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Season 17/18 Stagsnet Match Report
English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Accrington Stanley  
2 - 1
 Mansfield Town
Jackson 10, Kee 90+1.
 
 Angol 25
Attendance: 1,645 (481 from Mansfield)
 
Date: 19 August 2017

STAGS DOMINATE POSSESSION BUT ACCRINGTON STEAL IT AT THE DEATH

Martin Shaw at the Wham Stadium, Crown Ground

Mansfield Town dominated possession at Accrington Stanley this afternoon without producing enough quality especially in the final third, and allowed Accrington to steal an undeserved victory in stoppage time. It was a bitter pill for the Stags to swallow in a game which neither side deserved to win. The Stags started the game right on top but Accrington took the lead on 10 minutes with their first attack. A high ball into the box from Donacien was beautifully controlled by the talented Kayden Jackson, who then turned, leaving Krystian Pearce and Zander Diamond standing, before firing under Conrad Logan. It was a goal of great skill, but both Stags central defenders would be hoping to do better there. The Stags were deservedly level on 25 minutes. A long ball forward from Conrad Logan was superbly headed on by Danny Rose, leaping high above his marker Hughes. The keeper and Lee Angol seemed to get to the ball at exactly the same time with Angol’s boot nicking the ball away as it hit the keeper’s gloves. The ball fell kindly for Angol to roll it into the empty net. Excellent work by Angol nipping in quickly, but the keeper was not happy. From the video, the keeper did not have the ball under control despite getting his gloves on it and the referee made the correct decision. The remainder of the first half was feisty, and the Stags were the better side as well as having chances to take the lead. The second half saw the Stags dominate possession again but with little quality going forward, and creating almost no chances. Accrington had little of the play but in the last 10 minutes started to look more dangerous going forward, and won the game in stoppage time from a corner. McConville’s corner from the left was headed down by Ben Richards-Everton, fortuitously bounced off Hughes, and Billy Kee was quickest to react in a scramble hooking the ball home from close range. Kee showing those fox-in-the-box reactions that he sadly failed to demonstrate when he was a Stags player, though he had done it previously at Burton, and subsequently at Accrington. It was a sickener for the Stags, and the dreadful run against Accrington now extends to league 13 games in which Mansfield have failed to beat them since Accrington reformed and returned to the Football League.

There was tragic news at lunchtime that former manager Duncan Russell had passed away after a short battle with cancer. Russell had led the Stags to the FA Trophy final at Wembley in 2011. He was genuinely a lovely bloke. Deepest condolences to his family. RIP Russ.

Mansfield made one change from the side that beat Forest Green, with CJ Hamilton coming in for Joel Byrom. Atkinson moved to the middle of midfield, and Anderson to the right. No place for Jacob Mellis, who I noted in pre-season should be the first name on the team sheet in my opinion to provide that much-needed creativity. Mellis had had a bit of a virus nearly two weeks ago which kept him out of the Forest Green game, but he was available to start here. MacDonald and Potter were not available due to returning from injury and a slight calf strain respectively.

Accrington included Billy Kee, after a story emerged this morning that he has been charged with grievous bodily harm, to appear in court on September 18.

The Stags started on the front foot and had the first chance on 2 minutes. Atkinson was chopped down 35 yards from goal in a central position. Angol took the resulting free kick but sent it well over the bar.

On 4 minutes, a good cross from White, Hamilton headed back across goal but the keeper got there just in front of Angol. It was a good move.

On 8 minutes, Anderson fired in a low shot from 25 yards straight at the keeper.

Accrington took the lead on 10 minutes with their first attack. A high ball into the box from Donacien was beautifully controlled by the talented Kayden Jackson, who then turned, leaving Krystian Pearce and Zander Diamond standing, before firing under Conrad Logan. It was a goal of great skill, but both Stags central defenders would be hoping to do better there.

On 20 minutes, Hamilton was chopped down on the edge of the area to the left of centre. Benning took the resulting free kick but fired it straight into the wall. It looped up into the air and the keeper punched away.

On 22 minutes, Jordan Clark tried a shot from wide on the right but it was straight at Logan. On 24 minutes, a high corner from Anderson and the keeper did well to punch away under pressure from Diamond.

The Stags were deservedly level on 25 minutes. A long ball forward from Conrad Logan was superbly headed on by Danny Rose, leaping high above his marker Hughes. The keeper and Lee Angol seemed to get to the ball at exactly the same time with Angol’s boot nicking the ball away as it hit the keeper’s gloves. The ball fell kindly for Angol to roll it into the empty net. Excellent work by Angol nipping in quickly, but the keeper was not happy. From the video, the keeper did not have the ball under control despite getting his gloves on it and the referee made the correct decision.

On 30 minutes, Hughes went down under a challenge from Angol right under the nose of the referee. It looked a naughty challenge to me from Angol but the referee waved play on. Hughes was then booked for protesting. The referee awarded an uncontested drop ball which Accrington then knocked into Mansfield’s half and chased down forcing the Stags to put it into touch. That was unsporting from Accrington but demonstrated that there was needle in the game and they felt there’d been an injustice.

The Stags went close on 34 minutes. Benning took a free kick from the left, Diamond leapt well and headed just over. A good set piece.

Moments later a good move from the Stags involving Angol and Benning who fed Hamilton who fired a right footed cross-shot from the left just wide of the right post.

On 37 minutes, White did well to hold off Jackson in the area despite the home fans’ cries for a penalty.

Another good chance for the Stags on 39 minutes. Hamilton played the ball in. It fell to Digby in a good position on the edge of the box but he miscued a left footed shot wide of the right post.

A free kick for the Stags on 43 minutes won by Benning. Anderson took the free kick with a high ball into the area but the keeper held it just under his own bar.

A chance for Accrington on 45 minutes. A free kick from the right to the far post where Beckles headed back across goal and just wide of the right post.

Then on 45+2 minutes, Benning’s corner from the right, Diamond got in front of his marker at the near post and headed wide of the right post.

A lively first half, the Stags the better team, Accrington ahead out of the blue but the Stags deservedly level.

Half time 1-1

On 51 minutes, a Benning free kick into the area, the keeper came out and dropped it but a foul was generously given by the referee.

On 55 minutes, great play from Anderson on the right to get himself into a position to cross but his cross was put behind for a corner. At the other end a minute later, Pearce did well to head back to Logan under pressure.

On 61 minutes, Hughes committed a blatant foul on Angol right in front of us but the hapless referee waved play on. It was an extraordinary decision. Hughes was fortunate, especially as he had been booked in the first half.

On 64 minutes, good play between Angol and White, and Angol got in a shot from a tight angle on the right which was blocked for a throw in. Moments later, good play from Rose to find Hamilton with a header, but Hamilton’s shot was blocked almost at source.

On 66 minutes, Benning took a good corner from the right to beyond the far post where Pearce headed wide of the left post.

The Stags were right on top but chances were at a premium.

On 73 minutes, a great move from the Stags but again they couldn’t produce a chance.

Sterling-James replaced Hamilton on 74 minutes. Hamilton had given the home defence plenty of problems with his pace but mostly his final product hadn’t been good enough. Sterling-James slotted on to the left wing.

On 77 minutes, a McConville free kick, Hughes rose highest and headed over the bar.

On 78 minutes, brilliant defending from Benning as Accrington crossed from the left and Benning cleared to prevent Jordan Clark from having a tap in.

Spencer replaced Rose on 78 minutes.

Digby was lucky to escape a yellow card for a foul on Nolan on the halfway line on 81 minutes.

On 82 minutes, a long throw from Accrington sailed straight across the 6 yard box then White was lucky as he lost the ball but the ball ran out for a goal kick.

Pearce gave away an unnecessary free kick on 84 minutes. The free kick was well headed away by Diamond, sparing his partner’s blushes.

A good move from the Stags on the right on 85 minutes involving Anderson and Digby but the cross was too close to the keeper.

Mellis replaced Angol on 86 minutes. Sterling-James joined Spencer upfront.

On 89 minutes, a great move from the Stags, a fine run from Atkinson, to Mellis, to Sterling-James who won a corner on the left. From that resulting corner, Pearce was booked for chopping down Jackson on the halfway line. The resulting free kick, as we now moved into stoppage time, was headed behind for a corner by Pearce, but from the pitchside video it seemed that Pearce was pushed in the back and it should have been a foul.

That was costly to the Stags as Accrington won the game from the resulting corner. McConville’s corner from the left was headed down by Ben Richards-Everton, fortuitously bounced off Hughes, and Billy Kee was quickest to react in a scramble hooking the ball home from close range.

So Accrington stole it at the death having not shown much ambition to win the game until the final few minutes. 1-1 would have been a fair result but the Stags are left to lick their wounds and go again against Luton next week.

Man of the match: Mal Benning

Report by: Martin Shaw at the Wham Stadium, Crown Ground



Line Up:
(4-4-2):
Logan 6 Had no chance with the first goal. Should he have done better with the second goal and come for it rather than stay on his goal-line? I personally there were too many bodies between the goal-line and where the ball was headed down, for him to be sure to get there. That said, I think from what we have seen so far that Olejnik commands his area better and would be my first choice keeper at present.
White 6 Had a couple of uncertain moments at the back. Not at his best.
Diamond 6.5 Could have done better with the first Accrington goal. Other than that, defended well. Did well to win a couple of headers at the other end which went close.
Pearce 5.5 Could have done better with the first Accrington goal. Gave away too many free kicks, one of which eventually led to the winner, though he was unlucky to concede the corner following that free kick.
Benning 8 Some very good defending. Got forward well. Some good set pieces which created two chances for Diamond and one for Pearce.
Anderson 7 Good game. Involved in most of the good things the Stags did going forward.
Atkinson 7 Decent game. One great run in the second half.
Digby 6 Fell below his usual standards. Poor shot from a good position in the first half.
Hamilton 5.5 Gave the home defence plenty of problems with his pace but mostly his final product wasn’t good enough. Was a surprising selection for this game, I would have played Atkinson out wide, and Mellis in the middle. I would expect MacDonald to come in for him next week now that he is getting back fit.
Angol 7 Excellent work nipping in quickly for his goal. Otherwise one or two good moments, but I’d like to see more from him. Poor shot from a free kick.
Rose 7 Superb header to set up Angol’s goal, and another super header to set up a chance for Hamilton.
Sub Line Up:
Sterling-James (for Hamilton, 74 mins) -
Spencer (for Rose, 78 mins) -
Mellis (for Angol, 86 mins) -
Subs not used: Olejnik, Bennett, Mirfin, Byrom.
Opposition Line Up:
(4-4-2) Chapman; Donacien, Hughes, Richards-Everton, Beckles; Clark, Nolan, Conneely, McConville; Jackson, Kee. Subs not used: Brown, Edwards, McLeod, Jorgensen, Sykes, Dallison, Ogle.
Referee:
Darren Bond 5 Got the decision on the Stags goal correct, but made some very poor decisions, for both sides.


Season 17/18 Reports