Season 18/19 Stagsnet Match Report
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Mansfield Town
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Exeter City
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Walker 61.
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Moxey 31, Law 57.
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Attendance: 4443 (228 from Exeter)
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Date: 15 September 2018
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STAGS BEATEN FOR FIRST THIS SEASON BY IMPRESSIVE EXETER
Martin Shaw and Simon Chamberlain at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill Mansfield Town were beaten in the league for the first time this season by an impressive Exeter City side at the One Call Stadium. The Stags started positively in the opening 20 minutes, with some good possession, two shots from Otis Khan which were straight at the keeper, and one really good effort when Tyler Walker’s shot brought a flying save from the keeper. But then Exeter showed their teeth up front with Jayden Stockley heading against the post, Hiram Boateng sweeping a shot just over, and then taking the lead on 31 minutes when Dean Moxey curled a super shot in off the right post and the ball nestled just inside the left post, giving Bobby Olejnik no chance. Exeter hit the post again on 51 minutes through another Stockley header. Exeter scored a killer second goal after 57 minutes. Pierce Sweeney found Boateng who was left in acres of space on the byline on the right by Pearce and Ryan Sweeney who seemed to be waiting for an offside flag. Boateng crossed into the middle where Nicky Law bundled into the net despite being under pressure from White and Preston. Dozy defending all round. The Stags brought on Danny Rose to go up front and he made an immediate impact with a good header which keeper Pym kept out but Tyler Walker knocked in the rebound. The Stags had chances to equalise through a Neal Bishop shot that went close, a header from Pearce saved on the line and an effort from Preston that was saved on the line. Then in stoppage time, a magnificent acrobatic effort from Rose was straight at the keeper and a minute later, Rose sent in another tremendous effort this time an overhead kick, which was again saved, though the referee had already given a foul against Preston. A disappointing day for the Stags. Exeter deserved their win, and the Stags came up short against a good side. The Stags had some good possession, but weren’t good enough in both final thirds, with the quality of final ball often poor, and some poor defending. Exeter on the other hand made the most of their possession, sharp and incisive moving forward with some good crosses, scoring twice and hitting the post twice, while they defended well too. Mansfield’s bad run at home against Exeter continues, the Stags last win here was in March 1998, a 3-2 win with goals by Tony Ford (2) and Mark Peters. Mansfield made one change from the last league game, against Carlisle a fortnight ago, with Calum Butcher coming in for Danny Rose. Butcher had played well in the Checkatrade Trophy game at Lincoln 11 days ago to earn his place. It was a 3-4-2-1 formation with Butcher (right) and Otis Khan (left) just behind Tyler Walker. Craig Davies was missing from the squad due to a muscle injury; Davies was 80% fit and will be ok for next Saturday but David Flitcroft did not want to risk him getting a worse injury. Mellis is suspended for 3 games. Exeter included Nicky Law, son of former Spireite and Alfreton manager Nicky Law. Exeter arrived three points ahead of Mansfield and having picked up where they left off last season despite the loss of manager Paul Tisdale in the summer. During the game, in the 67th minute, there was a minute’s applause for former Stags centre half Ian MacKenzie, who died recently at the age of 67. MacKenzie played in a key role in Mansfield’s promotion to the second tier of English football in the 1976/77 season. MacKenzie was a player we enjoyed watching and we send condolences to his family. Mansfield made a good positive start. On 5 minutes, Hamilton was fouled outside the area on the left, 25 yards from goal. Khan took the resulting free kick but his shot towards the near post was easily saved by the keeper. On 11 minutes, another shot from Khan, this time from 20 yards was low and straight at the keeper. Two minutes later, Khan found Walker who fired in a good shot from 20 yards, which keeper Pym pushed away with a flying save. Then on 16 minutes, Butcher played a great ball forward, Walker made a good run on the left, cut inside, and his shot looped up off a defender and was easily collected at the far post by the keeper. On 20 minutes, Khan made a good run forward and was fouled just outside the area. The referee waved play on and the Stags eventually lost the ball and gained no advantage. The Stags fans were creating a great atmosphere with the Stags on top. Nothing had been seen of Exeter going forward. But on 23 minutes, a cross from Pierce Sweeney from the right and Jayden Stockley beat White to get in a looping a header from the left back across goal and against the right post. It was a lucky let-off for Mansfield. On 26 minutes, following an Exeter free kick the impressive Boateng swept a shot just over the bar from 8 yards. Two minutes later, Stockley side-footed a poor effort wide from 25 yards. Exeter took the lead on 31 minutes. Dean Moxey, just outside the area on the left, side-stepped Butcher and curled a super shot around MacDonald and in off the right post and the ball nestled just inside the left post, giving Olejnik no chance. Exeter were having a purple patch and on 33 minutes, great play from Moxey on the left, and his cross just evaded Stockley at the far post. On 35 minutes, Bishop chipped to the far post, Butcher headed back to White who should have got in a shot but didn’t, it came to MacDonald, whose shot was blocked. Good tackling by Bishop on Boateng on 38 minutes. On 45 minutes, a low shot by Exeter’s Pierce Sweeney was straight at Olejnik. In stoppage time, a nice move from the Stags as MacDonald found Butcher, but Butcher lost the ball in the area. Exeter ahead at the break and good value for that. They had looked the best side Mansfield had played this season, dangerous in attack, scoring through a fine goal from Moxey and hitting the post through Stockley. The Stags had had good possession in the opening 20 minutes without looking dangerous in the box, with two Khan shots straight at the keeper and only one really good effort when Tyler Walker’s shot brought a flying save. Half time 0-1 On 48 minutes, Walker turned in the area and his shot was blocked. At the other end, great play from Lee Holmes on the right, he cut across the edge of the area to create space for a shot which was deflected over the bar. Exeter hit the post again on 51 minutes. A cross from the right from Jake Taylor, and Stockley got away from his marker Preston to head against the post from a tight angle. More poor marking. Rose replaced Butcher on 55 minutes. Rose joined Walker up front. Rose won a corner straight away. And from it, taken by Khan, Pearce powered a header over the bar. Exeter scored a killer second goal after 57 minutes. Pierce Sweeney found Boateng who was left in acres of space on the byline on the right by Pearce and Ryan Sweeney who seemed to be waiting for an offside flag. Boateng crossed into the middle where Nicky Law bundled into the net despite being under pressure from White and Preston. Dozy defending all round. On 59 minutes, Rose teed up Khan who got in a low shot which was well-saved by Pym. Ryan Sweeney again left Boateng in space on the byline on 60 minutes but it didn’t come to anything. The Stags pulled a goal back on 61 minutes. MacDonald put in a fine cross from the right, Rose got up highest and headed goalwards, keeper Pym stretched to keep it out, and Walker did well to get there first and poke in from close range. On 63 minutes, Bishop tried his luck from 20 yards with a left footed shot that wasn’t far away. Good tackling back by Bishop on Boateng on 65 minutes. A half chance for the Stags on 66 minutes, as Ryan Sweeney headed a high cross from the right back across goal but it was cleared. Bishop was booked for a late tackle on 66 minutes. Elsnik replaced Sweeney on 68 minutes. Sweeney had had a disappointing game. Elsnik went in to the centre of midfield. White and Hamilton reverted to full backs in a 4-4-2 formation. On 73 minutes, a great run from Nicky Law to the byline, he crossed in and Stockley sent a diving header wide. A minute later at the other end, a corner from the right by Khan, and Pearce’s header was saved on the line. A minute after that, Hamilton squared inside to MacDonald who fired a poor shot wide from 25 yards. A great move from the Stags on 80 minutes involving Bishop and Elsnik, Elsnik found Hamilton on the left, but his cross was awful, over the bar and behind for a goal kick. Benning replaced White on 83 minutes. White had not had his best game. Benning went in at left back, Hamilton to left wing, and MacDonald moved to right back. A free kick for the Stags in a dangerous position on 87 minutes after a foul on Khan, 27 yards out on the right. Benning took it straight to the keeper. On 88 minutes, Exeter sub Ogbene showed pace to get into the area but he ran the ball out of play. A minute later a great tackle by Preston on Stockley. Khan was booked for a foul on Moxey on 89 minutes. On 90+2 minutes, a long throw-in from MacDonald from the right, and Preston hooked a shot goalwards by keeper Pym saved on his line. On 90+6 minutes, a magnificent acrobatic effort from Rose was straight at the keeper. Then a minute later, a long free kick into the box from Olejnik, Preston headed on and Rose sent in another tremendous effort this time an overhead kick, which was again saved, though on this occasion the referee had given a foul against Preston. So a disappointing day for the Stags. Exeter deserved their win, and the Stags came up short against a good side. Not too many good performances from Stags players. Neal Bishop was the pick of the midfield, while Danny Rose was terrific for 30 minutes as substitute, winning his headers, his header from a cross leading to the goal, and two outstanding acrobatic efforts in stoppage time. Man of the match: Danny Rose |
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Report by: Martin Shaw and Simon Chamberlain at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill
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Line Up:
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(3-4-2-1)
Olejnik 6 Not at fault for the goals. Preston 5 With White, allowed Law to bundle in the second goal. Allowed Stockley to head against the post in the 2nd half. One or two good bits of defending. Pearce 5.5 With Sweeney was dozy leaving Boateng in acres of space to cross for the 2nd goal. Had a header saved on the line and another over the bar. Sweeney 5.5 With Pearce was dozy leaving Boateng in acres of space to cross for the 2nd goal. Later again left Boateng in space on the byline but it didn’t come to anything. White 5 Allowed Stockley to get in a looping a header against the right post in the 1st half. With Preston, allowed Law to bundle in the second goal. Didn’t have his best game. MacDonald 6 Good cross for Rose’s header which led to the goal. Otherwise didn’t cause Exeter any problems. Played deep. Bishop 7 Pick of the midfield. Some good tackling back. Not far away with one shot. Hamilton 5.5 One great opportunity for a cross which he fluffed. Didn’t cause the defence enough problems. Butcher 5.5 A good ball for Walker for a first half shot, and a good knock down to White for a shot. Otherwise didn’t do a lot, and was subbed after 55 minutes. Khan 6 Well down on his performance against Carlisle. Several weak shots straight at the keeper. Set up Walker for a shot in the first half. Walker 6.5 Poacher’s goal. One good shot which brought a flying save. Otherwise didn’t get enough service. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Rose (for Butcher, 55 mins) 7.5 Terrific for 30 minutes as substitute, winning his headers, his header from a cross leading to the goal, and two outstanding acrobatic efforts in stoppage time.
Elsnik (for Sweeney, 68 mins) - Benning (for White, 83 mins) - Subs not used: Logan, Gibbens, Atkinson, Graham. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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Pym; Sweeney, A. Martin, Croll, Moxey; Tillson, Holmes (L. Martin, 72), Taylor, Law, Boateng (Ogbene, 83); Stockley. Subs not used: Hamon, O’Shea, Forte, Oates, Abrahams.
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Referee:
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Andy Haines 7 Had a reasonable game despite the whining of the Exeter manager.
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