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Season 17/18 Stagsnet Match Report
English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Mansfield Town  
3 - 1
 Notts County
Rose 47, 59, Duffy OG 63.
 
 Dickinson 90+2
Attendance: 7072 (1644 from Notts County)
 
Date: 30 September 2017

DOMINANT STAGS HAMMER NOTTS COUNTY AGAIN

Martin Shaw and Simon Chamberlain at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill

Mansfield Town hammered Notts County 3-1 at the One Call Stadium this afternoon with a dominant performance against the current league leaders. The Stags have now scored 11 and conceded just 2 in the last three games against Notts County at home. Mansfield are 10 games unbeaten against Notts County in the league now with the last league defeat in 2005. Notts County had won 6 games on the trot and not lost since the opening day of the season. Mansfield had the better of the first half and missed some good opportunities to go in ahead at the break. But a tremendous opportunistic effort from Danny Rose on 47 minutes, lifting the ball over the advancing keeper, gave the Stags a deserved lead. Mansfield increased the lead on 59 minutes when substitute Omari Sterling-James put in a fine cross from the right, Kane Hemmings headed down towards the bottom left corner of the net, the keeper scooped the ball against the inside of the post and Danny Rose knocked it over the line. In commentary, I initially credited it as Hemmings’ goal, but from the video it appears to be Danny Rose’s goal. The Stags sealed the game after 63 minutes when the outstanding Rose received a quick throw-in from Sterling-James, crossed low into the middle and defender Richard Duffy sliced the ball into the his own net from 3 yards. The Stags had chances to make it even more emphatic, including Alex MacDonald somehow firing wide from 14 yards after a fabulous touch from Rose. Notts County scored a consolation goal on 90+2 minutes when Dickinson fired in a great free kick from 28 yards, despite Conrad Logan getting a hand on it. County nearly put a false impression on the scoreline on 90+4 minutes with a header from Brisley that hit the bar. A fine performance from Mansfield, just what was needed after the terrible showing at Cheltenham. Danny Rose was quite outstanding. Alex MacDonald had a fine game on the left though should have scored. Omari Sterling-James did well on the right after replacing the injured Alfie Potter. Calum Butcher had a very solid game, especially in the second half putting his foot on the ball, playing simple passes, and getting stuck in. At the back, Krystian Pearce had a very good game, winning almost everything, David Mirfin was generally solid alongside him, and Paul Anderson impressed hugely stepping in at right back with Bennett not fully recovered from a virus and White still injured.

Mansfield made four changes from the side that lost so disappointingly at Cheltenham. Bennett was not recovered from a virus so not 100% fit, while White was still injured. So Paul Anderson moved to right back. Anderson had played some games at right back in the Championship according to Evans. Angol was also struggling to shake off a virus and just 90% fit, so he didn’t start. In came Kane Hemmings. Alfie Potter and Alex MacDonald came in to the wide positions in midfield. Atkinson moved into central midfield. Butcher came into the side and joined him in central midfield, surprisingly, at the expense of Mellis who dropped to the bench (despite being the best player at Cheltenham in my opinion). Evans wanted more bite in midfield today, and his decision was vindicated.

Former Stags Terry Hawkridge and Nicky Hunt were on the bench for Notts County.

The match was played for the Matt Salmon trophy in memory of the former physio, who died recently aged 25, and represented both clubs, and there was a minute's applause in the 25th minute.

It was the latest in the series of 8 (eight) 1pm kick-offs this season, on the insistence of the police. That’s 20% of the afternoon fixtures this season. PC Carl Gabbitas of Mansfield Police tweeted during the week that “Kick off changes occur if intelligence suggests it will help prevent disorder. I feel your frustration and the decision is not taken lightly”.

It was a cracking atmosphere with a crowd of over 7,000. The game was mostly played in sunshine.

The attendance of 7072 was the biggest for a game since the Liverpool FA Cup game in January 2013 of 7574. It was the biggest for a league game since the Gateshead “pay what you want” game in the Conference in February 2010 of 7261. It was the biggest for a Football League game since the game with Notts County in October 2004 of 7682.

On 6 minutes, Hemmings won a free kick after he was fouled by Duffy 30 yards out. MacDonald floated in a fine ball, which was flicked on by Hemmings and gave Rose a clear sight of goal but he missed the ball at the left post. It was a good opportunity.

At the other end a minute later, Jorge Grant fired in a shot from 18 yards which Potter deflected over the bar. From the resulting corner, Grant fired in another shot which was deflected over the bar by Anderson.

Following the next corner, Logan launched the ball downfield with good accuracy, Rose did well to reach it and his shot from the edge of the area was blocked.

On 18 minutes, Potter fouled Grant on the edge of the Stags area to the left of centre. Grant’s free kick was deflected over his own bar by Hunt.

The Stags were close to taking the lead on 20 minutes. Atkinson was fouled to the right of centre, 26 yards from goal. MacDonald curled a fine shot towards the top of the net of the right, and keeper Collin superbly tipped it over. A fine free kick. It’s been a while since the Stags last scored with a direct free kick from outside the area, has there been one since Adam Chapman in this fixture two years ago? (update, thanks to frt1987 on Stagsnet who reminds us that Chris Clements scored from a free kick at Accrington just over a year ago).

Another good chance for the Stags on 22 minutes. Butcher chipped a delightful ball forward to Hemmings, who appeared to have time to control and shoot, but elected to volley as it came over his shoulder, and fired well wide.

Then the third good chance for Mansfield in a 6 minute spell, as a MacDonald corner from the right on 26 minutes, reached Pearce on the left, who fired a low cross across the face of goal, which Hemmings somehow knocked over the bar from 3 yards. Great play from Pearce.

On 30 minutes, good play from the Stags, Anderson put in a fine cross from the right, Rose made the slightest of contact, and it still reached Hemmings at the far post who sent it wide. It wouldn’t have counted as the offside flag was up as Rose touched it on to Hemmings. However it was a terrific move from the Stags.

Alfie Potter, who had started the game well, had to go off with an injury on 33 minutes, to be replaced by Omari Sterling-James. Sterling-James slotted in to the right midfield.

MacDonald did well to win a free kick on the left on 34 minutes with a fine run. He took the resulting free kick himself but it was too close to the keeper.

A chance for Notts County on 41 minutes. There appeared to be a clear foul on Anderson by Grant in the Stags box, but the referee played on as Grant crossed to Alessandra who sidefooted over the bar from 10 yards.

On 43 minutes, good defending by Pearce as Forte nearly created a chance on the edge of the area.

Mansfield had the better of the first half and missed some good opportunities to go in ahead at the break, though Notts County had chances of their own. Pearce had a fine first half, Anderson was slotting in well at right back. MacDonald had a good first half, and was denied by a terrific save from his free kick.

Half time 0-0

Mansfield were deservedly ahead on 47 minutes. Butcher lobbed a high ball forward from inside his own half, Duffy tried to head the ball back to his keeper but headed it up more than back, Rose nipped in and lifted it over the advancing keeper into the empty net from 15 yards out to the left of centre. A tremendous opportunistic effort from Rose.

On 51 minutes, Logan punched away a Grant free kick from the left.

On 54 minutes, Notts County went close to equalising. Tootle crossed from the byline on the right, Grant knocked it back across goal and Forte bundled a shot goalwards from 6 yards which Mirfin cleared off the line. Right place at the right time from Mirfin.

On 55 minutes, Rose was fouled 2 yards outside the area to the right of the area. MacDonald’s free kick nearly reached Pearce at the far post but was headed away.

Mansfield increased the lead on 59 minutes. Substitute Sterling-James put in a fine cross from the right, Hemmings headed down towards the bottom left corner of the net, the keeper scooped the ball against the inside of the post and Rose knocked it over the line. In commentary, I initially credited it as Hemmings’ goal, but from the video it appears to be Rose’s goal. Unfortunately we don't have pitchside footage, which would have been definitive, as the camera is in for repair. So we only have one angle.

Hemmings was booked for a foul halfway inside his own half on 60 minutes.

The Stags sealed the game after 63 minutes when the outstanding Rose received a quick throw-in from Sterling-James, crossed low into the middle and defender Richard Duffy sliced the ball into the his own net from 3 yards.

On 74 minutes, Sterling-James won a free kick on the right hand side, 2 yards outside the area. MacDonald’s free kick to the far post found Pearce who headed over with a firm contact. Fine free kick from MacDonald, Pearce should have got it on target.

Rose epitomised his 100% never give up attitude chasing back a lost cause on 76 minutes and should have won a throw-in which was actually given to Notts County.

On 82 minutes, Tootle slipped in the area near the byline under pressure from MacDonald and Notts County fans claimed a penalty, correctly not given by ref Darren Drysdale.

County fans were leaving in their droves yet again from the One Call stadium.

On 85 minutes, a great cross from the right by Rose, and a brilliant defensive header away by Dickinson under pressure from Hemmings.

Spencer replaced Hemmings on 86 minutes. A good reception for Hemmings who had worked tirelessly and was unlucky that the second goal wasn’t his.

On 87 minutes, MacDonald fizzed a shot wide from the corner of the penalty area on the left.

The Stags should have made the scoreline even more emphatic on 89 minutes when MacDonald fired wide from 14 yards after a fabulous touch from Rose.

Angol replaced Rose on 89 minutes. Rose came off to a heck of a standing ovation.

Notts County scored a consolation goal on 90+2 minutes when Dickinson fired in a great free kick from 28 yards, into the top right corner, despite Logan getting a hand on it after MacDonald had conceded the free kick for a high boot.

And Notts County nearly put a false impression on the scoreline on 90+4 minutes with a header from Brisley at the far post that hit the bar.

A thoroughly good performance from Mansfield and a convincing victory. We fully expected a good performance from Mansfield bouncing back from the defeat at Cheltenham as we said in our report of the Cheltenham game, and we certainly got it here, just as Mansfield did against Luton bouncing back from the other defeat of the season at Accrington. On to Colchester next week and the Stags will be looking to follow up with another good performance.

Man of the match: Danny Rose


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



Line Up:
(4-4-2):
Logan 6 Got a hand on the free kick for the goal but didn’t keep it put. Didn’t have any other shots to save. One punch away from a free kick.
Anderson 8 Impressed hugely stepping in at right back. One fine block on a shot to deflect it over the bar. One particularly good cross.
Pearce 8 Very good game, winning almost everything. At the other end, should have scored with a header and set up a good chance for Hemmings.
Mirfin 8 Important clearance off the line. Solid game. A couple of minor mistakes.
Hunt 7 Solid at left back and warranting his place ahead of Benning for his defending. One fine block on a shot to deflect it over the bar.
Potter 7 Had started the game well, but had to go off with an injury on 33 minutes.
Atkinson 7 Workmanlike performance as Mansfield had more bite in midfield.
Butcher 7 Very solid game, especially in the second half putting his foot on the ball, playing simple passes, and getting stuck in.
MacDonald 7.5 Fine game on the left though should have scored near the end, and was denied by a great save from his free kick in the first half. Some good set pieces.
Hemmings 7 Worked tirelessly and was unlucky that the second goal wasn’t his. Missed two good chances in the first half.
Rose 9 Quite outstanding. Scored two, then his cross resulted in the third goal, also set up a great chance for MacDonald with a fabulous touch.
Sub Line Up:
Sterling-James (for Potter, 33 mins) 7 Fine cross for the second goal. Slotted in well in place of Potter on the right.
Spencer (for Hemmings, 86 mins) -
Angol (for Rose, 89 mins).
Subs not used: Olejnik, Bennett, Mellis, Hamilton.
Opposition Line Up:
(4-4-2): Collin; Tootle, Duffy (Hewitt 67), Brisley, Dickinson; Alessandra (Hawkridge 67), Yates, Milsom, Grant; Forte (Ameobi 67), Stead. Subs not used: Pindroch, Smith, Hunt, Walker.
Referee:
Darren Drysdale 8 Had a very fine game.


Season 17/18 Reports