Archived News from April 2010
|
STAGS MISS 2 PENALTIES IN LAST 2 MINS & LOSE AGAIN
|
 |
|
Blue Square Premier
Mansfield Town 0 - 1 AFC Wimbledon Speight missed pen 88. Perry missed pen 90. Kedwell 9. Duncan sent off 57. Attendance: 2,470 (304 from Wimbledon) Date: 10 April 2010 Martin Shaw at Field Mill Mansfield Town were beaten 1-0 at home by AFC Wimbledon on Saturday afternoon. It was the sixth time in the last 8 home games that the Stags have failed to score (and in one of the other two, we only scored in the last minute). In addition the Stags played the final third of the game against ten men, exactly as they had at Cambridge on Monday. And in another parallel to the Cambridge game, the Stags missed a last minute penalty that would have earned a draw. This time though, unbelievably we missed TWO penalties in the last two minutes. Speight had his penalty saved on 88 minutes, and then Perry had his penalty saved on 90 minutes. The Stags last missed two penalties in a game against Accrington Stanley in 2006 (see here), but never in the club's history have we missed two penalties in the last 2 minutes of a game. Normal penalty taker Rob Duffy was out injured. The Stags have now missed four consecutive penalties, after Shaw missed at Cambridge and Duffy missed against Grays. Five points down the drain from these four missed penalties. And all this after Duffy scored so many consecutive penalties and never looked like missing. Having said that, Marriott recently saved three consecutive penalties (against Stevenage, York and Kettering), but we didn't win any of those games. Incredibly, the Stags are now 16 points outside the play-off zone and 19 points above the relegation zone - astonishing after we had been in the play-off zone for so long this season. Man of the match: Alan Marriott ----------------------------- Saturday 10 April 2010 Brown the Dons hero – Seb that is! http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news.php?Psection_id=2&Psub_section_id=1&utm_source=twitter&Open=4882#tar4882 Wimbledon secured a hard fought away win thanks to two late penalty saves from Seb Brown who also made a number of other great saves. Terry Brown made six changes from the side that had started against York City with Seb Brown, Sam Hatton, Brett Johnson, Derek Duncan, Will Hendry and Danny Kedwell coming into the starting XI. Wimbledon got off to the ideal start with Kedwell scoring after nine minutes. Hendry hooked the ball on and Kedwell out muscled his defender before finishing well. The Dons had chances to increase the lead but Steven Gregory, Luke Moore and Kedwell were all denied by man of the match Andy Marriott. At the other end Mansfield's long throws were causing some discomfort in the visitor's penalty area but other than a full length save and some vital punches Brown was secure. Duncan's dismissal after 58 minutes for an alleged elbow leaving the team to play out the last half hour with just 10 men was the last thing they needed after their recent hectic fixture schedule. Terry Brown made full use of his substitutes and although under the cosh for a lot of the time the team defended with strength and resolution. Five minutes of added on time saw great excitement as the home team were awarded two penalties both of which were well saved by Seb Brown diving to his right on the first occasion and to his left on the second. There was still time between the penalties for Hatton to break into the penalty area but with the chance to shoot the ball was squared to Ricky Wellard and the chance was lost. Terry Brown was in a jubilant mood as the team made its way back to Kingsmeadow. “I am delighted to start the weekend with a win and see the back of a really hard, dire week. Stuart and I set the team up today with the sole purpose of keeping a clean sheet so that we could rebuild from the wreckage of the York result. “It was important we defended as a team today and although some of the defending was desperate to say the least, the team showed its character and backbone to bounce back from a bad setback on Wednesday. We started the game off with two holding midfielders and a solid back four and used it as a springboard to counter attack. With a little luck we could have gone in at half time three goals up but for some great saves by their goalkeeper who was later named as Mansfield's man of the match. “We started the second half in similar fashion and soaked up some early pressure. However, after 58 minutes we had to readjust following the dismissal of Derek Duncan. I will be looking at the video evidence before making any further comment on the incident. With most of the boys having played a great deal of football in the last week we needed to get some fresh legs on replacing Will Hendry with Ricky Wellard, Luke Moore with Jay Conroy and finally Danny Kedwell with Nathan Elder. Danny had not only scored the winning goal but also had worked tirelessly up front. “This put us in a fantastic position going into added on time until award of two dubious penalties. Thankfully, our hero of the day Seb Brown two remarkable saves to earn us a well deserved battling three points. “Next week sees us play two important games. On Tuesday we tackle Grays Athletic when we will be going all out to consolidate our position in the league. On Thursday we entertain Croydon Athletic in the semi final of the London Senior Cup. This is the last competition where we can win some silverware and again we will be aiming to progress to the final. I will have to juggle the side around taking into account the amount of football played by some of the players but it will be a strong team as there is no game on Saturday they will have an opportunity to recover before playing Tamworth a week on Tuesday.” Seb Brown was in a modest mode as he explained that he had never saved two penalties before in the same game. “Although I had saved from the spot in a penalty shoot out while I was at Brentford and of course for the Dons earlier in the season at Tooting and Mitcham I had not saved a penalty in open play. “Although the penalties were well struck both penalty takers gave me the chance to reach them and I was relieved to guess the right way and see the rebounds cleared by my defence.” ---------------------- Seb the star as Wimbledon get back on winning road By Richard Brown » http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/football/8092508.Seb_the_star_as_Wimbledon_get_back_on_winning_road/? Mansfield Town 0-1 AFC Wimbledon Terry Brown lavished praise on namesake keeper Seb after his penalty heroics at Field Mill ended Wimbledon's recent rut. The Dons have not been at the races for some time – and on Wednesday night were humiliated 5-0 at York City. But they held firm this afternoon with Brown, in for usual number one James Pullen, the hero. He kept out two spot kicks, one from Jake Speight and another in injury time from the right foot of big striker Kyle Perry. It preserved the lead given to the visitors by Danny Kedwell inside ten minutes. He got on the end of Will Hendry's ball to add to his great goals tally after an error from Town star Luke Foster. And Wimbledon's win was even more remarkable considering they had ten men for most of the second half after Derek Duncan was red carded. Manager Brown was delighted with the win, and paid tribute to his keeper – a lifelong Wimbledon fan – after his late penalty saves. He said: “Seb was first class today, he is a very good goalkeeper and someone who can win you games. “He was fantastic and the hero of the day for us. We needed this win to raise spirits as it's been a horrible week for everyone. “The result up at York was not what we wanted and we defended as a team here and we showed fantastic character. This is a difficult place to come. “We may not be able to reach the play-offs but there's still a lot for the players to play for. We have clawed back a bit of pride.” Stags manager David Holdsworth, twin bother of former Don Dean, also sung the praises of the custodian. Holdsworth said: “I must congratulate their goalkeeper for an excellent performance. He has made two excellent saves and they have cost us. “We had about 20 opportunities to finish them off and just needed to take one or two of them. You just come out of it rueing your luck but I understand our crowd's reaction. “We have dominated the game and came away with nothing. You are left scratching your head.” -------------------------- Stags 0, AFC Wimbledon 1, Saturday, 10th April 2010 CHAD.co.uk, 10 April 2010, By John Lomas MANSFIELD Town's home torment went on as hero keeper Seb Brown saved two late penalties to help 10-men AFC Wimbledon steal a 1-0 win at Field Mill this afternoon. That took the Stags' poor run to five winless home games in which they have scored just one goal - and the crowd made their feelings plain as the side left the field. Jake Speight at least looked certain to secure a late point when Gary Mills was ADVERTISEMENTbrought down in the box, but Brown dived to his right to make a great save. And in the second minute of stoppage time Silk won another spot kick but, incredibly Brown guessed correctly again to deny Kyle Perry. The two missed penalties came on the back of another costly missed late penalty at Cambridge on Easter Monday. It was another defensive blunder that gifted the lead to the opposition against the run of play, skipper Luke Foster allowing Danny Kedwell to outmuscle him and net on nine minutes. And, despite having 90 per cent of the first half possession, Stags know that, but for two great saves by Alan Marriott late in the half, they might have been three behind by the break. Mansfield were given a big lift when Derek Duncan was sent off for elbowing Kyle Perry on 57 minutes. But nothing would go their way as Brown made some good saves, Perry headed against the bar, Foster saw an effort cleared off the line and Mills had another blatant penalty turned down early in the second half. The Dons defended superbly and rode their luck to clinch a double in a season that Mansfield must be praying will end quickly. Stags saw three changes with Michael Brough (finger and shoulder) and Andy Burgess (toe) out injured and Blair Sturrock dropped to the bench.Ryan Williams came in to play left wing and Louis Briscoe right with Scot Garner replacing Brough at centre half and Jake Speight pushed up front. Mansfield began brightly in the warm sunshine with a cross from Briscoe and a long throw from Nicholas getting the ball into the visitors' box from both flanks in the opening two minutes. A corner and more pressure followed without an opening. But on nine minutes Speight turned well on a Mills free kick and drilled wide. But when the ball was then hit back downfield, the Dons snatched a shock lead against the run of play with their first attack. And once again it was a defensive mistake that proved costly by Mansfield, this time from skipper Luke Foster. He should have dealt with the long ball and either played it back to Marriott or kicked it out but he allowed Kedwell to wrestle him off the ball and get goalside before poking a finish past a helpless Marriott. Williams almost found an equaliser on 15 minutes with a rasping shot from 20 yards that had keeper Brown saving full length to his left. From the resulting corner Challinor miscued with a sidefooted effort and then Perry and Foster got in each other's way with the follow-up and the Dons were able to clear. Duncan tried to catch Stags unaware with a quickly-taken free kick from 18 yards which did get through the wall but was straight to Marriott. Kedwell and Moore tried to set up Hendry to their left on a decent counter-attack only to see Silk do superbly well in holding him up and finally get the ball out for a corner. A bang on the head to Challinor gave both sides a chance to get a drink on a warm afternoon. A Mills free kick reached Challinor at the far post who saw his finish hit team mate Speight in front of goal and then Williams' follow-up was blocked. Garner was booked for his foul on Hendry 35 yard from goal but Hatton was not far off with a powerful free kick which would have given Marriott no chance if it had been a foot lower. Lorraine was also booked on 36 minutes for his umpteenth foul on Perry, Brown punching away Mill's free kick. Hendry's through ball gave Gregory a great chance on 38 minutes until garner slid in with a fabulous saving tackle. Three minutes from the break Williams had a chance when along Challinor throw was cleared to him but he lashed his first time shot from 12 yards just over the far angle. Kedwell again got the better of Foster in the Stags box a minute later to set up a scramble of tackles that ended up with Kedwell getting a clear sight of goal and Marriott forced into a splendid reaction save to block. In the third minute of stoppage time it was Marriott again to the rescue as the Dons once again broke quickly after Briscoe had lost possession and Hendry sent Moore away down the middle only to see Marriott block with his legs. Stags should have been given a penalty inside the first 30 seconds of the second half. Mills ran on to a return flick from Speight in the box and was pushed full length to the ground by Duncan in full view of referee Paul Davison and assistant Sarah Garratt who were both unimpressed. On 50 minutes Williams was withdrawn and Nix sent on to huge boos by the crowd and chants of 'you don't know what you're doing' as the frustration boiled over. Stags went 4-3-3 and immediately Briscoe controlled well on the right, took the ball on and crossed hard and low, Brown just getting down and putting an arm in the way to block before Speight could turn home from close range. More Stags pressure saw several shots blocked, twice inadvertently by team mates. A strong run from Lorraine saw the Dons win a corner which saw Stags struggle to clear. Sturrock took over from Challinor on 56 minutes. And a minute later Stags were given a huge boost when Wimbledon were reduced to 10 men. Perry had been in the thick of it all afternoon and when Duncan led with his elbow to the side of the Stags' man's head, out came the red card immediately. Nicholas should have done better with a free header in the box when Sturrock lifted an overhit Nix free kick back into the middle, the full back heading well over. On 63 minutes Speight at least made Brown work with a superb tip-over from his rising shot from Briscoe's pass. Stags cranked up the pressure again and from a corner, Perry saw Lorraine block on the line and Sturrock's vicious follow-up was deflected wide. From that corner Nicholas saw his header fly over the top as the 10-men Dons clung on. Perry was too high with a bicycle kick seven yards from goal after the ball reached him from a long Marriott kick upfield. On 80 minutes sub Shaw pumped in a cross from the left to pick out Perry six yards from goal and his header came back off the crossbar. Perry miscued another opportunity while Sturrock blasted wide as the Dons continued to soak up the pressure. But Stags were finally given the chance of a late point as Loraine felled Mills in the box to give Stags an 89th minute penalty. However, Brown dived to his right and kept out Speight's low effort, Nicholas then drilling the loose ball across the face of goal. Amazingly Stags were then given yet another chance from the penalty spot in stoppage time as Judge tripped Silk as he ran into the box. But it was Brown's day as he this time went the other way to block Kyle Perry's effort out and complete Mansfield's misery. Manager David Holdsworth was given a hostile reception as he left the field with the players. STAGS: Marriott, Silk, Foster, Garner, Nicholas; Briscoe (Shaw 78mins), Mills, Challinor (Sturrock 56ins) Williams (Nix 50mins); Perry, Speight. Subs not used: Collett, Somner. AFC WIMBLEDON: Brown; Hatton, Judge, Lorraine, Johnson; Hendry (Wellard 58mins), Gregory, Adjei, Duncan; Kedwell (Elder 69mins), Moore (Conroy 66mins). Subs not used: Pullen, Poole. REFEREE: Paul Davison of Stockton-on-Tees. ATTENDANCE: 2,470. ----------------------- Mansfield Town 0 AFC Wimbledon 1 Evening Post report MANSFIELD Town slumped to their third consecutive defeat and fifth home game without a win against 10-man AFC Wimbledon after an amazing finish at Field Mill this afternoon. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Team-news-Mansfield-Town-v-AFC-Wimbledon/article-1998362-detail/article.html? The Stags bossed possession and territory for long periods, especially once Derek Duncan had been sent off in the 56th minute. But they simply could not find a way through and had not just one but two late penalties saved by Dons keeper Seb Brown. It meant boss David Holdsworth left the field to renewed calls for his head from home supporters irked by the Stags' end of season slump that has seen them win just one of their last eight matches. Mansfield started the game on the front foot but Kyle Perry's flick from Andy Nicholas' long throw was out of the reach of strike partner Jake Speight. After Perry had been fouled just inside the Wimbledon half, Gary Mills chipped the resulting free-kick towards Speight, whose shot on the turn flew well wide of the left-hand post. But it was the visitors who drew first blood in the ninth minute as top scorer Kedwell took advantage of a mistake by Foster. The skipper took to long in making a routine clearance, allowing the striker to muscle in and fire past the advancing Alan Marriott from inside the box. The Stags were almost level soon after when Ryan Williams cut inside on his right foot and unleashed a 20-yard thunderbolt that Brown did well to push around his left-hand post. From the corner, taken short, Williams back-heeled for Louis Briscoe, whose low ball in was mis-hit by Jon Challinor when he had a good chance to hit the target. Wimbledon responded by winning a dangerous free-kick in the 18th minute that Derek Duncan steered goalwards but straight at Marriott. Wimbledon counter attacked slickly just after the midway point of the first half, but Gary Silk was strong to deny Will Hendry a shooting opportunity. Challinor required treatment with the half hour approaching but was able to continue. The Stags came close again when Challinor's close range finish following Mills' free-kick, hit Speight in the six-yard box and Williams' follow-up was well blocked. At the other end, Sam Hatton tried his luck with a 30-yard free-kick that drifted wide of the right-hand upright. Garner did well to block a shot from Steven Gregory after he had been fed by Hendry's clever pass. Mansfield were soon back on the attack, though, but Perry could not direct his header golawards after a knock down by Speight. The hosts could well have been level with half-time approaching as Challinor's long throw was only half-cleared as far as Williams, but he blazed wide from 12 yards. It was almost 2-0 to the Dons after another mistake by Foster, but this time Marriott saved superbly from Kedwell's goalbound effort. Wimbledon were through again just before the break far too easily as Hendry played in Moore, whose low finished was blocked by the body of Marriott. Mansfield were aggrieved not to have a penalty within 30 seconds of the restart as Derek Duncan looked to pull down Gary Mills as he burst into the box. But referee Paul Davison waved the claims away, much to the majority of the crowd's frustration. Williams was pulled off on 50 minutes, for Kyle Nix, with many in the crowd shouting "You Don't Know What You're Doing." Keeper Brown did well for the visitors when he pushed away a hard and low cross from Briscoe that Speight looked set to tap in. As Challinor made way for Sturrock, Duncan was moments later dismissed for apparently elbowing Perry in the face from a throw in. Nicholas might have done better just past the hour when he headed well over after Sturrock had picked him out with a cross from the right. Brown made a smart save when he tipped Speight's drilled shot over the top after a lay-off from Briscoe. The Dons goal was leading a charmed life as first Perry's header was cleared off the line by Paul Lorraine and then Sturrock's shot deflected just wide amid a ruck of bodies. Nicholas then thought he had scored from the resulting corner but his header was again diverted up and over off a visiting head. Perry then went for the spectacular overhead kick and was way too high when he might have been better advised bringing the ball down from Marriott's long punt forward. The big forward was much closer with 10 minutes to go when substitute Jon Shaw crossed from the left and he headed against the bar with Brown beaten. Nicholas got to the follow up first but shanked his shot, allowing Wimbledon to clear. But the dramatic finale was still to come after Perry had again failed to connect cleanly when Speight's dummy had set up another chance. First Mills was chopped down in the box by Lorraine for a penalty but Brown, diving to his right, saved Speight's spot kick. Then, in the first minute of five added on, Silk was fouled in the box and another spot kick awarded. Perry stepped up this time and went for the other, right-hand corner, but Brown again made a terrific stop as Wimbledon held on. Match facts: Stags v AFC Wimbledon Mansfield: Marriott, Silk, Garner, Foster, Nicholas, Briscoe (Shaw 78), Mills, Challinor Sturrock 56), Williams (Nix 50), Perry, Speight. Subs not used: Collett, Somner. AFC Wimbledon: Brown, Hatton, Judge, Lorraine, Johnson, Hendry (Wellard 58), Adjei, Gregory, Duncan, Moore (Conroy 68), Kedwell (Elder 69). Subs not used: Pullen, Poole. Referee: Paul Davision (Stockton-on-Tees). Attendance: 2,470 (304 visitors). Goal: Wimbledon: Kedwell (9). Shots on target: Mansfield 6 Wimbledon 5. Shots off target: Mansfield 7 Wimbledon 2. Fouls: Mansfield 9 Wimbledon 12. Corners: Mansfield 11 Wimbledon 5. Offsides: Mansfield 3 Wimbledon 1. Bookings: Mansfield 1 (Garner, 33, foul on Hendry) Wimbledon 1 (Lorraine, 36, foul on Perry). Sendings off: Mansfield 0 Wimbledon 1 (Duncan, 56, foul on Perry). Penalty palaver: Mansfield have missed their last four penalty kicks, despite four different players having a go. Rob Duffy failed in the pre-Christmas 0-0 home draw with Grays, Jon Shaw shot wide at Cambridge last Monday and Jake Sepight and Kyle Perry were both denied in this match. Mansfield's man of the match: Alan Marriott. Made two crucial first half saves to keep the Stags in the game when it might have been beyond then and then watched as his Mansfield team-mates failed to take advantage in the second period, even against 10 men. ----------------------------- Saturday 10 April 2010 Brown the Dons hero – Seb that is! http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news.php?Psection_id=2&Psub_section_id=1&utm_source=twitter&Open=4882#tar4882 Wimbledon secured a hard fought away win thanks to two late penalty saves from Seb Brown who also made a number of other great saves. Terry Brown made six changes from the side that had started against York City with Seb Brown, Sam Hatton, Brett Johnson, Derek Duncan, Will Hendry and Danny Kedwell coming into the starting XI. Wimbledon got off to the ideal start with Kedwell scoring after nine minutes. Hendry hooked the ball on and Kedwell out muscled his defender before finishing well. The Dons had chances to increase the lead but Steven Gregory, Luke Moore and Kedwell were all denied by man of the match Andy Marriott. At the other end Mansfield's long throws were causing some discomfort in the visitor's penalty area but other than a full length save and some vital punches Brown was secure. Duncan's dismissal after 58 minutes for an alleged elbow leaving the team to play out the last half hour with just 10 men was the last thing they needed after their recent hectic fixture schedule. Terry Brown made full use of his substitutes and although under the cosh for a lot of the time the team defended with strength and resolution. Five minutes of added on time saw great excitement as the home team were awarded two penalties both of which were well saved by Seb Brown diving to his right on the first occasion and to his left on the second. There was still time between the penalties for Hatton to break into the penalty area but with the chance to shoot the ball was squared to Ricky Wellard and the chance was lost. Terry Brown was in a jubilant mood as the team made its way back to Kingsmeadow. “I am delighted to start the weekend with a win and see the back of a really hard, dire week. Stuart and I set the team up today with the sole purpose of keeping a clean sheet so that we could rebuild from the wreckage of the York result. “It was important we defended as a team today and although some of the defending was desperate to say the least, the team showed its character and backbone to bounce back from a bad setback on Wednesday. We started the game off with two holding midfielders and a solid back four and used it as a springboard to counter attack. With a little luck we could have gone in at half time three goals up but for some great saves by their goalkeeper who was later named as Mansfield's man of the match. “We started the second half in similar fashion and soaked up some early pressure. However, after 58 minutes we had to readjust following the dismissal of Derek Duncan. I will be looking at the video evidence before making any further comment on the incident. With most of the boys having played a great deal of football in the last week we needed to get some fresh legs on replacing Will Hendry with Ricky Wellard, Luke Moore with Jay Conroy and finally Danny Kedwell with Nathan Elder. Danny had not only scored the winning goal but also had worked tirelessly up front. “This put us in a fantastic position going into added on time until award of two dubious penalties. Thankfully, our hero of the day Seb Brown two remarkable saves to earn us a well deserved battling three points. “Next week sees us play two important games. On Tuesday we tackle Grays Athletic when we will be going all out to consolidate our position in the league. On Thursday we entertain Croydon Athletic in the semi final of the London Senior Cup. This is the last competition where we can win some silverware and again we will be aiming to progress to the final. I will have to juggle the side around taking into account the amount of football played by some of the players but it will be a strong team as there is no game on Saturday they will have an opportunity to recover before playing Tamworth a week on Tuesday.” Seb Brown was in a modest mode as he explained that he had never saved two penalties before in the same game. “Although I had saved from the spot in a penalty shoot out while I was at Brentford and of course for the Dons earlier in the season at Tooting and Mitcham I had not saved a penalty in open play. “Although the penalties were well struck both penalty takers gave me the chance to reach them and I was relieved to guess the right way and see the rebounds cleared by my defence.” ---------------------- Seb the star as Wimbledon get back on winning road By Richard Brown » http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/football/8092508.Seb_the_star_as_Wimbledon_get_back_on_winning_road/? Mansfield Town 0-1 AFC Wimbledon Terry Brown lavished praise on namesake keeper Seb after his penalty heroics at Field Mill ended Wimbledon's recent rut. The Dons have not been at the races for some time – and on Wednesday night were humiliated 5-0 at York City. But they held firm this afternoon with Brown, in for usual number one James Pullen, the hero. He kept out two spot kicks, one from Jake Speight and another in injury time from the right foot of big striker Kyle Perry. It preserved the lead given to the visitors by Danny Kedwell inside ten minutes. He got on the end of Will Hendry's ball to add to his great goals tally after an error from Town star Luke Foster. And Wimbledon's win was even more remarkable considering they had ten men for most of the second half after Derek Duncan was red carded. Manager Brown was delighted with the win, and paid tribute to his keeper – a lifelong Wimbledon fan – after his late penalty saves. He said: “Seb was first class today, he is a very good goalkeeper and someone who can win you games. “He was fantastic and the hero of the day for us. We needed this win to raise spirits as it's been a horrible week for everyone. “The result up at York was not what we wanted and we defended as a team here and we showed fantastic character. This is a difficult place to come. “We may not be able to reach the play-offs but there's still a lot for the players to play for. We have clawed back a bit of pride.” Stags manager David Holdsworth, twin bother of former Don Dean, also sung the praises of the custodian. Holdsworth said: “I must congratulate their goalkeeper for an excellent performance. He has made two excellent saves and they have cost us. “We had about 20 opportunities to finish them off and just needed to take one or two of them. You just come out of it rueing your luck but I understand our crowd's reaction. “We have dominated the game and came away with nothing. You are left scratching your head.” ---------------------- |
Latest | April 2010