Champions back in action in Malta – Naxxar Lions 0-0 Stags

Craig Priest and Emily Sykes write…

Our Championship winning side returned to action last night as they played out an exhibition match with Maltese side Naxxar Lions, rounding off their week of intense preparation ahead of the league two season.

Paul Cox’s men have been training in Malta since Tuesday and last night played out a tough goalless draw in front of an estimated 500 Stags fans who made the journey overseas.

New signings John McCombe, Jamie McGuire, Paul Black, Keiran Murtagh, Martin Riley and Sam Clucas all had a 45 minute run out as Cox rotated the squad in both halves, young defender Ryan Tafazolli played the full 90 minutes as he aims to come back from injury – iron man Lee Beevers also played the full match.

Whilst we weren’t the Malta personally reports suggest a tough and physical workout in the evening heat for our Champions, we look forward to casting our eye over them next week as they return to England to continue their pre-season preparations. Full match commentary will be available on all UK away friendlies, check out our MM-LIVE page for details.

First Half Line-Up: Ian Deakin, Lee Beevers, John McCombe, Ryan Tafazolli, Paul Black, Chris Clements, Keiran Murtagh, Louis Briscoe, Anthony Howell, Junior Daniel, Ben Hutchinson.
Second Half Line-Up: Alan Marriott, Lee Beevers, Ryan Tafazolli, Martin Riley, James Jennings, Adam Murray, Jamie McGuire, Lindon Meikle, Lee Stevenson, Sam Clucas, Matt Rhead.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the writers and not those of Mansfield Matters or its related organisations.