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Season 16/17 Stagsnet Match Report
English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Barnet  
0 - 2
 Mansfield Town
 
 Whiteman 37, Coulthirst pen 60
Attendance: 1859 (391 from Mansfield)
 
Date: 4 February 2017

FANTASTIC STAGS WIN AT PLAY-OFF CONTENDERS BARNET

Martin Shaw at The Hive

Mansfield Town produced a fantastic all round performance to comfortably beat play-off contenders Barnet at The Hive this afternoon. The Stags were well in control for almost all of the game and after going ahead in the first half, only one result looked likely. Barnet had marginally the better of the opening 15 minutes and Vilhete went close on 10 minutes when his cross-shot went just wide. The Stags were unlucky not to be in front on 22 minutes. Ben Whiteman played a 1-2 with Lee Collins on the right touchline, getting a great ball back from Collins, Whiteman moved forward into the area on the right and rolled a clever shot across the keeper and against the inside of the left post, and more or less back along the goal-line and away on the right. It was incredible how it didn’t go in. Jake Kean made a good save with his leg from Jamal Campbell-Ryce on 32 minutes, before the Stags went in front on 37 minutes through a fine team goal. The move was started off by Mal Benning, Danny Rose laid back to Benning, Benning’s low cross found Shaq Coulthirst, who laid the ball perfectly back into the path of Whiteman who fired past the keeper from 16 yards. Another great finish from Whiteman and his third goal for Mansfield, with all three finishes being similar. The Stags doubled the lead on 60 minutes when Coulthirst was brought down by Santos near the byline. It was an unnecessary foul by Santos but a clear penalty nonetheless. Just 6 minutes earlier, Coulthirst had gone down in the box again but this time it was no foul, and Coulthirst agreed after the game that the first one was not a penalty. Coulthirst grabbed the ball himself, with regular penalty taker Matt Green still on the bench at that stage, and rolled the ball down the middle as keeper Vickers dived to his right. Barnet were unlucky not to pull a goal back on 76 minutes when Ruben Bover’s free kick from the right smacked against the post with Jake Kean beaten. That evened up the woodwork count. New signing Alfie Potter, on as substitute, twice went close to extending the lead, before Barnet wasted their final chance to get back into the game on 83 minutes as John Akinde made a fantastic run from inside his own penalty area to the edge of the Stags area and Luke Coulson set up Nana Kyei for a free shot at goal with Jake Kean out of position, but Kyei sent his shot over the bar. A great win for the Stags cheered on by 400 jubilant fans who are sensing that the Stags push for the play-offs is gathering huge momentum after 5 wins and a draw in 6 games, including successive away wins at high-flying teams. Really good performances throughout the Stags side with everyone playing very well.

Mansfield were unchanged, Steve Evans rewarding the team that beat Leyton Orient. This week’s two new signings, Alex MacDonald and Alfie Potter, were on the bench. We’ve seen enough of both players to know they are both exciting players. With Jack Thomas having joined Barrow on loan until the end of the season, the other player to drop out of the 18 was Pat Hoban, but Steve Evans was at pains to point out that Hoban could easily be in the 18 next week. Evans also noted in pre-match interview that MacDonald is not quite up to full match fitness (which is surprising considering he’s been regularly in Oxford’s 18 man squad). We had expected that to be the case for Potter, who has not been playing for Northampton.

Barnet’s joint managers Rossi Eames and Henry Newman included star player John Akinde in their side, and made two changes from their side that got an impressive point at Carlisle in their last game with ten men. Steve Evans confirmed before the game that he did not make an attempt to sign John Akinde in the transfer window.

It was a glorious sunny day in North London. The Stags fans were housed in an impressive new stand behind the goal.

A quiet opening to the game but Barnet went close on 10 minutes. Vilhete’s cross-shot from the left was just wide of the right post with Kean at full stretch. Two minutes later, Campbell-Ryce played in a decent ball across the edge of the six yard box and Hayden White cleared away.

The Stags were unlucky not to be in front on 22 minutes. Ben Whiteman played a 1-2 with Lee Collins on the right touchline, getting a great ball back from Collins, Whiteman moved forward into the area on the right and rolled a clever shot across the keeper and against the inside of the left post, and more or less back along the goal-line and away on the right where Coulthirst retrieved it and his shot from a tight angle was blocked for a corner.

On 24 minutes, Whiteman fired in another shot, on target, but blocked.

On 25 minutes, Kean was injured as he and Akinde went for a 50:50 ball outside the area. Steve Evans was unhappy with the challenge. From my position I did not think it was a foul. After studying the video, I don’t think Akinde even collided with Kean, I think it was White. The referee consulted with his linesman before confirming it was no foul, and then lecturing Steve Evans for complaining.

Jake Kean made a good save with his leg from Jamal Campbell-Ryce on 32 minutes, as Campbell-Ryce fired low goalwards from 8 yards.

On 34 minutes, Akinde pushed Benning to the ground off the ball and was rightly booked. Between this and the earlier incident, Evans was adamant Akinde should have been sent off but I think the referee got it about right.

The Stags went in front on 37 minutes through a fine team goal. The move was started off by Mal Benning, Danny Rose laid back to Benning, Benning’s low cross found Shaq Coulthirst, who laid the ball perfectly back into the path of Whiteman who fired past the keeper from 16 yards.

On 41 minutes, Kyei played a 1-2 with Weston and fired wide of the left post.

Akinde was given a final warning by the referee on 42 minutes after a foul on Bennett. Good refereeing.

A great tackle by White on 43 minutes in the centre of the park.

On 45+1 minutes, Byron’s corner from the left was met by Pearce who knocked wide of the left post with his left foot.

The Stags deservedly ahead at the break, after Barnet had had the better of the opening 15 minutes. Whiteman had been unlucky to hit the inside of the post before another stunning finish, similar to his previous two Mansfield goals.

Half time 0-1

On 48 minutes, a ball forward to Akinde who brought a good save from Kean, but the referee had already blown for a foul by Akinde. Not a foul that the referee would consider giving Akinde a second yellow for though.

On 51 minutes, Byrom’s corner from the right, Danny Rose attempted an overhead kick but missed it.

On 54 minutes, Coulthirst forced his way into the area and went down but it was no foul, and Coulthirst agreed after the game that it was not a penalty.

On 58 minutes, Coulthirst got into the area again and had a chance to shoot but didn’t pull the trigger, instead pulling the ball back and the momentum was lost.

The Stags doubled the lead on 60 minutes as Coulthirst got into the area for the third time in 6 minutes, and this time was brought down by Santos near the byline. It was an unnecessary foul by Santos but a clear penalty nonetheless. Coulthirst grabbed the ball himself, with regular penalty taker Matt Green still on the bench at that stage, and rolled the ball down the middle as keeper Vickers dived to his right.

Hayden White was booked for a foul on 62 minutes.

On 67 minutes, Kyei did well to get to the edge of the area and Kean saved well to his left.

Green replaced Danny Rose on 67 minutes. Rose had done well not to react to a real buffeting from the home defence.

On 74 minutes, Akinde got into a shooting position and Bennett put in a great block.

Barnet were unlucky not to pull a goal back on 76 minutes when Ruben Bover’s free kick from the right smacked against the post with Jake Kean beaten. That evened up the woodwork count.

Alfie Potter replaced Coulthirst for his Stags debut on 77 minutes.

Green was booked for protesting on 78 minutes.

On 79 minutes, Green got down the left, played inside for Benning and set up Potter for a shot, but as he shot it was well-blocked by a defender.

Potter was also booked for backchat, on 79 minutes.

On 82 minutes, Collins made a tremendous run forward. Then Whiteman slipped a fabulous ball into the path of Potter whose shot from close range saved by the keeper for a corner.

Barnet wasted their final chance to get back into the game on 83 minutes as Akinde made a fantastic run from inside his own penalty area to the edge of the Stags area and Coulson set up Kyei for a free shot at goal with Kean out of position (having tried to close Coulson down), but Kyei sent his shot over the bar from 15 yards.

MacDonald replaced Byrom on 88 minutes for his Stags debut.

No further alarms for Mansfield, and the players were soon able to enjoy the victory with the fans.

A fantastic all round performance. The entire defence played very well, keeping Akinde quiet for the most part apart from one fabulous run. The midfield all played very well, with Whiteman scoring and hitting the inside of the post, but not having his best game otherwise. Collins was excellent, including that tremendous run forward. Coulthirst was a live wire particularly in the spell where he won the penalty and he also teed up Whiteman for his goal. Danny Rose competed very well and took a huge buffeting from the defence. Alfie Potter impressed on his debut as a substitute looking lively.

A great afternoon for the Stags. The team is playing exciting football and looks high on quality with all the new signings contributing and players who were already with the squad stepping up their game. The Stags are up to 8th, two points behind 7th placed Portsmouth, who have a game in hand. Next week a double header at the One Call Stadium with Hartlepool visiting on Saturday and Accrington on Tuesday. On this form, miss it at your peril.

Man of the match: Unfair to single anyone out from a tremendous overall team display. I can’t pick one player.

FURTHER REFLECTIONS (MY WEEKLY BLOG FOR THE CHAD NEWSPAPER):
Mansfield Town produced a fantastic all round performance to comfortably beat play-off contenders Barnet at The Hive on Saturday. It was a great win for the Stags cheered on by 400 jubilant fans who are sensing that the Stags push for the play-offs is gathering huge momentum after 5 wins and a draw in the first 6 games of 2017, and including successive away wins at high-flying teams. Those 6 games have also included 5 clean sheets.
The entire Mansfield defence played very well, keeping the dangerous John Akinde quiet for the most part, apart from one impressive run the length of the pitch. Goalkeeper Jake Kean, who has kept all of those 5 clean sheets, had another fairly quiet game but when called upon he made 3 good saves (albeit for one of them the whistle had already gone for a foul).
Going forward, Mansfield played some impressive football, and were unlucky not to be in front midway through the first half. Ben Whiteman played a 1-2 with Lee Collins on the right touchline, and getting a great ball back from Collins, Whiteman moved forward into the area on the right and rolled a clever shot across the keeper and against the inside of the left post, and more or less back along the goal-line and away on the right. It was incredible how it didn’t go in.
When the Stags did finally and deservedly go in front later in the first half it was a terrific team goal. The move was started off by Mal Benning, Danny Rose laid back to Benning, Benning’s low cross found Shaq Coulthirst, who laid the ball perfectly back into the path of Whiteman who fired past the keeper from 16 yards. Another great finish from Whiteman and his third goal for Mansfield, with all three finishes being similar.
The Stags doubled the lead on the hour when Coulthirst was brought down near the byline. It was an unnecessary foul by the Barnet defender but a clear penalty nonetheless, and rewarded Coulthirst’s quick feet. Just 6 minutes earlier, Coulthirst had gone down in the box again but this time it was no foul, and Coulthirst agreed after the game that the first one was not a penalty. Coulthirst grabbed the ball himself, with regular penalty taker Matt Green still on the bench at that stage, and rolled the ball down the middle as the keeper dived to his right.
Barnet were unlucky not to pull a goal back on 76 minutes when a free kick from the right smacked against the post with Jake Kean beaten. That evened up the woodwork count. The Stags knew it would be their game.
New signing Alfie Potter, on as substitute, twice went close to extending the lead, and impressed on his debut, looking lively.
A great afternoon for the Stags. The team is playing exciting football and looks high on quality with all the new signings contributing and players who were already with the squad stepping up their game. The Stags are up to 8th, two points behind 7th placed Portsmouth, who have a game in hand. Next week a double header at the One Call Stadium with Hartlepool visiting on Saturday and Accrington on Tuesday. On this form, miss it at your peril.


Report by: Martin Shaw at The Hive



Line Up:
(4-4-2)
Kean 8 Good saves from Campbell-Ryce, Kyei and Akinde. Otherwise another quiet game. In the 6 league games he’s played, he’s kept 5 clean sheets.
White 8 Defended very well including a good clearance and a great tackle in the first half.
Bennett 8 Great block when Akinde got into a shooting position.
Pearce 8 Another very solid defensive display.
Benning 8 Involved in the great build-up to Whiteman’s goal. Nice play to set up a half-chance for Potter.
Whiteman 8 Scored again, hit the inside of the post, and fabulous ball to Potter to set up a chance. Actually didn’t have his best game otherwise, but that was enough. Sheer class.
Collins 8 Super game including a tremendous run forward. Great ball to set up Whiteman for his shot against the post.
Byrom 7 Some good set pieces.
Hamilton 7 Not as involved as he has been in recent games, but steady performance down the left.
Coulthirst 8 A live wire particularly in the spell where he won the penalty, and earlier he also teed up Whiteman for his goal.
D.Rose 8 Competed very well and took a huge buffeting from the defence.
Sub Line Up:
Green (for D.Rose, 67 mins) -
Potter (for Coulthirst, 77 mins) - Impressed on his debut looking lively.
MacDonald (for Byrom, 88 mins) -
Subs not used: Shearer, Baxendale, McGuire, Arquin.
Opposition Line Up:
(4-4-1): Vickers; Clough, Nelson, Santos (Coulson 71), Johnson; Vilhete, Weston, Champion (Bover 46), Kyei; Campbell-Ryce (Mason-Clark 46); Akinde. Subs not used: McKenzie-Lyle (GK), Dembele, H. Taylor, Sweeney.
Referee:
Lee Collins 8 Very good game. Got the penalty right, and correctly turned down an earlier shout for a Mansfield penalty. Correctly booked Akinde and didn’t send him off.


Season 16/17 Reports