Craig Priest & Emily Sykes write... Tomorrow could be a historic day as Stags descend on Braintree, three points plus nothing more than a draw for Kidderminster at Wrexham sends our beloved Mansfield Town back into the football league. We think you could go as far to say that what Stags have done so far doesn’t matter – what does winning at Barrow matter, what does scrapping past Lincoln matter, it doesn’t – winning at Braintree however does! Should Paul Cox’s men come away with three points the pressure is heaped on Kidderminster, who are then fighting to keep their own dream alive. There is two ways of looking at tomorrow in our opinion, we’ll either be champions by 7pm or we’ll have to go again at Hereford on Tuesday. The supporters will help massively in our quest for glory, around three coaches are rumoured to be making the trip tomorrow – whatever the situation just please keep on singing. The final Saturday away game of the season often sees supporters don the fancy dress outfits; it’s like an unwritten rule amongst football fans. The point is it’s an opportunity to relax, to smile, to sing and basically create good memories something we definitely need to happen tomorrow, there’s no room for pressure or that burning angst of worry. Think back if you will to that heartbreaking relegation season five years ago, sitting through a match and watching our poor side be beaten black and blue and edge closer to the drop kind of took the fun out of an away trip. The back end of the season too whilst attempting the great escape saw worry and nerves – even in a batman costume how can you create a happy memory! We know that you’ll be there at the moment thinking this is a load of mumbling and rambling, it’s just that so much hinges on tomorrow’s game. It’s difficult to focus and preview the fixture properly when you know deep down that only one thing matters WINNING! Forgive us here for sounding like kill joys, whilst we urge you to enjoy and embrace tomorrow, and of course deeply hope it is our day – we also say be prepared for one final twist – do not write Kidderminster off, they will fight and take it as far as they can. The same can be said for our opponents Braintree too, the former Blue Square Bet South Champions have had a semi decent season and sit in a safe mid-table position ensuring their safety for another term, will they want to beat us – naturally they will. Two teams in tomorrow’s game and two teams in the title race just keep doing what we do singing loud and being proud of our beloved club: Believe that tomorrow could be our day! LAST TIME WE MET The sides have only met thrice before, earlier in the season Stags maintained their unbeaten record against the Iron by running out 2-0 winners at the One Call Stadium back in September. Lee Stevenson struck to open the scoring on 41 minutes before Jake Speight knocked in the second five minutes from full time. Last term Stags took four points from the Iron, at the One Call Stadium Stags overturned Ben Wright’s opener with goals from John Dempster, Lindon Meikle plus a brace from Matt Green. At the Amlin Stadium in Stags third game under Paul Cox, Louis Briscoe opened the scoring moments into the second half however they couldn’t hold onto the lead as Sean Marks was on target to steal a point for the newly promoted hosts. TEAM NEWS With three points needed to move five clear at the top of the conference table, Paul Cox will probably have everyone knocking on the door asking to play! Those confirmed as out are James Jennings, Jake Speight & Ross Dyer whilst defender Ryan Tafazolli looks unlikely to feature, after being substituted early on for the reserves on Thursday afternoon. MATCH COVERAGE If you can’t make it to The Amlin Stadium (Cressing Road), but want to keep up with the action on a day which could see Stags finally seal promotion back to the football league, then be sure to join Craig throughout the afternoon.
Build Up, followed by FULL MATCH COMMENTARY, gets underway at 2pm via our MM-LIVE page and across Ashfield on Takeover Radio 106.9FM. The views expressed in this blog are those of the writers and not those of Mansfield Matters or its related organisations – to submit a blog email mtfcmatters@gmail.com
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