tomlinson (Ben Turner 90+3), Jorge Grant, Jacob Mellis, CJ Hamilton, Tyler Walker Unused Subs: Conrad Logan, Alex MacDonald, Otis Khan, will Atkinson, Nicky Ajose, Alistar Smith Referee: Matthew Donohue Full Time Score Notts County 1-0 Mansfield Town Competition Sky Bet League Two Venue Meadow Lane Stags Goal Scorer(s) / Attendance 12,660 (4,283)  Craig Priest writes…
Losing a local derby always leaves a bitter taste, but over 24 hours on from our defeat at Meadow Lane, I can’t help but reflect on yesterday not entirely caring about the one defeat, but what is happening to Mansfield Town – how can they go from an energetic, attacking side full of energy, to the lacklustre shambles who non the face of it, couldn’t seem to care. The truth is, Mansfield have been increasingly poor for a while (with the exception of Tranmere and Macclesfield) going back to Carlisle maybe further and are in real danger if they don’t pull together as a unit, or undoing all the hard work they’ve put in over the course of the season. The injuries have hit us really hard, we are a worse side without the likes of Oljenik, White and Rose – and with suspensions kicking in too, our depth is being tested and right now, I’m not entirely convinced our foundations are strong enough to hold us in the top three – PROVE ME WRONG BOYS – PLEASE! Watching Flitcroft’s post match interview in full, I’m convinced we’ll grab the reins and turn ourselves around rather than fall away from grace, I know some will say he shows no emotion but if you let go of your own anger and disappointment and really listen, you can hear the anger and disappointment in not just his players, but in himself and his staff. He does have to shoulder some blame for yesterday, in my opinion we rushed Ben Turner into the side to keep the back three – I think he’ll be a good addition for us in time but yesterday he was unfit and that was completely exploited. When we switched to a back four we looked stronger but a combination of the referee awarding them a free kick every time we breathed and our own lack of desire – it was never going to happen. The same can be said for Alex MacDonald who is a legend, his enthusiasm and desire is exactly what we need to carry us forward, but sadly he wasn’t quite up to the level we needed to get back into the game. Let’s strip it down and go back to basics, we have thirteen games remaining this season to achieve our ambition of getting into league one – an achievement our performance over the entirety of the season deserves. We have been great all season uniting together, so let’s get all the bitching, moaning and anger out of our systems, fans, players, managers and coaches alike and come 3pm on Friday, start a fresh – because, what really matters? Beating Notts County, or beating the odds and getting promotion to League One? I know my answer. MATCH REPORT The Stags were forced into at least one change as Ryan Sweeney began the first of a two game ban, despite being ruled out by boss David Flitcroft earlier in the week, new defender Ben Turner was handed a debut, whilst in the only other change, CJ Hamilton was shifted up front for Ajose, Gethin Jones came in for his first start. On the bench, Alex MacDonald made his long awaited return. CLICK HERE TO READ THE CLUBS MATCH REPORT FULL TIME: Notts County 1-0 Mansfield Town STAGS [3-4-1-2]: Jordan Smith, Matt Preston, Krystian Pearce ©, [#25] Ben Turner (Nicky Ajose HT), Gethin Jones, Jacob Mellis (Alex MacDonald 66), Neal Bishop, Mal Benning (Otis Khan 84), Jorge Grant, Tyler Walker, CJ Hamilton Unused Subs: Conrad Logan, Will Atkinson, Alistar Smith, Willem Tomlinson Referee: Ben ‘Woeful’ Mason Full Time Score Newport County 1-0 Mansfield Town Competition Sky Bet League Two Venue Rodney Parade Stags Goal Scorer(s) / Attendance 3,133 (362)  Craig Priest writes…
When you’re walking along a long, unknown path, you have to be prepare for bumps in the road and to drag yourself through the brambles – it’s your attitude and desire to fight the things holding you back during those moments which define if you’ll reach the end, or have to start again. For Mansfield that’s exactly what they must do after only their fourth defeat in thirty-two league matches, but in what was arguably a display which lacked the characteristics which has propelled the Stags into second in the first place. Newport is no easy place to visit, even when the pitch is in pristine condition, and you have to have a game plan to combat the mud and sludge – that game plan shouldn’t be training on a click 3G pitch! Not for a second am I slating the investment and progress we’ve made with the training ground, it’s a brilliant complex and will be for decades to come BUT, it is NOT ready for the first team to be there yet as the grass pitches aren’t fit for use. At this stage of the season you do need to have the odd session on 3G, for shape work and shorter technique sessions, but when you’re playing on bobbly pitches, when you’re running on heavy pitches – doing ALL your preparation on the 3G is like trying to put a square peg in a round hole and will do us no favours. I applaud the enthusiasm of David Flitcroft for wanting to us the facility as a first team venue rather than an academy, I’m 100% behind that in the long term, however the short term ambition is to get promoted into league one, so let’s take a step back, get back on the grass and get to the finish line, before starting a whole new chapter next season – a league above. The players will be hurt at defeat, we bounce back and keep on track – no arguments, no blame, just togetherness and drive. Hopefully Danny Rose will be OK to take some part in the rest of the campaign after his horrific injury on the hour, that will have to be assessed closely and additions made if needed as the injury list mounts – whilst changes will have to be made ahead of Notts County, with Sweeney now suspended for the next two matches after collating ten bookings. MATCH REPORT The Stags bolstered their ranks on Monday with the addition of free agent Willem Tomlinson [#16] – he settled for a place on the bench as Flitcroft again named an unchanged starting line-up. Mansfield should have been off to a flyer within the opening minute as Ajose fired over from CJ Hamilton’s teasing cross from the right, Mansfield then saw little sight of goal as Newport grew into the game – opening the scoring on 15 minutes from a well worked corner, the Stags failing to track the run of Robbie Willmott who smashed home. The hosts had a second chalked off for off-side on 25 minutes before Jacob Mellis trickled one wide for the Stags from distance three minutes later – Ryan Sweeney picked up his tenth booking of the season on 37, before Benning went into the book two minutes before the break, they the only notable moments for the Stags in a frustrating first half. Change was needed and at the break Ajose made way for Rose whilst Hamilton switched from right to left to accommodate Gethin Jones at the expense of Benning. Rose nearly made an instant impact firing wide from the edge of the Newport box on the spin before at the other end, Smith kept Mansfield in the game with a brilliant save to deny Bakinson. Rose’s game was over on 52 minutes with a nasty clash of heads which led to a lengthy delay – Rose was able to walk off and was replaced by new addition Tomlinson, Hamilton went up front with Sweeney at left back in a back four – play only resumed after the referee and Neal Bishop, cleared up Roses’ blood – a sickening sight. Mansfield won two successive corners through Mellis and Tomlinson but couldn’t make an impact on the scoreline whilst Smith again rescued the Stags, denying Matt 1 vs 1. 11 minutes were added on and with the Stags still behind, Sweeney went up front and came close to levelling the scores following a pinpoint delivery from Grant, and despite mass pressure late on – Newport condemned the Stags to their fourth loss of the season. FULL TIME: Newport County 1-0 Mansfield Town STAGS [3-4-1-2]: Jordan Smith, Matt Preston, Krystian Pearce ©, Ryan Sweeney, CJ Hamilton, Jacob Mellis, Neal Bishop, Mal Benning (Gethin Jones HT), Jorge Grant, Tyler Walker, Nicky Ajose (Danny Rose HT – Willem Tomlinson 59) Unused Subs: Conrad Logan, Will Atkinson, Alistar Smith, Otis Khan Referee: / Full Time Score Mansfield Town 3-1 Macclesfield Town Competition Sky Bet League Two Venue The One Call Stadium Stags Goal Scorer(s) Jorge Grant, Krystian Pearce, Tyler Walker Attendance 5,642 (236)  Craig Priest writes…
Winning doesn’t have to be pretty, it just has to be achieved – and that’s exactly what the Stags did against relegation threatened and scrappy Macclesfield, who showed exactly the sort of attitude required to survive a relegation scrap. Unfortunately for the silkmen, the Stags had the same attitude and their application in terms of making chances count and getting that little bit of luck was in their favour – exactly what was needed as Lincoln squandered the chance to take three points off of conference bound Notts County. The gap at the top is down to just two points and whilst Lincoln have a game in hand over the promotion thirsty Stags, they still have to come to the One Call Stadium in march – a match which could be pivotal to dreams coming true, LIVE on Sky Sports. Yesterday Mansfield were far from their best, David Flitcroft’s side are developing a real issue at being too top heavy and getting exposes, had it not been for the post, good positioning of Jordan Smith and Matt Preston throwing himself at bullets – we could have been onto a hiding at times. The issues comes from the right wing back area and getting CJ Hamilton to be at his best and most effective. It was clear he wasn’t delivering at wing back and half way through the first half, Mansfield’s shape was broken as Preston moved to right back in a back four, whilst CJ joined pretty much everyone else up front – he looked like a lost sheep, unable to find that role to exploit Sol Campbell’s Macclesfield. Gethin Jones showed real class when he came on in the last ten minutes and could really put the pressure on, we are better off with CJ in the side – but we need to relight the fire and find the right place for the spotlight to shine on him, without risking being too top heavy. However for that to be the only little niggle coming out yesterday’s game says a lot about where Mansfield Town are at the moment, we’re following up on saved shots, we’re scrapping for second and third balls from set-plays and it’s paying off. I feel we’ve got enough within the squad to keep challenging, I felt Danny Rose was excellent when he came on – his running and pressing really changed the game in terms of killing Macclesfield’s hope, all that was missing was the goal but when you’ve got everyone else contributing, goals don’t matter – you look at the bigger picture and at things like stopping the opposition getting forward, causing problems etc. David Flitcroft spoke a lot about balancing the squad prior to the closure of the transfer window and has certainly done that – getting David Mirfin out on loan to York gets him fit and ready for a potential recall without the risk to our standing, whilst terminating the contract of Paul Anderson is best for all concerned. Calum Butcher also left on deadline day for Dundee giving him more opportunity to play as we were top heavy in that area, the two departures also freed up the funds for the transfer of Ben Turner who arrives as a free agent, having had his contract torn up by Burton. Turner brings Premier League, Championship and League One experience and whilst he’s injured at the minute, will provide that cover and leadership we need in a number of areas across the back line. MATCH REPORT Turner’s arrival didn’t get announced until after the full time whistle and as such wasn’t involved as Flitcroft again named an unchanged line-up. Mansfield were on the back foot early doors and watched on as Tyrone Marsh tried an effort from distance, Ryan Sweeney also cut out an effort before Mansfield delivered the killer blow on eight minutes – Ajose’s shot palmed away by the keeper but straight into the path of Jorge Grant, who netted his fourth goal in three games. Walker, Grant and Benning all saw further efforts go astray before Grant’s pin point free kick brushed the side netting on 35 minutes, however seven minutes later the visitors pulled level, Grant failed to track the run of Evans following a goal mouth scramble as the struggling visitors fought back. Matt Preston then threw himself in the way of Reece Cole’s effort as Macclesfield turned the screw, the half time whistle much needed with the visitors really starting to grow in confidence. Hamitlon switched back to wing back at the break and just two minutes into the second half was denied by the visiting defence after a give and go with Grant, Tyler Walker and Nivky Ajose both had efforts but couldn’t punish the other MTFC. Mansfield needed a leader and got one on 57 minutes, Krystian Pearce getting the final touch from a corner, the skipper putting his side ahead with his first goal of the season. Grant, Walker, Benning and substitute Danny Rose had chances to make it 3-1 but in the end it was Walker who added his 20th goal of the season right at the death, the ball hitting his boot from a corner before crossing the line to seal a big victory for David Flitcroft’s side. FULL TIME: Mansfield Town 3-1 Macclesfield Town STAGS [3-4-1-2]: Jordan Smith, Matt Preston, Krystian Pearce ©, Ryan Sweeney, CJ Hamilton (Gethin Jones 82), Jacob Mellis (Will Atkinson 89), Neal Bishop, Mal Benning, Jorge Grant, Tyler Walker, Nicky Ajose (Danny Rose 72) Unused Subs: Conrad Logan, Jason Law, Alistar Smith, Otis Khan Referee: Michael Salisbury Full Time Score Forest Green Rovers 1-1 Mansfield Town Competition Sky Bet League Two Venue The New Lawn Stags Goal Scorer(s) Jorge Grant Attendance 2,428 (204)  Craig Priest writes…
Coming away from Play-Off challenging Forest Green Rovers with a point, I should have had more of a smile on my face – after all a point away from home kept us second and the chasing pack at bay with games running thin, however I couldn’t help thinking we should have had all three and bridged the gap further. In the first half especially we need that little bit of luck to put the game to bed, as Nicky Ajose and Tyler Walker both saw efforts test the paintwork of the post and bar respectively. Had we been fortunate enough to see those chances drop, Forest Green’s lack of togetherness would have seen them beaten and implode, yet as David Flitcroft said – we gave them the one thing you can’t give any team: hope. Looking at the bigger picture however I’m glad we started brightly and didn’t need to have to fight and comeback for a third successive away game, that particular duck is broken and as far as I’m concerned – over and done with. A point is better than what we could have had – nothing, especially considering the late home onslaught – we now have to go and build on it and show our ruthlessness as Macclesfield come to town, backed hopefully by a few more faces as the club offer free tickets to Under 18s. Away from the result and as the transfer window draws towards the finishing line, the Stags have conducted two sensible bits of business this week, with the arrival of Gethin Jones (not the bloke who was on Strictly) from Fleetwood Town on loan, and making the loan of Ryan Sweeny into a permanent deal. The deal, a free transfer with sell on fee, see’s Sweeney become a Stag for two and a half years – showing that we are building for the future with an establishing young international with League One experience, but also allows us to have Jones in the squad as the fifth loanee. The Stags boss hinted at further transfer activity prior to deadline day (Tomorrow!) these deals would have to be permanent deals should he intend to use Jones on a regular basis, unless of course one of other loanees should follow Sweeney’s lead. MATCH REPORT With the announcement that Ryan Sweeny’s loan deal had become permanent, new boy Gethin Jones came into the squad – but settle for a place on the subs bench, as Flitcroft named an unchanged starting eleven. With considerably less water on the pitch than when the sides last met, both teams were able to play attacking football but it was Mansfield who made the breakthrough and led, as on 14 minutes, Jorge Grant showed his class to latch onto a pass, hold off his marker and tuck beneath the keeper. Questions were raised four minutes later when both Ajose and Grant were brought down within the Rovers’ area, but neither challenge was deemed a foul and Stags went without a penalty, you’ve seen weaker given. Benning did well on the half hour to stop Forest Green getting a cross in through Shephard but the hosts were given a huge let off moments later, Grant delivering a peach of a ball to Ajose who thundered a header towards goal – which cannoned off the post and away from danger. Jordan Smith was called into action on 38 minutes but it was his opposite number James Montgomery who was the hero for the hosts a minute later, as Walker turned on the ball from Hamilton’s thow and hit a beautiful effort towards the top corner – the home keeper getting a finger tip to the goal bound shot to see the effort thunder off the crossbar. After the break the hosts took more of a foothold in the game and had efforts through Doidge and former Stag Paul Digby, CJ Hamilton then moved up front as new boy Gethin Jones replaced Ajose on 56 minutes. Two minutes into his debut, Jones was forward to try and latch onto a Hamilton cross – latch onto it he did, colliding with the keeper who left the pitch with numerous cuts and a few teeth lighter and the unfortunate and accidental collision – we wish Montgomery all the best in his recovery. On 70 minutes the hosts were level as Digby sent a pass out wide cutting the Stags open, the cross was perfect for Rovers sub Ruben Reid, who made no mistake in converting past Smith. Jorge Grant then squandered the Stags best chance to take home all three points as a pin point pass saw him free inside the area with the goal at his mercy, his attempted top corner curler sailed over. Ruben Reid lobbed one over the Stags bar before in the 90th minute, a Grant free kick landed narrowly over – both sides taking a point each. FULL TIME: Forest Green Rovers 1-1 Mansfield Town STAGS [3-4-1-2]: Jordan Smith, Matt Preston, Krystian Pearce ©, Ryan Sweeney, CJ Hamilton, Jacob Mellis, Neal Bishop, Mal Benning, Jorge Grant, Tyler Walker, Nicky Ajose ([#20] Gethin Jones 56) Unused Subs: Conrad Logan, Danny Rose, Jason Law, Will Atkinson, Alistar Smith, Otis Khan Referee: / Full Time Score Mansfield Town 3-0 Tranmere Rovers Competition Sky Bet League Two Venue One Call Stadium Stags Goal Scorer(s) Jorge Grant (2) Tyler Walker Attendance 4,885 (451)  Craig Priest writes…
Waking up to see the Stags second in the League Table after a fairly comfortable 3-0 victory, it’d be very easy to get carried away and start dreaming, however you get the sense that with David Flitcroft at the helm – they’ll be no room for dreaming, just focus. Focus is very much the key over the next week as the Stags face two sides fighting for polar opposites, on Tuesday it’s back to forest Green to replay the washout from earlier this season – the hosts very much holding their own at the top end of the division trying to stay in the play-offs and make ground on the top three, whilst next weekend, Macclesfield visit the One Call hoping another victory would lead them further away from the dropzone, and futher away from being the first side to go straight back down after promotion the previous season. Should the Stags come through those two fixtures with maximum points, that would give some real momentum as the business end of the season draws ever closer. The Stags boss has compared yesterday’s victory to “death by a thousand cuts” in the way Mansfield overcame ten-man Tranmere, there was certainly an element of sluggishness and again trying to over play, but to the Stags credit – the element of arrogance was nowhere to be seen, they knew one-nil wouldn’t be enough and duly obliged in adding to the tally before Tranmere could cause the upset they are capable of. It’s that composed and professional approach which the Stags need to continue to harvest now, there are perhaps questions which still need to be answered with the right wing back situation and if that will help or hinder the development of CJ Hamilton - but it’s clear we have a manager who knows it’s not just about the next game, a manager who is passionate about developing players. We also have a manager who can hold his hands up, admitted he perhaps rushed the decision to set up camp at the RH Academy so early – with full time training on the 3G Pitch causing a few injuries which could have been, and very nearly were, detrimental to key players. It’s very pointless training all week on a surface which is different to the one you play on when Saturday comes – that will no doubt be solved by utilising the training pitch at the One Call until such a time as the training ground is ready. We have to be coy about our preparation and approach – here’s one for your book of quotes Dave…. Slowly, slowly catchy the league one monkey! COME ON YOU STAGGGGGGGGS! MATCH REPORT With Hayden White ruled out for the rest of the season following a leg break at Colchester last weekend, there was a reshuffle to the stags back three, Matt Preston slotted back in alongside Pearce and Sweeney CJ Hamilton continuing at wing back. It was a well balanced start to proceedings but it was Mansfield who came the closest on 14 minutes as the returning Matt Preston nodded Jorge Grant’s cross wide – eight minutes later it was the latters class which showed, he opened the scoring with a beautifully struck free-kick, after Walker was floored by Steve McNulty. With nine minutes to go before half time Tranmere were reduced to ten men after their continuous fouling saw referee Ben Toner show Ollie Banks a second yellow card – Jorge Grant nearly added his second and Mansfield’s second with a minute of the first half remaining, his side footed flick landed wide of the post before CJ Hamilton’s header from Ajose’s cross was held by Scott Davies. After the break, Walker saw two efforts go astray before Ajose was unlucky to not get on the score sheet from Grants cross on the hour – four minutes later Ajose’s well hit effort was parried by Davies, but straight into the path of Walker who converted his 19th goal of the season in all competitions. A third Stags goals followed on 68 minutes as Walker was denied his second by Davies, Grant however was on hand to finish the job started by his best friend – game set and match. Mansfield had a fourth chalked off on 76 minutes as Sweeney was judged to be offside from Grant’s corner, substitute Otis Khan along with Hamilton and Ajose did come close to adding number four, in the end it was just three – three MASSIVE points, moving the Stags into second. FULL TIME: Mansfield Town 3-0 Tranmere Rovers STAGS [3-4-1-2]: Jordan Smith, Matt Preston, Krystian Pearce ©, Ryan Sweeney, CJ Hamilton, Jacob Mellis, Neal Bishop (Will Atkinson 69), Mal Benning, Jorge Grant, Tyler Walker (Otis Khan 75), Nicky Ajose Unused Subs: Conrad Logan, Danny Rose, Jason Law, Calum Butcher, Alistar Smith Referee: Ben Toner |
