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Season 17/18 Stagsnet Match Report
English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Grimsby Town  
1 - 1
 Mansfield Town
M.Rose 10.
 
 Angol 80
Attendance: 5704 (682 from Mansfield)
 
Date: 26 December 2017

ANGOL GOAL EARNS POINT FOR STAGS AT GRIMSBY

Martin Shaw at Blundell Park

Mansfield Town earned a deserved draw at Grimsby this afternoon thanks to a Lee Angol equaliser on 80 minutes, which cancelled out an early goal from former Stag Mitch Rose. Grimsby were in front on 10 minutes. Hayden White tried to beat two men halfway inside his own half, lost his footing and lost the ball, allowing Mitch Rose to run at goal and into the area, he got a bit of luck as the ball ricocheted off Johnny Hunt’s heel allowing him a free shot past Conrad Logan from 12 yards. Good play from Mitch Rose, though he had that little bit of luck along the way, but poor from Hayden White. White needs to learn to try to go past players in the right area of the pitch, and not lose the ball halfway inside his own half. During an even first half, the Stags had chances to equalise as Krystian Pearce fired wide from a great position which he created with a wonderful first touch in the area after a cross from White was flicked on by Paul Anderson, and a clean header from Zander Diamond which was straight at the keeper from an Alex MacDonald cross. At the other end, White partially atoned for his error, with a great diving challenge to block a goalbound shot from Martyn Woolford. The Stags could have been level on 54 minutes when Paul Anderson headed straight at the keeper from Rhys Bennett’s cross, but straight to the other end and Mitch Rose was within a whisker of doubling the lead. Jamille Matt’s clever ball put Mitch Rose through on goal in the area, he tried to take the ball past Logan, but Logan got enough on the ball to knock it against Rose and just wide of the post. Good from Logan and he earned the bit of luck which sent the ball just wide. Mitch Rose was close again on 76 minutes, as a corner from the right to the far post, was headed back across goal by Danny Collins, and Mitch Rose flicked a header towards the net from close range, but Kane Hemmings was up to block the header away for a corner. The Stags were level on 80 minutes. CJ Hamilton ran towards the box on the left, and crossed into the middle, full back Ben Davies took a terrible first touch presenting substitute Lee Angol with a chance to shoot, which he accepted gleefully, firing in off the left post from 10 yards. A howler from Ben Davies but clinical from Angol. A great moment for Angol, who likes playing against Grimsby and hopefully he can gain confidence from this and kick on now. The Stags had a glorious chance to win it on 83 minutes as Paul Anderson put in a wonderful ball from the right and Danny Rose knocked over the bar from 5 yards with his right foot. The ball was bouncing up and in hindsight he’ll probably feel he should have tried to head it in. Then on 85 minutes, sub Alfie Potter cut into the area on the left and sent a cross-shot just wide of the right post. On 87 minutes, a great cross from MacDonald from the left and Pearce powered a header wide of the left post. That was a great chance. So Mansfield ended up looking the more likely winners in a game in which they trailed for 70 minutes, but overall a draw was fair in my opinion in what was an exciting game in the second half. Mansfield remain just three points outside the top 3, and one point outside the play-offs. On to Wycombe on Saturday, and a big test against a side three points ahead of the Stags.

Steve Evans made four changes to the side that beat Morecambe on Saturday and they were mainly about bringing freshness to the side during the busy Christmas period. Pearce came in for Bennett. Evans explained that Bennett looked tired in spells on Saturday. Hunt came in for Benning. Evans explained that if it had been a home game, Benning would probably have played. Evans said that the midfield was picked to be full of energy. Anderson came in on the right wing, Mellis came in to the centre, MacDonald moved into the centre. Out went Digby and Butcher.

Grimsby made one change to the side that lost at Luton. Woolford came in for Jaiyesimi. Mitch Rose started in central midfield. They had the hugely talented Siriki Dembele on the right wing. He is expected to be off to a higher league in January, and apparently two Premier League teams are tracking him. Prior to the defeat at Luton, Grimsby had a major upturn in form, with three wins, plus a draw at Notts County, in the previous four games.

Before the game, I chatted to Steve Evans about the actions of 2 or 3 supporters in the West Stand lower tier who were completely over the top in their abuse aimed at the Stags management in the dugout when Kane Hemmings was substituted on Saturday. Several fans who sit in that area of the ground had contacted me since Saturday to give me their account of events and ask that I explain to Steve Evans that this is just a minority of people displaying idiotic behaviour, and most fans are right behind them and the team. Evans has told me previously that he knows he is sometimes a bit immature on the touchline, but he’s doing his absolute best to get Mansfield promoted. Incidentally he told me today that on his 5 previous visits to Grimsby as a manager, he’s been sent off every time. Today despite plenty of provocation from the home fans, he managed to avoid getting sent off, and though he was spoken to by the ref at one point, it seemed to be over a trivial point.

It was a bright and sunny Boxing Day. Perfect for football.

On 3 minutes, a mistake at the back by Grimsby presented the ball to Danny Rose, Rose tried to find Hemmings but it was a poor ball.

Grimsby were in front on 10 minutes. Hayden White tried to beat two men halfway inside his own half, lost his footing as he twisted and turned, and lost the ball, allowing Mitch Rose to run at goal and into the area, he got a bit of luck as the ball ricocheted off Johnny Hunt’s heel allowing him a free shot past Conrad Logan from 12 yards. Hunt was unlucky with the ball coming off his heel before he turned and was off balance as he miskicked the ball allowing Mitch Rose the free shot. Good play from Mitch Rose, though he had that little bit of luck along the way, but poor from Hayden White. White needs to learn to try to go past players in the right area of the pitch, and not lose the ball halfway inside his own half.

On 13 minutes, Pearce fired wide from a great position which he created with a wonderful first touch in the area after a cross from White was flicked on by Anderson. Two minutes later, a clean header from Zander Diamond was straight at the keeper from a MacDonald cross.

On 17 minutes, White’s free kick in was just cleared by Grimsby. At the other end a minute later, White partially atoned for his error, with a great diving challenge to block a goalbound shot from Martyn Woolford.

On 19 minutes, Hamilton pushed forward down the left, his cross was deflected up and recycled to Anderson on the right who crossed back in and Rose sent a volley high and wide.

On 32 minutes, another Stags cross in and Hamilton flicked on but straight to the keeper.

Grimsby were forced into a change on 33 minutes. Keeper James McKeown, who’s been with Grimsby for as long as I can remember, limped off with a groin injury. He was replaced by Ben Killip who has just played a couple of Checkatrade Trophy games.

Hayden White was booked on 35 minutes for clipping Jones.

On 40 minutes, Hemmings put in a good cross from the right, Rose flicked goalwards but there was no danger.

Hunt became the second Mansfield player booked when Mitch Rose knocked the ball past him and Hunt pulled him down, on 43 minutes. The resulting free kick from wide on the right was taken to the far post where Danny Rose brilliantly headed it away with Danny Collins waiting for a free header behind him.

Mitch Rose, who’d earlier been booked, got away with a deliberate foul on 45 minutes. Two minutes later, Hayden White, who’d also earlier been booked, brought down Matt and would now have to be very careful. The resulting free kick taken by Summerfield was headed wide by Mitch Rose but the offside flag was up.

On 45+4 minutes, Grimsby broke and Macdonald did very well to send a header back to Logan.

An even first half, without too much goalmouth action, but Grimsby ahead with that mistake by White, a bit of luck for Mitch Rose and then a good finish. Disappointing from Mansfield.

Half time 1-0

Bennett replaced White at the break and slotted in at right back. Evans explained after the game that the referee had told him one more foul for White and he would be off.

On 47 minutes, a good move from the Stags involving Danny Rose, Anderson and Mellis, ended with Danny Rose firing over the bar from 25 yards. Two minutes later, another Stags attack, Hunt crossed from the left, Rose headed up but the keeper claimed.

On 51 minutes, Ben Davies crossed in from the left and Woolford stabbed an effort wide.

Young keeper Killip was lucky on 53 minutes when he booted a kick from his hands which hit Hemmings on the back and ricocheted away for a throw in. Hemmings had done nothing wrong and the keeper was lucky as the rebound could have gone anywhere.

The Stags could have been level on 54 minutes when Anderson headed straight at the keeper from Bennett’s cross. Danny Rose was booked as the keeper went to clear, Rose headed the ball out of his left hand, as the keeper held the ball with one hand. From the video, Rose appears to be arguing the keeper only had the ball in one hand, but that is still a foul as the keeper clearly had the ball under control.

Straight to the other end and Mitch Rose was within a whisker of doubling the lead. Jamille Matt’s clever ball put Mitch Rose through on goal in the area, he tried to take the ball past Logan, but Logan got enough on the ball to knock it against Rose and just wide of the post. Good from Logan and he earned the bit of luck which sent the ball just wide.

On 57 minutes, Hamilton hammered a powerful ball across the face of the goal, it ricocheted to Anderson who knocked it into the side netting from the right. On 64 minutes, a long ball forward from Logan, Danny Rose flicked on but the keeper got to it just before Hemmings.

Macdonald’s corner from the left on 68 minutes reached Mellis whose shot from 10 yards was blocked. Straight to the other end and Hamilton did well to head a ball away.

Mitch Rose pushed Pearce away on 71 minutes, not seen by the referee. He had earlier been booked.

A shot from Danny Rose from 14 yards was blocked on 74 minutes following a Stags throw in.

Mitch Rose was close again on 76 minutes, as a corner from the right to the far post, was headed back across goal by Danny Collins, and Mitch Rose flicked a header towards the net from close range, but Kane Hemmings was up to block the header away for a corner.

Potter replaced Hunt on 77 minutes as Stags switched to three at the back. Hamilton moved to left wing back, Potter to right wing back and Bennett joined Diamond and Pearce in central defence.

Angol replaced Hemmings on 78 minutes. It was never intended that Hemmings would play the full game.

On 79 minutes, Anderson sent a poor shot wide of the right post from 22 yards.

The Stags were level on 80 minutes. Hamilton ran towards the box on the left, and crossed into the middle, full back Ben Davies took a terrible first touch presenting substitute Angol with a chance to shoot, which he accepted gleefully, firing in off the left post from 10 yards. A howler from Ben Davies but clinical from Angol. A great moment for Angol, who likes playing against Grimsby and hopefully he can gain confidence from this and kick on now.

The Stags had a glorious chance to win it on 83 minutes as Anderson put in a wonderful ball from the right and Danny Rose knocked over the bar from 5 yards with his right foot. The ball was bouncing up and in hindsight he’ll probably feel he should have tried to head it in.

A brilliant take by Logan from a corner on 84 minutes.

Then on 85 minutes, sub Alfie Potter cut into the area on the left and sent a cross-shot just wide of the right post.

On 86 minutes, a good header away by Pearce.

On 87 minutes, a great cross from MacDonald from the left and Pearce powered a header well wide of the left post. That was a great chance but a long way wide.

A great tackle by Hamilton on 88 minutes to put the ball out for a throw in. A Grimsby shot from Woolford was blocked by his own man Vernon on 89 minutes, after outstanding work on the right by the superb Dembele. Grimsby claimed for a penalty on 90 minutes, but it didn’t look convincing. From the video, Mitch Rose went down far too easily under pressure from MacDonald, with his back to goal, on the edge of the area. On reflection, it was the third time in the game Mitch Rose could have had a second yellow card.

Three minutes were added on. In the first of those minutes, good defending by Pearce inside his own area. Stags were unable to create another chance. So Mansfield ended up looking the more likely winners in a game in which they trailed for 70 minutes, but overall a draw was fair in my opinion in what was an exciting game in the second half.

Man of the match: No-one excelled in a reasonable performance overall. Easier to pick out Grimsby’s man of the match, as Siriki Dembele was excellent and Mitch Rose caused Mansfield lots of problems.

Report by: Martin Shaw at Blundell Park



Line Up:
(4-4-2)
Logan 7 Did enough to stop Mitch Rose scoring when he knocked the ball against Rose and it rebounded just wide of the post. One great take from a corner.
White 5 Poor error led to the Grimsby goal. Partially atoned with a great diving challenge to block a goalbound shot. Booked and had to be subbed at half time as the ref told Evans that one more foul and he would be off.
Diamond 6.5 Fairly solid. One clean header straight at the keeper.
Pearce 7 Good game. Fired wide from a great position which he created with a wonderful first touch in the area. Some good defending.
Hunt 5.5 Unlucky with the Grimsby goal in my opinion. Was made to look pretty average by Siriki Dembele on the right wing, who is outstanding and about to move up the leagues according to the local hacks.
Anderson 7 Put in a wonderful ball for a great chance for Danny Rose. One header straight at the keeper and one shot into the side netting.
MacDonald 7 A couple of great crosses, one set up a great chance for Pearce. Some good defensive work.
Mellis 7 Decent game, particularly in the second half.
Hamilton 7 A couple of good balls into dangerous areas. Some very good defensive work.
Rose 7 Good chance to be the matchwinner again when he knocked over the bar from 5 yards with his right foot. The ball was bouncing up and in hindsight he’ll probably feel he should have tried to head it in. One brilliant header away from a Grimsby corner. Decent game.
Hemmings 7 One good cross. Very important block on the line from Mitch Rose’s close range goalbound header.
Sub Line Up:
Bennett (for White, 46 mins) 7 Did well at right back.
Potter (for Hunt, 77 mins) - Sent a cross-shot just wide of the right post.
Angol (for Hemmings, 78 mins) - The hero with the equaliser. A great moment for Angol and hopefully he can gain confidence from this and kick on now.
Subs not used: Olejnik, Atkinson, Butcher, Spencer.
Opposition Line Up:
(4-4-2): McKeown (Killip 32); Mills, Clarke, Collins, Davies; Dembele, M.Rose, Summerfield, Woolford; Jones (Hooper 75), Matt (Vernon 70). Subs not used: Dixon, Osborne, Berrett, Jaiyesimi.
Referee:
Darren England 7 Generally handled the game well.


Season 17/18 Reports