{ the news }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from April 2008

HOLLAND AND WREXHAM REACTION
2nd April 2008 10:50


audio interview with Paul Holland from Radio Nottingham, here

Paul Holland is interviewed by Radio Nottingham after the game


Paul Holland is interviewed by BBC East Midlands Today after the game (to be shown at 6.45 on Wednesday)


Johnny Mullins is interviewed by BBC East Midlands Today after the game (to be shown at 6.45 on Wednesday)

photos by Martin Shaw
--------------------

wrexhamafc.co.uk
Evans: It Was Never A Penalty!

Gareth Evans put in a strong performance at the back in the crucial match at Mansfield last Tuesday, but that was no consolation after the controversial penalty decision which turned the match went against him.

"In the second half they came out and got the worst decision I've ever seen in football when the referee gave that penalty!

"I went to jump and he jumped on me, wrapped his hand round my face and pushed me to the floor. As I've fallen to the floor apparently I've hit the ball with my hand. God knows what I was supposed to do as his hand was over my eyes and I couldn't see anything! When he first blew I thought he'd given me a free kick. I couldn't believe it!"

The 2-1 defeat was a huge blow though, leaving the trap door to the Conference wide open, but Evans is unwilling to throw in the towel.

"It was a terrible result. We needed three points from the game and we came away with nothing. It's extremely disappointing to say the least but we're not going to give up. As long as there's a chance of survival we're going to keep going. No one's going to give up. As long as it's possible we're going to keep on fighting. There's no way we'll give up, but it's extremely disappointing not to get at least a point from the game."

A big factor in the match was the wind, which blew in Wrexham's favour in the first half, but certainly exploited better by The Stags in the second period.

"I thought we had a couple of half chances in the first half but the gaffer said to us afterwards that set pieces should have been a big plus for us and the delivery wasn't always right. We were disappointed that we didn't take advantage of the wind and then they just started brighter in the second half, to be honest.

"We didn't make the most of the wind in the first half and they did in the second, unfortunately. We should have dealt with the wind better and used it to our advantage more. We failed to deal with it for twenty minutes at the start of the second half, but the changes freshened us up a little bit and we started to get going then."

-------------

Holland delight as Stags end home hoodoo
CHAD.co.uk, by John Lomas
DELIGHTED Stags boss Paul Holland savoured his first win as the full-time Mansfield Town manager after the Stags finally ended their home hoodoo.
Two-goals in four minutes at the start of the second half set them up for a crucial 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers.

The first win at home since Boxing Day was enough to give them hope of avoding the drop to non league football.

Holland said: "I was delighted with the win. I was very confident that somewhere down the line we would end our poor home run.

"If we had got it sorted after Christmas we wouldn't be in this mess now and the players know that. But we didn't do anything different tonight - we prepared properly as always.

"I was very disappointed with the goal we conceded. We were 2-0 up near the end, but gave them a goal and it became very nerve jangling which is the Mansfield Town way!

"We came out on the front foot after half time which was pleasing and went 2-0 up.

"As far as I am concerned Mickey Boulding takes out penalties. But Jefferson (Louis) being Jefferson, he fancied it and, fair play to Mickey, he let him and he scored. But we have to sort it out before Saturday who will take penalties.

"It was a great finish from John Mullins for the second. I want my full backs to get forward like that.

"But we always make it had for ourselves and after Carl (Muggleton) had made a great save he shouldn't have had to make, they pulled one back.

"We will enjoy this win but we have another massive game ahead on Saturday. We have six cup finals to come still."

Wrexham boss Brian Little said: "Generally speaking we gave it a go and that's our motto and we have to continue to have a go.

"It is a massive task ahead of us now but we can't give in. We have to look first to the Macclesfield match on Saturday and see where that takes us.

"People up and down the country must look at this game and think the losers will go down and I accept that. But we have to fight on anyway.

"We were very committed but we can be the cause of out own problems.

"We got into some great positions with corners and free kicks, especially in the first half but couldn't get a decent ball into the box like Mansfield did for their penalty.

"I still question it was a penalty but I may be proved wrong on that.

"We will continue to give 100 percent and when we get back in on Thursday I won't accept any miserable faces."

 

Latest | April 2008