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Archived News from August 2002

STAGSNET LINCOLN REPORT
5th August 2002 6:38


Lincoln City 3 Mansfield Town 2

A strong Mansfield town squad was named for the trip to Sincil bank, which included new signings Colin Larkin and Neil Mckenzie.

The opening 5 minutes saw some good play by the two sides, but it was the 'imps' who had the first meaningful attempt on goal, as both Neil Moore and Cropper battled for the ball, they both made contact at the same time, and it ballooned into the air and towards goal, but was stopped in its track by an athletic parry by Pilkington, the ball landed at the feet of Yeo, whose shot was again, brilliantly saved by Pilkington. Minutes later, Andy White was felled on the edge of the Lincoln penalty area, the resultant free kick was taken by Scott Sellars, whose goal bound shot into the top corner was tipped over by Marriott in the Lincoln goal. For much of the first half the ball changed possession many times, but in this period there was some smart interchanges between the Mansfield with midfield, with williamson and Sellars looking particularly lively, and it was the latter of these two that provided a vintage cross from midfield, which met Andy White, who volleyed just over the bar. Just before half time, Yeo had a stinging shot that was well dealt with by Pilkington.

HT 0-0 – The Mansfield team played well, and although they didn't score past the Lincoln side the movement was encouraging and was the midfield play. Colin Larking looked lively up front, and had a good game, also the 'stags' defence looked solid on the crosses too.

Off – Pilkington, Gadsby, Moore, Reddington, Williamson, Larkin, White, Sellars
On - Bingham, Scott, Disley, Bacon, Christie, Clarke, no.23 Lazarus

The first action of the 2nd half was the opening goal for Lincoln City, Smith beat Jervis down the right hand side of the pitch, and put in a curling shot, which was met by Yeo, who had beat both Bingham and Scott to the ball. Literally a minute later, Christie, impressive once again in a stags shirt, received the ball on the left hand side of the penalty area, he then held off the Lincoln midfielder, and thumped the ball into the penalty area, the ball took several deflections, as well as off of the 'keeper and fell to Disley, who, well positioned, had the task of rolling the ball into the open net, the goal, coming just a minute later, showed that Mansfield were capable of upping the tempo when needed against lower league opposition. 6 minutes later, on 66 mins, a through ball from Disley caused havoc, with both Christie and Marriott getting to the ball at the same time, the ball rebounded to Neil Lazarous, who, evidently surprised to find the ball at his feet rushed his shot and hit wide of the open net. Yeo, the impressive Lincoln forward then had the next chance and while the Stags defence looked for the offside flag he ran onto the through ball, but hit it inches wide of the post. On 70 mins, Mansfield took the lead, Danny Bacon, with some smart control of the ball took on several Lincoln players and passed to Lazarus, who put in a great cross, which was met powerfully by Christie, Marriott got to the ball, but in vain as it kept on its path into the back of the net. With the further substitutions of Mcnenzie and Corden on 72 and 74 the Mansfield team was either of first team players, such as Disley returning from knocks, fringe players, or youth players, being given a run out. It was then that Lincoln took full advantage of the situation and scored twice in the last 3 minutes, to leave a harsh scoreline for the Mansfield team and fans. The second goal, scored by ex-stag Ben Sedgemore, who latched onto a cross from Willis and the third, which was soft, a basic cross was flapped by the flailing Bingham, which left with Smith the simple task to tap in on the post.

The scoreline was disappointing in the end, especially when you consider that Mansfield concede twice in the last 4 minutes. The fact that Mansfield conceded two goals in injury time, and their failure to hold onto a lead is an on going problem, but could be partly excused by the young players out there towards the end.

Dispite the scoreline, it was a good performance by the Stags 1st team players, and to be fair, if Mansfield had produced a top team for the game as they were going to do before the Alaves game was arranged, I think that Mansfield would have had little problems in inserting their superiority on the Lincoln side. In this case, the scoreline must be not worried about, but maybe the good performance should be improved on by the Stags team, and give the Mansfield following something to be happy about for the start of the new season, now only a week away. I think that the performance, and the team which is chosen for Monday night will give us much insight into what will occur against Plymouth.

Report by Adam.

 

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