Match Preview: Hyde (A) BSBP Game #23 [Re-Arranged]

Craig Priest & Emily Sykes write...

Following Saturday’s 3-1 over Cambridge United it’s nearly match time again, as Paul Cox’s men play the first of three consecutive away games over the next nine days. Former Stags defender Scott McNiven is the man at the helm of Hyde, no doubt he’ll have his injury hit side fired up to respond from their weekend beating at home to Kidderminster.

The upturn in away form has been well documented however just because Stags are statistically the best side away from home the last five games rather than the worst like earlier in the season, does not necessarily guarantee them all the points tomorrow night.

At this critical stage of the season Paul Cox’s men can’t afford to rest on their laurels and take their eye off the ball, despite Hyde’s league position and weekend result, it is still a tough place to go and will be another battle.

We have full faith in the players especially if they share the attitude of Luke Jones and Lee Stevenson, two players that kept their heads down when they were out in the cold but are now showing exactly what they can do with a string of fine performances. It’s so easy to lose your head when things aren’t quite going your way however those that are successful in the end are the ones that keep working hard when the chips are down.

Again there’s little else to say ahead of this one, it almost feels a routine job – the expectation is to win, we think we’d be very surprised if the three points don’t come home with Mansfield however we say this with an air of caution, it’s all down to who performs better on the night. Three more points would boost our promotion chances, if we don’t get them it’s just another twist in the tale – all that’s left to say, is BRING ON THE FOOTBALL!

LAST TIME WE MET

 Tomorrow night’s trip to Ewen Fields is Mansfield’s first, the sides have only met once before – this back in August at the One Call Stadium as Matt Green scored the only goal of the game in a narrow 1-0 victory for Paul Cox’s men. 

TEAM NEWS

Once again there are no fresh injury worries for Paul Cox, strikers Ross Dyer and Jake Speight the only one’s missing tomorrow night’s trip.

Hyde boss McNiven could ring the changes following Saturday’s heavy defeat however he’ll have to wait on the outcome of fitness tests of Matt Blinkhorn, David Poole and leading scorer Scott Spencer who have all been out recently.

MATCH COVERAGE

If you can’t make it to Ewen Fields tomorrow night then be sure to catch full match commentary with Craig on 106.9FM and via our MM-LIVE page from 7pm.

Be sure to get your voices heard on tomorrow’s show by tweeting @mtfcmatters or texting 07804 15 66 37.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the writer and not those of Mansfield Matters or its related organisations – To submit a blog email mftcmatters@gmail.com