FEATURED BLOGGER 'That Winning Feeling'

Lee Angol celebrates netting the Stags first Stags spot-kick of the afternoon | PIC James Williamson (C)

Mark Plumb Writes...

Mansfield Town got back to winning ways with goals from Lee Angol and Krystian Pearce to hit the Mariners for four goals. Their were three changes made to the team with Macdonald, Hunt and Butcher coming into the side replacing Anderson, Benning and Atkinson respectively.

The first half started quick with Lee Angol testing the keeper early on, doing well to force their keeper into a save to deny the Stags an early opener. For the majority of the half we dominated possession and looked a threat every time going forward, causing Grimsby defence problems.

The only thing that raised a slight concern was when our midfield getting out paced on a few occasions, thankfully for the Stags not testing Logan between the sticks. Saying that I felt out defence looked more organised and coped well with everything that was being thrown at them throughout the game.

As the game progressed we looked the more likely to score and we got our just rewards when the Stags was rewarded a penalty when Mirfin got clipped in the box giving Steve Evans men a huge chance from 12 yards. Our fourth penalty this season, up stepped Lee Angol who made no mistake in converting from the spot, ending our penalty hodoo 1-0 Stags. The half time whistle blew 1-0 Stags.

Overall I felt as though we looked solid in defence and dominated well, restricting them from having an impact on proceedings. The second half began with the Mariners on the attack looking for the elusive equaliser to try and get back in the game.

Mansfield played some good football with Angol linking up well with Hemmings and Mellis playing some good balls, showing his class in the second half as the game went on. We once again looked all the more likely to score and we doubled our lead through captain Pearce who reacted quickest to make it 2-0 Stags.

Then 10 minutes later Pearce grabbed his second and Mansfields third capitalising on the keepers parried save, 3-0 Stags. Mansfield were well on top and looked more and more likely to go and get more goals to kill the game off. In the 80th minute the Stags got awarded another penalty when Angol got tripped in the box, after good work cutting inside. Having coverted the first spot kick he came up to blast the ball past the keeper to make the scoring 4-0, killing the game off.

Their were changes made to both sides with all subs being made, without making much of an impact on proceedings. Grimsby were awarded a penalty when Bennett barged over Jaiyesimi. Scott Vernom struck low denying the Stags keeping a clean sheet making the scored to make it 4-1 and thats how it finished. Overall I think that we played some good football but most importantly kill a game off, showing our ruthlessness in front of goal. Their were a number of good performances from Mirfin. Pearce,Hunt and Angol showing his quality in front of goal.

The negatives was we could have scored more but disappointing not to keep a clean sheet but we are showing signs of becoming a top team. Football is a confidence game so lets hope we can get a good run going through this tough run of fixtures starting against Wycombe Tuesday night.
Onwards and upwards UP THE STAGS!!!