{ the news }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from October 2006

MORE PREVIEWS
31st October 2006 16:36


TROPHY TARGET IS TO SCUPPER MARINERS
Evening Post, 31 October 2006
MANSFIELD are unlikely to risk Danny Reet in tonight's Johnstone's Paints Trophy second round tie at home to Grimsby.

The teenage striker has notched seven goals so far this season but picked up a dead leg in Saturday's 3-2 victory at Macclesfield.

He has a chance of recovering in time, but boss Peter Shirtliff is likely to look at other forward options and rest Reet with Saturday's League Two trip to Bristol Rovers in mind.

A new rule for this season's competition means that at least six of the side the Stags put out have to be first team regulars.

Sides who fail to comply are being hit with Football League fines.

That means Shirtliff will not be making wholesale changes from the side that recorded a first away victory of the season at Moss Rose.

"Danny is not too bad, but it is likely he'll miss out against Grimsby," he said.

"There will be changes from the team on Saturday but not all that many. Without the rule changes I would probably have played one or two kids, but I'm not going to do that now.

"I can understand the reason for the rule changes, but I'm not sure whether it will bring more supporters into the games. That remains to be seen in the early stages, but it starts to get interesting later on.

"There's no doubt it is a good trophy for the small clubs to win and we want to get as far as we can."

"I'm not sure that you can say it is a hindrance at this stage in the season because Carlisle did well in it last year and it didn't stop them getting promotion.

"Cheltenham also had a good run in the FA Cup and it didn't stop them going up either."

Stephen Dawson is back in training this week and faces a fitness test, but Giles Coke could retain his place after scoring and impressing against Macclesfield.

Former Mariner Michael Boulding could also figure after returning following his knee injury with a substitute appearance.

Top scorer Richard Barker turned his ankle in training at the tail end of last week and also picked up a facial injury in sinking his old club on Saturday. But he should still be fit for selection.

Shirtliff said: "I was disappointed Daws couldn't play at Macclesfield, but Giles has come in and done well. I'm pleased with him.

"He got the goal as well which is another player scoring from a different position f and what I am looking for.

"Ritchie has had two knocks to contend with but I think he is fine."

Grimsby earned their right to play the Stags after defeating Lincoln on penalties following a 0-0 draw.

But Shirtliff is keen to avoid a similar scenario at the end of tonight's game.

He said: "With penalties straight after a game if it's draw after 90 minutes, we will be going all out for the win.

"I think Grimsby have had a hangover from losing in the play-offs last year.

"I know they have a few injuries at the moment, but that is not my problem.

"I'm just looking forward to competing and hopefully progressing."


RANKIN WILL PLAY A PART AS GRIMSBY EYE VICTORY
Evening Post, 31 October 2006
Grimsby frontman Isaiah Rankin could return to action against Mansfield tonight.

Rankin has been out since the middle of September with a thigh injury, but was on the bench for Saturday's 2-2 draw at Peterborough.

He is set to play some part in tonight's Johnstone's Paint Trophy encounter at Field Mill, as Town hope to progress in the competition they won under a different guise in 1997/98.

There are doubts over Paul Bolland, Justin Whittle and Tom Newey, who all face late fitness tests.

Newey picked up a knock to his knee in Saturday's game at London Road and may not be risked, while Paul Bolland is still feeling the effects of an ankle injury.

However, it is imperative that Town boss Graham Rodger puts out a reasonably strong squad. Under competition rules, clubs must field at least six of the 11 first team players who have appeared in most matches this season to date.

----------
electronicfishcake.com Home
Preview: Mansfield v Grimsby

By Kevin Dolan
Date: 30/10/2006

AFTER edging out Lincoln on penalties in the 1st round two weeks ago, Grimsby Town now make the trip to Mansfield for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy 2nd Round.

Home > 2006-2007 Season > Previews > Mansfield (a)



The Opposition

The Football League's ruling for this trophy means that both teams must start with 6 of the 11 players with the most appearances this season. Scunthorpe and Hartlepool were both fined for breaking this rule in the first round, even though they both won their respective ties. Despite this, both Town and Mansfield would be expected to rest players who are carrying knocks.

Overview
After a few up and down seasons (promotion in 2001/02, relegation in 2002/03, play off final losers in 2003/04) Mansfield have endured a disappointing couple of seasons. The play off final defeat on penalties to Huddersfield in 2004 signalled an all too familiar hangover and the following season they finished 13th. Last season they made a nightmare start, winning only one of their first 12 games, and Carlton Palmer resigned with the club bottom of the league. Peter Shirtliff took over and slowly, but surely steered them away from relegation trouble. A strong run of 17 points out of 24 in February and March pushed them into the top half and gave them an outside chance of the play offs. However, they failed to win any of their last six games and finished 16th.

After such an impressive turnaround by Shirtliff, Mansfield were outsiders for promotion this season, but have made a slightly disappointing start to the campaign. They received a bye in the first round but, despite winning this trophy in 1986/87, they have a poor recent record in this tournament and one penalty shoot out win is all they have to show for the last 6 seasons.


Their Squad
Mansfield currently lie in 11th place, four points outside the play off spots, but only five points ahead of Town. After an inconsistent start, Mansfield have started to put a few results together, winning their last two games and an unbeaten four match run in October would suggest Shirtliff is likely to be nominated for manager of the month. Their problems have generally been on the road and last Saturday's win at Macclesfield was their first away victory in the league this season. Their home has been much stronger and Lincoln are the only team to record a victory at Field Mill.

Ex-Mariner Michael Boulding (left) joined The Stags in the summer. After announcing his retirement in the summer of 2005, Boulding joined Rotherham towards the end of last season on a non-contract basis, but then made the return to his first club and was rewarded with a contract after impressing in trial. Boulding has been out injured for a fair part of the season but still scored three goals. When playing he has mainly been used on the wing due to the formidable partnership between Richie Barker and Danny Reet, who have 10 and 7 goals respectively. Midfielder Matt Hamshaw scored at Blundell Park in the 1-1 draw earlier this season and also scored for Stockport at Blundell Park last season. Keeper Kevin Pressman retired in the summer and has been replaced by the experienced Carl Muggleton who played the majority of his career at Leicester and Stoke.


Key Player
Since moving to Field Mill in November 2004, Richie Barker has more than proved himself as a regular scorer and he is currently 2nd top scorer in League 2 with 9 league goals. Last season he netted 23 goals, including a goal in each of the games against Town, and the 31-year old was rewarded with a 3-year contract in the summer. He is currently in good form and has five goals in the last three games.


Recent Form

Town Mansfield
D Peterborough (a) 2-2
L Hartlepool (h) 1-4
W Lincoln (a) 0-0 (5-3p) (JPT)
L Swindon (a) 0-3
W Hereford (a) 2-1
Currently 21st in League Two. W Macclesfield (a) 3-2
W Wrexham (h) 3-0
D Boston (a) 1-1
D Notts Co (h) 2-2
L Walsall (a) 0-4
Currently 11th in League Two.



Top Scorers

Town Mansfield
Peter Bore 5
Gary Jones 3
Ciaron Toner 3
Barker 10
Reet 7




Team News

Town Mansfield

After the success of 4-3-3 on Saturday it would be a surprise if Town did not stick with this formation.

Town have decided not to appeal against Gary Jones' red card and his three-match suspension will start from now.

Paul Bolland and Isaiah Rankin are both fit and in contention to play, but Tom Newey was forced off with a knee injury during Saturday's draw and is doubtful.

Nottm Forest's Kevin James, who joined the club on a three month loan deal on Friday, has been granted permission to play; while Andy Butler, who was ineligible for the 1st round, is now free to play after Scunthorpe's elimination to Port Vale.

Peter Beagrie has cancelled his contract with the club by mutual consent.

Striker Danny Reet was injured against Macclesfield on Saturday and unlikely to be involved, Michael Boulding could be given the opportunity to fill in up front.

Midfielder Stephen Dawson missed that game with an ankle injury and faces a fitness test, but striker Simon Brown is out long term with injury.




Head to Head

The Mariners have an awful record at Mansfield, and their victory in the 1955/56 season remains their only victory record at Field Mill.

P 36 W 10 D 10 L 16 F 46 A 55

Mansfield Head-to-Head (82nd on The Opposition Ladder)


Last Meeting

The last time Town visited Field Mill was in February when Town were top of League 2. Glaring errors by Tom Newey and Steve Mildenhall gifted the home side a 2-0 half time lead, before Curtis Woodhouse's only goal for the club pulled one back in the 2nd half; but Town were unable to rescue a point and relinquished top spot.

Mansfield 2 - 1 Grimsby
Barker 19
Coke 40 Woodhouse 79


Mansfield Team: Pressman, Jelleyman (sent off 73), Hjelde, Buxton, Baptiste, Wilson, D'Laryea, Coke, Dawson, Barker, Reet (Lloyd, 76)
Subs (not used): Uhlenbeek, White, Rundle, Arnold

Grimsby Team: Mildenhall, Newey, Jones, Futcher, Croft (Kalala, 77), Parkinson (Jones, 67), Woodhouse, Bolland, Cohen, Mendes (Toner, 85), Reddy
Subs: (not used) Downey, Barwick

Attendance: 3,053 Report



Prediction

Town 1-1 Mansfield (Town on penalties)




 

Latest | October 2006