Stags XI fail to unlock Hednesford at Keys Park

As Mansfield Town’s first team were split into two for the afternoon, the XI watched by assistant boss Ben Futcher failed to unlock Hednesford at Keys Park, playing out a competitive 0-0 draw.

The score line would have disappointed the Stags fans who opted to make the journey to Keys Park, especially considering the XI playing in the afternoon’s other fixture in Retford won 5-0, however they did get to see a few new faces in action, including Otis Khan, Tyler Walker and Craig Davies.

Arguably the stronger of the two sides, the Stags had their chances to open the scoring during the first half as Walker, Davies and MacDonald all had efforts blocked, whilst at the other end they were tested – Conrad Logan coming to the Stags’ rescue thrice during a competitive first half.

The Stags upped their game during a feisty second half but failed to break a resilient home defence, CJ Hamilton, Mal Benning and Jacob Mellis with the best of the chances – none of which had the conviction to find the back of the net.

Speaking after the full time whistle, assistant boss Ben Futcher told mansfieldtown.net he was pleased, despite the full time score "It was a really good game where the lads got 90 minutes in, Fitness-wise it was perfect and the pitch was lovely.

"First-half I thought it was a bit scrappy, but very competitive. I think second-half, when we settled down, we moved the ball.

"We could've got four or five really in the second-half. But the workout was really good and the fitness is really there for the lads now with their first 90 minutes. Plus there were no injuries so I'm delighted.

"It's early days yet and it's still about fitness really. I think first-half it was really scrappy and there were a lot of stoppages."

​FULL TIME: Hednesford 0-0 Stags XI
STAGS XI: Conrad Logan, Hayden White, Matt Pretson, Nathan Cameron [Trialist] (Henri Wilder 61), Mal Benning, CJ Hamilton, Alex MacDonald, Jacob Mellis, Otis Khan, Craig Davies, Tyler Walker Unused Sub: Zayn Hakeem