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Archived News from April 2009

HOLDSWORTH, WILLIAMS, O`CONNOR REACTION
13th April 2009 23:23


David Holdsworth gives his opinion on the key moments of the game to John Lomas, Martin Shaw and Matt Halfpenny, in a video interview here

Ryan Williams and Aaron O'Connor talk to BBC Radio Nottingham's David Jackson, in a video interview here (VIDEO NOT WORKING AS OF SUNDAY MORNING, HOPING TO BE FIXED)

Stagsworld Sunday Supplement, here

More interviews at CHAD website:
http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/PHOTO-SLIDESHOW-Referee-under-fire.5164151.jp
Referee under fire as late leveller rocks Stags
CHAD, By John Lomas
DESPITE an excellent display from Mansfield Town, supporters went home talking only of Lancashire referee Jez Simpson after a series of decisions went against the Stags in a bruising 2-2 draw with Barrow on Saturday.
Nothing went for Mansfield as struggling Barrow were given a soft penalty, Stags had one of their own turned down and then a soft free kick sparked a late, unlikely equaliser for the visitors - with home keeper Alan Marriott red-carded for clashing with Paul Jones after the ball hit the net with 93 minutes on the watch.

Jones had provoked the clash by ruffling Marriott's hair as he lay on the floor and saying something and the keeper reacted and retaliated with a kick and then the pair squared up.

It was an unsavoury end to a blood and thunder second half which had been in stark contrast to the poor first 45 minutes.

The afternoon ended with the officials escorted off to huge booing and Stags boss David Holdsworth having to be restrained as he tried to remonstrate with Mr Simpson.

"It is so frustrating that we end a game like that talking only about the referee," said an angry Holdsworth.

"I do not like saying anything about referees but what I feel about Mr Simpson will be reflected in my report.

"If there was an assessor watching him he would be down to park level after that.

"There were things going on out there that I can't train for, I would have been better off sending a gang in to play them. I am here to stand up for this football club.

"I thought we played really well in the second half with some fantastic football and we dominated it.

"But there were issues with the game that should have been dealt with better – it was poor judgement by the officials.

"I won't criticise other teams or managers but I think something should have been done about Barrow's time-wasting, particularly how long their keeper held onto the ball.

"How can he book Aaron O'Connor for diving when it was a blatant penalty? The lad took a swing at the ball and never made contact, the ball did not move away from him.

"The penalty he gave them was never a penalty. Their lad missed his header and the ball just hit Scott Garner on the hand. It was not intentional.

"Where did he get that five minutes from at the end?

"Alan Marriott was sent off and I can't defend him. But he was man-handled when he was on the floor and responded to that. He knows he shouldn't have done, but the referee didn't see what had gone on before. The instigator is never the one given the red card.

"Our fans were absolutely outstanding today. They could see in that second half the passion and drive from our players."

Aaron O'Connor, who looked to have won it with his 79th minute goal added: "Barrow never looked like scoring – we defended well throughout the game. Apart from a couple of free kicks we gave away I thought we looked comfortable.

"I had managed to get 15 minutes in at the end of the first half to get going (after coming on as sub) so I was up for it after the break and we managed to produce the fast start the manager had asked for.

"He said if we upped the tempo they wouldn't be able to live with us and that was the case.

"I should have had a definite penalty but I was booked instead.

"There was a lot going on out there and it was probably great for a neutral supporter.

"Barrow were a physical side and we showed we are able to mix it and earn the right to play. We had so many chances the game should have been dead and buried.

"I think they came here hoping to nick a point and they did what they came to do.

"I have not played as much as I would have liked in the last five or six weeks but maybe now I will get a chance to show the manager a bit more of what I can do. Hopefully I can score a few more before the season ends."

Ryan Williams scored Stags' other goal – a 25 yard screamer into the top corner and said: "I cut in, saw the opportunity and pulled the trigger.

"I caught it sweet as a nut and it was nice to score. I am here to create chances but also to chip in with a few goals myself.

"It was soul-destroying not to win that. We played something like we can in the second half but losing that goal so late today leaves you feeling like you got beaten rather than a draw."

Barrow joint boss David Bayliss said: "I thought we shaded the first half, but we needed the great finish at the end to get something out of the game and were perhaps quite lucky after the second half.

"We knew Mansfield would come at us in the second half and they left us at sixes and sevens at times and stretched us.

"But the lads rolled their sleeves up and perhaps we deserved the point at the end.

"I was disappointed with their two goals, especially the second. It was just a direct free kick into the box and a flick-on. I thought we had stopped conceding goals like that.

"I was also disappointed with our strikers today, they lost the ball too easily and were not strong enough in the tackle.

"We were fortunate to be able to throw two players on to freshen it up and fortunately Nick got the goal.

"I was not too confident that we would score from the free kick at the end as we have done well from them lately, but
Sheridan showed a touch of class to lift the ball over the wall. He was unlucky not to score himself, but Nick was in the right place at the right time.

"He is an impact player, very quick and strong, and a good player to be able to bring on.

"Not getting beaten at Kettering and Mansfield must give us confidence, but today our performance was not as good as at Kettering.

"But it is a point gained and makes Monday so important.

"We need to get three points. All games from now are going to be like cup finals.

"Gareth Jelleyman is touch and go for Monday. I have been really impressed with him, he has a great left foot, and if he doesn't make it we will miss him."

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CHAD:
Give White a chance, urges Stags boss Holdsworth

By John Lomas
DAVID Holdsworth has urged Stags fans to get behind reserve keeper Jason White as he takes over the number one jersey for three games after Alan Marriott's red card on Saturday.
White has taken a lot of stick from Mansfield supporters during his lengthy time at the club and was the keeper beaten by a 40 yard lob that all but relegated the club last season.

But Holdsworth begged fans to give him a fresh start after a frustrating season on the sidelines following summer knee surgery.

"Jason has worked really hard and is now down to the weight I expect a keeper to be at," said Holdsworth.

"He has been here a while and sometimes players can singled out for lack of winning and progression.

"All I ask of our fans is to give Jason the support he needs and get his confidence up.

"He has been through some very turbulent times over the years but he has worked his socks off since I came here and I want fans to embrace
him and give him some support."

Marriott will serve a three game ban for a straight red after he clashed with Barrow's Paul Jones after the Bluebirds' stoppage time equaliser in the 2-2 draw.

Striker Rob Duffy is another doubt for tomorrow's trip to struggling Northwich Victoria (3pm).

"Rob was stamped on in his nether regions and has a slight groin strain so we will have to see with him though he has to be a doubt," added Holdsworth.

"With Mark Stallard also injured it leaves me without a target man though Daryl Clare and Aaron O'Connor did play well together after Duffy had gone off."

Gary Silk will return to the squad after injury, but Scott Gardner is not quite ready yet. Neil Mackenzie missed out with illness yesterday and is another who will be left until the last minute before a decision is made.

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Evening Post:

O'Connor stakes his claim at Stags
Sunday, April 12, 2009, 09:06Comment on this story

AARON O'Connor is hoping his first goal for Mansfield under David Holdsworth will give him the chance to prove his worth in the next few games.
The striker has been on the periphery of things in recent weeks, often being confined to the bench.
He was once again a substitute against Barrow yesterday before coming on to replace the injured Rob Duffy.
However, the former Grays man took his chance well as he netted what looked likely to be a winner, until Nick Rogan equalised deep into stoppage time.
O'Connor linked up well with Daryl Clare and he is looking for the opportunity to repeat that at Northwich tomorrow.
%3Cbody%3E%3Cdiv%20id%3D%22adDiv%22%3E%3CA%20HREF%3D%22http%3A//ads.anm.co.uk/ADCLICK/CID%3D0000b139f7f5f6ff00000000/AAMSZ%3D452x118/POS%3D/SITE%3DTHISISNOTT/AREA%3DFOOTBALL/SUBAREA%3D/ARTICLE%3D895742/acc_random%3D4865099217/pageid%3D/RS%3D%22%20target%3D%22_new%22%3E%3CIMG%20SRC%3D%22http%3A//iad.anm.co.uk/house/1x1.gif%22%20ALT%3D%22Click%20here%21%22%20border%3D0%20style%3D%22margin-bottom%3A%200px%3B%22%3E%3C/A%3E%3C/div%3E"I just gambled and Clarey got the flick on. Then I just concentrated on keeping the shot low," said O'Connor.
"The keeper had made three or four saves, but they were up high and I thought it would be best to keep it down close to his feet.
"It's been a little while for me since I have scored a goal and hopefully I can go on and get a few more and then look back on a decent season.
"I don't know the extent of Duffs' injury but, whether I start or am on the bench, I would hope to be involved and have a positive impact."
O'Connor said there was immense disappointment in the home dressing room that the Stags had not been able to make it two home wins on the bounce.
"They will be happy with the draw, but the way we are wanting to finish the season, we are disappointed," he added.


Stags boss Holdsworth hits out at referee
Monday, April 13, 2009, 07:00Comment on this story

DAVID Holdsworth claimed the referee 'lost the plot' as Mansfield Town were held to a 2-2 draw by Barrow after a stoppage-time equaliser at Field Mill.
The Stags were on course for three points after Aaron O'Connor scored in the 79th minute.
But substitute Nick Rogan headed home after Darren Sheridan's header was tipped on to the bar.
Holdsworth was unhappy with the free-kick and Alan Marriott's sending off as Barrow celebrated their leveller. They were just two of a long list of complaints he had against referee Jez Simpson.
"It is frustrating that everyone is talking about the referee, because I hate talking about them," said Holdsworth.
"If I was whinging about losing a game 1-0 where they had scored a great goal, that would be different, but I'm moaning about things from the opponents and referee that were dreadful.
"How he has booked Aaron O'Connor for diving I will never know.
"It was a blatant penalty, yet how many have been given against us? The one against Scott Garner, their lad missed the header and he had his hands by his side. It hit his hand but it wasn't intentional.
"With the sending off, the perpetrator, or instigator, is never the one given the red card.
"And where he has got five minutes of stoppage-time I don't know."
Holdsworth was also less than impressed by the tactics of Barrow, which he deemed over-physical. He said: "You might as well bring in a gang to play against that. Some of the things that were going on, you can't train for.''
Mansfield are back in action today at Northwich Victoria.
Gary Silk could be back available after his groin injury.

 

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