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Archived News from October 2011

STAGS WIN FRIENDLY WITH TRIALISTS & JOHN THOMPSON
24th October 2011 11:59


Stags win friendly match
Wed 19 Oct 2011
mansfieldtown.net

A 25th minute strike from midfielder Andy Todd was enough to earn us a 1-0 win in a friendly at Doncaster Rovers this morning.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2487242,00.html

Manager Paul Cox was boosted by the sight of John Thompson amongst his ranks. The 30-year-old played 75 minutes at centre-half, alongside Rhys Day.

Manager: "The match was mainly to look at some trialists, youngsters and players who have been suffering with injury and suspension.

"It was a very good run-out, which got some of our players some much needed competitive match time. In addition, we ran the rule over a few trialsts and gave some of our kids some excellent experience."

Leon Osbourne, a forward from Bradford City, along with Gambian-born defender Cherno Samba and Argentinean defender Eziquiel,

LINE UP: Redmond, Bell, Thompson, Day, Eziquiel, Todd, Worthington, Howell, Briscoe, Osbourne, Samba,

USED SUBS: Somes, Rogers, Holland, Shaw

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Thompson a step closer to a Stags return
Nottingham Post, Thursday, October 20, 2011

MANSFIELD Town's John Thompson yesterday played his first behind-closed-doors game since his horror injury – and could be back in the first-team within a month.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-13607769-detail/story.html

The former Notts County and Forest defender has yet to play for the Stags competitively since signing a two-year deal at Field Mill in the summer.

But he has been eased back into first team training after suffering a broken nose and bad cuts to his face and lip in a pre-season match at Ilkeston that required more than 40 stitches and two operations.

Thompson's latest step was a return to action against Doncaster where he came through 75 minutes of a 1-0 win, secured by Andy Todd's strike, with no problems.

"I have always said with Thommo it would be difficult to assess exactly when he will be back. It depends on the lad," said manager Paul Cox.

"But you don't get to play as many games in the Football League as he has without being mentally strong.

"We are hoping for him to be ready some time in November. He is likely to need two or three more behind-closed-doors games first.

"But we have another next week and we want it to happen as quickly as possible, without rushing him."

Cox had special praise for Mansfield's near 1,000-strong following in Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Lincoln. He said: "They were unbelievable. I expected 400, so to take that many for a midweek away game was brilliant."

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Stags defender Thompson on the comeback trail
chad.co.uk, Thursday 20 October 2011

PAUL Cox today spoke of his delight to see John Thompson play in the 1-0 reserve friendly at Doncaster Rovers.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/stags_defender_thompson_on_the_comeback_trail_1_3892998?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

The former Irish international defender suffered severe facial injuries in a pre-season game at Ilkeston but finally got some football under his belt and Cox said: “I am over the moon to see him play.

“He will probably be a bit stiff this morning but he got through 70 minutes.

“Rhys Day also came through his second 90 minutes. He did well and gave me food for thought for the weekend. I will organise another friendly next week.”

Stags included some trialists in their side including defensive pair Eziqueil, from Argentina, and Gambian-born Cherno Samba, both recommended to Cox to look at and he said all the trialists did well.

The game was won by an Andy Todd strike in the first half.

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