Archived News from October 2016
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STAGS DRAW AT CREWE
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English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Crewe Alexandra 1 - 1 Mansfield Town Dagnall 56. Hoban 51 Attendance: 3831 (449 from Mansfield) Date: 1 October 2016 Martin Shaw at Gresty Road Mansfield Town drew 1-1 away from home for the second time in 4 days, this afternoon at Crewe. Like at Accrington on Tuesday, this was a good performance from Mansfield who certainly deserved at least a point. A good following of Stags fans applauded their team off at the end. Mansfield had a lot of the ball in the first half and twice were within a whisker of taking the lead. Midway through the first half, a Benning free kick was headed on by Hoban and Danny Rose sent a diving header inches wide of the right post with the keeper beaten. Then just before the break, the Stags went close again as Hurst’s free kick from the left was just wide of the right post as Pearce just missed getting a vital flick to turn it in, with the keeper in no-man’s land again. At the other end, Scott Shearer did well to turn away a Ryan Lowe shot from 20 yards. The Stags were in front on 51 minutes. A corner was taken short on the left, and Hurst delivered a superb cross to the far post where Hoban leapt above his marker to head down into the corner of the net from 4 yards. A great moment for Hoban with his first Stags goal and he celebrated by sliding on the wet surface towards the Stags dugout. Disappointingly Crewe were level within 5 minutes. Out of the blue, Ryan Lowe’s touch on the left came off Bennett allowing Bakayogo to skip past Bennett and slide in a low cross which Dagnall prodded into the roof of the net from 6 yards, having got in front of Collins. It was a disappointing goal to concede. After that, either side could have won it. Udoh went close when he got goalside of Pearce in the area, might have gone down when there was contact between the two players, but stayed on his feet and fired into the side netting. A bit of a break for Pearce. Then on 90 minutes Mansfield had a claim for a penalty for handball in the Crewe box. Benning lifted the ball just inside the Crewe box and Dagnell controlled it with a mixture of chest and left arm but the referee, just a few yards away, decided it was only off his chest and waved play on. It would have been a soft penalty but some referees would have given it. Mansfield played well and the players were disappointed afterwards not to have forced victory. Some good performances with Hoban deserving his goal with a dominant header and setting up a chance for Danny Rose with another header, Hurst putting in some fine crosses, McGuire very good in front of the back four with some good challenges and clearances, and Clements impressing in the centre. The defence was solid apart from the lapse for the goal and Udoh’s chance. It is 14 seasons since we last played against Crewe and a lot’s happened in those 14 seasons, but this was certainly a much more enjoyable experience than the 2002/2003 season when we played them 4 times in league and cup, losing 5-0, 4-0, 3-0 and 2-0. Mansfield remain three points outside the play-offs. On to Tuesday night and a visit to Port Vale in the Checkatrade Trophy, another club who we haven’t played for 14 seasons. Without doubt it will be a much changed side and a chance for one or two players to stake a claim ahead of the big local derby with Notts County next Saturday. FULL REPORT IN MATCH CENTRE ----------------------------------- MATCH REPORT: Hoban on target as Stags draw at Crewe chad.co.uk report by SPORTS REPORTER (Agency), Saturday 01 October 2016 Striker Pat Hoban opened his account for the club as Mansfield’s search for a long-awaited win continued. Chris Dagnall kept Crewe’s unbeaten home start to the season going by cancelling out Hoban’s header as the Stags’ agonising wait for victory extended to seven games. After ending a painstaking 482-minute wait for a goal on Tuesday night, Mansfield chief Adam Murray named an unchanged side for the first time this season at Alexandra Stadium. Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/match-report-hoban-on-target-as-stags-draw-at-crewe-1-8158513 The game started slowly as both sides began tentatively before a shaky moment in the Crewe goal for Ben Garratt. The hosts’ shot-stopper could only punch as far as Kevan Hurst, after coming miles off his line, with the Mansfield midfielder only able to blaze over the bar. Down the other end Malvind Benning almost diverted Ryan Lowe’s drilled cross into his own net. The visiting Stags were unlucky not to go into the break with a well-deserved lead after having the best of the chances. Danny Rose could only direct his diving header wide after Hoban knocked down a Benning free-kick with Stags’ stopper Scott Shearer superbly tipping Lowe’s effort wide moments later. Murray’s men almost took the lead in fortunate fashion just before the break with Hurst’s long-ball, intended for Krystian Pearce, missing everyone before sliding marginally past the post. Six minutes after the break and Hoban handed the visitors the lead with his first goal of the season. The Irish striker rose highest to head home Benning’s cross at the far post. The lead did not last long however, as Dagnall restored parity just five minutes later. Zoumana Bakayogo breezed past Rhys Bennett, with Dagnall on hand to fire his drilled cross into the roof of the net from close range. Both sides pushed hard to steal the spoils late on but neither could find a clear-cut chance. CREWE: Garratt, Guthrie, Turton, Davis (Ray 68), Bakayogo, Jones, Hollands, Cooper, Ainley (Udoh 64), Lowe, Dagnall. Subs not used: Richards, Ng, Bingham, Wintle, Kirk. STAGS: Shearer, Benning, Pearce, Collins (C), Bennett, McGuire, Clements, M. Rose (Iacovitti 77), Hurst, D. Rose (Gobern 68), Hoban (Green 84). Subs not used: Jensen, Hemmings, Henderson, Hamilton. REFEREE: Ross Joyce of Cleveland. ATTEDANCE: 3,831 (449 away). ----------------- THE MATCH: Crewe Alex 1 Mansfield Town 1 1 OCT 2016, BY PETER MORSE http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/match-crewe-alex-1-mansfield-11962314? Crewe Alex had to settle for a draw in a drab encounter with Mansfield at Gresty Road on Saturday. Chris Dagnall’s strike cancelled out Pat Hoben’s opener to extend the Alex’s unbeaten home record to six matches. But it was a disappointing result and a below-par performance against an average Stags outfit. Chances were few and far between in a scrappy first half. Danny Rose headed inches wide for the visitors while, at the other end, Ryan Lowe forced a good save from Scott Shearer and Harry Davis had a header from a corner cleared off the line. Mansfield started the second half brightly and took the lead through a Hoben header, but their advantage didn’t last long as Dagnall got on the end of a Zoumana Bakayogo cross. Substitute Dan Udoh had the best chance to win it late on but he blazed into the side netting from close in. It was important Crewe were not affected by the game and got back to being solid quickly, and after one early let-off when Danny Rose headed wide aside, they gathered their composure and looked more like themselves at the back. That said, they still did not look a force going forward and the pace of the injured Alex Kiwyoma is still missed. On the defensive: The manner of the five goals conceded at Wycombe, as well as the result, will have been concerning the manager who had previously sung the praises of his men’s defensive efforts. By and large they got back to better form at the back against Mansfield. Hoben’s goal - a far post header from a cross - will be a disappointment but the visitors were given few opportunities by a more stubborn and resilient rearguard. Century club: Chris Dagnall’s strike made it 100 career goals in the league for the seasoned striker. The 30-year-old, signed in the summer, had already won fans over with his whole-hearted work-rate as well as three previous goals for the side. But he ended a six match dry spell, which included a missed penalty, to achieve the milestone and his delight was there for all to see. Dagnall, who now has 117 in all competitions, will now no doubt look for he next landmark in an impressive career. Match facts Crewe Alex (4-4-2): Garratt; Davis (Ray 68 mins), Guthrie; Turton, Bakayogo; Jones, Hollands, Cooper, Ainley (Udoh 64 mins); Lowe, Dagnall. Subs not used: Richards, Wintle, Ng, Bingham, Kirk. Goals: Dagnall (56 mins) Mansfield (4-2-2): Shearer; Bennett, Pearce, Collins, Benning; McGuire, Rose (Gobern 68 mins), Clements, Hurst; Hoban (Green, 84 mins), M Rose (Iacovitti (75 mins). Subs not used: Jensen, Hamilton, Hemmings, Henderson. Goals: Hoben (51 mins) Referee: Ross Joyce. Attendance: 3,831. Star man: James Jones. Verdict With their unbeaten home record at stake, so important for confidence, momentum and the backing of supporters, this was an ideal opportunity for the Alex to get back on track. After a midweek horror show at Wycombe, all the omens were in their favour when Mansfield visited. The Stags came into the match with no wins in six, although there away form has been good with five points from the last nine on offer. And Crewe had won seven of the previous eight, with the other game a draw, against Mansfield - even though the most recent of their five consecutive wins against them was in 2003 when goals from Dave Walton and John Miles earned a 2-0 FA Cup victory. But they could not make it six on the spin at the weekend when an average display proved insufficient to earn all three points. It was, however, important that they did not lose the match on the back of the reverse at Adams Park and after falling behind it was a test of character. They showed enough spirit to protect their unbeaten record which is the main positive from the day. But manager Steve Davis and his staff will want much better going forward. ------------------ Crewe 1-1 Mansfield crewealex.net, 1st October 2016 Crewe left frustrated against stubbon Mansfield defence Crewe Alexandra extended their unbeaten home record this season to six games with a draw against a stubborn Mansfield Town side. The Alex will be disappointed that we didn’t collect all three points, but Steve Davis’ side had to fight back from going a goal down after Pat Hoban had headed the Stags into the lead six minutes after the re-start. Crewe fought back well though and found an equaliser just five minutes later when Chris Dagnall was in the right place to turn in a low cross after some splendid work from full-back Zoumana Bakayogo to win possession back and get the ball across. Read more at http://www.crewealex.net/news/article/2016-17/crewe-mansfield-3339821.aspx#TDk2iDHSsI4M2Few.99 Crewe’s best chance to win the game came through substitute Daniel Udoh but after holding off Krystian Pearce he fired his final shot into the side netting. Perhaps if he had gone down, Crewe could have been awarded a penalty. Steve Davis named an unchanged side for the visit of Mansfield Town this afternoon. The Alex boss selected the same starting XI that lost heavily to Wycombe Wanderers in mid-week. In the absence of the injured Alex Kiwomya, youngster Callum Ainley retained his place in midfield ahead of fellow Academy graduate Charlie Kirk. The Stags included the former Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper Scott Shearer and Academy graduate Chris Clements in midfield. Adam Murray’s well drilled Mansfield Town side pride themselves on being difficult to penetrate and genuine chances were limited in the early passages of play at Gresty Road. Crewe had to compete and earn the right to get the ball down and pass the ball. It was a little scrappy in the early part of the game. Crewe’s best effort in the opening 20 minutes saw James Jones volley a shot from 20 yards into the mid-drift of Shearer after a Cooper cross was cleared to the edge of the box. The visitors posed a threat on the break on occasions with Pat Hoban firing over and Kevan Hurst unable to keep his effort down to trouble Ben Garratt. Crewe’s finest move of the first half, saw the ball kept on the left hand side intelligently by Zoumana Bakayogo and Callum Ainley before Jones switched the ball to the right to Lowe. His instant cross into the box was deflected behind for a corner before Cooper could get there. On 25 minutes, Crewe Alexandra went close again following a corner. Guthrie won the initial header to find Dagnall on the turn and his shot was blocked by Shearer, who managed to get it behind for a corner. Moments later, an excellent cross field pass from Cooper found Dagnall through the middle and the experienced striker did superbly to guide a header down for Lowe and his snap shot forced Shearer to push it behind for a corner. Mansfield continued to press well and make things difficult for the Alex to have sustained possession in the final third of the pitch. The Stags’ best chance of the first period came from a free-kick close to the half-way line. It was played deep into the Crewe half and after the towering Rhys Bennett had made a nuisance of himself, Danny Rose sent a diving header just wide. Rose was also booked for preventing Garratt from clearing the ball out his hands quickly. Mitch Rose was booked for sliding with his studs up as he attempted to place Cooper under pressure. Crewe continued to probe and finished the half on top in terms of possession. A low cross from the advanced Turton was poked behind for a corner and Jones had a shot blocked after a Turton pass was fortunately deflected into his path. The midfielder hit it with the outside of his foot to try and catch Shearer across his goal but the impressive Lee Collins deflected it behind for a corner. From the resultant corner, taken by Cooper, Harry Davis glanced a header goalwards that was cleared from the post. The defender helped his goalkeeper out to clear. After a torrential downpour at the break, Mansfield took the lead just five minutes into the second half when Pat Hoban showed good strength at the far post to head home past Ben Garratt at the far post. Mansfield were stubborn in their defending and now we had to break them down to get back into the game. Crewe showed great character to hit back within five minutes. Bakayogo showed great determination to win the ball back and he did superbly to get a cross over from the by-line and Dagnall was there to fire his shot into the roof the Mansfield net for his 4th goal of the season and his 100th career goal. Jones, who was one of Crewe’s most impressive players, was booked for pulling back Jamie McGuire in the centre circle before Ainley made way for Udoh on 64 minutes. Crewe went looking for a win, with Udoh supporting Lowe and Dagnall. Harry Davis appeared to pick up a knock and was replaced by George Ray. Mansfield also made a change with Rose replaced by Oscar Gobern. Mansfield continued to be tough nut to crack and you must credit their defensive performance as Crewe found it difficult to conjure up real genuine chances. Ray won a header from a corner, that was palmed down by Shearer into the six yard box and he must have been relieved to have seen the assistant’s flag go up for offside before Lowe could make something of it. The visitors’ best chance to win it themselves came from free-kicks but Guthrie was excellent and cleared numerous high balls with his head or slid to cut out crosses. Crewe’s best chance to win the game saw Udoh latch on to a long ball from Bakayogo but after wrestling clear of the intentions of Pearce, he fired his shot into the side netting. The substitute also had a late break down the left but his cross, destined for Lowe at the far post was just about cut out before it reached the Crewe striker in front of the goal. The Railwaymen huffed and puffed but just couldn’t find that late chance to sneak the points. -------------------- |
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