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Season 17/18 Stagsnet Match Report
English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Mansfield Town  
3 - 1
 Carlisle United
Hemmings 9, 75, Rhys Bennett 31.
 
 Devitt pen 67
Attendance: 3632 (320 from Carlisle)
 
Date: 1 January 2018

STAGS BEAT CARLISLE TO CONTINUE RUN

Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill

Mansfield Town continued their good run with a 3-1 win over Carlisle United at the One Call Stadium this afternoon. The win made it a very happy New Year for the Stags and a fantastic festive period with 10 points from 4 games that has propelled them into the play-off zone and just one point behind third place. Indeed had Coventry not beaten the hapless Chesterfield, the Stags would be level on points with third place. Every cloud has a silver lining I suppose. Mansfield have now lost just once in the last 18 games in all competitions. The Stags were off to a fast start with CJ Hamilton setting the scene on a dynamic personal display winning a corner after just 13 seconds. It was Carlisle who had the best early chance through with Tom Miller firing wide from an unmarked position. The Stags were gifted the lead on 9 minutes. Danny Grainger, so often impressive against the Stags in the past, left a backpass to his keeper short from the edge of the box, Kane Hemmings anticipated it superbly and nipped in to intercept, taking the ball around the keeper and sliding home from a tight angle on the right. A real goalpoacher’s goal from Hemmings. More poor defending from Carlisle assisted Mansfield in doubling the lead on 31 minutes. A high ball into the area from Alex MacDonald was fluffed by Tom Miller, Hemmings laid a clever ball forward to the byline for Hamilton who pulled back to Lee Angol. Angol used the outside of his right foot to flick the ball over the keeper from an angle on the left, the keeper could only fingertip the ball up towards the right corner of the net where Rhys Bennett knocked it over the line from a yard out. Great skill from Angol again, after his wonderful goal at Wycombe on Saturday. Our pitchside video footage confirms the ball was still a yard out when Bennett knocked it in. Carlisle defenders appealed for offside but again the pitchside footage shows that Bennett came from an onside position. An impressive first half from the Stags who went into the break with a two goal lead for the first time in any game this season. The Stags nearly made it 3-0 on 65 minutes in a great move forward with Jacob Mellis finding Angol who laid a superb ball forward into the path of Hamilton who powered into the area and saw his shot saved by the keeper. Within two minutes, Carlisle were back in the game as Carlisle sub Richie Bennett went down in the area to win a penalty. Richie Bennett was heading towards the byline as Conrad Logan came out of his goal, and Richie Bennett went down. From my position in the West Stand there seemed to be no contact. The view from the main TV camera on the Bishop Street side is inconclusive as to whether Richie Bennett was touched. Our pitchside video footage, from the far end, is unfortunately obscured by three players in the way. Jamie Devitt buried the resulting penalty into the bottom left corner. A minute later Carlisle were nearly level, a corner from the left by Devitt, and former Crystal Palace and QPR defender Clint Hill sent a header just wide of the right post. Carlisle went even closer to equalising on 73 minutes in an incredible escape for the Stags. Hallam Hope, Carlisle’s best footballer in my opinion and surprisingly only on as substitute, put in a brilliant cross from the left, Sam Cosgrove glanced a header against the right post, the ball came out to Richie Bennett, 4 yards out from the centre of the net, completely unmarked, who astonishingly sent the ball against the bar when it was surely easier to score. In a moment of pure karma, Logan, who had clearly been upset thinking that Richie Bennett had dived for the penalty, patted the striker’s head to console him on the miss of the season. Within two minutes, Mansfield had re-established the two goal lead. Alfie Potter put in a superb low cross from the right across the edge of the six-yard box and Hemmings swept into the net, getting to the ball before the keeper and Tom Miller. Hemmings could have had a hat-trick on 86 minutes as he superbly controlled a high ball forward from MacDonald on the edge of the area and fired a low shot which was saved low by the keeper to his right. Another great win and real momentum now for the Stags as we take a break for the third round of the FA Cup, and a trip to Cardiff City Stadium, also home of the Wales national side, next Saturday. Plenty of impressive performances today, with Kane Hemmings outstanding up front, not just with his two well-taken goals, but his all-round play, Lee Angol played very well again alongside him putting himself about, Hamilton provided pace and flair down the left wing and often linked well with Hemmings and Angol, Potter was classy on the right wing, and Mellis and MacDonald impressed in the middle.

Three changes from the starting line up at Wycombe. Danny Rose and Zander Diamond were not available after their injuries at Wycombe. Evans explained that Rose should be fit for Cardiff. I saw Diamond before the game and I would guess he would be fit for Cardiff too. They were replaced in the starting line up by Lee Angol and Mal Benning who replaced them as subs at Wycombe. Conrad Logan returned to the side after Olejnik replaced him at Wycombe. A very tough call that one, but Evans said that Logan got the nod as he has been outstanding for two months, while Olejnik did play well at Wycombe. Hayden White was partially recovered from the virus, and took his place on the bench. Hunt and Spencer were not in the 18 due to still suffering from the virus. I had expected Mellis to drop out as Evans has previously talked about his longer recovery times, but Evans told me that his options were limited with Calum Butcher not 100% because of the virus. A place on the bench for Jack Thomas.

Carlisle came into the game following a defeat to Coventry that had come after three successive wins. Carlisle had won 6 games away from home this season, compared to just 3 at home. Former Stags manager Keith Curle made three changes to the side that lost to Coventry including leaving out Hallam Hope, their best player in my opinion of those who are currently fit. They replaced him with Sam Cosgrove, a youngster who has never scored a first team goal for any club. Carlisle are unfortunate that probably their best two players at the club, Nicky Adams and Jason Kennedy, are both out with long term injuries.

The Stags were off to a fast start with CJ Hamilton setting the scene on a dynamic personal display winning a corner after just 13 seconds. From the resulting corner by Potter, Angol headed up and the keeper held underneath his bar. On 5 minutes, a Potter corner from the right flicked off a Carlisle head and MacDonald headed wide of the left post. A minute later, MacDonald won the ball and made a great run forward before curling a shot straight at the keeper.

Mansfield had made a fast start but it was Carlisle who nearly took the lead on 7 minutes. Grainger crossed from the left finding Tom Miller unmarked and he knocked his shot wide of the right post on the volley. Devitt then played a good little ball forward to Lambe but he couldn’t control the ball in the edge of the area.

The Stags were gifted the lead on 9 minutes. Grainger left a backpass to his keeper short from the edge of the box, Hemmings anticipated it superbly and nipped in to intercept, taking the ball around the keeper and sliding home from a tight angle on the right. A real goalpoacher’s goal from Hemmings.

Straight to the other end on 10 minutes, and Cosgrove headed down but it didn’t quite fall for Lambe. On 15 minutes, a long throw from Tom Miller was headed out by Pearce to Shaun Miller whose shot was blocked.

A great run down the left from Hamilton on 20 minutes. He pulled the ball back, and the keeper just got to the ball before Hemmings. Incredible pace from Hamilton. On 21 minutes, Benning made a run forward into the box and fired over the bar. Some good football from the Stags.

A short corner for Carlisle on 25 minutes, Lambe found Grainger on the edge of the area who fired high against the roof of the Quarry Lane stand. A poor clearance by Bennett gave the ball to Jones on 27 minutes, Jones took a few steps forward and shot well wide from 25 yards.

A double chance for the Stags on 29 minutes. Firstly a great break down the left, Mellis found Hamilton, who squared for Hemmings who dummied to Potter and Potter’s goalbound shot was blocked by Clint Hill. Then Anderson crossed from the right and Hamilton couldn’t get enough on it at the far post.

More poor defending from Carlisle assisted Mansfield in doubling the lead on 31 minutes. A high ball into the area from MacDonald was fluffed by Tom Miller, Hemmings laid a clever ball forward to the byline for Hamilton who pulled back to Angol. Angol used the outside of his right foot to flick the ball over the keeper from an angle on the left, the keeper could only fingertip the ball up towards the right corner of the net where Rhys Bennett knocked it over the line from a yard out. Great skill from Angol again, after his wonderful goal at Wycombe on Saturday. Our pitchside video footage confirms the ball was still a yard out when Bennett knocked it in. Carlisle defenders appealed for offside but again the pitchside footage shows that Bennett came from an onside position.

On 33 minutes, Angol’s cross was deflected out to Anderson whose shot was blocked by Clint Hill. Moments later, a high ball across from MacDonald and Angol leapt well and headed just wide of the left post.

On 41 minutes, great play down the right by the Stags, a great header from Angol to Potter who put in a hanging cross and Hemmings headed on to the roof of the net.

On 44 minutes, Mellis was lucky to get away without a yellow card after he reacted angrily to a challenge.

An impressive first half from the Stags who went into the break with a two goal lead for the first time in any game this season. The Stags were full value for the lead. They were given a helping hand for both goals but there was some fine play pushing forward including in triangles down the left between Hamilton, Hemmings and Angol.

Half time 2-0

On 48 minutes, Anderson went down hurt. Carlisle broke with men over and there was a great interception by Bennett.

Angol was booked for a late challenge on Liddle on 51 minutes.

On 55 minutes, a long ball forward from the keeper was brilliantly controlled by Lambe and he sent a shot straight at Logan.

Great play on the left by the Stags on 58 minutes. Benning forced his way into the area, found Hemmings who nearly found Benning again but the ball just evaded Benning.

A free kick for the Stags 26 yards from goal on 59 minutes after a handball by Lambe. Hemmings fired the kick into the wall and behind for a corner. The corner from the left by Potter was curling in and the keeper just about got it away.

On 60 minutes, a good move on the left involving Hamilton to Potter who backheeled to Mellis, but Mellis was unlucky that his cross rebounded back off him for a goal kick.

A half-chance for Carlisle on 62 minutes. A corner from the left was headed over the bar by Tom Miller at the far post.

MacDonald lost the ball on 63 minutes but fought back brilliantly to win it back. Typically tigerish from MacDonald.

The Stags nearly made it 3-0 on 65 minutes in a great move forward with Mellis finding Angol who laid a superb ball forward into the path of Hamilton who powered into the area and saw his shot saved by the keeper.

Within two minutes, on 67 minutes, Carlisle were back in the game as Carlisle sub Richie Bennett went down in the area to win a penalty. Richie Bennett was heading towards the byline as Conrad Logan came out of his goal, and Richie Bennett went down. From my position in the West Stand there seemed to be no contact. The view from the main TV camera on the Bishop Street side is inconclusive as to whether Richie Bennett was touched. Our pitchside video footage, from the far end, is unfortunately obscured by three players in the way. Jamie Devitt buried the resulting penalty into the bottom left corner. It was just the third penalty Mansfield have conceded in the league this season (Swindon and Grimsby being the others).

A minute later Carlisle were nearly level, a corner from the left by Devitt, and former Crystal Palace and QPR defender Clint Hill sent a header just wide of the right post.

The rain was now hammering down.

On 72 minutes, great play on the left. Mellis to Angol, back to Mellis who cracked a shot just over the bar from 24 yards.

Carlisle went even closer to equalising on 73 minutes in an incredible escape for the Stags. Hallam Hope, Carlisle’s best footballer in my opinion and surprisingly only on as substitute, put in a brilliant cross from the left, Sam Cosgrove glanced a header against the right post, the ball came out to Richie Bennett, 4 yards out from the centre of the net, completely unmarked, who astonishingly sent the ball against the bar when it was surely easier to score. In a moment of pure karma, Logan, who had clearly been upset thinking that Richie Bennett had dived for the penalty, patted the striker’s head to console him on the miss of the season.

Within two minutes, on 75 minutes, Mansfield had re-established the two goal lead. Potter put in a superb low cross from the right across the edge of the six-yard box and Hemmings swept into the net, getting to the ball before the keeper and Tom Miller.

On 76 minutes, a long throw from Tom Miller came out to Jones who sent a low shot straight at Logan. On 78 minutes, a brilliant run from Hope all the way into the area and Richie Bennett’s close range shot was superbly blocked by Rhys Bennett. Moments later, a low shot from Devitt was pouched by Logan.

Hayden White replaced Potter on 79 minutes.

Atkinson replaced Mellis on 83 minutes.

On 84 minutes, Logan’s ball forward was well-controlled by Hemmings who nearly put Hamilton through on goal. Hamilton won a free kick after a fine run on 86 minutes. It typified his fine game.

Hemmings could have had a hat-trick on 86 minutes as he superbly controlled a high ball forward from MacDonald on the edge of the area and fired a low shot which was saved low by the keeper to his right.

Jack Thomas replaced Angol on 88 minutes.

White was booked along with Richie Bennett on 90+1 minutes for an off the ball incident.

A final chance for Carlisle on 90+4 minutes with a free kick from 30 yards which Liddle struck into the wall.

Man of the match: Kane Hemmings

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



Line Up:
(4-4-2)
Logan 6 Returned to the side as he has been in great form for two months. Whilst the video footage is inconclusive on the penalty, he still could have dealt with the situation better and not given the referee a decision to make. Otherwise had a very solid game.
Anderson 7 Filled in well at right back.
Pearce 7 Good game.
Bennett 7.5 In the right place to score. One great interception; one superb block; one poor clearance.
Benning 7 Some good forays forward. Solid game.
Potter 8 Classy on the right wing. Superb low cross for the third goal. Several good corners and crosses.
MacDonald 7 Impressed in the middle. One great run with an average shot. Typically tigerish, such as brilliantly winning the ball back after he’d lost it.
Mellis 7 Good game.
Hamilton 8 Dynamic display. Involved in some great moves, and had some fine runs.
Hemmings 9 Outstanding up front, not just with his two well-taken goals, but his all-round play.
Angol 8 Very good game, putting himself about. Great skill for the second goal. Superb ball to set up a chance for Hamilton.
Sub Line Up:
White (for Potter, 79 mins) -
Atkinson (for Mellis, 83 mins) -
Thomas (for Angol, 88 mins) -
Subs not used: Olejnik, Digby, Sterling-James, Butcher.
Opposition Line Up:
(3-5-2): Bonham; Liddle, Hill, Parkes; Tom Miller, Jones, Devitt, Lambe (O’Sullivan 79), Grainger (Hope 46); Cosgrove, Shaun Miller (Richie Bennett 46). Subs not used: Nabbi, Ellis, Brown, Bacon.
Referee:
Darren Drysdale 7 I can’t tell from the video footage if he got the penalty right or not. We would need other angles to be sure. Generally handled the game well.


Season 17/18 Reports