Match Preview: Sheffield FC (A) PreSeason Game #13

Craig Priest previews Mansfield’s final pre-season friendly....

To paraphrase a piece of legendary commentary... They think it’s all over.... IT’S NOT YET! Paul Cox has added one more friendly to his pre-season preparations as he takes a side to historic club Sheffield FC tomorrow night.

The match will be used for those who are in need of a final fitness push ahead of Saturday’s opener with Newport County with Cox eager to cast a final eye over those he’s not quite sure about stating that there’s still time for people to push their way into Saturday’s starting line up as the healthy competition for places keeps hoting up.

We’ve been trying to guess Co’s selection throughout pre-season and even after tomorrow; I don’t think we’ll be any closer to figuring it out! I like to keep a record of whose played and when which you saw last year with the Stags Tracker, from doing the same during pre-season let’s see if you can get any closer to figuring things out and possibly work out tomorrow’ team, which regardless will be a strong one.

A look at whose figured so far...


Squad Number - Name - Position - Starts (Sub)


1. Alan Marriott (Goalkeeper) 5 (1)
2. Ritchie Sutton (Defender) 4 (4)
3. John Thompson (Defender) 3 (2)
4. John Dempster (Defender) 5 (1)
5. Luke Jones (Defender) 5 (1)
6. George Pilkington (Defender) 5 (1)
7. Lindon Meikle (Midfielder) 4 (2)
8. Jake Speight (Striker) 1 (1)
9. Ross Dyer (Striker) 3 (2)
10. Matt Green (Striker) 5 (1)
11. Louis Briscoe (Midfielder) 4 (2)
12. Nick Wright (Striker) 4 (4)
13. Anthony Howell (Midfielder) 4 (3)
14. Chris Clements (Midfielder) 3 (4)
15. Andy Owens (Defender) 2 (3)
16. Matt Rhead (Striker) 2 (3)
17. Lee Beevers (Defender) 5 (1)
18. Gary Roberts (Midfielder) 3 (5)
19. Jamie Hand (Midfielder) 5 (1)
20. Jamie Tolley (Midfielder) 4 (2)
21. Adam Murray (Player-Assistant, Midfielder) 0 
22. Godfrey Poku (Midfielder) 3 (2)
23. Shane Redmond (Goalkeeper) 4 (2)
24. Andy Todd (Player-Coach, Midfielder) 2 (3)
26. Lee Stevenson (Midfielder) 5 (1)
25. Ben Hutchinson (Striker) 4 (1)
27. Adam Somes (Striker) 0 (2)
28. Joel Holland (Midfielder) 0
29. Scott Rogers (Midfielder) 0 (1)
30. Jobe Shaw (Defender) 0 (1)

 The match won’t be about fitness either as Cox’s squad look to bounce back from Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at home to Rotherham, facing tough opposition in the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC. The Dronfield based club formed over 154 years ago, enjoyed a successful campaign last term, finishing in fourth place in the NPL Division One South but ended the season in embarrassing fashion, losing 7-0 in the play-off semi-final to eventual winners Ilkeston, eventually leaving to the exit of Mark Shaw.

The Coach and Horses ground based side are now under the management of former Stags defender Curtis Woodhouse, following the boxers spell as player-coach at Lincoln last term. The former Sheffield United man has continued to strengthen the world’s oldest club, being beaten just once in the preparation for the new campaign and along with three victories have played out amicable draws with Alfreton and fellow Sheffield Club, Sheffield Wednesday.

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With both sides beginning their new seasons on Saturday the evening will see a really competitive match, as players from both clubs look to cement their place in the respective staring elevens. For Cox especially, as mentioned it will be his last chance to take a look at those who have had either less game time or have been sidelined through injury. The Mansfield boss will be faced with numerous headaches after the full time whistle but this is not necessarily a bad thing, as the most important season of our recent history approaches- if this means more football, so be it!

MATCH COVERAGE

 Once again you can catch coverage of the game with Mansfield Matters as we complete a 100% pre-season record for the second year running. Join Craig Priest from 7pm via our MM-live page for build-up followed by full match commentary.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the writer and not those of Mansfield Matters or it’s related organisations. To submit a piece, email mtfcmatters@gmail.com