CTA #6 Stockport Vs Mansfield

Blue Square Bet Premier Game 6: Stockport County Vs Mansfield Town – Edgely Park 29.8.11 – 12NOON

‘Ghostbusters’

I wouldn’t say I’m a man that plays petty games, I wouldn’t say I’m the type of man to hold a grudge either, but I’m the kind of man that believes in right & wrong – I’m the kind of man that thrives of seeing past demons banished into the evening sky, to then sit back knowing that a wrong move, has been put right.

Every time I experience a bad day following the stags or curse the awful situations I find myself in trying to watch & provide coverage of my stags, I always find myself thinking back to a certain night in 2008, angry shaking my fist at two teams, desperately wanting to put things right. The teams in question, Chester City & Mondays opponents Stockport County. The date? Tuesday 29^th April 2008 – the outcome, Mansfield’s bitterly painful relegation to the Football Conference. All play off hopefuls Stockport had to do that night was score just once, to give Mansfield a shot at final day survival; however the Stockport side failed to score, meaning Chester survived.... and Mansfield dropped.

Before Chester’s demise, Mansfield managed to get some payback – yet the wounds hadn’t healed, I doubt they will ever be fully healed until the stags return to the promise land, however heading to Monday’s game, I knew I’d only be happy with one outcome – a stags win, to welcome Stockport County to this horrid (yet agonisingly beautiful) league.

Paul Cox was forced into one change from the side which grabbed the first win of the season on Saturday, Martin Riley was unable to shake off a toe injury and was the one to miss out, Ritchie Sutton came into make his full debut for the club, whilst Nick Wood filled the empty gap on the bench.

Alan Marriott

Luke O’Neill – Ben Futcher – Ritchie Sutton (Martin Riley) – Joe Kendrick

Louis Briscoe – Adam Murray (C) – Anthony Howell – Lindon Meikle

Matt Green – Ross Dyer

SUBS: Shane Redmond – Lee Stevenson – Jon Worthington – Paul Connor – Nick Wood.

Under the guidance of Ex-Liverpool man Dietmar Hamann Stockport have enjoyed a sluggish, yet unbeaten start to life in the BSBP – having a made a bucket load of signings during close season, it was clear from the off that the hatters we’re still gelling, unsure of who to pass to, yet managing to keep the ball and look for open spaces, former Stag Martin Gritton seemed to be the main target early on but Adam Murray was equal to the attack, heading comfortably back to Alan Marriott. Moments later, Danny Rowe cut inside from the left wing and was stopped in his tracks by the towering Ben Futcher, who received a yellow card for his trouble.

With just 4 minutes played, it was the recently relegated hosts that looked to open the scoring, Jon Nolan stole the ball from Matt Greens feet inside the centre circle, Nolan pushed wide in search of the dangerous Sean McConville who opted for a driven shot which Alan Marriott was more than equal too, releasing a long ball quickly for Mansfield to counter, Louis Briscoe the recipient – unfortunately Briscoe’s ball into the box was easily held by Stockport keeper Matt Glennon, who would have been a stags player a few seasons ago had it not been for a last minute change of plans – he even appeared on the team photo! FACT!   

Stockport continued to press in the opening ten minutes, a minute shy of the ten minute mark the stags were tested once more, Danny Rowe’s left wing cross was headed away by Luke O’Neill but only as far as Tom Elliott who dragged his shot narrowly wide of Alan Marriott’s goal. At the other end the stags began to find their feet and should have been 1-0 up following Marriott’s goal kick, Matt Green headed the ball wide to Louis Briscoe who easily beat Euan Holden for pace, Briscoe’s deep cross was met at the far post by the unmarked Ross Dyer who should have done a lot better, heading the final ball well wide.

Mansfield then looked to keep the ball for a while, a series of long directional balls nearly opened up Stockport, but the wet slippery surface saw Mansfield often run into trouble and fail to punish the home side. It’s fair to say that both sides defensive qualities over powered the strike force, something which was evident more so for the stags, proved with 20minutes on the clock. Luke O’Neill the man receiving pats on the back, shepherding out Danny Rowe after the Stockport winger received the ball left from Gritton’s clever flick on.

8 minutes later Paul Cox & Micky Moore were left baffled as Ross Dyer took on a 30 yard shot after picking up Ritchie Suttons powerful headed clearance, The former Hednesford man had Briscoe wide right, Meikle advancing left and in form Matt Green onside 2 yards ahead of him. Dyer made up for his selfishness later on in the half though, heading on to Matt Green who did well too cushion a header down to Anthony Howell, Adam Murray then switched play to the impressive Luke O’Neill, his drilled cross gifting Mansfield their first corner of the early afternoon game. Joe Kendrick’s left footed out swinger was headed away; Louis Briscoe was in a perfect position on the edge of the box to volley towards goal – the ball was just wide due to the wetness of the ball, had it been on target Mansfield would have been ahead as Matt Glennon was rooted to the spot.

Half Time: Stockport 0-0 Mansfield

With the rain pouring on the 436 travel stags fans housed in the uncovered seating behind the goal, Paul Cox’s side were eager to make the rain turn to sunshine by starting the second period brightly, straight from kick off Lindon Meikle revived Joe Kendrick’s wide pass and looked to burst into the box, foiled just as he was about to pull the trigger by Stockport skipper Daniel O’Donnell, the resulting throw saw Green return the ball to Kendrick, whose cross in search of Dyer & Briscoe only find the hands of Matt Glennon.

As the game hit the 50 minute mark, the stags had Alan Marriott to thank as a rare defensive lapse in concentration saw McConville latch onto Holden’s long throw into the area, McConville took on the shot from a tight angle and was denied by the legs of Marriott, the stags rallied from the corner and showed good defensive awareness to stop the runs of Nolan & Gritton, Matt Green back to head clear.

Stockport tried to find another opening again through McConville, the stags management bellowed for Mansfield to become tighter at the back, a call which worked wonders as the home side’s ties with the ball were quickly cut, Luke O’Neill stopping a Stockport attack & with one pass, created a Mansfield Attack, the former Leicester youngster played a neat cross park ball to Meikle, who set himself on the edge of the box and curled a shot wide.

With 67 on the clock, Mansfield grabbed the lead through an unlikely source. Joe Kendrick’s left sided throw in found Green who progressed into the box, unable to go anywhere though Green found Howell who spotted the run of Luke O’Neill wide right, O’Neill the played a neat 1-2 with Green whose movement was brilliant, O’Neill firing into the bottom corner left footed to delight the travelling fans, grabbing his first ever senior goal.

Stockport 0-1 Mansfield

Stockport attempted a response by introducing the dangerous Nick Chadwick for Martin Gritton, Chadwick was well marked though and the home sides only options came from McConville and second half sub Elliott Chamberlin. The hosts couldn’t punish Mansfield though as Luke O’Neill & his fellow defenders put in a tremendous shift to earn the stags their second clean sheet of the season. The stags pushed too and introduced Paul Connor for Ross Dyer & tough tackling Midfielder Jon Worthington for Lindon Meikle who took a late knock. The stags stood firm and watched the clock down, the final whistle eventually calling an end to the game, gifting Mansfield their first win at Stockport since 1993!

Next up for the stags, its more righting the wrongs on Saturday, a repeat of the FA Trophy final see’s us travel to Champions Darlington.... not that we’re looking for revenge or anything! Don’t miss full match commentary on Takeover Radio 106.9FM from 2PM, listen online by clicking the link on the right.

Thanks for reading.

Match Photos: James Williamson

PODCAST:

CTA #5 Mansfield Vs Kettering

Blue Square Bet Premier Game #5: Mansfield Vs Kettering 27/8/11 – Field Mill 3PM

‘Home is where the heart is’

I’ve been quite unlucky in the last 4 years or so, moving house on two occasions, the first time moving from the village I grew up & was educated in to a place where I knew one person, leaving behind my friends, my hangouts and most disappointingly – my Mansfield Town posters which got ripped from my wall (don’t ask!). My point is that I was forced to go away from everything I knew, into a relative unknown – I guess that feeling would have been similar to those players remaining at Mansfield Town from last season, who’ve been paired with new players and a new look around Field Mill. I’m told the old sayings, put up by the lesser twin, have been taken down by Paul Cox and I know for a fact that around the corridors leading from GATE8 to the press box, the photo frames which housed pictures of the players from 2 seasons ago, have been removed, ready for updated ones to be put in place. The old players, along with fellow members of the press & anyone who uses said corridor, will be getting that new house feeling – the majority of your old fixtures & belongs are with you, but something’s different and five games into the new season, it’s not quite ‘home’ yet.

I moved house again on Christmas Eve of last year (yes, in the snow! – Again don’t ask) and 8 months down the line, I still haven’t quite got things how I want them, this got me wondering yesterday as I walked past those empty photo frames at Field Mill, how long would it take the new look Mansfield Town to settle in at home, how long would it take them to be able to kick their slippers off, sit back on the sofa with the loved one watching Eastenders with a brew, and say ‘Honey, I’m Home’

Yesterday saw Kettering make their way to Field Mill, hoping to inflict further damage on us and our home, adding to our worst start since relegation season, 2007-08. The visitors headed to Field Mill with saw backsides, after taking a spanking at the hands of York City midweek, Paul Cox looked to repeat that spanking, by naming an unchanged side from the one which drew with Luton midweek. The Mansfield boss did make one change to the bench, Nick Wood made way as Ritchie Sutton returned from injury.

Alan Marriott

Luke O’Neill – Ben Futcher – Ritchie Sutton – Joe Kendrick

Louis Briscoe – Adam Murray (C) – Anthony Howell – Lindon Meikle

Ross Dyer – Matt Green

SUBS: Shane Redmond – Jon Worthington – Lee Stevenson – Paul Connor – Ritchie Sutton.

Eager to continue the good football from Tuesday evening, Mansfield started the game the brightest with just two minutes on the clock a neat little move earned stags a corner, Luke O’Neill’s right sided throw found its way to Matt Green, his low cross was in search of strike partner Ross Dyer, who just piped to the post by Kettering’s Phillip Ifil, who nodded the ball away for stags’ first corner. Joe Kendrick’s left footed out swinger was poor but Louis Briscoe rescued the bouncing ball on the edge of the area, a neat burst of pace saw him pull the trigger and earn a second corner, this time a better in swinger delivery from Kendrick saw Martin Riley head wide at the back post.

Moments later, Mansfield were on the charge again, Lindon Meikle picked the ball up wide left and opted to feed Kendrick just inside, the Irish left backs cross was deflected away but only as far as Adam Murray, advancing to the edge of the box the stags skipper pulled the trigger, team mate Matt Green got a touch on it and took the sting from the ball making it easy for visiting shot stopper Laurie Walker to collect.

As the clock hit 10 minutes, Mansfield made the early pressure pay. Luke O’Neill’s long ball in search of Ross Dyer was headed away, but a combination of Murray, Howell and Green worked well to thread Lindon Meikle into the box, the former Eastwood winger showing why he received an England C call up during the week, using pace & power to line up a right footed shot, however it was deflected and Kettering had a million chances to clear. Mansfield kept the pressure on and Kettering failed to clear, Anthony Howells shot was deflected, then in turn, so was Matt Greens – Lindon Meikle kept the ball alive and pass low across the face of goal, Louis Briscoe found the space and blasted home into the roof of the net from around 8 yards.  

Mansfield 1-0 Kettering

Mansfield have yet to go on and build from taking the lead on 3 separate occasions this season, with all the games resulting in 1-1 draws, desperate not to see another draw, the stags looked for a second straight from the restart, Lindon Meikle and Matt Green looking lively in the space between the half way line  the edge of the box, however Kettering stood strong and recovered and looked for a response themselves, FA Trophy winner Aman Verma’s right wing cross was headed away by Ben Futcher, Jean Paul-Marna was first to the loose ball, twisting past Riley and blasting an effort towards goal left footed, however Paul-Marna’s accuracy needed some work, as the ball trickled away for a stags throw in.

From taking the lead to around the 40^th minute, Mansfield looked surprisingly uncomfortable, the visitors had a whole host of chances to be level but failed to take them, Ben Futcher proved Mansfield’s saviour on 25 minutes when a Tom Williams corner met by George Taft, Bury loanee Futcher with a near goal line clearance to deny Kettering a leveller. Jean Paul-Marna volleyed over following a Phillip Ifil chipped cross as the stags again failed to pick up the second ball, Tom Williams also fired over from a free kick – just two of the many Kettering chances in the first period which a shaky Mansfield survived.

With 5 minutes of the first half remaining, Mansfield found the next gear and created a couple of chances themselves – Matt Green’s chipped cross following Meikle’s threaded pass could only find the keepers grateful hands, before Louis Briscoe burst down the right wing, crossing deep for Ross Dyer who struck beautifully on the volley, denied by a top draw save from Laurie Walker.

Alan Marriott had to be alert right on the stroke of half time at the other end, pushing Phillip Ifil’s deep free kick over the bar following Ben Fucther’s foul on Moses Ashikodi, Futcher also had his name taken by the referee, reviving his first booking in a stags shirt. The visitors were unlucky not to be level at least as the first half ended, they perhaps enjoyed the better play, but it was the stags that had taken the early chance to go into the dressing room ahead.

Half Time: Mansfield 1-0 Kettering

Having clearly been told off during the interval, Mansfield started the second half a lot brighter and looked for the all important second straight from the starting whistle, Matt Green just a fraction offside from Kendrick’s directional ball.

Five minutes into the second half, Jean Paul-Marna looked to beat the offside trap, he was unsuccessful and stayed down, trying to con a free kick from a non-existent Martin Riley push in the back, the Kettering front man earned a yellow card for his trouble and from the resulting free kick, Mansfield finally scored a second. Alan Marriott’s directional kick was met by Ross Dyer, connecting with the ball perfectly to send Matt Green into the box, the Oxford loanee struck right footed to grab his second goal in as many games and double Mansfield’s lead – proving that Mansfield Town are at last capable of scoring more than one a game. Following the goal, Jean Paul-Marna was fortunate to escape a second yellow as he continued to bend the referee’s ear about the push that never was.

Mansfield 2-0 Kettering

With the second goal under their belts, Mansfield we’re hungry for more, Martin Riley standing up to Jean Paul-Marna pushing the ball left to Kendrick, his long ball was headed on by Ross Dyer, this time it was Anthony Howell the recipient of Dyer’s knock down, the former Alfreton man’s touch was too heavy and the ball collected by Walker. Moments later, Louis Briscoe stung the palms of Laurie Walker with a 30 yard drive, having a go after good work from Matt Green, who passed inside to Howell who in turn found Briscoe in space. Mansfield kept the pressure on from the resulting corner, however Kettering somehow clung on and watched the ball away for a goal kick.

Kettering boss Morrell Maison then threw on Jake Thompson & Martin Kelly in a bid to reduce the score line, however the stags made Kettering’s job a lot harder on 64 minutes. Having survived a Thompson cross, Luke O’Neill cleared to Briscoe in the centre circle, the stags wing man chipped over the top and found Matt Green wide right, his burst into the box drew defenders away and gave Ross Dyer space at the far post, Green setting Dyer with a perfect pass, Dyer returning the favour by slotting home to official open his account for the season and make it 3-0

Mansfield 3-0 Kettering

Kettering had a golden chance to respond 7 minutes later, unmarked Moses Ashikodi blasted an effort from 35 yards, beating Marriott but not the woodwork as his effort came smashing back out off the post. Martin Riley was then replaced with Ritchie Sutton who came on at centre back, making his Mansfield debut, Jon Worthington swapped places and the skipper’s armband with Murray as Paul Cox also looked to shore up the midfield. Paul Connor also saw the last 9 minutes replacing the impressive Ross Dyer in attack, Mansfield did enough to see the game out and collect their first 3 points of the season, lifting them away from the drop zone.

Full Time: Mansfield 3-0 Kettering

On reflection, it wasn’t the best performance by Mansfield Town yesterday, especially in the first half, but to their credit they kept going and finally put the game to bed, returning to good powerful play – grabbing the goals and keeping the sheet clean. The new look Mansfield Town may finally have found comfort at home, ending the august home fixtures unbeaten on home soil, with two draws and a win.

Next Up, it’s a trip to Stockport tomorrow – with a midday kick off you can join myself & Scott on 106.9FM & online (see link right) from 11AM for build up followed by full match commentary – can the stags pick up their first away win of the season and end the opening month on a high?

Thanks for reading.

Match Photos: James Williamson

PODCAST:

CTA #4 Mansfield Vs Luton

Blue Square Bet Premier Game #4 Mansfield Vs Luton – Field Mill, Tuesday 23^rd August 2011 7.45PM

‘Waiting for the rub of the Green’

Three games into our fourth year in the ugly, yet strangely beautiful depth of the blue square bet premier – fans already find themselves pulling their hair our, tearing up betting slips and desperately searching for the receipt for the season ticket & replica shirts: all because, I think, our pre-season dominance has not followed us into the season we’re the points & goals count.

I’m the type of person that searches for a good story about an underdog who goes onto achieve great success. I was told once about a boy in his final year at school, each year he’d been bullied and shown very little respect. His dream was to be an Olympic sprinter, yet his class mates & teachers wrote him off. Every year he headed into the school sports days final cross country race wanting to win, but every year, as the starting pistol sounded he was unwittingly tripped over as he ran. The previous year he’d been tripped again and came so close to finishing 1^st, but on the final straight, just out of sight from the teachers – the schools ‘king dick’ ran past and shoved him into the hedges grabbing all the glory. This year, the boy had trained hard & well, but could do nothing to prevent being tripped again – on a rainy day, the boy was face first in a mass puddle of mud thinking ‘why do I even bother’. Something inside the nice, silent boy snapped and as he rose from the mud, tightened his laces and began making up ground on those in front who jogged on half heartedly laughing. The boy caught up and powered through the crowd, jumping the trailing legs waiting to trip him, fending off the hands pulling at his shirt in a vain attempt to stop him. The boy reached the point he’d been pushed into the hedges the previous year and again found ‘King Dick’ waiting, the boy was pushed again but showed strength even he didn’t know he possessed to out swivel the ‘King Dick’ sending him flying into the hedges instead. The boy made the final sprint up the hill and burst over the finishing line in record time – 3 times the boy had started strong but had failed to finish, but at the fourth attempt, a slow a sluggish start saw the boy triumph over the negatives and become a champion at last. I remembered this story last night as I overheard people writing off the stags chances, I again felt that Mansfield could follow the boys example, pick themselves up from the mud, fight their way back into the race for the top spot, and cross that line first.       

Last night’s visitors to Field Mill we’re our FA Trophy semi-final opponents Luton, still reeling from that trophy defeat followed by the killer blow we’ve suffered ourselves, losing a play off final on penalties. Paul Cox opted for the same side which drew with Braintree on Saturday afternoon.

Alan Marriott

Luke O’Neill – Ben Futcher – Martin Riley – Joe Kendrick

Louis Briscoe – Adam Murray (C) – Anthony Howell – Lindon Meikle

Matt Green – Ross Dyer

SUBS: Shane Redmond – Lee Stevenson – Jon Worthington – Paul Connor – Nick Wood.

The opening exchanges were a little timid between both sides who looked to find there range, Ben Futcher’s ball over to the left side in search of Meikle was picked up by the visitors who in turn, couldn’t find a way through as the ball drifted out for a throw in.

With the game just two minutes old, Mansfield had Luton stretched as the stags looked for an early lead. Lindon Meikle controlled well in the centre circle and pushed the ball onto Matt Green just to the left of the box, Green found Kendrick who put in a low cross first time, the ball bobbled up and was headed on by Meikle, Luton managed to scramble clear but the stags picked up the second ball with Matt Green, Green then found Briscoe who played a neat 1-2 with Lindon Meikle before firing goal wards, drawing a top save from Mark Tyler. The resulting corner was met by Martin Riley, whose marker Dean Beckwith headed behind for a second corner, this one an out swinger by Kendrick which was headed away  - Adam Murray mopped up the loose ball just shy of the halfway line as the stags built again.

The stags looked really up for the game and were eager to get a goal to help them on the way to the first 3 points of the season, the stags applied pressure well and forced Luton into putting the ball out for throw ins. With 10 minutes on the clock it was Mansfield’s dominance that created a chance for both sides as the game took an end to end turn. Ross Dyer headed down the ball finding strike partner Green who in turn pushed back to Meikle inside the centre circle as the stags looked to stretch the game, Adam Murray then took over and spread a pass into space with the outside of his boot to Matt Green, Green failed to break past his marker this time but again it was Mansfield first to the loose ball, Adam Murray shielding it well under pressure before sending Louis Briscoe on his way, Briscoe’s back heel inside the box failed to find Green and Luton countered, former Stag Aaron O’Connor broke down the right wing, cutting inside past Martin Riley before firing at Alan Marriott’s goal – Adam Murray got a vital block in diverting the ball away for a corner which Martin Riley headed powerfully away.  

Moments later Alan Marriott was at full stretch to keep Luton’s Amari Morgan-Smith at bay after he cut in from the left wing in a rare Luton sight at goal bar a few long range tame efforts as they searched for an opener. On 17 minutes, the stags should have been ahead. Joe Kendrick’s left sides throw found Matt Green, who showed good power to feed Ross Dyer on the penalty spot, Dyer turned well and spotted Briscoe who burst past Beckwith before dragging a shot just wide of the bottom corner.

9 minutes later, it was a similar sequence combined with an outstanding finish which put the stags ahead – Kendrick’s throw this time found Meikle who, from the by-line cut past Curtis Osano before picking out Matt Green on the edge of the box, Green open his body and set himself up, shooting powerfully into the top corner leaving Mark Tyler no chance, springing the stags fans to their feet – an outstanding effort to officially open his account for the season.

Stags 1-0 Luton

Mansfield have failed to double their lead so far this season, however they were keen to put this right with some stylish movement and powerful play. Adam Murray’s chipped ball forward from the edge of the centre circle was headed on by Dyer and hoofed clear by Will Antwi, Murray, who signed from Luton last season, was first to it once again and picked out a hungry Briscoe with a neat ball, Briscoe’s delivery didn’t really do enough to test Luton, dealing with it well as Dyer, Green & Meikle looked to pounce.

As the half drew to a close, Joe Kendrick delivered a number of testing set pieces all to no avail, Louis Briscoe tested the water from distance whilst Lindon Meikle showed pace and power to create a few gaps for Green to look to slot into, at the other end, Martin Riley and Bury loanee Ben Futcher we’re rarely troubled and communicated well with Marriott, O’Neill & Kendrick to keep a Farley solid back line, heading into the half time break with the sheet still clean.

HALF TIME: Stags 1-0 Luton

Mansfield looked to start the second half much as they ended the first, on top. Just 19 seconds in, Joe Kendrick’s left sided quick throw found Lindon Meikle who was brought down for a stags free kick. Kendrick delivered a testing ball which Matt Green was a hairs width from connecting with, the quick ball whizzing across Mark Tyler’s goal.

The stags still pressured but we’re forced to opt for distance shots for a short spell, Matt Green latched onto Murrays central pass after Dyers neat control in the centre circle, Green’s powerful effort from 30 yards was dipping but was deflected away, Luton kept the ball in play and searched for an opening, but were forced to put the ball out for a stags throw as good pressure from the home side gave the visitors very little space to attack.

Mansfield kept pilling on the pressure and looked to find a way through, a series of crosses easily found their way into the hands of Mark Tyler as the veteran shot stopper easily read the ideas from O’Neill & Kendrick. At the other end Alan Marriott showed he was equally alert, Adam Watkins drove forward on the counter attack and powered a left footed effort towards the top corner, Marriott sprung well to tip the dipping ball over the bar.

Luton have come from behind in their past two games and did it again with 78 minutes gone, making Mansfield curse there missed chances – Joe Kendrick’s saw Luton get a free kick, whipped in by Jake Howells met by Will Antwi who somehow out jumped Ben Futcher around 8 yards from goal to nod past Alan Marriott who was well beaten.

Stags 1-1 Luton

Mansfield needed a response in front of their home crowd, Matt Green looked to give it them 2 minutes from the restart, powering forward and letting fly from distance, the ferocious shot just over the bar. Tyler’s goal kick was headed away by Riley and Mansfield we’re on the charge again, Anthony Howell popped in a contribution threading Lindon Meikle into the box, Meikle was bundled over by Osano but Mansfield we’re denied a spot kick.

Late on, Joe Kendrick curled a free kick over the wall & into the keepers hands after Luke O’Neill took a tumble, O’Neill then delivered a testing cross deep into injury time gifting the stags a late corner, Kendrick’s left footed out swinger was agonisingly headed wide by the towering Ben Futcher – the stags just didn’t get the rub of the green with a series of chances and despite dominating the game 80:20 had to settle for a point.

FULL TIME: Stags 1-1 Luton.

A million and one positives flooded out of the stags performance last night, if we continue to play with that pace and that evident style of creativity and determination, some teams will leave Field Mill crying wondering what the hell hit them. All we have to do is stop giving away set pieces and just tighten the defence from said set pieces, yes our face has been in the mud these opening few games, but after last night I feel we’re back on our feet – ready to charge down the enemy and claim that winners slot.

On a side note, Takeover Radio 106.9FM were unable to bring you any coverage last night, this is due to a staffing issue ahead of this week’s world record attempt and issues with station funding – these issues have now been resolved and everything will continue as normal on Saturday – check www.facebook.com/mtfcmatters for more later in the week. On a personal note, thank you for all the kind messages of support, nobody was more gutted than me yesterday when we had to pull the show – I hate letting people down. To compensate for the lack of coverage, a full recording of the game was made, you can download this until August 31^st The usual podcast will also be available forever along with all the podcasts from EVERY game!

I was down last night following the shows withdrawal, as ever my Mansfield mended by broken heart – it wasn’t three points, I’ll give you that but boy – it was close and the points are just around the corner. Thanks for reading.

Match Photos: Dan Westwell & James Williamson

Full Match Podcast (Online until 31/8/11)

Stags 1-1 Luton FULL by craigpriest

MTFC MATTERS PODCAST #4   

CTA #3 Braintree Vs Mansfield

Blue Square Bet Premier Game #3 Braintree Vs Mansfield – Cressing Road 20/8/11

‘Brainteaser’

When I was 15, Someone once asked me what job I’d really like to do when I was older, at the time I answered ‘Actor’ – I just loved drama and the people I worked with in my class at school. A few weeks ago, I bumped into the same person in town and after chatting and catching up, they asked me if I achieved my goal of becoming an actor. With my response a ‘No, I want to be a sports journalist now’ the next obvious question was ‘Why?’ – Something I had to seriously ask myself at 3AM yesterday morning when I woke up, in a cold swet worried that my plans would fail.

Those of you who know me will know that I like to be organised, I email clubs well in advance to book tickets and worry about the response from the moment I hit send until the second my phone bleeps loudly telling me I’ve received a reply. Up until now, bar maybe one occasion, my fears have been pointless – however the events of the last few days did nothing but confirm my worst fears, as at 10.30PM Thursday I received a reply telling me there would be no press pass for me as the press box was full. Without going into too much detail, I replied with a workable solution yet at 3AM Saturday morning, I still had no reply and was unable to sleep, the cold swet brought on by the fear of letting people down and by the fact I was set to travel 140+ miles with a great possibility of being turned away.

I think I spent every second of that trip yesterday wondering why I wanted to be a sports journalist, sometimes it’s not worth the stress – for example I could have spent yesterday playing football with my best mate, or going in search of a beautiful girl to date! Ok, not every second, the Jaffa Cake muffin from the service station and the flowing conversation in the car filled a big gap of worry – but you get the picture! After roaming the streets of Braintree we eventually found the ground, hidden away in the middle of a housing estate off the beaten track – we parked up, unloaded the kit and headed for the entrance.

We we’re greeted by a gentleman in an orange bib who, to my surprise, had a list WITH my name on it! I proceeded to walk up, with co-commentator Scott following at which point we were stopped in our tracks by the Gentleman who informed us, rather abruptly & rudely given the situation, that only I was allowed in and Scott would have to pay, Too cut a long story short (& to avoid a massive rant!) I was told to go in or go home, I did so – those of you in the surrounding areas who saw some red faced, red haired thing with steam coming from his ears walking along with bags and wires – it was me!

The next problem is a quite frequent one: accessing power. Due to the amount of press covering the game, my seat wasn’t in the press box, I’d set up just next to the press box within reach of a team sheet and of course, the holy grail for all broadcasters, power – the only problem being there was 2 sockets, one for the home teams media the other for the visitors – they were all used, leaving us powerless. After a serious think, a few phone calls and a lot of cursing, Stephen Thrikill arrived from Mansfield Chad, and we hit upon the idea of creating a separate press area, with our own power supply, again creating a problem – we’re would we find a mains plug! Using my expert detective skills, I discovered a power point in the turnstile booth – which the kind turnstile operator agreed to let us use!

Remember the 30M cable from Chasetown and more recently Gateshead? It soon made another appearance, running from the turnstile booth, up over the top of the porter-loo’s roofs, carefully through some trees and up, into the stand to the concrete plinth behind our seats, with the other wires to power laptops, mixers etc being ran underneath my seat – proving that not only can we create press boxes from nothing, we do it safely! After getting half way through our pre-match chat, it suddenly dawned on us we’d need a team sheet – a quick glance over to the proper press box saw that they had them, with no spares in sight it was time for old school journalism: Hand writing!   

After Tuesday’s 3-0 loss at Gateshead, Paul Cox promised changes, he delivered too withdrawing Paul Connor, Jon Worthington & Lee Stevenson from the line up to go along with his 1 enforced change as Tom Naylor began his 4 game ban. The changes made by the stags drop back into a 4-4-2 and hand the 4 fresh faces debuts, with Anthony Howell making his second Debut since returning to the club in the summer.

Alan Marriott

Luke O’Neill – Ben Futcher (on loan from bury, replacing Naylor) – Martin Riley – Joe Kendrick

Louis Briscoe – Adam Murray (C) – Anthony Howell (Replacing Worthington) – Lindon Meikle (Replacing Lee Stevenson)

Ross Dyer (Replacing Paul Connor) – Matt Green

BENCH: Shane Redmond – Paul Connor – Jon Worthington – Lee Stevenson – Nick Wood.

Along with Howell, the other full Debutants were the pacey Lindon Meikle, burly hit man Ross Dyer and on loan defender Ben Futcher. On loan from Lord Barker’s league one Bury, the 30 year old defender stands literally heads & shoulders above the rest, measuring in at 6ft 7inches tall – he has vast football league experience with spells at Lincoln City, Grimsby, and Peterborough to name just a few. His arrival is aided by the 12^th stag who handed over £2,400 towards the big man’s arrival for the month.

Yesterday’s game got underway and it was Mansfield who were clear to undo the wrongs from midweek, Joe Kendrick headed away the ball from kick off, receiving the ball back and aiming long down park looking for Ross Dyer’s flick on, Lindon Meikle was first too it on the left wing, denied by a perfectly timed challenge from Pat O’Connor.

Mansfield continued to put pressure on the hosts who battered Grimsby 5-0 in midweek, Joe Kendrick’s left wing cross went in search of Briscoe who, dropping off the right wing was out jumped by the home keeper Nathan McDonald – McDonald’s throw out was won back by Lindon Meikle who was upended as he charged forward, unfortunately for the stags, they did nothing with the resulting free kick.

The hosts then created a few opportunities of their own, Nicky Simmons left wing cross was headed away by Martin Riley but pumped back in by Simmons, this time is was Futcher who stuck his neck out to nod away the danger for a corner, Braintree made nothing of it and it was left for the sides to battle it out for the ball once more. A few moments later, a long ball over the top nearly caught the stags off guard, Sean Marks dragged his shot wide of the target from the edge of the box.

Joe Kendrick then seemed to have a shaky five minutes, delivering a poor corner over on the far side after good work between O’Neill & Green, before being booked for a silly challenge on Andy Yiadom, Ben Futcher read the early free quick well and quickly re-established Mansfield’s possession of the ball.

Matt Green then went in search of his first goal of the season, earning a free kick around 30 yards out following neat work between Kendrick, Meikle and himself. He was the first to connect with Kendrick’s delivery too – heading wide. Minutes later Green was in the thick of it again, Lindon Meikle swapped wings with Briscoe and the former Eastwood man crossed deep from wide right, Briscoe kept the ball alive and put the ball back in, Green latching onto Howells header down, his final shot cannoning off a defender for a corner.

As the game edged closer towards the half way point, Mansfield edged closer to the lead – Louis Briscoe’s cross went in search of Ross Dyer, who jumped high enough to put McDonald off, with the ball loose Anthony Howell picked it up, coming inside to skipper Murray. Murray then sprayed a brilliant pass wide to Luke O’Neill, his cross was headed down by Dyer, Matt Green the recipient opted for a pass rather than a shot on the turn, both Briscoe and Murray failed to connect and the ball trickled away for a goal kick. McDonald’s long ball down field nearly caused Mansfield problems, Ben Wright repeating his strike partner’s feat, hammering wide leaving Marriott furious with his slow responding defence.

Mansfield ended the half on top, Joe Kendrick’s deep cross went in search of Dyer who could only head into the keepers arms as the half time whistle blew.

Half Time: Braintree 0-0 Stags

Mansfield started the second half in similar fashion to the way they ended the first, in the driving seat, Joe Kendrick’s chipped ball down field from the kick off found Dyer, the former Forest Green man headed onto Strike partner Matt Green who was unlucky not to force a corner, the home defence doing just enough to turn the ball away for a throw with 14seconds on the 2^nd half clock.

About a minute later Mansfield found their finishing touch, Kendrick’s left sided throw in was again headed on by Dyer to Green, this time the Oxford loanee strolled past the home defence, firing towards goal left footed, Nathan McDonald blocked well with his legs but could do nothing about the follow up, Louis Briscoe first too it, slotting home powerfully from 10 yards to put Mansfield in front and grab his first goal of the league season with 46minutes of the game gone.

Braintree 0-1 Stags

Mansfield dealt well with the home side’s immediate effort to respond, Ben Futcher headed away Yiadom’s chipped cross, Anthony Howell first to the second ball but bundled over as he progressed forward. Moments later Mansfield put together an eye catching move, Joe Kendrick’s left sided throw found Green, who returned to Kendrick allowing the Irish full back to cross. Adam Murray picked up the second ball and stretched the home side with a good ball wide right to Lindon Meikle, who should have won a corner but didn’t account for the linesman’s blinkered eye-sight: goal kick given.

The stags kept in a 4-4-2 formation but instead of opting for a flat midfield, a diamond shape emerged, Briscoe slotted on the left wing, Meikle on the right whilst Howell & Skipper Murray took turns playing in front of the back four and just behind the strikers respectively. It’s this shape which saw Matt Green given space to run into, he did so latching onto a Murray pass, pulling the trigger from the edge of the box earning Mansfield a corner which Martin Riley headed just wide.

As we all know by now, nothings ever simple in the world of Mansfield Town, a Braintree corner proved to be the bubble buster, Alan Marriott came and didn’t quite get hold of the ball, with ball bouncing everywhere Sean Marks headed goal wards and was awarded the goal despite Mansfield’s best efforts to clear off the line.

Braintree 1-1 Stags

So we’ve had a Mansfield goal, we’ve had a Mansfield mistake – what next to complete the hat-trick, I know: A major incident. It came just past the hour mark as Luke O’Neill charged forward and received the ball back on the bye line from Meikle, Braintree’s Nicky Simmons won the ball in a tough tackle but followed through nastily, stamping on the back of the already grounded O’Neill’s head, Simmons really dug his boot in and will be enormously grateful the referee didn’t see the challenge – O’Neill was in some discomfort but was able to continue.       

If Simmons stay on the pitch wasn’t enough to annoy the stags, the decision not award Mansfield a penalty with 12 left probably was, Louis Briscoe the man upended in the box after he’d received Matt Green’s pass. A minute later, Joe Kendrick’s left footed clearance found its way to Ross Dyer, the ball eventually ran for Murray who headed down for Matt Green to striker, earning Mansfield a corner – this would prove to be Greens last action of the afternoon, replaced by Paul Connor who headed the resulting corner wide.

The stags pushed and survived a late Braintree scare, on reflection Mansfield probably did deserve a win but in the end, one mistake cost them and it was time to return to Field Mill with just a point in the bank – on the bright side, the point lifts the stags up & out of the bottom four.

Full Time: Braintree 1-1 Stags    

Having still not picked up three points, we head into the Luton game on Tuesday evening with perhaps the same comprehension that we did when we faced them in the FA Trophy semi final last season, we all know what happened there. Let’s hope for our first three points on Tuesday and to use it as a spring board to make our way towards the top spot – it’s still early doors with plenty of positives shining through, the negatives are of course still evident but they will fade.

Join me on Tuesday night from 7.30PM for regular updates on 106.9FM & online (see right hand side for link) as stags & Luton go toe to toe once again. Thanks for reading!

Match Photos: James Williamson 

CTA #2 Gateshead Vs Stags

Blue Square Bet Premier Game #2 Gateshead Vs Mansfield Town 16/8/11 – Gateshead International Stadium.

‘False Start’

I’ve been a football fan for around 10 years now; I’m still trying to figure out which is best – home games or away games – most of my fondest memories come from the latter. Away games and the trips that come with them create some interesting story’s – from dancing on the bus to some music from the 80’s to acting 6 years old again going on the Northwhich zip wire, I think every game & every trip has a story of some shape to go along with it. As I woke yesterday morning, I looked around my room looking at each photo which again represents a story. I looked longingly at those pictures and began to wonder what this seasons away trips would throw into the mixing bowl of stories – before I knew it, it was time set off: Destination Gateshead.

With my MP3 player in full working order (first time for everything) and my new book fresh off the shelves of WH Smith, the lines of A1 soon began to flash by once again – I knew then, with my headphones in and my eyes fixed to the words of Nicholas Sparks’ ‘Safe Haven’ that the football season was well back, however a couple pieces of the jigsaw were missing. The first an obvious one, not travelling on the coach which has been the main source of the stories down the years, the second was found upon arrival at the service station. You know what’s coming don’t you? £3.86 for a large fries and an ice cream (Strawberry Sunday) – I’d forgotten how outrageous service station prices were, I knew then as my wallet cowered from its severe beating – the football season was well and truly back.

Whilst everyone else inside the Gateshead International Stadium faced the cold evening wind, I worked up a swet attempting a neat wiring job with another race against time to get on air – the 30M extension cable from pre-season made another appearance as power was housed in the press cabins designed for athletics rather than football! In the past month or so, I’ve really discovered that you can do a lot of things with an extension lead & a plastic box!

I finished my DIYSOS job in time to receive the team and get on air in time, my discovery was two changes to the starting line up had been made, with a switch in formation too, Paul Cox handing debuts to Joe Kendrick & Lee Stevenson and employing the 4-3-3 formation.

Alan Marriott

Luke O’Neill – Tom Naylor – Martin Riley – Joe Kendrick (Replacing Matt Bell)

Adam Murray (C) – Jon Worthington – Lee Stevenson (Replacing Andy Todd)

Louis Briscoe – Paul Connor – Matt Green

SUBS: Shane Redmond – Lindon Meikle – Adam Smith – Ross Dyer – Nick Wood.

Whilst the starting minutes were very much a 4-3-3 the stags soon became experimental and depending on the different phases of play, dropped into a 4-2-3-1 formation with skipper Murray & Worthington sat in front of the back four, Briscoe & Green played wide whilst Stevenson sat just behind Connor – the trouble was, the players didn’t look too comfortable and often lost sight of their role, which saw Gateshead pick up 90% of the second ball and begin to stretch Mansfield down the wings, with former Stags trialist Chris Carruthers looking very lively on the left, linking up well with Nathan Fisher.

Both sides looked for a rhythm and had attempts, with 8 minutes gone it was the stags who had the first real chance of the game, Joe Kendrick’s direct ball found Matt Green central, the Oxford loanee did well to keep hold of the ball but was forced wide by James Curtis, some nifty foot work and a mix of the wet surface saw Green able to leave Curtis behind and play a ball low into the box, Paul Connor couldn’t connect & Carruthers managed to get back and turn the ball behind for a corner. Mansfield took it quickly, Louis Briscoe passed short to Kendrick, who with a burst of pace saw himself in enough space to chip a ball into the box, Gateshead Skipper Ben Clark headed clear and, as both sides struggled with the wet surface, the movement fizzled away.

The first 30 minutes were well balanced with Mansfield creating their fare share of chances, Paul Connor smashed into the side netting after great work between Naylor & O’Neill, with the latter the provider for the stags leading scorer from just outside the area. Moments later Connor beat the offside trap, latching onto Joe Kendrick’s chipped through ball, denied just as he was about to pull the trigger by the impressive Ben Clark who timed his challenge to perfection.

Gateshead then began to pen Mansfield in their own half, it almost seemed like being stuck in jail in a game of monopoly – the stags trying desperately to throw a double but failing, Gateshead soon made their pressure pay, taking the lead with 33 minutes gone. Chris Carruthers’ left sided throw in steadily made its way over to the far side, Mansfield stood off and allowed Yemi Odubade space to set up Jon Shaw who fired low into the bottom corner, an excellent strike to punish his rather sluggish former employees.

Gateshead 1-0 Stags

Mansfield failed to pick themselves up and despite moving forward into Gateshead territory on a few occasions, failed to pick up the second ball and were once again forced backwards. With 4 minutes to go before the break, Yemi Odubade made Mansfield’s second half task more difficult as he glided past two Mansfield defenders, placing a neat finish underneath Alan Marriott to double the hosts’ lead.

Gateshead 2-0 Stags

Gateshead looked more fresh and gained more encouragement from their second goal of the evening, passing it around smartly, knowing just how to play the wet surface and punish the stags, luckily the referee called an end to the first half before any further damage could be done.

Half Time: Gateshead 2-0 Stags

Despite a below par effort in the first half were it was clear we needed fresh legs, Mansfield made no substitutions at the break, presumably allowing for that 5-10 minute ‘last chance or your off’ period. Paul Connor nearly reduced the scores just 2 minutes into the second half, good movement from Kendrick saw the Irish left back ping in a pinpoint cross for Connor, who in space, headed over from around 6 yards.

What followed was the story of the first half, Mansfield standing off whilst patient Gateshead moved the ball well just waiting for their moment to strike. It came and was taken a minute shy of the hour mark, Chris Carruthers and Nathan Fisher moving well wide left to earn a corner, Micky Cummins delivered a right footed in swinger and an alarmingly unmarked James Curtis powered his header home past Alan Marriott.

Gateshead 3-0 Stags

Ross Dyer was introduced for Paul Connor two minutes later but it all seemed too little too late, Mansfield’s luck just wasn’t in. Proved moments after Dyers introduction as the stags earned a corner, Kendrick’s left footed delivery found Riley who powered towards goal, blocked on the line Briscoe’s pull back was again met by a Mansfield boot but as the ball was hit, the player slipped and rather than tap into the half empty goal, they ballooned well over the bar.

It was clear that 4-4-2 was needed and Adam Smith’s introduction with 20 minutes left saw that formation happen, Jon Worthington departed, Smith slotted wide right, Briscoe dropped wide left and Stevenson sat in the centre alongside Murray. However Mansfield’s 4-4-2 lasted all of 9 minutes as the stags miserable luck continued – Tom Naylor receiving a straight red card. On a slippery surface, with Mansfield chasing the game the referee got the decision with everyone, including the majority of the home support agreeing the 50/50 challenge with Eddie Odhiambo only warranted a yellow rather than a straight red. Moments after Naylor’s dismissal, Mansfield were forced to stop chasing the game and bring down the shutter and play ‘Damage Limitation’ Nick Wood making his debut slotting into centre half at the expense of Matt Green.

From then on in it was all Gateshead, Eddie Odhiambo crossed in for Kris Gate who wasted his chance from close range, the stags then got extremely lucky, Martin Riley’s foul inside the box on the pacey Gary Mulligan looked a stone wall penalty. Jon Shaw also saw his close range header held by Marriott late on as the home side bagged another 3points to put them top of the table, whilst lack lustre Mansfield faced a long trip home with nothing, sat at the top of the relegation zone.

Full Time: Gateshead 3-0 Stags

The performance and result was totally unacceptable and the journey home seemed three times longer, again I think those 5 consecutive victory’s towards the end of pre-season have proved a dose of false hope and our expectations are perhaps set too high. The shouts for the manager to be sacked are ridiculous though, we’re two games into the season – seriously what good is sacking him and hiring a new manager who will want to assemble his own squad going to do! It’s august; we’ve signed 16, maybe 17 players close season and have suffered a big physiological blow by loosing key players thanks to a man from Ilkeston!

We’re still building, we’re still figuring each other out, as fans we must remain patient and just remember it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. Yes, this is unacceptable and something that needs fixing, Paul Cox knows that and will make the changes that are needed. Let’s put this down to a false start, rally behind the players and management and start as we mean to go on by winning on Saturday.

Don’t miss full match commentary on Braintree Vs Mansfield on 106.9FM from 2PM, the link to listen online is on the right hand side.

Thanks for reading – keep the faith.