Season 16/17 Stagsnet Match Report
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Mansfield Town
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Crewe Alexandra
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Arquin 5, Whiteman 48, Bennett 84.
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Attendance: 3040 (226 from Crewe)
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Date: 7 January 2017
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STAGS CRUISE TO VICTORY OVER CREWE
Martin Shaw and Simon Chamberlain at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill Mansfield Town cruised to a convincing 3-0 win over out-of-form Crewe Alexandra this afternoon, with goals from new boys Yoann Arquin and Ben Whiteman, and a first goal for the Stags for Rhys Bennett. The Stags were in front after just 5 minutes with Arquin scoring on his home debut. It was Mansfield’s first goal in the first half of a league or cup match at home this season, at the 17th attempt. A high cross from Mal Benning from the left to the far post found Whiteman who headed the ball back, Arquin headed it forward, then a combination of Matt Green and defender Guthrie headed it back to Arquin who fired into the net from 6 yards. With the monkey off their back, Arquin then headed over the bar and Whiteman fired a free kick straight into the keeper’s midriff. At the other end, loan keeper Jake Kean made a one-handed save from Bakayogo. The Stags were good value for the lead at half time, and increased that lead on 48 minutes with a first ever senior goal for Ben Whiteman, on loan from Sheffield United, on his Stags home debut. Joel Byrom, another of the four new signings on his home debut, played a good ball down the line on the left for CJ Hamilton, Hamilton cut inside full back Turtin, onto his right foot, and tried to knock the ball goalwards. Turtin got a block on it and it deflected perfectly into the path of Whiteman inside the D, 19 yards from goal, who side-footed goalwards, where the keeper Garratt should have saved it, but let it through his hands into the net. A good shot from Whiteman but a howler from the keeper. The Stags had plenty of other chances in the second half, with Rhys Bennett missing two close range chances, and Green failing when he had a perfect opportunity to give Arquin a tap in from close range or score himself. Meanwhile at the other end Jake Kean made a good save from a great effort by George Cooper. The Stags finally sealed the game on 84 minutes. Hamilton won a corner on the left. Baxendale took it, Bennett stabbed goalwards from 6 yards, the keeper kept it out, but it came straight back to Bennett who stabbed the rebound into the net. A good performance and Mansfield’s biggest win of the season, albeit against a poor Crewe side. Plenty of candidates for man of the match, with all four home debutants doing well, Benning and Hamilton combining well on the left, and the defence generally solid. Mansfield were unchanged from the side that won at Blackpool. Kyle Howkins therefore retained his place having re-signed on loan until the end of the season. Home debuts also for keeper Jake Kean, Joel Byrom, Ben Whiteman and Yoann Arquin. One change on the bench, with Hurst having been ill this week, in came Jack Thomas. Crewe arrived on a bad run of just two wins in all competitions since the middle of September (over Leyton Orient and Morecambe). They were also unchanged, with Ryan Lowe returning from injury on the bench. Word in the press box from the Crewe media was that a defeat today could spell the end for manager Steve Davis. It was a pleasant, clear, dry, mild, still day for January. The Stags were in front after just 5 minutes with Arquin scoring on his home debut. A high cross from Mal Benning from the left to the far post found Whiteman who headed the ball back, Arquin headed it forward, then a combination of Matt Green and defender Guthrie headed it back to Arquin who fired into the net from 6 yards. On 9 minutes, Byrom’s corner from the left was a good delivery, and Arquin, running backwards headed over the bar. On 15 minutes, Byrom drew a foul 23 yards out, to the left of centre. Whiteman took it, on target, but into the keeper’s midriff. A chance for Crewe on 18 minutes as Bakayogo pushed forward and his shot from 28 yards was saved one-handed by Kean to his right. Whiteman was booked for a late tackle in the Crewe box on 23 minutes. At the other end on 25 minutes, Bakayogo seemed to be clipped on his way into the box but took a few more strides before he went down and the referee waved away appeals. On review of the video, Bennett tried to tackle Bakayogo from behind and did appear to clip the man, who didn’t go down immediately. The referee could have given a penalty. On 32 minutes, a quick break from Crewe, Cooper played the ball forward and there were claims that the ball hit Collins on the arm in the area, but the referee waved away the appeals. From review of the video, this was definitely not a penalty. On 34 minutes, Benning crossed from the left, and Arquin flicked a leg at it but just couldn’t turn it goalwards. Then on 39 minutes, Whiteman’s ball forward almost put Green in but not quite. At the other end a minute later, Kirk’s low cross in skipped through to Kean as Dagnell slid in trying to divert it away from the keeper. On 41 minutes, Bennett got into the area on the right, knocked the ball over a defender but couldn’t get in a shot. Mansfield good value for the lead at the break, and with the monkey of no goal in the first half at home finally off the back. Half time 1-0 The Stags should have extended the lead on 46 minutes. Great play from Hamilton down the left, cutting inside and squaring the ball to Bennett at the far post who side-footed into the side netting when he should have got it on target. Mansfield did make it 2-0 on 48 minutes. Byrom played a good ball down the line on the left for Hamilton, Hamilton cut inside full back Turtin, onto his right foot, and tried to knock the ball goalwards. Turtin got a block on it and it deflected perfectly into the path of Whiteman inside the D, 19 yards from goal, who side-footed goalwards, where the keeper Garratt should have saved it, but let it through his hands into the net. A good shot from Whiteman but a howler from the keeper. And the Stags should have increased the lead a minute later. A great run from Whiteman, now buoyed with confidence, and he slid the ball forward for Green. A perfect pass, Green pushed forward, but with a chance to shoot, or better still square for the completely unmarked Arquin, he stumbled and put the ball out for a goal kick. Poor from Green. On 52 minutes, Turton’s low cross from the right, Kean cleared with his right leg. Unconventional but effective. At the other end, Arquin played inside to Whiteman, who cut onto his left foot, and fired a curling shot that was saved low down by the keeper. Then at the other end on 55 minutes, Kean made a good save from a great effort by Cooper, who turned on the edge of the area and forced Kean to save low to his left. A terrific 10 minutes of football at the start of the second half. On 57 minutes a good knock down from Green to Arquin who fired a hopeless shot from 35 yards that nearly hit the corner flag! On 60 minutes a good tackle by Howkins. Danny Rose replaced Green on 61 minutes. A good ovation for Green though he hadn’t his best game. A great move from the Stags on 63 minutes. Hamilton cut onto his right foot then back onto his left, his shot was blocked, then Danny Rose laid off to Byrom whose shot was pushed out to Bennett by the keeper, giving Bennett a sitter, which he knocked against the outside of the post. Poor keeping from Kean on 65 minutes. He came out of his area on his right and cleared as far as Dagnell 35 yards from goal. Dagnell, with no keeper in the net, made a mess of his attempt at goal firing well wide of the empty net, albeit from a long way out and out wide. A minute later, sub Ryan Lowe had a chance to run at goal, but Howkins made a good recovery after initially letting Lowe get away. On 68 minutes, a free kick for the Stags, 26 yards out to the left of centre. Whiteman took it and fired wide of the left post. On 75 minutes, a great move by the Stags down the left between Benning and Hamilton, but Arquin was tackled as he was considering a shot. A minute later at the other end, following a Crewe corner from the right, Stags were unable to clear before Kean made a good save from point blank range. Baxendale replaced Whiteman on 77 minutes, who left the field to a standing ovation. On 79 minutes, a Crewe ball in from the right, Bennett made a hash of a clearance before the Stags were finally able to just clear. Then Bingham fired wide of the right post. Some poor defending from Mansfield, so nearly punished with Crewe perhaps now feeling they had a sniff of a chance. A free kick for the Stags on 81 minutes, 30 yards out to the right of centre. Byrom took it and fired over the bar. The Stags made it 3-0 on 84 minutes. Hamilton won a corner on the left. Baxendale took it, Bennett stabbed goalwards from 6 yards, the keeper kept it out, but it came straight back to Bennett who stabbed the rebound into the net. Clements replaced Arquin on 85 minutes. On 89 minutes, good play from Hamilton down the left, cutting onto his right foot into the area and firing over the bar. On 90+4 minutes, another free kick for the Stags, 26 yards out to the left of centre. Clements took it and forced a save from the keeper at his near post. A convincing win yet still room for improvement in the performance in all departments. Next up it’s Oldham in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday. Steve Evans will certainly make a few changes, including Ben Whiteman and Joel Byrom who are both cup-tied. Footnote: Crewe sacked manager Steve Davis the following day. No surprise, see comment above. Man of the match: Ben Whiteman |
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Report by: Martin Shaw and Simon Chamberlain at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill
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Line Up:
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(4-4-2)
Kean 7 Two good saves. One error of judgement when he came out of his area and presented a chance from long range to Dagnell. Bennett 7 Generally solid in defence apart from one hash of a clearance. Missed two great chances before finally scoring his first Stags goal from close range. Howkins 7 Defended well including one good tackle and one good recovery after letting his man get away. Pearce 7 Very solid. Benning 7 Some good play down the left with Hamilton. And solid at the back. Whiteman 7.5 Involved in a lot: his goal, header back across goal in build up to the first goal, free kick on target, great ball forward for Green. Collins 7 Decent game. Byrom 7 Did well. Good ball in build-up to the second goal. One good shot pushed out by the keeper straight to Bennett who should have scored. Hamilton 7.5 Did well on the left, linking up with Benning, often cutting inside. Several pieces of good play. Involved in the build-up to the second goal and won the corner for the third goal. Involved in the build-up to Bennett’s two missed chances. Green 5.5 Good knock-down for Arquin in second half. Poor play as he stumbled with a chance to shoot, or better still square for the completely unmarked Arquin. A good ovation as he was subbed though he hadn’t his best game. Arquin 7 Broke Mansfield’s first half hoodoo with a clinical finish. One header over the bar. |
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Sub Line Up:
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D.Rose (for Green, 61 mins) -
Baxendale (for Whiteman, 77 mins) - Good corner for the third goal. Clements (for Arquin, 85 mins) - Subs not used: Shearer, McGuire, J.Thomas, Hoban. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(4-4-1-1): Garratt; Turton, Davis, Guthrie, Bakayogo; Kiwomya (Lowe 45 mins), Bingham, Jones, Cooper (Ainley 69 mins); Kirk; Dagnall. Subs not used: Nugent, Richards, Ray, Hollands, Udoh.
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Referee:
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Mark Brown 6 Generally handled the game ok. Probably should have given Crewe a penalty in the first half
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