CTA #12 Wrexham Vs Mansfield

Blue Square Bet Premier Game #12 Wrexham Vs Mansfield Town – The Racecourse Ground, 27/09/11 7.45PM

‘Dragon Slaying'

There are many quotations in the world which people live by & believe in, I myself have many and would find it completely impossible to choose just one, mainly because they all contradict themselves depending on what mood you’re in and how you’re seeing the world, anyway that’s another story my point is that one quote is currently shining through in relation to our beloved Mansfield Town at the moment. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but rising every time we fall” We have fallen so far over the past 6 years or so, going from robbed play off finalists to a mid table conference outfit, however after adding last nights to the list of performances I’ve seen so far, I can honestly say from the bottom of my heart that at last – our Mansfield Town are starting to rise, like a phoenix rising from the ashes of a past life.
After Saturday’s showing against Kidderminster it would have been easy to lose all the hope we’ve built up, not because we don’t believe in our boys but because in previous seasons we’ve been hurt so much the change of mood & expectation after 1 bad result comes as a natural feeling, so as I headed to Wrexham I was surprised to find myself strangely full of hope & optimism, confident that Mansfield could get a response. Confident too, that the result against Kidderminster would prove to be a mere smudge on our beautiful promotion portrait’s canvas.

After raiding Sandbach service station of McVities muffins (the lucky Galaxy & Jaffa Cake for me, encase you were wondering) we continued to follow the road out of England into Wales & soon arrived at our destination. In the car park as we chatted to waste time, Scott spat out his chewing gum and, preparing for today’s youth team game, kicked it into the bushes only to see his trainer fly off at the same time, it’s a good job there was no local walking past as none of us knew the welsh for ‘HEADS!’ Scott’s comedic antics continued throughout the evening, poorly impersonating the local accent and as kick off approached, asked me in all seriousness if the teams would perform the national anthem before the game got underway. As if Scott’s shoe kicking, nation anthem craving company wasn’t enough, he then proceeded to eat all of my Orange Chocolate Chip Muffin, which photo man James had brought me to celebrate two years to the night I made my radio debut! I think I managed to get one tiny crumb of it but Scott assures me the cake was very nice! Oh and thanks to James who actually went to some expense (99p) to buy the cake and candles! Its little things like that which make each game so enjoyable and which make me realise how lucky & privileged I am to work which such great people and to have great people listening & supporting me – I really do appreciate it. 

Back to the action & Paul Cox made three changes to the side which lost to Kidderminster on Saturday, one enforced following Briscoe’s red card. Along with Louis Briscoe, Joe Kendrick & Lindon Meikle also went out as Tom Naylor, Jon Worthington & player coach all came in as the stags switched from 4-4-2 to a 4-4-1-1.

Alan Marriott

Tom Naylor (Kendrick) – Ben Futcher – Ritchie Sutton – Luke O’Neill

Ross Dyer – Jon Worthington (Briscoe) – Anthony Howell – Andy Todd (Meikle)

Adam Murray (C)

Matt Green

SUBS: Shane Redmond – Martin Riley – Paul Connor – Paul Bolland – Lindon Meikle.

Despite his recent trials at Derby & Fulham, plus the ongoing rumours of which club are favourites to sign him, Tom Naylor seemed relatively unfazed last night & looked settled once more pulling on the amber & blue, he was at the centre of the action from the off too, sending a long ball down the right hand side for Matt Green to chase onto, unfortunately for Green, he was flagged offside. Wrexham then had their turn for an early attack, Curtis Obeng’s right sided cross was headed away by Luke O’Neill but only as far as Neil Ashton who in turn whipped another ball into the box. Ashton’s delivery was headed away with ease but as the back tracking Ross Dyer tried to play his team out of trouble he was judged to have fouled his marker and the referee awarded the hosts a free kick. Lee Fowler struck from just outside the area, his effort was heading for the top corner and would have been the opening goal had it not been for Alan Marriot who sprung across to palm the ball away for a corner. Wrexham kept the pressure on from the corner and earned another as Ben Futcher headed away, Mansfield reacted better to the second corner and did well to force Wrexham away.

Mansfield then had a spell of half pressure themselves, with Joe Kendrick missing from the line up, Luke O’Neill took over set piece duty and despite a few miss hit efforts, improved and began to send in testing balls, proved with around 8 minutes gone as O’Neill whipped in a right footed in-swinger, Anthony Howell kept it alive and found Murray who then fed Naylor wide right, the stags’ prise assets cross was met by Futcher who headed wide, not that it mattered as the whistle had already gone with Futcher judged to have fouled Wrexham’s Nat Knight-Percival.

With the game still locked level both sides dug deep to find the opener, Alan Marriott’s directional ball over the top was headed on into the area by Ross Dyer, the ball was a little heavy and ran into the grateful keepers hands despite Matt Green stretching out his boot. From Maxwell’s kick the stags then found themselves on the back foot, Tom Naylor was beaten at right back and Wrexham moved the ball well between Lee Fowler & Jay Harris with the latter finding space central to fire a shot at goal, Ritchie Sutton had other ideas though jumping in to deflect the ball away.

Mansfield were then dealt a body blow on 23 minutes, Dean Keates picked up the ball in the centre and fed former stag Jake Speight into space, Speight saw his run halted by Ben Futcher who was shown a yellow card, his 5^th of the season meaning he misses our trip to Forest Green Rovers on Saturday. Fortunately that was the only blow the stags took as Keates fired the free kick straight against the stags wall who broke well to clear the second ball.

The stags then began to work more chances against the hosts, first Adam Murray, playing in his favoured position just behind the striker, exploited the space to feed Matt Green into the box, the inform hit man fired well and forced Maxwell into a neat scrambling save. Maxwell was stranded moments later though as Murray again exploited the space, this time opting for a shot from the edge of the box, stinging the cross bar but unfortunately seeing the ball bounce the wrong way as it landed out for a goal kick. The stags did finally break the deadlock with 6 minutes of the first half left to play, Matt Green played a major part by using his pace & power to earn the stags a free kick right on the edge of the area. Luke O’Neill delivered a teasing ball which was met by Naylor on its way into the net, photo evidence has since shown Naylor didn’t get the final touch, it was actually an own goal with the ball headed into the Wrexham net by Danny Wright, alas Mansfield had a deserved lead.

Wrexham 0-1 Stags

Mansfield could well have had a second before the break, O’Neill showing he slots in equally well at left back progressing forward allowing Worthington to move into a pocket of space, the former Leicester youngster fed the former Bradford City man who curled a shot harmlessly into the hands of the keeper. Stags kept the pressure on and fought to win the ball back, O’Neill again creating space this time finding Howell inside who did just enough to send Andy Todd on his way wide left, Todd showed good ability and surprising pace to burst into the box & earn stags a corner, however the stags failed to convert the late pressure into a second goal and had to be satisfied with a 1 goal lead as the half time whistle blew.

Half Time: Wrexham 0-1 Stags

Despite losing their manager to Doncaster Rovers in the week, Wrexham still remained top and came out of the traps fighting in the second half, with the whistle barley blow Luke O’Neill was put under pressure at left back and was left chasing a blur as Mathais Pogba cut past him fortunately Pogba’s cross floated harmlessly out of play for a goal kick. Wrexham kept on the pressure & the stags had Ben Futcher to thank moments later, Dean Keates’ through ball found its way to the ever lively Speight, Futcher nipping in just at the right time as the former stag looked to pull the trigger.

Again the hosts pressured and should have been level on the hour mark, Pogba this time switching flanks to torment Naylor, cutting past the stags defender after a neat pass from Neil Ashton who got the better of stags skipper Murray with a cheeky nutmeg, Pogba drove forward and drew Marriott off his line, squaring for Speight who ballooned his effort over from close range. Four minutes later, am increasingly dominative Wrexham found their way back into the game capitalising on a Howell error. Adam Murray looked to get the stags moving following another Wrexham move and passed to Howell, his touch was heavy and he lost the ball in similar fashion to the previous weeks error against AFC Telford United, this time it was Lee Fowler who nipped in and after progressing a few yards, powerfully shot by the impressive Marriott to level the game.

Wrexham 1-1 Stags

Two minutes from the restart the stags were handed a life line, Tom Naylor’s in field ball found Matt Green who skipped past his marker into the area before falling under the challenge of Nat Knight-Percival, the referee immediately pointed to the spot and produced a second yellow card for the Wrexham defender, leaving the home side with 10men. With Mansfield’s designated penalty taker Louis Briscoe suspended, Matt Green dusted himself down and took a fairly long run up, Cooley sending the keeper the wrong way and converting the penalty for his 8^th goal of the campaign.

Wrexham 1-2 Stags

Despite being reduced to ten men, the home side kept on pressuring the stags ensuring it wouldn’t be an easy ride, the stags brought on Paul Bolland for Jon Worthington shortly before Paul Connor replaced Matt Green. Wrexham made a substitution of their own, the delightfully named Adrian Cieslewicz was a real spark to the Wrexham side and played a major part as the dramatic game took another twist with 6 minutes left to play. The lively winger tore off the flank and looked to beat Naylor for pace, however as the stags defender stood strong, the Wrexham winger bundled down Naylor and the referee awarded a free kick. The bemusement came as the referee awarded the kick in the home sides favour, judging Naylor to have committed the foul, a bookable one too and with Naylor already on a yellow, the red followed and stags too were reduced to ten men for the second game running.

A nervy finish followed but Mansfield were outstanding defensively, Andy Todd took the vacant right back slot whilst everyone else got back and plugged gaps, Ross Dyer, Ben Futcher & Adam Murray all made key sliding interventions as the stags clung on to their lead. Wrexham’s Chris Maxwell seized the opportunity for a wonder forward as the stags threw everybody back, delivering a series of deep balls into Mansfield territory which the stags smashed clear allowing fans, players & commentators alike to breathe easy again. Wrexham pushed until the final whistle and the stags finally stood up to be counted as the 4^th official signalled 5 minutes of stoppage time, in the final minute Mansfield broke free as Ross Dyer fed Paul Connor, last season’s second top scorer kept his cool to slot beneath Chris Maxwell for his second goal of the season, wrapping up a beautiful victory for Mansfield as the stags sleighed the dragons on welsh soil for the first time in the league since February 1986.

Wrexham 1-3 Mansfield

The final 30 seconds felt like minutes as Wrexham threw absolutely everything forward, the stags remained composed and the final whistle was the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard – magnificent Mansfield had sent a clear message to their rivals in what may prove to be the most important victory of the season. I can honestly say I’ve never been so proud of Mansfield Town as a group of players, the fight, the believe, the energy and the togetherness on show really highlighted once again why we are going to be champions come the 28^th April.

Full Time: Wrexham 1-3 Mansfield

I don’t think I’ve felt that good after a game for a long time; it dawned on me as we touched down on English soil with the banter in full flow, how lucky I am at the moment. I have a great job doing something I’m passionate about, I work with excellent people who I value as really good close friends, I have really kind people who give wonderful feedback & enjoy listening and best of all, I support a team that’s fallen so far but have finally healed and are rising from the ashes. WOOO!

Up next it’s a trip to one of my favourite BSBP Grounds, Forest Green Rovers – be sure to join myself & Scott for build up followed by full match commentary from 2PM on 106.9FM & online (see link right) I’m sure James will feature too! Thanks for reading!

Match Photos (& pictures of cake) James Williamson

Podcast

CTA #11 Mansfield Vs Kidderminster

Blue Square Bet Premier Game #11 Mansfield Town Vs Kidderminster Harriers – Field Mill 24/09/11 3PM

‘Wrong Turnings’

Football is compared to many things, a roller coaster, a love story, a horror show – just to name a few. Today football is a road is we look not just at one particular game, but the season as a whole. The football season is one big road trip (half of the time literally for Mansfield as we head to places such as Barrow & Wrexham), we’ve put the word ‘promotion’ into our metaphorical SatNav and whilst the modern piece of technology will bellow instructions at us like an over enthusiastic Sunday league manager, it’s actually down to the players to physically drive us in the right direction. There’s never a smooth road and as we’ve experienced in the past there are many stretches of footballing roads which are not just long – but rough. However once you’ve got up & running it’s down to you as to how long you stay on the smooth road & follow the directions for promotion city, the thing is if you take your eye off the ball, you’re likely to take a wrong turning and head straight back onto the rough route – which is exactly what happened yesterday as Kidderminster Harriers were the visitors to Field Mill.

Arriving at Field Mill it was refreshing to see the sunshine make an appearance, for a split second or so it seemed as if it were the start of the season again! Tuesday’s draw came on the back of 5 straight wins and I was a little worried that it may have knocked the confidence in the stands, however all seemed good and the smiles remained present – even more smiles were spread as long term injury victims Rhys Day & summer signing John Thompson both briefly graced the pitch for the warm up. I’m delighted to see them both back in some sort of action, especially Thompson after the whole Ilkeston incident.

Despite Tuesday evenings slight veering off onto the rocky road, we still had the smoothness underneath our feet, with the 1-1 draw stretching our unbeaten run to 9 games. With this in mind, Paul Cox again saw no reason to make changes to the starting line up, but did again make a tiny change to the bench switching Adam Smith for Paul Bolland again.

Alan Marriott

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

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

Matt Green – Ross Dyer

SUBS: Shane Redmond – Tom Naylor – Jon Worthington – Paul Connor – Paul Bolland.

The visitors to Field Mill included to familiar faces, fans favourite defender Luke Jones & former 12^TH Stag signing Luke Medley, who departed Field Mill at the end of last season. The latter was reintroduced to the harriers’ line up to face his former club after his new employees we’re beaten 5-2 at Fleetwood midweek. Eager to say sorry to their fans, it was the visitors who started the game the brighter of the two sides, Lee Vaughn’s right sided throw found its way to Jamille Matt who was beaten to the ball by Ritchie Sutton, however the former Port Vale defender’s challenge saw the ball run back to Vaughn who skipped forward before firing narrowly over Alan Marriott’s bar with less than a minute played. At the other end a minute later, Mansfield looked to rekindle their knack for scoring early, Louis Briscoe fed Luke O’Neill who sent a deep cross into the box which unfortunately sailed harmlessly away for a Kidderminster throw as the on rushing Lindon Meikle missed timed his run.

Mansfield had another chance to progress forward but again saw their early effort snuffed out by a tight Kidderminster defence, Adam Murray picked the ball up in the centre before switching wide right for Briscoe & O’Neill to combine, O’Neill was forced to move inside finding Anthony Howell with a short pass before the former Alfreton midfielder completed the move by sending Lindon Meikle on his way wide left. Meikle ran into trouble and Lee Vaughn was able to clear despite Matt Green’s best efforts to close the ball down.

The hosts then began to stumble as a lively Kidderminster began to attack, the visitors making the most of Mansfield’s stumble by grabbing a 5^th minute lead. Callum Gittings worked a short corner with Lee Vaughn, with the latter sending in a neat cross which caught the stags’ off guard, Kyle Storer rose high at the far post to head past Marriott. 

Stags 0-1 Kidderminster


Pretty much straight from the restart Mansfield were dealt another hammer blow, still reeling from the opening goal Mansfield failed to close play down and were again on the back foot, allowing Gittings an unreal amount of space to attack, when Mansfield eventually chose to close down, Gittings slid a neat ball through to Nick Wright who made no mistake in staying onside to tuck the ball beyond Marriott to make it 2-0 with just 7minutes on the clock.

Stags 0-2 Kidderminster

In the space of two minutes the stags had gone from a sturdy unit to a real life example of the game Jenga, the two goals had pulled the sturdy pieces from the stags’ structure and Mansfield were beginning to fall. What the stags needed was a goal to re-address the games balance, Joe Kendrick’s free kick following a foul on Ben Futcher on the half way line looked to provide it, and too the stags credit they fought to keep the ball alive following Futcher’s wayward attacking header with Anthony Howell scooping the ball wide to Briscoe who sent in a left footed cross, Futcher was the target once more and connected slightly better, nodding just wide of the target.

Kidderminster took the half chance and converted it to fuel as they regained control of the ball and the game, Mansfield looked sleepy and lacked responsiveness, something an old stag pairing looked to take full advantage of as Luke Jones delivered a directional ball wide for Luke Medley, the pacey front man who enjoyed an average time at Field Mill cut past Joe Kendrick and let fly left footed, however Alan Marriott got down low to keep out Medley’s effort. Kidderminster continued to attack and freely open up the stags, Ben Futcher managed to get a foot in as Kyle Storer pushed forward, Lindon Meikle picked up the second ball and began a surge left, not getting far though as Lee Vaughn easily took back the ball, cutting inside on a 8 yard run before firing wide from the edge of the box.

Field Mill was yet to see a penalty awarded so far this season, the wait was over on 23 minutes but to the stags disappointment it was the visitors who were awarded the spot kick, Mansfield with no compliments either as they forgot the basics, Mark Williams receiving a Storer pass before ‘kissing the grass’ as Lindon Meikle upended the visiting captain. Lee Vaughn stepped up to face Marriott, with surprisingly no argument from Luke Medley – there’s a first! Joking aside, Vaughn sent Marriott the wrong way to add Kidderminster’s 3^rd of the afternoon.

Stags 0-3 Kidderminster

Briscoe & Meikle swapped wings in an attempt to restore the deficit, Dyer fed Briscoe wide left, his cross causing Daniel Lewis problems with the kiddie shot stopper forced to palm away for a corner, which, to comply with the story of the day, the stags’ wasted.

Kidderminster then broke again with Gittings & Matt combining, Vaughn then joined in skipping past Briscoe and sending in a testing ball which the stags somehow cleared. Mansfield looked to counter with Murray acting as play maker, the stags skipper left fuming as Meikle failed to make the run, the duo still locked in argument as Kidderminster attacked again. Something needed to change as Stags’ were going downhill fast, Paul Cox shook the pack by introducing Jon Worthington & Paul Bolland (marking his home debut) for Anthony Howell & Lindon Meikle respectively. The changes saw the stag’s toy with varied formations, a 4-4-1-1 with Dyer on the right, Briscoe on the left & Murray behind lone striker Green, a 4-3-3 was also on show at times (very rarely) as Dyer, Briscoe & Green formed a front 3.

Mansfield perked up a little following the changes, with Bolland eager to show the home faithful what he could do since arriving from the other MTFC in the summer, both he & Worthington put in vital blocks to stop the Kidderminster attacks, it’s probably down to those two plus Murray and maybe Futcher & Sutton, that the score remained 3-0 at the break, at the other end the stags still lacked creativity and Luke Jones mopped everything up with relative ease. As the 4^th official held up the board for additional time, Doris the tea lady quickly replaced the expensive bone china cups with pound shop plastic ones as Paul Cox & Mickey Moore’s notebook was also replaced with an old school jotter – in short, there was work to do in the second half and the stags’ management would make sure the boys new it.

Half Time: Stags 0-3 Kidderminster

Two minutes after the restart Mansfield were left reeling, a much brighter start saw the stags attack with fire in their bellies, Ross Dyer headed down a long ball for Green who chipped a returned ball for Dyer to smash on the volley towards goal, Dyer’s shot was pushed onto the bar by Lewis and bounced on the line, stags thought they’d done enough to see it given as a goal but the linesman said no and as play went on, the stags fire was blasted with one powerful hose as Kidderminster sprung into action themselves, Callum Gittings smashing a ferocious shot against Marriott’s bar before teeing up Jack Byrne who fired over.

Mansfield had their chances but were denied by Daniel Lewis, Louis Briscoe did well to cut in from the left hand side and set up Green who struck in hope of a 6^th goal in 5 games – the Oxford loanee was denied by Lewis who parried as far as Murray who somehow saw the ball taken from him.

Mansfield had upped a gear but with no end product, something they were nearly made to pay for with the hour mark approaching, Joe Kendrick was judged to have fouled Gittings on the edge of the box, Kyle Storer hitting the resulting set piece just over.

Things got worse for the stags with 68minutes on the clock as frustration began to set in, Mike Williams cross field free kick was headed away by Briscoe, however both he and Lee Vaughn challenged for the second ball with studs showing, Briscoe winning nothing but a straight red card as Vaughn remained grounded.

Strangely Mansfield again perked up and despite losing a key player created a brief period of play which saw the stags pen the Harriers in. Matt Green chipped the ball wide for Luke O’Neill, the youngster delivered a testing cross which was met by Green’s boot, Daniel Lewis got down well to keep the ball out but failed to hold onto the ball, Paul Bolland raced in and smashed goal wards, denied only by some brave goal line defending by former Stag Luke Jones. Moments later Green was creator again, dropping deep to hold up play before feeding the on rushing Joe Kendrick into the box, the Irish full back struck wide under pressure. Kendrick continued to press forward covering the gap left by Briscoe’s dismissal, Kendrick this time opted for a pass as Vaughn closed him down, Adam Murray let fly after trotting into the box, Ross Dyer somehow saw his follow up turned round the post for a corner, which stags failed to take advantage off.

Kidderminster to their credit were unbreakable at the back and Mansfield soon became tired and frustrated as Kidderminster searched for a 4^th, it nearly came with 5 minutes left, substitute Mickey Demetriou receiving Marc Williams pass after Marriott was drawn off his line, Demetriou fired straight at Luke O’Neill who tracked back well to make the goal line clearance as stags became stretched to the point of snapping.

The clock ran down and despite a slight second half improvement, the stags were just not up to standard and in all honesty, were awful in the opening stages. To Paul Cox’s own admission after the game, the boys got the basics wrong and took long between thinking about doing something rather than actually doing it. There are no excuses to yesterday’s performance and I’m not even going to even bother trying to make any. From start to finish Kidderminster Harriers were much the better side, more focussed, more able and more skilful – If you don’t focus from the start, be prepared to be punished. I am confident the boys can bounce back on Tuesday as we travel abroad to take on Wrexham!     

Full Time: Stags 0-3 Kidderminster

So now following that defeat we find ourselves back on that rocky road, we must learn from our previous failings now and remember one simple fact of footballing life. The game throws up difficulties like yesterday at the most unexpected time, it’s how you deal with these difficulties which will tell you if you’re a winner or not. There’s no room for the middle ground of inconsistency here either, find your path and stick to it. It may still be early in the season but games are coming thick and fast, the tables taking shape so you either work hard to achieve your goal of promotion and the promise land beyond, or you keep on falling - being contempt with outside hope like we have been in previous years will get us nowhere. Fact. Let’s be prepared to take the knocks when they come because they will, but one game doesn’t make a season so heads up, and keep that dream alive. In the dressing room we have inner quality matched with ability, it didn’t show yesterday but it will in the future – and that’s Tuesday! This is still our season, be sure to join myself & Scott on Tuesday night from 7.30PM for full match commentary & build up as the stags respond in the best way possible – beating the league leaders Wrexham.

Thanks for reading – Keep the faith.

Match Photos: James Williamson
Podcast: 

CTA #10 Mansfield Vs AFC Telford

Blue Square Bet Premier Game #10 Mansfield Town Vs AFC Telford United – Field Mill, 20/09/11 7.45PM

‘Frustration’

As kick off approached at Field Mill last night, the first ever league meeting between Mansfield & AFC Telford United looked set to played underneath a picturesque red sky. I wondered whether the old proverb ‘Red Sky at night, Sheppard’s delight’ would undergo a footballing translation & turn out to be ‘Red Sky at night, supper stags’ delight’ – however as the players walked out of the tunnel onto the field mill pitch, the red sky disappeared and the pretty picture beyond turned to a dull and shivering darkness, the only light around being provided by the Field Mill floodlights, I wondered then what the evening would bring for Mansfield Town FC. We’ve had cloud 9, we’ve had grit & determination – what came next in the sequence of football emotions? ... As it turned out – Frustration.

Frustration was not only the feeling felt by every Mansfield player & supporter at the full time whistle, but the feeling felt by an ill me as the AFC Telford players took off their bright yellow jackets to reveal white shirts but white numbering on the back, figuring out which Telford player was which was more difficult than pre-season when sides either wore the wrong number or not number at all! The visitors, like Mansfield came into the game on the back of a victory at the weekend however whilst the newly promoted visitors were perhaps happy with their mid-table spot, the stags were eying up top spot, depending on the results of the three sides above us. Mansfield were also chasing an 8^th game unbeaten and a 6^th consecutive victory, Paul Cox again stuck with the ‘If it isn’t broke’ theory and named an unchanged starting 11, but reintroducing Adam Smith to the bench in place of Paul Bolland.

Alan Marriott

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

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

Matt Green – Ross Dyer

SUBS: Shane Redmond – Tom Naylor – Jon Worthington – Paul Connor – Adam Smith.

So far this season Mansfield have struck earlier with the exception of Gateshead & Braintree away, add into the mixing bowl the fact AFC Telford tend to concede early too and you’d be quite surprised to hear that the start to last night’s game was a rather dull one. AFC Telford, promoted from the BSBN via the playoffs last season, played a tight back four and the stags struggled to get into their stride, in fact it took around 8 minutes before Paul Cox’s men had a real chance worth noting. Lindon Meikle picked the ball up inside the centre circle before pushing the play wide to Joe Kendrick, the Irish left back progressed forwards before being put under pressure & releasing skipper Murray in the centre. Murray’s left footed pass found Green, who eventually provided a cross in search of Briscoe after linking up with Dyer & Meikle, unfortunately for stags, Briscoe couldn’t keep the ball alive and Mansfield handed possession back to the visitor’s curtsey of a throw in.

With 10minutes on the clock the partnership of Murray & Green shone once more, Murray picking up the ball after an AFC Telford move and, after cleverly spotting the run of Green, chipped the ball into space just to the left of the box. Green did the rest, cutting inside and firing a shot at the keeper which, again to Mansfield’s disappointment, he hung into. A minute later Murray was taking centre stage again, this time feeding Lindon Meikle left, the lively wing man, who scored his first stags goal at Barrow on Saturday, opted to go alone despite support from Dyer, Green & the over lapping Kendrick. Meikle drove into space central before finally feeding Dyer, who under pressure flicked the ball to Briscoe who opted for a right footed drive from 40 yards out which landed well over Ryan Young’s cross bar.

In a fairly balanced opening 15minutes or so, the visitors had chances too, perhaps wasting the most valuable one dead on the 15minute mark, Ben Futcher was judged to have fouled the on rushing Phil Trainer right in the edge of the box, Jon Adams struck the resulting free kick miles over. 5 Minutes later from another AFC Telford attack, Mansfield countered, Joe Kendrick worked the ball forward and after getting the ball back via a kind deflection delivered a fine cross park ball for Briscoe, the flying wing mans touch was good and he beat his man with ease, however the ball was too pacey and despite Briscoe’s efforts, trickled harmlessly out for a goal kick.

Mansfield’s frustration grew on the 26 minute mark as they saw claims for a penalty waved away, Lindon Meikle started the move on the edge of his own penalty box, chesting down the loose ball before feeding Dyer just over the half way line with a neat pass, Dyer raced free and found himself inside the box about to pull the trigger with his left foot when he was pulled down by the back tracking AFC Telford defender Dan Preston.

Mansfield then seemed determined to break the deadlock despite the visitors clam passing along their back line and their seemingly watertight midfield, Adam Murray’s cross park pass found Briscoe, him & O’Neill worked a neat 1-2 before O’Neill drilled in a low cross, with 3 bodies in the box, AFC Telford somehow scrambled clear. Mansfield again troubled with 6minutes of the half left, Meikle’s low cross was a little too heavy for Green to get a shot away, but the Oxford loan man let the ball run across his body before chipping the ball back into the box, Ross Dyer met it at the back stick and somehow, headed wide.

Mansfield continued to put AFC Telford under pressure and the visiting keeper had a heart in mouth moment late on, but to tie along with the story of the first half, stags couldn’t capitalize and the half soon fizzled out ending goalless.

Half Time: Stags 1-1 AFC Telford

The second half saw a fairly similar start to the first with neither side really stretching the other, It took 4 minutes of second half action before the first chance came along, a long ball over the top found Matt Green’s run & after combining with Dyer, Green found himself wide, cutting in onto his left foot and firing towards the bottom corner, the keeper getting down low to keep Green’s effort out.

Mansfield then had Marriott to thank moments later; Ben Futcher’s headed clearance held up in the air, Andy Brown connected around 12 yards out and Marriott was forced to dive to his left to parry Brown’s effort away for a corner, the right footed inswinger was eventually cleared by skipper Murray despite heavy AFC Telford pressure.

A number of half chances passed for both sides, more for Mansfield though Ross Dyer missing from close range & Joe Kendrick delivering a few testing balls in, but with both sides going nowhere Paul Cox threw on Adam Smith for Lindon Meikle as Mansfield looked to take the lead. Louis Briscoe nearly broke the dead lock on 68minutes, after linking up with Green, Briscoe struck on the half volley, with his shop dipping in, Ryan Young produced a fine back peddling shot to deny last season’s leading scorer. Young was at full stretch two minutes later, this time palming away Adam Smith’s effort after the lively winger cut past two players and struck left footed.

Mansfield seemed unable to score despite threatening, so it seemed only fitting that the man whose boots have been on fire so far, to restore the faith, a long ball over the top was flicked on by Ross Dyer and Matt Green latched onto it, showing a burst of past to find himself central on the edge of the box, tucking the ball underneath the on rushing keeper to net his 7^th of the season, break the deadlock and put Mansfield Town top of the BSBP.

Stags 1-0 AFC Telford

Mansfield had a tough task on their hands trying to keep the lead, Marriott had to be alert to a driven free kick before Kendrick & O’Neill stood strong to deny the visitors a way through, the only way back into the game as the clock ran down for AFC Telford was a mistake, and unfortunately for the stags – they made one 5 minutes from time. Mansfield looked to be moving up park, but Anthony Howell didn’t get enough pace on the ball as he looked to return Murray who’d spotted Smith’s left sided run, Richard Davies snuck into take the loose ball and played Chris Sharp clean through, Sharp made no mistake and slotted past Marriott to level the game, knocking Mansfield from the top spot down to 5^th in the process.

Stags 1-1 AFC Telford

Louis Briscoe desperately tried to restore the lead with a series of very late shots & crosses, but time was against Mansfield and in the end, the winning sequence came to an end as the full time whistle blew – but on the Brightside, the draw still see’s Mansfield maintain their unbeaten home record and extend their unbeaten run to 8 games.

Full Time: Stags 1-1 AFC Telford.

Match Photos: James Williamson
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CTA #9 Barrow Vs Mansfield

Blue Square Bet Premier Game #9 Barrow AFC vs. Mansfield Town – Holker Street, Saturday 17^th September 3PM

‘Over the hills.... In a land far away’

‘Over the hills, in a land far, far away’ is the line you’d often here at the start of a fairytale when you was a young child. Some people say that football itself is a fairytale and reflecting on yesterday’s trip to Holker Street and indeed the last few games & seasons in the rotten yet beautiful league, I can see & understand why.

The grounds you visit, the stories you create, the adventures & obstacles you encounter, the highs, the lows, the wind and the rain, all small little story’s painted on the massive canvas sheet that is a season in the blue square bet premier. Yesterday was no different, in fact it could turn out to be the Mona Lisa of our season’s collection – time will tell.       

Over the hills, in a land far away there was a town called Barrow-In-Furness, home to Barrow AFC and Holker Street, the setting for the best story I’ll ever tell – all about that night and my infamous jump over a wall. That maybe the case in 50 years time when I’m boring the grandkids on a Sunday afternoon, but back in the here & now, over the hills in a land far, far away lies Barrow – the place where yet more belief and confidence spread as Mansfield Town Football Club, won once more – displaying another champions characteristic: Grit.

Yesterday was the perfect setting for such a story too, from start to finish the weather swayed and moods & atmospheres changed. Waking up at 5.30am it was still pitch black with no sign of the sun, the coldness cutting & sharp as I dove out of bed and ran towards the central heating controls. The morning sun didn’t appear either as I headed to the shop (superstition rather than need), in fact the rain dribbled in large cold drops making the insanest of supporter question what the hell they were thinking! It didn’t get better as we hit the road towards Barrow, the flashing white lines barely visible as the rain poured violently down, especially over the M6!

It got slightly better as country roads became the followed bath, occasional short showers fought with the sunshine in the midday skyline, on the ground deep puddles lay waiting testing drivers – each car choosing a timid approach (less splash) or the violent approach (basically when the theme park log flume hits the bottom at speed) – it was the latter which the car in front took, spraying the roadside fun running women from head to foot! Funny, yet evil (Welcome to my world!) Twists & turns followed as we drove past Lake Windermere; well I think it was it may have been a field covered in water that much rainwater had fallen around that area you just couldn’t tell! Photo man & driver for the day James is used to rain, having been rained on at virtually every game he’s been too so far this season – he came prepared this time and opted to change into his waterproofs in Barrow’s McDonalds car park... to his horror, our arrival to the Holker Street car park also marked the arrival of the early afternoon sunshine.

Time passed, as did several showers and before I knew it, kick off was upon us – again unsurprisingly Paul Cox stuck with the theory ‘If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it’ naming an unchanged starting 11, making just one change to the bench to combat Barrow’s narrow physical style of defensive play, Adam Smith withdrawn with Paul Bolland taking the vacant space, the first time he’s been included in a competitive match day squad since his arrival from the other MTFC in the summer.

Alan Marriott

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

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

Matt Green – Ross Dyer

BENCH: Shane Redmond – Tom Naylor – Jon Worthington – Paul Connor – Paul Bolland.

As the stags ran out in all yellow (or Amber – depending on colour preference!) my co-commentator Scott noticed Alan Marriott had swapped his grey goalie top for a pink one, his comments sparked a massive afternoon of innuendoes and cheeky comments, Scott made it worse for himself later in the afternoon whilst speaking about the physique of Ritchie Sutton – in one afternoon Scott revealed he liked wearing pink & stared at men in gyms.... I think the sun have been running the wrong story! Anyway, moving on....

Holker Street has been a bit of a bogey ground for the stags since they began life in the BSBP, with Barrow winning 2 of the 3 encounters that have taken place at the home of the two time FA Trophy Champions, the 3^rd & most recent being a draw. In fact, you have to go back to 1969 for the stags’ last win on Barrow soil. The stags started brightly this time round though and looked to rectify past failings, Luke O’Neill winning the Ariel battle to head away Gavin Skelton’s long ball straight from the kick off, Lindon Meikle was first too the loose ball and Mansfield began to move, the lively winger pushing the ball inside for stags skipper Adam Murray who found Matt Green who returned the ball to Murray after driving the stags forward beating two markers – Murray was fouled and Mansfield were awarded a free kick just 22 seconds in. Around 40yards out, Louis Briscoe opted to try his luck blasting an effort towards the target but firing over the top of Danny Hurst’s cross bar.

Mansfield have scored 5 goals in the opening 15 minutes of football this season, Matt Green made that tally 6 with 3minutes on the clock, Adam Murray’s delightful 40 yard chip found the lively front man onside, a neat touch took the ball and momentum away from Barrow’s Adam Quinn and Green made no mistake, firing home a powerful shot from the edge of the box into the top corner to grab his 6^th goal of the season.

Barrow 0-1 Stags

Barrow have seen off promotion candidates Fleetwood & Wrexham at Holker Street and the home side were keen to add stags to their scalp list, putting Ritchie Sutton under pressure to force a corner with the game still in it’s opening 10minutes. Paul Rutherford’s delivery was poor and Alan Marriott was able to collect with ease, opting for a quick release as stags tried to counter, Lindon Meikle headed on a little strongly which allowed Gavin Skelton time to clear, Ross Dyer showed tremendous persistence to close the ball down and although the throw-in went Barrow’s way, Mansfield were able to keep the home side penned in.

Mansfield were in search of breaking a club record by winning and keeping a clean sheet, having won last Saturday the current stags set up needed one more win with clean sheet to break the clubs all time record, the home side had other ideas. First Gavin Skelton’s cross wasn’t dealt with, Paul Smith testing Marriott tamely from distance after picking up the second ball, then moments later a Rutherford corner caused all sorts of problems. Former Blackpool youth teamer Louis Almond kept the ball alive at the far post as Rutherford’s corner wasn’t met in the air by stags, Almond’s ball back in cannoned off the bar before finding Rutherford once more, this time stags stopped the cross but couldn’t stop Paul Smith again having a go from the edge of the box, Alan Marriott watched it all the way though, clinging safely onto that hope of breaking the clean sheet record.

With 25 minutes on the clock, a pressuring Barrow finally dirtied Mansfield’s blossoming sheet, Louis Almond receiving a flick on from Gavin Skelton’s left sided throw, opening up his body on the edge of the box to fire low into the bottom corner beyond Marriott who could do nothing about a top draw finish. Despite conceding the stags number 1 & indeed the defence, can take pride in the fact they went an impressive 397 minutes of football without conceding a goal.

Barrow 1-1 Stags

I was then interested to see how stags would react to conceding after such a long time keeping a watertight back line, the answer was fiercely. In fact it took just 3 minutes for Mansfield to regain the lead. Alan Marriott’s driven ball down field was met in the air by Ross Dyer who nodded onto strike partner Green, the oxford loanee turned well and set Meikle wide, the former Eastwood man in hunt of his first for stags fired goal wards, however Kevin Lomax got just enough on it to divert it away for a corner, from which Mansfield scored. Joe Kendrick’s left footed in swinger was met by loanee defender Ben Futcher, rising in a similar fashion to the manager of his parent club Bury (lord Richard of Barker) to nod into the roof of the net, grabbing his first goal in Mansfield colours. Ben punched the air in delight, celebrating not only the goal but the fact his stay with stags has been extended until November 5^th.

Barrow 1-2 Stags

Mansfield used the goal to their advantage and should have added a third soon after futcher’s goal, Louis Briscoe’s clearance found its way to Ross Dyer on the half way line, the burley striker showed lightening pace as he raced forwards 1 vs. 3, Dyer soon arrived inside the box and fired towards the bottom corner, beating the keeper but not the uneven surface, the ball bouncing the wrong side of the post just as Dyer was ready to celebrate.

Mansfield had another chance just past the half hour mark, again a Kendrick corner and again a Futcher header as the stags looked to replicate the second goal, this time Futcher’s header was wide of the target and after somehow keeping the ball in, the stags failed to punish the hosts as they scrambled clear.

The hosts didn’t make it plain sailing for the visiting stags though and pushed for a leveller before the half time break, Louis Almond combined well with Paul Smith, with the latter pushing the ball inside to Jack Mackreth who held up the ball long enough to allow Smith to move into space, eventually feeding him and watching on and Paul smith’s shot was held by a grateful Marriott. The home side pushed until the referee’s interval signalling whistling but it was the stags who headed into the dressing rooms ahead.

Half Time: Barrow 1-2 Stags

Seven minutes after the restart the stags had yet another chance to make it 3, a good passage of play eventually saw skipper Murray chip a ball into the box, Matt Green received it and after keeping it in play, played Briscoe into the centre, he tumbled and may have had a case for a penalty but to his credit, got back to his feet to fire at goal, unfortunately firing wide.

Barrow again looked to attack through Paul Rutherford, Luke O’Neill stood up well and after help from Murray & Briscoe, slid in to deny the Barrow winger a way through, Briscoe picked up the loose ball as he switched wings with Meikle for the second half and Mansfield were soon on the attack again, Matt Green stayed onside and raced free taking a shot left footed, his effort was deflected and Ross Dyer somehow was denied before seeing the ball drop back at his feet, slamming wide from an extremely tight angle.

The stags were soon made to pay for their long list of missed opportunities as Barrow again levelled the game, Rutherford found space wide left before sending Louis Almond on his way, his shot was saved well by Marriott but the stags custodian fumbled and the ball fell for the impressive Adam Boyes who made no mistake in smashing home from close range with 56 on the clock.

Barrow 2-2 Stags

With Mansfield’s mentality being tested with every tick of the clock, the stags regained composure and showed grit to create more chances, first Ross Dyer headed straight into the hands of Danny Hurst before the Barrow shot stopper brilliant denied Matt Green with a goal line save. It was Briscoe’s hard work that created it, neat skill and pace saw Briscoe turn Skelton inside out before drilling in the cross for Green who controlled neatly, he opted for the blast rather than placement, the blast straight at Hurst saved rather than a placement which would have seen the stags back in the lead.

Luke O’Neill worked well on the flank too, doing enough to drive a threatening dangerous Mansfield up the pitch before passing inside to Howell who stung a shot against the post. Paul Connor then replaced Ross Dyer and virtually with his first touch 3minutes after coming on, set Lindon Meikle for the winner. It was a brilliant example of end to end football too, Barrow’s long throw down the line from Skelton was controlled neatly by O’Neill, his volleyed pass found Connor in the centre circle, the stags front man played a fine pass wide to Lindon Meikle who raced forward to the edge of the box and fired past Hurst to put Mansfield back in the lead an open his account for the stags with 10 minutes left to play. The fans and players celebrated together, the only downside being Meikle’s yellow card – not that he’ll be fussed as he repays the faith Paul Cox has shown in him.

Barrow 2-3 Stags

Barrow threw everything including the kitchen sink at Mansfield but the stags grit shone through, late subs Jon Worthington (replacing Briscoe) & Debutant Paul Bolland (Meikle) ensured the stags returned to the watertight status and the games egg timer shed its final piece of sand – the full time whistle blowing to signal delight for the 137 travelling fans and for the players who worked tirelessly from start to finish to ensure another 3 points came back to field mill.

Full Time: Barrow 2-3 Stags

Over the hills in a land far away does indeed lay a team called Barrow and a ground named Holker Street. Despite the bursts of rain and the uneven pitch, mighty Mansfield battled on for their 5^th consecutive victory, meaning the setting is not for the story of a boy with varied dreams, but actually a setting for a story with one very true moral – hard work, grit, determination and believe can deliver results. I thought of this as we drove home as the blue sky fought to come out and guide Mansfield home.

I smiled remembering my new story, I understood Mansfield Town Football Club actually had a dressing room full of togetherness, belief and ability, I understood that right now, Mansfield Town are true champions again – and will be, come the end of the season. Let’s hope the fairytale season stays a reality on Tuesday evening as AFC Telford visit Field Mill – catch regular updates on 106.9FM & online (see link on the right) from 7.30PM.

Thanks for reading!

Match Photos: James Williamson

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