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Season 19/20 Stagsnet Match Report
Pre-Season Friendly
Mansfield Town  
4 - 2
 Glasgow Rangers U23
Cook 38, Mellis 48, Rose 74, Khan 75.
 
 Houston 43, Sweeney OG 54.
Attendance: 1063 (141 from Glasgow Rangers)
 
Date: 27 July 2019

Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill

Mansfield Town completed their pre-season friendly programme with a 4-2 win at home to a Glasgow Rangers U23 side this afternoon, in an entertaining and enjoyable game. The Rangers U23 side, rather like the Nottingham Forest U23 side on Tuesday, was much more than an U23 side, with half of the side actually experienced players and/or first team squad members. Stags boss John Dempster was quick to thank Rangers boss Steven Gerrard for stepping in when the Stags were left without a fixture after the game against Stockport County had to be cancelled. Gerrard was not at the game today but did watch our full match live video streaming with commentary, having requested, and been given, a temporary login for iFollow Stags. As an aside, we were very proud to be the only club in League Two or League One to provide full match coverage of any pre-season friendly, let alone four games that we broadcast, and at no additional cost to subscribers.

The Stags took the lead after 38 minutes when Mal Benning’s free kick to the far post was headed back by Ryan Sweeney and Andy Cook knocked into the net from 4 yards for his first goal in a Stags shirt. The lead only lasted 5 minutes as Rangers young right back Jordan Houston fired a great shot into the bottom right corner of the net from 22 yards. The Stags regained the lead when half-time substitute Danny Rose won a free kick 26 yards from goal and Jacob Mellis sent a stunning free kick into the left corner of the net, giving Rangers reserve keeper Andy Firth no chance. But again the lead last just 6 minutes as Rangers equalised with a fluke goal when experienced striker Greg Stewart's shot was going well wide but took an outrageous deflection to loop past Logan into the net. Two goals in a minute after 74 minutes were enough to deservedly win the game. Firstly CJ Hamilton, also a half-time substitute did well to get to the byline on the left and find Danny Rose in space 12 yards from goal, Rose controlled the ball and clinically fired into right corner of the net. It was Rose’s second goal in pre-season, but his first at the One Call Stadium since he netted two against Northampton in September last year, and continued the promising form in pre-season which has hinted at a return to his form of two years ago. Within a minute, Benning played inside to Otis Khan, only just on as a substitute, and Khan gave the keeper the eyes wrong-footing him and firing home from 16 yards. Khan has impressed through pre-season and this was his first goal having been unlucky to hit the woodwork twice in previous games. Plenty of other promising performances today as well, with Conrad Logan continuing his fine pre-season form after ending last season so well, the back three looking pretty solid and looking nailed on to start next week in that formation at Newport County. Dion Donohue, the summer signing from Portsmouth, finally made his first appearance, as a substitute for Neal Bishop after 65 minutes, and looked very impressive. It’s highly unlikely that he would start at Newport of course given his lack of game time after injury. Kellan Gordon, the new signing from Derby County this week, played the first half, and did ok at right wing-back.

So where does this leave us in predicting the team for the first game at Newport? I think the following are certainties, barring unforeseen injury: Logan in goal, Preston, Pearce and Sweeney as central defensive three, Benning at left wing-back, Bishop and Mellis in midfield, Maynard up front, and Hamilton somewhere, either right wing back or up front. With White out for two weeks with injury, I think Hamilton may start at right wing-back. To partner Maynard up front, it’s a toss up between Cook and Rose based on pre-season form. I think Dempster will probably just err on the side of Cook. That leaves just one other slot, in midfield, and I would guess it would be MacDonald. That would leave Khan very unlucky to miss out on the starting XI having done really well in pre-season, but of course he would be a great threat to bring on as substitute. Once Donohue is match sharp, I think he might quickly force his way into the side. And of course, once White recovers from his minor hamstring strain, he would likely come in at right wing-back, meaning that Hamilton would have to be found a position somewhere else in the starting XI, because he simply has to play.

As for where the Stags will finish this season ... much of the squad is unchanged from last season, with Maynard and Cook coming in to replace Tyler Walker, while the quality of the likes of Pearce, Bishop and Hamilton has been retained. There is a new manager of course in John Dempster, who is not experienced in first team management, but who has done extremely well at youth team level. Overall, I expect the Stags to finish in the top 5, perhaps 3rd or 4th. Hopefully 3rd of course, rather than 4th, and so going one better than last season and hence getting promoted.

This was the team today:

(3-5-2):
Conrad Logan;
Matt Preston, Krystian Pearce, Ryan Sweeney;
Kellan Gordon (new signing from Derby), Jacob Mellis, Alex MacDonald, Neal Bishop, Mal Benning;
Nicky Maynard (new signing from Bury), Andy Cook (new signing from Walsall).

Subs:
CJ Hamilton (for Gordon, 46 mins)
Danny Rose (for Cook, 46 mins)
James Clarke (young right back signed from Burnley) (for Preston, 60 mins)
Dion Donohue (new signing from Portsmouth) (for Bishop, 65 mins)
Otis Khan (for MacDonald, 71 mins)
Omari Sterling-James (for Maynard, 71 mins)
Alistair Smith (for Mellis, 81 mins)

Subs not used:
Aidan Stone (new young keeper, to be understudy to Logan, until Olejnik fit), Lewis Gibbens.

Not involved: Bobby Olejnik (injured, hopefully back October), Hayden White (minor hamstring strain picked up against Nottm Forest U23 and will be out for 2 weeks), Willem Tomlinson (sustained minor knee ligament damage against Blackburn and will be out for three more weeks), Jordan Graham (injured), Craig Davies (injured); plus youngsters: Jamie Chisholm (from last season’s youth team), Noah Stokes (picked up a bad knee injury at Bradford PA), Jason Law (was ill prior to Alfreton game, but has since recovered to feature for the U21 side), Tyrese Sinclair (from last season’s youth team), Tom Fielding, Jimmy Knowles (from last season’s youth team, just signed pro deal).


It was a very wet day in Mansfield, which probably contributed to a small crowd.

After 8 minutes, a good ball forward from Bishop nearly found Maynard in the area, but not quite. A minute later at the other end, a good clearance from Sweeney from Hastie’s cross.

On 14 minutes, Mellis sent a low shot just wide of the left post, after good play from Preston.

After 16 minutes, Logan saved low to his right from Hastie’s low shot. From the resulting corner, it came out to Dorrans, who shot over the bar. Dorrans shot over the bar again 2 minutes later.

Bishop sent a left footed shot from 24 yards that was always rising over the bar after 22 minutes. At the other end a minute later, Benning did well to put a Hastie cross behind for a corner.

On 26 minutes, a great cross from Benning, Maynard did well to get his head on it but it was just wide.

Kellan Gordon did well after 29 minutes to get in a cross which was punched away by the keeper. A great header a minute later from Cook to Benning, Benning crossed back in, Cook went down wanting a penalty, but it wasn’t. Hastie fired wide of the right post as Rangers broke quickly to the other end.

After 35 minutes, Stewart made a good turn and shot from the edge of the area and Logan made a decisive punch away.

A flashpoint after 37 minutes. Stewart fouled Benning. Stewart kicked the ball gently against the back of Benning’s head as Benning was on the floor. Benning got up and booted the ball against Stewart. In a league game, Benning would have been sent off, perhaps Stewart too. In a friendly, the referee sensibly calmed things down. It was certainly totally out of character from Benning.

The Stags took the lead from the resulting free kick. Benning’s free kick to the far post was headed back by Sweeney and Cook knocked into the net from 4 yards for his first goal in a Stags shirt.

The lead only lasted 5 minutes as Rangers young right back Jordan Houston fired a great shot into the bottom right corner of the net from 22 yards.

Great defending from Pearce after 45 minutes to get the ball away. Moments later, a wonderful run by Stewart into the Stags area, but he didn’t pull the trigger.

Half time 1-1

Hamilton replaced Kellan Gordan, and Rose replaced Cook at half time. Hamilton went in at right wing-back.

The Stags regained the lead after 48 minutes. Rose won a free kick 26 yards from goal and Mellis sent a stunning free kick into the left corner of the net, giving Rangers reserve keeper Andy Firth no chance.

Great defending from Hamilton after 50 minutes, and then more good defending from him 3 minutes later.

But, like the first half, the Stags lead last just 6 minutes as Rangers equalised with a fluke goal when Greg Stewart's shot was going well wide but took an outrageous deflection off Sweeney to loop past Logan into the net.

Preston had to go off after 60 minutes, with a cut. On came young James Clarke. The Stags switched to 4-4-2, with Clarke at right back, and Benning at left back, Hamilton on the left wing, and MacDonald on the right wing.

Maynard got into the area after 61 minutes, and his cross-shot was blocked. Three minutes later at the other end, an important touch by Sweeney to clear.

Dion Donohue made his first appearance in a Stags shirt after 65 minutes, replacing Bishop.

Khan replaced MacDonald, and Sterling-James replaced Maynard, after 71 minutes. Khan went up front, Sterling-James to the right wing.

Great play by McPake after 73 minutes getting into the area, he fired in a low shot from a tight angle and Logan saved with his feet.

Two goals in a minute after 74 minutes were enough to deservedly win the game. Firstly Hamilton did well to get to the byline on the left and find Danny Rose in space 12 yards from goal, Rose controlled the ball and clinically fired into right corner of the net. It was Rose’s second goal in pre-season, but his first at the One Call Stadium since he netted two against Northampton in September last year, and continued the promising form in pre-season which has hinted at a return to his form of two years ago.

Within a minute, Benning played inside to Otis Khan, only just on as a substitute and Khan gave the keeper the eyes wrong-footing him and firing home from 16 yards. Khan has impressed through pre-season and this was his first goal having been unlucky to hit the woodwork twice in previous games.

After 78 minutes, a superb move on the left, with Donohue involved, and Mellis knocked into the side netting.

Rose tried a shot from the halfway line whilst on his backside. It was an outrageous effort but showed his confidence. Rose had a beaming smile afterwards, and boss Dempster joked afterwards that he wasn’t sure about that.

After 81 minutes, brilliant play from Khan shifting the ball from his left foot to his right foot and curling inches wide of the top corner with the keeper motionless.

Alistair Smith replaces Mellis after 81 minutes.

McPake got past Clarke after 83 minutes and his low shot was well-saved again by Logan with his feet. Three minutes later, a corner from former Bury loanee Barjonas was headed wide by Mayo.

Straight to the other end and a good move from the Stags. Rose flicked on to Hamilton, Hamilton crossed in, and Rose headed down but it didn’t come to anything. On 88 minutes, a great ball forward from Donohue towards Benning but Benning was offside. On 90 minutes, a great run from Hamilton, he found Rose, Rose’s cross-shot was deflected and Hamilton couldn’t get on the end of it.

So an encouraging end to pre-season.

As for Rangers, much had been made of the new relationship between the two clubs, and the potential for the Stags to take players on loan. Rangers, with their mix of experienced players and/or first team squad members with youth, were very tidy, but there was no-one outstanding who I think we would be going for.



Report by: Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill



Line Up:
(3-5-2):
Conrad Logan;
Matt Preston, Krystian Pearce, Ryan Sweeney;
Kellan Gordon (new signing from Derby), Jacob Mellis, Alex MacDonald, Neal Bishop, Mal Benning;
Nicky Maynard (new signing from Bury), Andy Cook (new signing from Walsall).

Sub Line Up:
CJ Hamilton (for Gordon, 46 mins)
Danny Rose (for Cook, 46 mins)
James Clarke (young right back signed from Burnley) (for Preston, 60 mins)
Dion Donohue (new signing from Portsmouth) (for Bishop, 65 mins)
Otis Khan (for MacDonald, 71 mins)
Omari Sterling-James (for Maynard, 71 mins)
Alistair Smith (for Mellis, 81 mins)

Subs not used:
Aidan Stone (new young keeper, to be understudy to Logan, until Olejnik fit), Lewis Gibbens.

Opposition Line Up:
Firth; Houston, Finlayson, Mayo, Maxwell (King 76); Barjonas, McPake, Dorrans, Stewart, Murphy, Hastie.
Subs not used: McAdams, Balde, McKinnon.
Referee:
Declan Bourne.


Season 19/20 Reports