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Mansfield Town 1-1 Crewe Alexandra (Knowles) *Crewe won a bonus point, 4-3 on penalties | Leasing.com EFL Trophy NORTH Group E Game 2 of 3 | Tuesday 8th October 2019 | One Call Stadium, Mansfield  *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations* “Oh, we had a game, did we?” that’s the remark made by many as another leasing.com trophy match is chalked off the Calendar, with a total of 800 spectators watching on as John Dempster’s men were beaten yet again on penalties. The stakes were hardly high however as the Stags slipped to their fifth consecutive shoot-out defeat, their third this season (the last time the Stags won a shootout was in the FA Cup in November 2012 against Slough in a first round replay – current Stags boss John Dempster was sent off in that game fact fans) – however a win against League One Burton in the third and final group game, should see the Stags through to the knockout stages on five points. I certainly felt that despite ten changes, the Stags had fielded a side capable of winning the game but a lack of game time for the majority playing saw-tired legs towards the end, and as such the urge to go for broke wasn’t really needed. The match was very much about getting minutes into players to bolster the ranks and improve the league form on the back of Saturday’s dramatic win at Grimsby, with the major positive being the return of keeper Bobby Oljenik who’d been out since last December. Bobby’s return was great to see and despite being beaten by an outrageous effort from an acute angle late on in the first half, I’m sure both he and the boss John Dempster will be pleased with the display – which given Conrad Logan’s new coaching role, will probably see him start against Oldham on Saturday. Suffering an injury like Bobby’s can change a play mentally, and the glovesman should be praised for his attitude and commitment to return, playing like his old self – making some good, smart saves and distributing quickly from the back – something we’ve been missing for longer than we all care to admit. Another positive was the goal of youngster Jimmy Knowles who looked far more hungry and dangerous this time out, we certainly have a great prospect for the future there and have to nurture it – you could see the pride in Dempster when Knowles scored. I’m not too disheartened by the shootout, it’s a lottery as we know and whilst it would have been nice to break the bad spell of spot kicks, it’s not a major disaster. Victory to take into Saturday would have been nice, but we’re now two games unbeaten in all competitions and we’ve got players looking hungry to get game time over the coming months. Match RecaP Ryan Sweeney was the only man to keep his place in the starting line-up from Saturday, Conor Shaughnessy and Matt Preston partnered him at the back – Preston able to play given that suspensions in the league don’t count for the EFL Trophy, he’ll serve his final game of his second ban this term on Saturday.
Read the clubs official detailed report here FULL TIME: Mansfield Town 1-1 Crewe Alexandra* Crewe win 4-3 on penalties for a bonus point | Attendance 800 STAGS: [3-4-3] Bobby Oljenik | Matt Preston ©, Conor Shaughnessy, Ryan Sweeney | James Clarke, Alistair Smith, Willem Tomlinson (Jacob Mellis 51 > Mal Benning 71), CJ Hamilton | Dap Afolayan, Andy Cook, Jimmy Knowles (Otis Khan 83) Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Kian Sketchley, Nicky Maynard, Kellan Gordon Written by | Craig Priest *The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations*
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