Archived News from October 2007
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LATE FIGHTBACK DOESN`T PAPER OVER THE STAGS CRACKS
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Rotherham 3-2 Mansfield
Bean 4, Newsham 20, Brogan 67. M.Boulding 76, Arnold 83. Att: 3,881 (597 from Mansfield) Martin Shaw at Millmoor An excellent last 15 minutes from Mansfield when they clawed their way back from 3-0 down to 3-2, and nearly nicked a point, should not detract from an absolutely appalling first half display when the Stags were 2-0 down and could have conceded several more. The Stags fans were mostly in euphoric mood before the game, following the news on Friday that James Derry is buying the club from Keith Haslam, but the players hadn't read the script and the gloom returned with a goal conceded inside 4 minutes, a start all too familiar this season. It was a first half horror show by the Stags, particularly in a defence consisting of Kitchen, Martin, Mullins and Baptiste, and they were lucky to be only two adrift at the break. A third goal midway through the second half seemed just to make matters worse as the Stags showed no signs of a fightback, but in the last 15 minutes, Mansfield played some stirring stuff and scored twice, and then came close to equalising. But another defeat, 6 on the trot in the league, and if this goes on much longer the Stags are going to need snookers. This is our worst losing run in the League since the end of 1999-2000 season. Manager then was Billy Dearden. Stagsnet report in the Match Centre. ---------------- yorkshirepost.co.uk Report: Rotherham United 3 Mansfield Town 2 By Robert Gledhill at Millmoor ROTHERHAM United claimed their second home win of the season to leave Mansfield rooted to the bottom of League Two. First half goals from Marcus Bean and Marc Newsham and another from Stephen Brogan up the slope brought the Millers their deserved victory though Michael Boulding and Nathan Arnold replied in the 75th and 82nd minutes to set up a nervous finale. Derek Holmes had ended his goal drought in the midweek 1-1 draw at Macclesfield after being brought back into the side as on loan striker Bruce Dyer returned to Doncaster with a back problem. Holmes had a new strike partner as Newsham came in for his first start in place of Chris O'Grady against the Stags. Although it had been three games without a win for Rotherham they went into the encounter in better shape than the basement club. Mansfield fans have mounted a campaign urging owner Keith Haslam to sell quickly, claiming the club is in its most perilous state in its 110-year history. The Stags Supporters Association have even been paying for training facilities for manager Billy Dearden's squad. Mansfield had lost Carl Muggleton injured on the hour against the Dons after smashing his nose making a brave save at the feet of Leon Kight but he was passed fit to face the Millers behind a makeshift defence. Rotherham made a great start when Bean drove the ball home under Muggleton's body from a nod down from Ian Sharps in the fourth minute for his first goal of the season. Local lad Newsham then made it 2-0 in the 20th minute with a spectacular overhead kick after Holmes had won the ball in the air from Paul Hurst's cross. Boulding was Mansfield's big threat but it remained 2-0 at the break. Muggleton was unfit to continue and was replaced by Jason White for the second half and full-back Ashley Kitchen, rushed back after illness, also came off after 57 minutes. Boulding attempted to reduce the arrears but Andy Warrington was equal to his low drive. Graham Coughlan then broke up a Mansfield attack and sent Andy Todd down the middle to unleash a fierce shot which flashed narrowly wide. Todd then played in Newsham but the right boot of White diverted the shot off target but Newsham soon beat the goalkeeper with a header which struck the bar and Brogan headed home the rebound in the 67th minute for his first of the season. Warrington did well to deny Stephen Dawson but was beaten by a shot on the turn from Boulding from the ensuing corner. The Millers were again undone at a corner as Nathan Arnold struck from John McAliskey's head down but the Millers hung on, Tom Cahill spurning the chance to make it 4-2. Rotherham United: Warrington, Tonge, Coughlan, Sharps, Hurst, Todd, Harrison, Bean (Cresswell 72), Brogan, Newsham, Holmes (Cahill 78). Unused substitutes: Annerson, O'Grady, Duncum. Mansfield Town: Muggleton (White 46), Mullins, Bell, Hamshaw (McAliskey 73), Dawson, Brown, M Boulding, Kitchen (Arnold 57), John-Baptiste, Martin, McAllister. Unused substitutes: Holmes, Sleath. Referee: David Foster (Tyne and Wear). |
Latest | October 2007