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Archived News from October 2003

REPORT FROM YORK SITE
12th October 2003 10:25


report from minstermen.net:
Mansfield Town 2 York City 0
By Stephen Gartside

The Minstermen's away woes continued with another less than satisfactory performance, this time at Mansfield Town, who eased to a comfortable 2-0 success. Goals from David Artell (31) and Chris Beardsley (76) did the damage for the Stags, who impressed with their free-flowing approach.


Mansfield Town (1) 2 York City (0) 0

The Minstermen were easily brushed aside by a lively Mansfield side, who attacked with pace and purpose, stretching their opponents on numerous occasions.

City were without acting skipper Lee Bullock for the game, former Everton and Sheffield United man Mitch Ward taking the captain's armband.

England under-20 international Craig Dove lined-up in behind the front two, though the on loan Middlesbrough youngster was largely anonymous during his hour of action.

The visitors received a blow after only 12 minutes, when player-boss Chris Brass was forced from the field with what was later disclosed as concussion. Stuart Wise took his place, with Leigh Wood switching into the centre of a back three.

It was little surprise when the Stags took the lead just past the half hour, for City keeper Mark Ovendale had already been forced into a couple of sharp saves by that point.

The ex-Bournemouth custodian managed to fend off Chris Beardsley's firm drive following a Liam Lawrence corner, the ball trickling close to the line, where Richard Cooper hit it straight back to David Artell, who with Ovendale grounded had the simplest task of opening the scoring from close range.

In form Mansfield continued to have much the better of it, and increased their advantage when Artell launched himself at another corner from the right, heading the ball back into the path of Beardsley, who nudged it home.

York momentarily threatened when Mitch Ward saw his well struck effort from the edge of the box turned aside by Kevin Pilkington from just beneath his crossbar.

Meanwhile substitute Jon Parkin, who had replaced the ineffective Dove, volleyed over the Mansfield keeper seven minutes from time, his fierce attempt striking the bar.

The hosts ran out deserved winners on the back of a well-controlled and impressive display, which but for Ovendale could have yielded a more convincing margin of victory.

Full match report to follow ...

Mansfield Town : Pilkington, Clarke, Vaughan, Artell, Dimech, Lawrence, Mackenzie, Curtis, Corden (Williamson 71), Larkin (Disley 79), Beardsley

subs (unused) : White, Baptiste, Buxton

Goals : Artell (31), Beardsley (76)

Booked : none

Stats : shots 17, on target 9, off target 8, fouls 13, corners 9

York City : Ovendale, Cooper, Wood, Brass (Wise 12), Hope, Merris, Ward, Dunning, Dove (Parkin 61), Nogan, Crowe (George 77)

subs (unused) : Porter, Brackstone

Goals : none

Booked : Wood (45), Merris (60), Cooper (79)

Stats : shots 7, on target 4, off target 3, fouls 12, corners 7

Ref : N. Miller (Co. Durham)

Att : 4,914 (362 York)

 

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