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

HUCKNALL TOWN 0 - 1 MANSFIELD TOWN
29th July 2008 23:54


Hucknall Town 0 - 1 Mansfield Town
Blackwood 51.
Attendance: 881
19 July 2008

Stags: White (Gamble 46), Silk (McGregor 46), Moses, O'Hare, Hurst (Wood 46), Arnold (Trimmer 69),
D'Laryea (Shaw 46), Hurren (Somner 44), Blackwood (Goward 61), Duffy (McGhee 61), Stallard (Lee 46).

-----------

Report from mansfieldtown.net here

-----------

Jason Lee in Stags trial as Mansfield win at Hucknall
More trialists to be looked at, but no decisions yet on future signings - McEwan
Stags boss Billy McEwan guides Mansfield to a win in his first game

CHAD.co.uk, by Tim Morriss, 19 July 2008

FORMER Nottingham Forest striker Jason Lee was among 10 trialists as Mansfield Town won their first senior pre-season friendly of the season.

Report from CHAD.co.uk here

Lee looked lively in a second half substitute's appearance, but it was the performance of two of new manager Billy McEwan's signings which also caught the eye in the 1-0 victory at Hucknall Town - giving the boss a winning start to his managerial career at Field Mill.

Michael Blackwood was busy, direct and struck the only goal of the game six minutes into the second half, while veteran forward Mark Stallard also showed his guile and experience.

At the heart of the defence new signing Adie Moses was solid and trialist Alan O'Hare looked a good partner alongside him.

The match was competitive from the start with the Stags victim of a few late challenges. However, there were few goalmouth incidents to cheer the estimated 300plus Stags fans in an 881-strong crowd in blustery conditions, but McEwan said: "It was a worthwhile exercise . . . and it was nice to win.

"But this was only shadow boxing, the main bill is yet to come."

Five of the trialists started the match and five appeared as substitutes as a total of 20 players featured in the match for Mansfield.

Afterwards McEwan said all the newcomers had done well and that he would not be making a decision on any of their futures after just one match.

He told Chad: "We will make no decisions on just one game, that is not fair. We have another game on Tuesday and two more next weekend.

"One or two of the trialists did well, others did ok.

"You have got to realise they were under pressure, these guys are looking for a job and there was a bit of pressure on them.

"I can understand that and you have got to be fair to them.

"There will be more coming in . . . I am looking for players all the time."

The trialists who started were:

Gary Silk (24), right back, who has made just under 100 Football Legaue appearances after beginning his career as a trainee at Portsmouth. He was at Notts County last season and has also played for Boston United and Cambridge.

Alan O'Hare (25) is the one trialist already mentioned in public by boss Mcewan as a target. An Irishman, he has been training with the club since the takeover after being released by Chesterfield. The former Bolton trainee can play either left-back or in the middle of the defence and did both at Hucknall.

Paul Hurst (33), a vastly experienced left back, who has made 494 appearances for Rotherham United and gained Conference experience in a loan spell at Burton last season.

Gavin Hurren (22), centre midfielder, a former team-mate of Blackwood at Kidderminster where he has made more than 75 appearances.

Welshman Rob Duffy (25), a striker who has played just a handful of games for Rushden.

The trialists who appeared as substitutes were:

Mark McGregor (31), defender, was released by Port Vale at the end of last season and has also played for Blackpool, Burnley and Wreham, amassing almost 400 league games.

Paddy Gamble (19), goalkeeper formerly of Nottingham Forest who has spent loan spells at York City and last season at Stalybridge Celtic.

Matt Somner (25), centre midfield, was released by Notts County at the end of last season after more than 50 appearances. He has also played at Aldershot, Bristol Rovers, Cambridge and Brentford.

Tom Shaw (21), midfielder, left Rushden in the summer after 50 games.

Jason Lee (33), striker, well known locally after playing for Nottingham Forest, Notts County and Chesterfield. Was released by Notts County at the end of lats season.

Afterwards, talking about Lee the manager added: "He phoned me up and said that he wanted to come and join us. We will not turn anyone away, we will have a look at them.

"I though he did alright."

After a scrappy start to the match, Stallard headed a Blackwood free-kick wide and Hucknall keeper James Lindley raced off his line to deny Paul Hurst.

Nathan Arnold, Gavin Hurren and Jon D'Laryea linked up well in one fine passing move and then Blackwood was unlucky to see a shot across the face of goal just bobble wide of the far post from a clever Stallard flick.

Two former Stags players almost combined to give Hucknall the lead, Danny Sleath's corner headed wide by Danny Bacon, who also wasted a good shooting opportunity.

The corner was one of several inswinging flag kicks on a gusty wind to trouble Stags keeper Jason White in the first half.

Trialist Hurren went off with a groin injury moments before half-time, before a host of changes during the break - and then in the second half. At one point Hurst, who had been replaced at half-time, returned midway through the second half.

At the beginning of the second half the Stags found some fluency and passing football for around 15 minutes - possibly their best spell of the match.

The winner came in the 51st minute when Blackwood fired into the left-hand corner from eight yards after a link-up with Rob Duffy - and a few minutes later almost grabbed a second before Wilson's challenge forced his final shot wide.

A good knock down by Lee allowed youngster Ryan Goward a shot at goal and then the experienced striker set up Lewis Trimmer, but he fired straight at the keeper.

Late on Lee's diving header narrowly missed the target from a Jamie McGhee cross.

At the other end, trialist keeper Gamble had little to do, though at one point he quickly raced off his line to clear the danger.

At the final whistle manager McEwan had all his squad together on the pitch for a debrief.

Then he told Chad: "It was a good workout, but you could tell we needed a game.

"We have not been able to train on a full sized pitch upto now and the majority of players are new to each other.

"Some have also not played for a long time. Michael (Blackwood), that was his first game since March. They all worked very hard and you can't be too critical because of the circumstances, but we have got to get more organisation into them.

"I just ask that the fans are patient. Rome was not built in a day. We have got to have patience as a group and as fans."

McEwan said that he was aiming for a squad of at least 20 players by the start of the season, but warned that some may be at Field Mill on short-term contracts or a non-contract basis while he made a final decision about their futures.

"I could fill the club with 30 to 40 players and it is easy to sign players, but I have got to make sure that they are the right ones for this club."

On a personal note back in charge of a team in a competitive match for the first time since his departure from York, he added: "It is good to be back, you do miss it. I have been in the game for 40 years, it is in my blood, it is like a drug.

"You need a challenge and this is a challenge. But look at this club as a whole . . . things are changing for the better, the facilities off the pitch are improving, the business side is improving already.

"The fans have been excellent. I have been in seven days a week and spoken to some. They are optimistic about where the club is going to go, but it will take time. This will be a smahing club, but we are at rock bottom now.

"When I came we have just two contracted senior players, Nathan Arnold and Jason White. This is a McAlpine job, a massive rebuilding job.

"But I have to be careful we get the right players in as pennies are tight. I have been doing my homework on these players, they don't just arrive on your doorstep willy-nilly.

"We need players with the right character who want to come and play for us.

MANSFIELD TOWN: White (Gamble 45mins), Silk (McGregor 45mins), Moses, O'Hara, Hurst (Wood 45mins), Arnold (Trimmer 69mins), D'Laryea (Shaw 45mins), Hurren (Somner 44mins), Blackwood (Goward 61mins), Duffy (McGhee 61mins), Stallard (Lee 45mins).

HUCKNALL TOWN: Lindley, Ottley, Smith L, Wilson, Winder, Sucharewycz (Stevenson 68mins), Mitchell (Kettle 64mins), Bacon (Smith M, 59mins), Knox (Marshall 71mins), Ricketts (Ward 71mins), Sleath (Burke 86mins).

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

Massive rebuilding needed at Mansfield Town - McEwan
CHAD.co.uk, by Tim Morriss, 19 July 2008

NEW Mansfield Town manager Billy McEwan again stressed that the Stags face a 'massive rebuilding' afer guiding them to victory in his first match in charge.

Read at CHAD.co.uk here

McEwan, into his third week at the helm of the Stags, also called for fans to be patient, after the 1-0 win at Hucknall Town.

The Stags, including 10 trialists among 20 players who featured in the 90 minutes, have yet to boost their first team squad to 11 players.

But McEwan promised fans that he would not sign players for the sake of bolstering his squad.

He said after Michael Blackwood, one of his four signings so far, had struck the only goal of the game: "I just ask that the fans are patient. Rome was not built in a day. We have got to have patience as a group and as fans."

McEwan said that he was aiming for a squad of at least 20 players by the start of the season, but warned that some may be at Field Mill on short-term contracts or a non-contract basis while he made a final decision about their futures.

"I could fill the club with 30 to 40 players and it is easy to sign players, but I have got to make sure that they are the right ones for this club."

On a personal note back in charge of a team in a competitive match for the first time since his departure from York, he added: "It is good to be back, you do miss it. I have been in the game for 40 years, it is in my blood, it is like a drug.

"You need a challenge and this is a challenge. But look at this club as a whole . . . things are changing for the better, the facilities off the pitch are improving, the business side is improving already.

"The fans have been excellent. I have been in seven days a week and spoken to some. They are optimistic about where the club is going to go, but it will take time. This will be a smashing club, but we are at rock bottom now.

"When I came we have just two contracted senior players, Nathan Arnold and Jason White. This is a McAlpine job, a massive rebuilding job.

"But I have to be careful we get the right players in as pennies are tight. I have been doing my homework on these players, they don't just arrive on your doorstep willy-nilly.

"We need players with the right character who want to come and play for us."

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

Hucknall Town 0 Mansfield Town 1
Blackwood gives Stags a winning start

Evening Post, 19/07/2008

Michael Blackwood capped an impressive Mansfield debut with the only goal of the game in the Stags' first senior pre-season friendly at Hucknall this afternoon.

Report from Evening Post here

The left-winger, who has joined from Kidderminster pounced from close range shortly after half-time to decide a closely-matches affair.
In blustery conditions at Watnall Road, and a travelling band of around 300 visiting fans, both sides had their chances.
But Mansfield boss Billy McEwan will be pleased that all his new signings and a raft of trialists had a run-out.
There were 10 in all – five starting and five coming off the bench.
Mark McGregor, 31, was released by Port Vale at the end of last season and has also played for Blackpool, Burnley and Wreham.
The defender has almost 400 league games to his credit.
Nottingham-born Paddy Gamble, a 19-year-old keeper formerly of Nottingham Forest has spent loan spells at York City and Stalybridge Celtic.
Matt Somner, 25, was released by Notts County at the end of last season having made more than 50 appearances for the Magpies.
The central midfielder has also figured at Aldershot, Bristol Rovers, Cambridge and Brentford.
Tom Shaw, 21, has joined from Rushden where the midfielder played 50 games.
Gary Silk has made just under 100 Football Legaue appearances after starting as a trainee at Portsmouth.
The 24-year-old was at Notts County last season and has also played for Boston United and Cambridge.
Gavin Hurren, 22, is a former team-mate of Michael Blackwood at Kiddermisnter where the midfielder has played more than 75 times.
Paul Hurst, a vastly experienced left-back, has played almost 500 games for Rotherham United.
The 33-year-old spent a loan spell at Burton towards the end of last season.
Alan O'Hare, had already been training with the club after being released by Chesterfield.
The former Bolton trainee can play either left-back or in the middle.
Lee, 37, was released by Notts County at the end of last term having spent two seasons at Meadow Lane.
The tall striker has also played for Nottingham Forest and Chesterfield, among others.
Swansea-born forward Rob Duffy, 25, has played a handful of games for Rushden.
After an opening that was dominated by midfield exchanges, Mark Stallard got in Mansfield's first attempt at goal with a header that drifted wide of the left-hand post from Michael Blackwood's free-kick.
In the 13th minute, James Lindley was off his line sharply to deny Paul Hurst who had made a surging rune from the back.
Hucknall had a decent chance when Danny Bacon caught Paul Hurst in possession but could not punish his old club as his weak left-footed shot trickled through to Jason White.
A fine move involving Arnold, Gavin Hurren and D'Laryea looked promising but the former's cross from the right byline was easily cut out.
Soon after, Hurren tried a shot on the turn in the box but skied well over.
Midway through the half, Hucknall won a corner that was half-cleared to Laurie Wilson whose powerful shot cannoned off own man Gary Ricketts.
The Stags almost took the lead when Stallard flicked into the path of Blackwood whose low finish from the right-hand side of the box drifted just past the left-hand post.
White was uncertain from consecutive Hucknall corners as he first punched over his own bar and then was relieved to see the second drop onto the roof of the net.
Just after the half hour mark, Danny Sleath's right-wing flag kick beat the outstretched hand of White, only for Bacon to head wide from point blank range.
The Stags responded with a swift attack that saw Hurst's cross headed back toward Stallard by Rob Duffy, only for the Hucknall defence to intervene.
As half-time approached, Stallard showed some neat footwork in the box to escape his marker before his low cross was blocked.
Hurren, seemingly having picked up a knock then went off with Matt Somner coming on in his place.
In first half stoppage time, Peter Knox embarked on a winding run that ended with a shot from the edge of the box straight into White's arms.
The Stags made a host of changes at the break with Paddy Gamble, Mark McGregor, Chris Wood, Tom Shaw and Jason Lee coming on for Jason White, Gary Silk, Paul Hurst, Jonathan D'Laryea and Mark Stallard.
Hucknall started the second half well and Knox's close range shot was well held by the diving Paddy Gamble.
The Stags went in front in the 51st minute when Blackwood found space in the box and rifled into the left-hand corner from eight yards.
Moments later, as Mansfield went in search of a second, Shaw went down in the box but the referee waved play on.
Blackwood almost had a second as he ran onto Nathan Arnold's header but Wilson did enough to put the left-midfielder off and he shot wide.
By the 70th minute every Stags player had been on the pitch with Hurst even coming back on for Moses.
With just over 15 minutes to go, Lee nodded the ball back for Ryan Goward whose ambitious long shot was easily held by Lindley.
Hucknall went close soon after when Wilson curled in a right-wing centre that Sleath headed wide of the left-hand upright.
Lewis Trimmer had a fine chance to make the game safe for Mansfield after a neat one-two with Lee only to fire disappointingly at Lindley.
And only a last-ditch challenge prevented the young striker from prodding home late on.
Lee nearly finished the game with a goal in the dying stages but he headed wide of the left-hand post from a right-wing Jamie McGhee centre.

Mansfield: White (Gamble 46), Silk (McGregor 46), Moses, O'Hare, Hurst (Wood 46), Arnold (Trimmer 69), D'Laryea (Shaw 46), Hurren (Somner 44), Blackwood (Goward 61), Duffy (McGhee 61), Stallard (Lee 46).
Hucknall: Lindley, Ottley, L. Smith, Wilson, Winder, Sucharewycz (Stevenson 68), Mitchell (Kettle 64), Bacon (M. Smith 59), Knox (Mushambi 71), Ricketts (Ward 71), Sleath (Burke 86). Subs not used: Galloway, Chapman.
Referee: P. Leversuch.
Goals: Mansfield: Blackwood (51).
Attendance: 881.

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

Pre-match:

Stags to field mystery men!
Evening Post, 19/07/2008

It is a measure of the urgency Billy McEwan has been forced to adopt in preparing Mansfield for the new season that he is readying the club for their first senior pre-season friendly just two weeks into the job.

Read more from Evening Post here

The Stags make the short trip to Watnall Road to take on Conference North side Hucknall today.

It will be the first time Mansfield fans will get to see the likes of Mark Stallard, Adie Moses and Michael Blackwood in action.

But there is also likely to be plenty of head scratching at the unfamiliar names on show.

With a big chunk of the new Mansfield squad yet to be assembled following the club's recent take-over, it might be advisable for supporters to take a copy of Footballers' Who's Who with them.

"There won't be a few trailists at Hucknall - there will be a stack of them," said McEwan.

"We know we are behind and the timing of the take-over could have been better but now that has gone.

"We will have a team but we haven't got 11 players signed on yet because I have to do my homework.

"I have to make sure we get the right people. They have to be our type of player.

"That's why there will be lots of trialists. At this level you can't afford to send scouts all around the country looking at players so you need to see them for yourself."

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

Stags ready for opening first team friendly
CHAD.co.uk, 18 July 2008

MANSFIELD Town fans are eagerly awaiting tomorrow's opening first team friendly to see which trialists new manager Billy McEwan will select.

Read more from CHAD.co.uk here

The team playing at Hucknall will feature a mixture of first team players, reserves and trialists.

But with the Stags still having just 10 first team squad members, the expected 16-strong squad is sure to feature many new faces.

Manager McEwan said earlier in the week that he wanted to see some of the trialists in match action before making a decision on their futures.

New signings Mark Stallard, Adie Moses, Jon D'Laryea and Michael Blackwood are certain to play some part.

A lot of the interest will centre on the goalkeeping position, with speculation mounting that a new keeper is expected to be signed as competition for Jason White.

It is also thought that McEwan is hoping to make more signings next week ahead of the two home friendlies against Derby County and Sheffield United.

Hucknall are likely to name ex-Stags Danny Bacon and Danny Sleath tomorrow. Admission at Hucknall is £6 adults, £4 OAPs, £2 7-16 years, under 7s free.

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

 

Latest | July 2008