Season 19/20 Stagsnet Match Report
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Newport County
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Mansfield Town
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Labadie 6, Amond pen 34.
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Pearce 47, Rose 49, Maynard missed pen 55. Mellis sent off 68
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Attendance: 4441 (493 from Mansfield)
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Date: 3 August 2019
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STAGS FIGHT BACK FOR POINT IN ASTONISHING GAME AT NEWPORT
Martin Shaw at Rodney Parade The 2019/2020 season got underway in extraordinary fashion for Mansfield Town in a 2-2 draw against Newport County at Rodney Parade this afternoon. Last season had of course ended for the Stags in defeat on penalties to Newport, and the Stags were hoping to banish those memories today. But the first half was a nightmare for Mansfield who turned in a terrible 45 minutes to be 2-0 down at the break, and were lucky it was not 3 or 4-0. Newport took the lead after just 6 minutes when new left back Ryan Haynes curled in a good cross from the left and Joss Labadie scuffed a shot into the right corner of the net giving Conrad Logan no chance in the Stags goal. Newport could have increased their lead when Padraig Amond was left unmarked on the edge of the area from a corner and fired just over the bar, then a Mickey Demetriou long throw-in was headed out to Labadie who had a free shot from 12 yards but it was deflected wide by his own player, then another Demetriou long throw-in was headed out to Amond whose shot was blocked, and finally Matty Dolan smacked a free kick from 26 yards against the bar. Newport made it 2-0 after 34 minutes from the penalty spot after Ryan Sweeney was adjudged to have hauled down Jamille Matt in the area as a cross came in. The referee was perfectly placed and had no hesitation in giving it, and I think that was probably fair enough. Amond smashed the penalty into the left corner of the net, as Logan dived the right way but couldn’t get to it. Newport were rampant, while the Stags were shocking. The Stags made changes, CJ Hamilton limped off after getting a whack, to be replaced by new signing Kellan Gordon, while Ryan Sweeney, already on a booking and having conceded the penalty as well in a separate incident, was replaced by Otis Khan, as the Stags switched from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2. Incredibly the Stags were on level terms inside the opening 4 minutes of the second half. Krystian Pearce powered a crisp header into the net from 12 yards from a super free kick delivery from Jacob Mellis. Then Khan pulled a low ball across from the byline on the left to Danny Rose who smacked a low left footed shot into the net, though Tom King should have saved it, a howler from the new Newport keeper. Joy for Rose, and his first league goal since October, aided by a bit of luck, but his man of the match performance deserved it. Logan made a fabulous save after 55 minutes to keep the Stags on level terms, saving from Labadie’s shot, making himself big. But on 58 minutes, the Stags should have been in front. Rose made a great header inside to Nicky Maynard, and back-flicked to Khan, who burst into the area and was clearly fouled for an obvious penalty. Maynard stepped up and fired to the right of centre, but keeper King redeemed himself with a great save. It was a nice height for a keeper though. Maynard went close to making amends on 66 minutes as Mellis found him and he curled just over the bar from the edge of the box. The drama kept on coming, as the Stags were reduced to 10 men after 68 minutes in controversial circumstances. Labadie went down just inside his own half, and Mellis landed on him on his knees. It looked innocuous to me in real time. The referee, influenced by the home fans, decided to consult with his linesman, who had not been flagging, and between them, they decided it was serious foul play and Mellis was sent off. The referee told John Dempster that it was a stamp. From the video replay from the two angles we have, it was not a stamp and not deliberate in my opinion. I would expect Mansfield to appeal the decision, and have a 50/50 chance of overturning it. After that, Mansfield were left holding on for a draw, which they did with some good defending, much better defending than we saw in the first half. Newport had a goal disallowed in stoppage time, with two players offside. So Mansfield came away with a point thanks to real guts and determination, after that dreadful first half performance, and then digging in after Mellis was sent off. It was a shame Maynard’s penalty was saved, and if that had gone in to make it 3-2, the Stags might have won, but I think we should be satisfied with a point. Back to the One Call Stadium next Saturday, with the visit of Morecambe, and the Stags will hope to put in a better performance over 90 minutes. New boss John Dempster started with a 3-5-2 formation: Conrad Logan; Matt Preston, Krystian Pearce, Ryan Sweeney; CJ Hamilton, Jacob Mellis, Alex MacDonald, Neal Bishop, Mal Benning; Nicky Maynard, Danny Rose. I had attempted to predict the side after the Rangers U23 game and was close to getting it right, with just one wrong, as Rose played rather than Cook, though I had said last week “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”. So it was a first start for Nicky Maynard in a competitive game, while other new signings Kellan Gordan and Andy Cook came on as subs. New signings Aidan Stone and Dion Donohue were unused subs. For Newport, the midfield and forward line were unchanged from last season, but they had a new keeper with Joe Day having gone to Cardiff City, and three out of the four defenders were new signings, including former Stags loan player Kyle Howkins. It was the fourth time in eight seasons that the clubs had met on the opening day of the season. The Stags played in the new teal coloured third shirt. If you want to purchase a replica shirt, you’d better move quickly as they are nearly sold out already. There was a surprise in the opening minute, with Danny Rose winding himself up for a long throw-in. We haven’t seen that before in any game. It wasn’t in the Mickey Demetriou class, but wasn’t bad. Newport took the lead after just 6 minutes. New left back Ryan Haynes curled in a good cross from the left and Labadie scuffed a shot into the right corner of the net giving Logan no chance in the Stags goal. The Stags were on the rack in the opening stages, with Newport first to everything. Newport could have increased their lead after 17 minutes when Amond was left unmarked on the edge of the area from a corner from the right from Willmott, and fired just over the bar. Sleepy defending. A poor clearance from Logan after 18 minutes put Sweeney under pressure and he fouled Willmott. Sweeney picked up a yellow card. He wouldn’t have thanked Logan for that. The resulting free kick from Willmott was blocked by the wall which did its job. After 20 minutes, good play from the Stags, at last, Rose played back to Benning on the left, and Benning’s cross was knocked into the side netting by Bishop, via a deflection for a corner. After 23 minutes, a Demetriou long throw-in was headed out by Mellis to Labadie who had a free shot from 12 yards but it was deflected wide by his own player. Good play at the other end two minutes later by Rose to win a corner. From Mellis’s corner, Sweeney headed well over. Then another Demetriou long throw-in after 27 minutes was headed out to Amond whose shot was blocked. Benning teed up Mellis for a shot after 29 minutes, his shot was low and hit the back stanchion just wide of the left post. Benning was harshly booked after 31 minutes, for a foul on Matt. Matty Dolan smacked the resulting free kick from 26 yards against the bar. Newport made it 2-0 after 34 minutes from the penalty spot after Sweeney was adjudged to have hauled down Jamille Matt in the area as a cross came in. The referee was perfectly placed and had no hesitation in giving it, and I think that was probably fair enough. Amond smashed the penalty into the left corner of the net, as Logan dived the right way but couldn’t get to it. Rose tried a snap shot from the left after 35 minutes, which was well wide. Poor play from Hamilton on 38 minutes, Labadie got away from him and put in a low cross which Logan did well to claim. The home fans had been continually booing Danny Rose, probably for having the temerity to leave so much blood on the pitch last season, and they did again after 39 minutes as he got yet another bang on the head, which cut his head and it had to be glued at half time (and a natty teal coloured bandage applied to his head). After 43 minutes, a long throw from Rose was eventually knocked out to Benning who curled a shot well over the bar from 28 yards. The Stags ended the first half particularly badly, though they had been bad throughout the half, with Mellis giving the ball away not for the first time, and a terrible cross from Bishop, who looked disgusted with himself. Hamilton limped off after 45+3 minutes, literally seconds before the half time whistle was blown. He had taken a whack and didn’t feel he could continue. On came new signing from Derby Kellan Gordon to slip in at right wing back, for his competitive Stags debut. Newport were rampant in that first half, while the Stags were shocking. The players would have known better than anyone just how bad they were, and knew they would have to put it right in the second half. Half time 2-0 The Stags made another change at the break: Ryan Sweeney, already on a booking and having conceded the penalty as well in a separate incident, was replaced by Otis Khan, as the Stags switched from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2. Khan went to left midfield, MacDonald to right midfield. Incredibly the Stags were on level terms inside the opening 4 minutes of the second half. On 47 minutes, Pearce powered a crisp header into the net from 12 yards from a super free kick delivery from Mellis. The free kick was about 35 yards out, just in from the right touchline, after Rose was fouled by Dolan. On 49 minutes it was 2-2. Benning tried to get past McNamara on the left, the two players went down in a heap, Benning got up and fed the ball to Khan on his left. Khan got to the byline and pulled a low ball across to Rose who smacked a low left footed shot into the net, though Tom King should have saved it, a howler from the new Newport keeper. Joy for Rose, and his first league goal since October, aided by a bit of luck, but his man of the match performance deserved it. Also of course a different emotion for Rose to the league game here last season when he received that horrific facial injury. Khan was booked for a foul on Labadie after 54 minutes. Logan made a fabulous save after 55 minutes to keep the Stags on level terms, saving from Labadie’s shot, making himself big. Labadie looked certain to score. But on 58 minutes, the Stags should have been in front. Rose made a great header inside to Nicky Maynard, and back-flicked to Khan, who burst into the area and was clearly fouled for an obvious penalty. Maynard stepped up and fired to the right of centre, but keeper King redeemed himself with a great save. It was a nice height for a keeper though. After 60 minutes, a clear foul on MacDonald was not given. MacDonald protested. The referee lectured MacDonald and captain Pearce for protesting too much. Great play by Gordon on 64 minutes, to win the ball and clip forward for Maynard to run on to, but Maynard was offside. Maynard went close to making amends on 66 minutes as Mellis found him and he curled just over the bar from the edge of the box. The drama kept on coming, as the Stags were reduced to 10 men after 68 minutes in controversial circumstances. Labadie went down just inside his own half, and Mellis landed on him on his knees. It looked innocuous to me in real time. The referee, influenced by the home fans, decided to consult with his linesman, who had not been flagging, and between them, they decided it was serious foul play and Mellis was sent off. The referee told John Dempster that it was a stamp. From the video replay from the two angles we have, it was not a stamp and not deliberate in my opinion. I would expect Mansfield to appeal the decision, and have a 50/50 chance of overturning it. The Stags regrouped by moving Rose to a deeper role, in right midfield, with MacDonald moving into the middle. Pearce was harshly booked for a high boot after 74 minutes. Great defending from Preston after 80 minutes as Matt looked favourite to get in a header, but Preston prevented him from doing so. Rose was booked for a foul on sub Corey Whitely after 81 minutes. Before the free kick was taken, Andy Cook came on for Maynard, for his competitive Stags debut (82 minutes). It seemed a surprise with Preston already struggling, and this being the final substitution. But Preston was able to battle through the final ten minutes, and after the game, boss Dempster explained that it was bruising only. The free kick was taken by Sheehan and blocked by the wall, then Haynes fired wide from the left. After 85 minutes, Whitely was shepherded away from goal by Preston and forced to shoot wide from a very tight angle on the left. Rose did well to head behind yet another Demetriou monster long throw after 87 minutes as Newport exerted pressure. From the resulting corner, the ball trickled wide, off sub Abrahams. MacDonald was fouled 30 yards from goal, to the right of centre, after 90 minutes. Benning’s free kick into the middle was headed up in the air and behind for a corner. Stags assistant manager Lee Glover was appealing for a penalty on the touchline, but there wasn’t much in it. From the resulting Stags corner, Newport broke to the far end and Logan did well to head away the danger outside his area. Newport had a goal disallowed after 90+2 minutes. Sheehan crossed and Amond headed in but two players were offside. A minute later, Haynes crossed from the left and Willmott half-volleyed well wide from the right, indeed it went out for a throw-in. So Mansfield came away with a point thanks to real guts and determination, after that dreadful first half performance, and then digging in after Mellis was sent off. Man of the match: Danny Rose |
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Report by: Martin Shaw at Rodney Parade
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Line Up:
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(3-5-2)
Logan 7 Not at fault for either goal. Fabulous save from Labadie to keep it at 2-2. Poor clearance put Sweeney under pressure led to Sweeney being booked. Preston 7 Great defending to stop Matt getting in a header near the end. Battled on near the end despite looking groggy with bruising. Pearce 7 Dragged the Stags back into the game with his headed goal. Sweeney 5 Gave away the penalty in the first half. Taken off at half time, already on a booking. Hamilton 5 Limped off after taking a whack and unable to continue. One poor piece of play allowed Labadie to get away from him. MacDonald 6 Better in the second half than the first. Bishop 6 Didn’t have the influence that he generally showed last season. One terrible cross when he looked disgusted with himself. Mellis 6 Gave the ball away a few times in the first half, not alone in that though. Great delivery from the free kick for Pearce’s goal. Controversially sent off for what the referee called a stamp, it was not a stamp and not deliberate in my opinion. Benning 6.5 A couple of good crosses. Did well in the build-up to the second goal. Maynard 5.5 Good play in the build-up to the penalty. But he couldn’t convert the penalty, which was a good height for the keeper. Went close to making amends when he curled just over the bar from the edge of the box. Rose 8 Man of the match performance and deserved his bit of luck when the keeper allowed his shot to go in, for his first league goal since October. Good header in the build-up to the penalty. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Gordon (for Hamilton, 45+3 mins) 7 Did well on his Stags debut in the second half at right back.
Khan (for Sweeney, 46 mins) 8 Helped to turn the game around. Good play and cross for Rose’s goal. Positive run to earn the penalty. Cook (for Maynard, 82 mins) - Subs not used: Stone, Donohue, Smith, Sterling-James. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(4-4-2): King; McNamara (Abrahams, 84), Howkins, Demetriou, Haynes; Willmott, Dolan (Whitely, 73) Labadie, Sheehan; Amond, Matt. Subs not used: Townsend, Stojsavljevic, Nurse, Bennett, Maloney.
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Referee:
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James Adcock 5 Got both penalties right I think. But dished out too many yellow cards for innocuous fouls, and in my opinion got the red card for Mellis wrong.
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