Spoiling the reunion | Cambridge United 0-1 Stags

Sky Bet League Two | Wednesday 2nd December – Abbey Stadium Attendance: 1,917 (Home supporters only)

Following Sunday’s Dramatic scenes at the One Call Stadium – we thought the script writers were done, as Nigel Clough’s side went to Cambridge, a side unbeaten at home in the league all season ready to welcome back up to two-thousand fans to cheer them onto a nailed on victory. How wrong we were!

Jamie Reid netted his first league goal for the Stags to cap off a brilliant display up front alongside the also excellent Jordan Bowery – but whilst Reid’s strike proved the difference at one end, at the other Stags’ shot stopper Marek Stech deserves a heap of credit for a brilliant display between the sticks.

It was a very open game played at a good pace and both sides enjoyed chances, Mansfield with a little more luck, confidence and sharpness could have scored three or four – whilst the hosts, second top scorers in the division, could have also netted the same had it not been for Stech and a committed defensive display.

Nigel Clough said post match that many will see the two sides’ league positions, look at the score line and say “smash and grab” but it really wasn’t – it was for me, a real insight of how effective and expressive we could be, as Clough went 4-3-3 and took the game to Cambridge.

Yes, we had lulls in the game and it took some players a while to get going, but as the game progressed we really grew into it and suited the system – with Maris in particular, back at his old club, really effective in helping to drive us forward and bring in Bowery and Reid, whose partnership looked sharp and dangerous.

Having played Sunday and with the game pushed back 24 hours, results on Tuesday night had dropped us into the relegation zone – and whilst it’s too early to panic, it’s imperative to keep the pace and let momentum carry you, the rest will sort itself out.

Another positive is collecting our fourth consecutive away win in all competitions, it’s so important now to carry that into Saturday’s home match with Crawley and keep that bounce going.   

COME ON YOU STAGS!

Click HERE to read the clubs official match report.
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STAGS: Marek Stech | Kellan Gordon, Rollin Menayese, Ryan Sweeney, Mal Benning | Harry Charsley (Andy Cook 90+3), Ollie Clarke ©, George Maris (Corey O’Keeffe 89) | George Lapslie, Jamie Reid (Nicky Maynard 82), Jordan Bowery
Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Tyrese Sinclair, Aaron O’Driscoll, Farrend Rawson