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An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Season 16/17 Stagsnet Match Report
English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Mansfield Town  
4 - 4
 Accrington Stanley
Bennett 31, White 45+2, Coulthirst pen 64, Arquin 89.
 
 Beckles 5, McCartan 29, Kee 44, pen 66.
Attendance: 3226 (58 from Accrington)
 
Date: 14 February 2017

STUNNING ARQUIN GOAL RESCUES POINT IN CRAZY GAME

Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill

Mansfield Town rescued a point in a crazy game with Accrington Stanley thanks to a stunning goal from substitute Yoann Arquin after 89 minutes. It was a point the Stags didn’t deserve but reflected the tremendous spirit in the squad, and has to be seen as a good point gained in the circumstances. Mansfield’s performance was mostly atrocious, a far cry from the tremendous performances that had seen them get better and better in a run of 6 wins and a draw in 7 games with just 1 goal conceded, coming into this game. Accrington on the other hand belied their lowly status in the table, and they were the lowest scorers in League Two before this game. Yet they were exceptional going forward, taking the game to Mansfield from the first minute to the last, with former Stags striker Billy Kee impressing hugely along with midfielders Jordan Clark, Shay McCartan and Sean McConville. This quartet were excellent and the Stags defence and midfield couldn’t cope with the way they took the game to Mansfield throughout. Accrington’s time wasting tactics and play-acting were tiresome though and didn’t sit well with their excellent football.

Accrington were ahead after just 5 minutes. McConville’s free kick from the right was not cleared and fell to centre half Omar Beckles unmarked who fired in from 7 yards. They deservedly doubled their lead on 29 minutes. Matty Pearson played a high ball into the area, Krystian Pearce headed partially away but a bad touch from Lee Collins presented the ball to McCartan who turned and fired in from 10 yards. The Stags pulled a goal back just 2 minutes later. A good corner from Joel Byrom to the far post where Pearce headed back across goal and Rhys Bennett bundled the ball over line from close range. It just crossed the line. But Accrington regained their two goal advantage on 44 minutes. Jordan Clark’s ball forward bounced awkwardly for Bennett but he was too easily barged off the ball by Billy Kee who took full advantage and fired a wonderful shot over Jake Kean and into the top left corner of the net from 20 yards. No foul by Kee just good upper body strength. Kee showed good respect for his former club with a muted celebration. Once again the Stags pulled a goal back quickly. On 45+2 minutes, another good delivery from Byrom, this time from a free kick from 30 yards out on the right, floated into the box, Hayden White lost his marker and headed in from 7 yards. Two minutes later, the Stags were nearly level when following another Byrom free kick, Alex MacDonald fired in a magnificent shot from 20 yards that brought an astonishing save from Marek Rodak in the Accrington goal. 3-2 to Accrington at the break and an incredible half of football. Accrington had been brilliant yet the Stags were only denied being on level terms by a wonderful save.

Accrington remained the better side early in the second half. But Mansfield were level on 64 minutes. Mal Benning lumped an up-and-under into the box, and as Pearce challenged for the loose ball he was trip by Pearson. Definite penalty albeit a soft one and no complaints from Pearson. Shaq Coulthirst kept his cool to send Rodak the wrong way from the spot. But this time it was Accrington who scored soon after the restart. On 66 minutes, Kee went down easily as White jumped into him just inside the box. Stupid challenge from White and even Steve Evans agreed it was a penalty. Kee sent Kean the wrong way from the spot. On 73 minutes Mansfield were unlucky as Coulthirst squared across the box and sub CJ Hamilton fired against the post. The Stags rescued a point on 89 minutes. Pearce lobbed the ball forward, White headed it on and Yoann Arquin fired in a great shot from 25 yards into the right corner of the net.

Great spirit from Mansfield to rescue the point. The Stags were atrocious at the back, Kean had a poor game, the entire defence was awful, and the midfield poor in front of them. But this could be a big point come the end of the season. Mention must go to the Mansfield support creating another superb atmosphere and sticking with the team throughout despite the poor performance and dragging the team through to a point. The Stags go to Grimsby for a big game on Saturday and will have to play so much better than this, particularly at the back, to get anything from that game.

Mansfield made one change from the side that beat Hartlepool. Alex MacDonald started instead of Alfie Potter, first start following his deadline day move. On the bench, Baxendale was ill, and replaced by young midfielder Lewis Collins from the U21 side. Lewis Collins had been training with the first team for a couple of weeks. No place in the squad for Ashley Hemmings and Pat Hoban again. Hemmings in particular as a midfielder might have expected to have replaced Baxendale and his alarm bells should be ringing loud that he might not be getting a game anytime soon.

Mansfield had not beaten Accrington in the league since Accrington reformed (11 games). That run was to continue.

It was a lovely night for football. Milder than on Saturday. It was also Valentine’s Day, which will have kept a few fans away.

On 4 minutes, good play from Coulthirst as he got the ball on to his left foot on the edge of the area and fired in a low shot which the keeper saved low to his left.

Accrington were ahead after just 5 minutes. Pearce was adjudged to have fouled McCartan 25 yards out on the Accrington right. Steve Evans was incensed by the decision. From the pitchside video footage, McCartan looked favourite to get the ball, Pearce tries to get the ball from the side, sticks his leg to the right, doesn't get the ball and McCartan goes down over it. I think it probably was a foul. McConville’s free kick from the right was not cleared and fell to centre half Omar Beckles unmarked who fired in from 7 yards.

On 12 minutes, a free kick for Mansfield from the left hand side. Byrom took it to beyond the far post, Whiteman headed back towards the roof of the net and the keeper saved under his own bar.

On 17 minutes, a snap shot from Coulthirst from the edge of the area was well wide.

Accrington were playing particularly well and went close on 21 minutes. A corner from the left came to Pearson through a crowd of players. He couldn’t have seen it until the last second and knocked it over the bar from 4 yards.

It was getting spicy on the pitch with plenty of needle including on both benches.

MacDonald was booked on 27 minutes for a clear foul on McConville. The resulting free kick for Accrington 26 yards out to the right of centre was taken by McCartan who fired wide.

Accrington deservedly doubled their lead on 29 minutes. Pearson played a high ball into the area, Pearce headed partially away but a bad touch from Collins presented the ball to McCartan who turned and fired in from 10 yards.

The Stags pulled a goal back just 2 minutes later. A good corner from Byrom to the far post where Pearce headed back across goal and Bennett bundled the ball over line from close range. It just crossed the line.

The Stags were playing lots of high balls forward to Coulthirst who had no chance of winning them.

Byrom was booked on 41 minutes for a late tackle on Pearson.

Accrington regained their two goal advantage on 44 minutes to make it 1-3. Clark’s ball forward bounced awkwardly for Bennett but he was too easily barged off the ball by Kee who took full advantage and fired a wonderful shot over Kean and into the top left corner of the net from 20 yards. No foul by Kee in my opinion. Kee showed good respect for his former club with a muted celebration.

Once again the Stags pulled a goal back quickly. On 45+2 minutes, another good delivery from Byrom, this time from a free kick from 30 yards out on the right, floated into the box, White lost his marker and headed in from 7 yards.

On 45+4 minutes, the Stags were nearly level when following another Byrom free kick, MacDonald fired in a magnificent shot from 20 yards that brought an astonishing save from Rodak in the Accrington goal. Rodak is on loan from Fulham.

3-2 to Accrington at the break and an incredible half of football. Accrington had been brilliant yet the Stags were only denied being on level terms by a wonderful save.

Half time 2-3

C J Hamilton replaced Byrom at the start of the second half. Evans explained afterwards that Byrom had been booked and then right at the end of the first half, had pulled out of a challenge which, if he had mistimed, could have seen a second yellow card. MacDonald moved to the right hand side and Whiteman into the middle.

On 49 minutes, Jordan Clark cut inside from the right and his shot was deflected just wide. From the resulting corner, Pearson headed against the bar as Kean inexplicably left it. And then the rebound from Pearson headed over the bar. Poor goalkeeping from Kean.

Bennett was booked for a bad foul on the halfway line on 50 minutes.

Kean made another blunder on 52 minutes as he tried to let the ball go out on the byline, Pearson nipped in and tried a shot from a tight angle across the face of goal.

Accrington had again started the second half really well.

On 55 minutes, Danny Rose flicked on, and Hamilton found Coulthirst who fired a soft shot straight to the keeper.

A minute later at the other end, Pearson got to the byline and put a low ball in which was just put behind for a corner.

Mansfield were level on 64 minutes. Benning lumped an up-and-under into the box, and as Pearce challenged for the loose ball he was trip by Pearson. Definite penalty albeit a soft one and no complaints from Pearson. Coulthirst kept his cool to send Rodak the wrong way from the spot.

This time it was Accrington who scored soon after the restart. On 66 minutes, Kee went down easily as White jumped into him just inside the box. Stupid challenge from White and even Steve Evans agreed it was a penalty. Kee sent Kean the wrong way from the spot.

On 71 minutes, McCartan sent a snapshot over the bar.

Green replaced MacDonald on 71 minutes.

On 73 minutes Mansfield were unlucky as Coulthirst squared across the box and CJ Hamilton fired against the post.

On 75 minutes, Pearson headed just wide from McConville’s free kick from the right.

Three minutes later, Kean made a great save to keep the Stags in the game as he tipped McConville’s free kick from the edge of the D against the post.

Arquin replaced Danny Rose on 79 minutes.

On 84 minutes, a quick free kick from the Stags, Whiteman to White, who floated a cross in and Collins headed wide.

Collins was booked for a foul on 85 minutes.

On 89 minutes, Kean came out of his goal and Boco rolled a shot wide of the empty net from 30 yards.

The Stags rescued a point on 89 minutes making it 4-4. Kean miscued a clearance, Pearce lobbed the ball forward, White headed it on and Arquin fired in a great shot from 25 yards into the right corner of the net. The ground erupted.

On 90+2 minutes, Arquin headed on Benning’s throw-in, Green cleverly back-flicked into the path of Hamilton who got to the byline and crossed low for Coulthirst who flicked an effort wide.

On 90+6 minutes, Edwards shot wide from the edge of the area after a terrible clearance from Pearce.

On 90+8 minutes, Green laid off to Arquin tried a shot from just outside the box. It was blocked and the referee blew the full time whistle.

A truly crazy game.

Paul Raynor spent the second half in the Directors’ box after being sent to the stand.

Man of the match: Joel Byrom


Report by: Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill



Line Up:
(4-4-2)
Kean 5 Made a great save from McConville’s free kick. Not at fault for any of the goals. But had a poor evening, inexplicably allowing Pearson’s header to hit the bar, and coming out of his area on two occasions allowing half chances to Accrington.
White 5 Stupid challenge to concede the penalty. Did well to lose his marker and a good header to score his first Stags goal. One good cross for a Collins header. Difficult evening against the lively McConville.
Bennett 4.5 Too weak and easily barged off the ball by Kee for Accrington’s first goal. In the right place to bundle in Mansfield’s first goal. Admitted it wasn’t his best game.
Pearce 5 Good header back across goal for Mansfield’s first goal. Won Mansfield’s penalty. But a poor night defensively.
Benning 4 Given the run-around by the outstanding Jordan Clark.
Whiteman 4 Anonymous performance, after a series of stunning performances. One header that brought a save.
Collins 4 Bad touch presented McCartan with Accrington’s second goal. Admitted he had a poor game.
Byrom 6.5 Good corner for the first goal. Good free kick for the second goal. Good free kick for Whiteman’s header. Didn’t play well from open play. Subbed at half time because he had been booked and then right at the end of the first half, had pulled out of a challenge which, if he had mistimed, could have seen a second yellow card.
MacDonald 5 Magnificent shot from 20 yards that brought an astonishing save. But otherwise contributed very little.
Coulthirst 5.5 Kept his cool to convert the penalty. Very good play on the right to set up Hamilton’s chance. Played better when he moved to the right in the last 20 minutes.
D.Rose 5 Didn’t get much good service. But nothing went his way.
Sub Line Up:
Hamilton (for Byrom, 46 mins) 6 So close to his first Stags goal when he hit the post. Good play late on setting up a chance for Coulthirst
Green (for MacDonald, 71 mins) - Two good pieces of play late on.
Arquin (for D.Rose, 79 mins) - The hero with his 89th minute cracking equaliser. Steve Evans revealed he had previously been carrying a groin strain.
Subs not used: Shearer, McGuire, Lewis Collins, Potter.
Opposition Line Up:
(4-4-2): Rodak; Pearson, Hughes, Beckles, Donacien; Clark, Brown, Conneely, McConville (Clare 90+5); McCartan (Boco 72), Kee (Edwards 82). Subs not used: Chapman, Davies, Husin, Rodgers.

Referee:
Mark Heywood 5.5 Got the major decisions right in my opinion, and even in the opinion of Steve Evans. But the officials otherwise had a bad night and didn’t keep control of the game.


Season 16/17 Reports