Archived News from November 2003
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REPORT FROM SPORT FIRST
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Sport First report:
By Steve Smith transcribed by Carole Don't miss the hard copy of the paper including a a super photo by Dan Westwell. Boss Curle hails Stags' rampage FREE-SCORING Mansfield moved up to third place in the table following a comfortable success at Northampton, where they extended their unbeaten run to six games. Goals from Iyseden Christie, top scorer Liam Lawrence, and Craig Disley made it 20 goals in the last six outings for the Stags, much to the delight of manager Keith Curle. “To say I'm delighted is an understatement. I asked the players if they've got the belief to be successful and they showed me they have.” said Curle. “We started off well, but I was disappointed with the way we finished the first half allowing Northampton to come back. But I was delighted with our second-half performance. We had high energy levels and always looked dangerous with the pave we've got in the side. “After 20 games the Division is starting to take shape and there is a belief and desire in the club now.” Mansfield have found goals easy to come by this season, but they got a helping hand with a goal in each half plus a second half penalty as the hosts contributed to their own downfall. With only five minutes gone, a mix-up between the experienced Des Lyttle and Ian Sampson allowed Christie to rifle Mansfield into an early lead. Northampton's early pressure in the second-half came to nothing as they failed to seriously test Mansfield keeper Kevin Pilkington. And it was Mansfield who struck again in the 66th minute when Lawrence notched his 10th goal of the campaign from the penalty spot. Mansfield wrapped the game up in the 80th minute when Disley scored from close range. “It ended up being a nasty result for us,” bemoaned Northampton boss Colin Calderwood. “The best team won, and in the end they ran out comfortable winners. “We gave them a goal start in the first half and even though we worked our way into the game, we didn't do enough from the crosses we put into the box.” |
Latest | November 2003