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Season 17/18 Stagsnet Match Report
English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Stevenage  
1 - 1
 Mansfield Town
Newton 15.
 
 Atkinson 51
Attendance: 2294 (274 from Mansfield)
 
Date: 10 April 2018

STAGS DRAW AT STEVENAGE BUT NEED WINS

Martin Shaw at Broadhall Way

Mansfield Town drew 1-1 at Stevenage last night. This was a not a bad performance from Mansfield and at any other stage of the season would have been a reasonable result coming to a side that played quite well and played with confidence having won successive games. Unfortunately Mansfield are at the stage where wins are required and a draw wasn’t really enough. Stevenage took the lead after 15 minutes and it was well-worked by the home side but sleepy defending from the Stags. Left back Joe Martin took a corner from the left and rolled it along the ground to the near post where Danny Newton escaped from his marker Hayden White to attack the ball and slam it into the net from 11 yards through a crowd of players. Just the start Mansfield didn’t want after the shock defending on Saturday where they conceded four times in 27 minutes. Five minutes later, Alex Revell’s cross from the right was laid off by Matt Godden to Newton whose shot was going wide before deflecting off Rhys Bennett and hitting the outside of the right post. In between, on 19 minutes, a great chance for Mansfield as White put in a fine cross from the right and Kane Hemmings headed wide of the left post. Then on 26 minutes, Johnny Hunt played a good “1-2-3” to get into the box on the left and had a good sight of goal, but could only toe-poke his shot straight at the keeper. Stevenage one up at the break and deservedly so. Too often, Mansfield’s crossing and final ball had been poor when in good positions. The Stags needed a boost and they got it with the equaliser on 51 minutes. Hunt played a fine 1-2 with CJ Hamilton on the left, got to the byline, and sent in a super cross to the edge of the six-yard box where Will Atkinson arrived late to fire into the net. It was Atkinson’s second goal for Mansfield. Hemmings fired a good chance over the bar on 57 minutes after White’s free kick was knocked down and seemed to strike Atkinson’s hand but the referee was happy to let play continue. Straight to the other end from the goal kick and Logan made a great save turning away a shot from Luke Amos. Controversy on 63 minutes as Mansfield were denied a penalty. Hayden White made a great run more than half the length of the pitch on the right into the Stevenage area and went down. White was booked for diving by the referee. In real time I wasn’t sure if it was a foul and I thought White might have lost his footing. However the video from both the main camera and our pitchside camera shows that sub Tom Conlon dived in to get the ball, didn’t get it, and took White down. It should therefore have been a nailed-on penalty. Logan had to make a good save from another shot from the outstanding Danny Newton, pushing wide on 74 minutes. However it was the Stags who were right on top. There were several good moments but the Stags were too often trying to walk the ball into the net rather than take a shot. However there were chances. Great play from Alfie Potter who broke into the area, but just overran the ball to the keeper. Then MacDonald shot low at the keeper. On 84 minutes, a great effort from Hemmings as the keeper parried away his powerful shot. The Stags looked the more likely winners but it was Stevenage who nearly won it in stoppage time. On 90+3 minutes, sub Dale Gorman fired a low shot just wide of the right post from fully 30 yards following a free kick. Then with what turned out to be the last kick of the game, Danny Newton turned and fired just over the bar from the edge of the area. So a draw for the Stags, which does at least break the sequence of four defeats. After the game, boss Flitcroft and scorer Atkinson both said they thought Mansfield deserved to win. I don’t agree with that, I think a draw was a fair result for both sides. Draws are not enough for Mansfield though at this stage. Mansfield are one point behind Coventry who are in the final play-off position. Coventry have a game in hand. Swindon who also drew last night, are level with Mansfield. Mansfield have four games left. We probably need to win all four to get into the play-offs, though if Coventry and Swindon continue to falter, three wins could possibly be enough. On to the huge local derby with Chesterfield on Saturday. Chesterfield are bottom and a win for Mansfield could put a nail into their coffin. It’s massive. The Stags must go there and win.

This was the ninth game (20% of the season) without a win in this disastrous run. And that is just four points from the eight games played under new manager David Flitcroft. Up until now, no manager in Mansfield’s history had failed to win any of their first 8 games. But now is not the time to dwell on that. Everyone involved with the club, including the staff and the 2700 fans who will be at Chesterfield have to create a great atmosphere to cheer the team onto a much-needed win.

Mansfield made four changes from the side that lost to Crewe. Pearce replaced Diamond. Pearce had come on for Diamond as substitute after just half an hour against Crewe. Rose replaced Angol. That had been a half time substitution against Crewe. Byrom and Atkinson came in for Mellis and Potter in midfield. David Flitcroft confirmed that Ricky Miller would have started the game, but is out with a slight tear in his hamstring that happened 15 minutes after coming on Saturday. It is hoped he will only be out for a couple of weeks. Miller was among the Stags fans behind the goal watching the game. It was essentially a 4-4-2 formation, with a diamond shape in midfield: Byrom in front of the back four, Atkinson pushing forward, MacDonald on the right and Hamilton on the left. David Flitcroft commented that it was a flexible formation and at times was 3-5-2, with Hunt as the left sided central defender and Hamilton at left wing back and White at right wing back. However, I think mostly it was 4-4-2.

Stevenage started with Matt Godden, back from injury, up front alongside Alex Revell who once scored a goal in the play-off final for Steve Evans’ Rotherham, and Danny Newton. Impressive midfielder Ben Kennedy was out with injury. Defender Ben Wilmot was left out of the squad pending an expected imminent move to the Premier League.

274 Stags fans were in the stand behind the goal and gave their side great support, even in the first half when things weren’t going well. It was disappointing to hear that one fan was shouting at Alex MacDonald that he wasn’t putting enough effort in. MacDonald shouted something back. This was an embarrassing exchange. MacDonald's form has dropped off since he gave away the penalty in the Coventry game. But one thing he can't be criticised for is lack of effort. He works incredibly hard all over the pitch.

Opposite the away end, the home end has been demolished, giving a clear view through to the traffic on the A602, and the circus on the opposite side of the road, which was taking up almost all of the large car park usually used by supporters. Had either side put in a terrible performance, the circus would have given the headline-writers a dream ticket.

The first half-chance of the game came on 9 minutes. A throw-in from White was chested back to him by Atkinson. White chipped the ball forward, left back Joe Martin bizarrely ducked to let the ball go over him probably thinking it was going out, but it didn’t go out, Hemmings got onto the end of it, and tried to dink a shot over the keeper from a tight angle. The keeper pushed away for a corner. On 12 minutes, good play by Atkinson, to find White, who won a corner.

On 15 minutes, Joe Martin got past White who was in an advanced role at wing-back, and chipped a ball into the area for Revell who chested down and got in a shot from a tight angle on the left, but Logan was out quickly to narrow the angle and force behind for a corner.

From the resulting corner, Stevenage were in front. Joe Martin rolled the corner from the left along the ground to the near post where Danny Newton escaped from his marker Hayden White to attack the ball and slam it into the net from 11 yards through a crowd of players. Just the start Mansfield didn’t want after the shock defending on Saturday where they conceded four times in 27 minutes.

With that, manager Flitcroft signalled to change from 3 at the back, to 4 at the back.

Byrom was booked on 17 minutes for bringing down Newton.

On 19 minutes, a great chance for Mansfield as White put in a fine cross from the right and Hemmings headed wide of the left post from a central position 8 yards out. A glorious chance.

On 20 minutes, Alex Revell’s cross from the right was laid off by Matt Godden to Newton whose shot was going wide before deflecting off Rhys Bennett and hitting the outside of the right post.

A minute later, Logan’s long ball forward was badly headed by Jack King straight into the path of Hemmings on the edge of the area. Hemmings had a sight of goal, but by the time he was able to shoot, Luke Wilkinson had slid in with a great challenge to block the shot.

Then on 26 minutes, Johnny Hunt played a good “1-2-3” with Hemmings and MacDonald, back to Hunt, to get into the box on the left and had a good sight of goal, but could only toe-poke his shot straight at the keeper.

On 31 minutes, good play from Hemmings to Hamilton on the left, but Hamilton put a poor cross straight to the keeper.

One or two good clearances from Pearce, who was playing well.

On 33 minutes, some good build up play on the right, but White put a poor cross onto the roof of the net with Rose available at the far post.

Hunt was booked for a clumsy challenge on the touchline on 35 minutes.

On 37 minutes, Pearce fouled Revell 24 yards from goal to the left of centre. Wilkinson sent the resulting free kick over the bar. A minute later, Byrom lost the ball, and Godden shot wide of the right post from 25 yards.

Really good play involving, Hamilton, MacDonald, Hemmings and Hunt to win a corner on 39 minutes.

A minute later, Hunt clipped a super ball out to the right to Atkinson who good first touch took him into the area, he slid a cross in for Pearce whose close-range effort was easily saved by the keeper.

On 43 minutes, great play by Newton just outside the area, he got in a low shot which Logan did well to push wide for a corner.

On 45 minutes, Byrom’s ball forward was headed down by Rose, but the keeper claimed.

Stevenage one up at the break and deservedly so. Too often, Mansfield’s crossing and final ball had been poor when in good positions.

Half time 1-0

The Stags needed a boost and they got it with the equaliser on 51 minutes. Hunt played a fine 1-2 with CJ Hamilton on the left, got to the byline, and sent in a super cross to the edge of the six-yard box where Will Atkinson arrived late to fire into the net. It was Atkinson’s second goal for Mansfield.

Mellis replaced Byrom on 52 minutes.

On 53 minutes, MacDonald knocked a ball forward, defender Wilkinson slipped over, giving Mansfield a man over. Rose headed down to Hemmings who got to the edge of the area, laid off back to Rose, whose shot was blocked through to Hamilton who lost possession.

Hemmings fired a good chance over the bar on 57 minutes after White’s free kick was knocked down and seemed to strike Atkinson’s hand but the referee was happy to let play continue. Straight to the other end from the goal kick and Logan made a great save turning away a shot from Luke Amos. A good header away by Hunt from a cross from the left on 59 minutes.

Controversy on 63 minutes as Mansfield were denied a penalty. Hayden White made a great run more than half the length of the pitch on the right into the Stevenage area and went down. White was booked for diving by the referee. In real time I wasn’t sure if it was a foul and I thought White might have lost his footing. However the video from both the main camera and our pitchside camera shows that sub Tom Conlon dived in to get the ball, didn’t get it, and took White down. It should therefore have been a nailed-on penalty. Some Stags fans behind the goal think that White dived. We do not have video footage from behind the goal.

Great play from Alfie Potter who broke into the area on 68 minutes, but just overran the ball to the keeper.

A minute later, Rose headed wide of the left post from White’s free kick from the halfway line.

A minute after that, White tried a clever ball forward low to Hemmings at the near post but Hemmings couldn’t quite get there.

On 72 minutes, Mellis surged towards the edge of the area, and laid off to Rose whose shot was blocked. The ball came back to Rose who had another shot blocked, then MacDonald was tripped just outside the area. The resulting free kick from MacDonald was low and straight at the keeper.

Logan had to make a good save from another shot from the outstanding Danny Newton, pushing wide on 74 minutes. A couple of minutes later, Logan came for a corner and didn’t get there, but the Stags were able to clear.

However it was the Stags who were right on top. There were several good moments but the Stags were too often trying to walk the ball into the net rather than take a shot.

However there were chances. On 84 minutes, a great effort from Hemmings as the keeper parried away his powerful shot from 16 yards, after sub Dale Gorman shanked an attempted clearance.

On 87 minutes, MacDonald made a good run into the area and went down. The referee waved away appeals for a penalty. From the video, MacDonald dived. He should have been booked, but wasn’t. Ironic that he wasn’t booked, but White was earlier.

On 88 minutes, MacDonald turned, 23 yards from goal, and fired a shot wide of right post. He caught it well, but it was a couple of yards wide.

On 89 minutes, Potter cut inside from the right onto his left foot and his shot from 20 yards was blocked.

4 minutes were added on.

Pearce was booked for a foul on 90+2 minutes.

The Stags had looked the more likely winners but it was Stevenage who nearly won it in stoppage time. On 90+3 minutes, sub Dale Gorman fired a low shot just wide of the right post from fully 30 yards following a free kick. Then with what turned out to be the last kick of the game, Danny Newton turned and fired just over the bar from the edge of the area. So a draw for the Stags, which does at least break the sequence of four defeats.

Man of the match: Will Atkinson

Report by: Martin Shaw at Broadhall Way



Line Up:
(mostly 4-4-2, initially 3-5-2)
Logan 7 Four decent saves. One mistake from a corner which wasn’t costly.
White 6.5 Lost his man Newton who scored Stevenage’s only goal from the corner. Fabulous run which should have won a penalty. One good cross, but some bad ones too.
Pearce 7.5 Fine game with some good clearances.
Bennett 6.5 Solid.
Hunt 7.5 Great cross for the goal. Some other good crosses. Good play to set up a chance for himself but his shot was straight at the keeper.
Byrom 5 Lost the ball presenting a chance to Godden. Not effective. Subbed after 52 minutes.
MacDonald 6 Worked very hard. A couple of efforts on goal but didn’t really trouble the keeper. Out of form since the Coventry game though continues to work hard.
Hamilton 6.5 Some good play on the left with Hunt. A couple of poor crosses.
Atkinson 8 Really good game, capped by a goal.
Hemmings 6.5 Frustrating evening missing several chances. His best effort was powerful shot late on which was parried by the keeper.
Rose 6 A couple of shots blocked and a header wide of the post. Didn’t get much good service.
Sub Line Up:
Mellis (for Byrom, 52 mins) - One surging run to the edge of the area.
Potter (for Hamilton, 58 mins) - Worked so hard. But touch sometimes let him down.
Subs not used: Olejnik, Diamond, Digby, King, Angol.
Opposition Line Up:
(4-3-3): Tom King; Henry, Jack King, Wilkinson, Martin; Amos, Sheaf (Gorman 54), Whelpdale (Conlon 58); Godden (Goddard 77), Revell, Newton. Subs not used: Fryer, Franks, Wakefield, Vancooten.
Referee:
Seb Stockbridge 5 Missed a penalty for a foul on White which looks nailed on from our two camera angles. Booked White, who didn’t dive, but didn’t book MacDonald later who did dive in the area.


Season 17/18 Reports