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Season 19/20 Stagsnet Match Report
English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Mansfield Town  
2 - 3
 Colchester United
Sweeney 45, Sterling-James 90.
 
 Comley 8, Senior 74, Gambin 87.
Attendance: 4125 (212 from Colchester)
 
Date: 2 November 2019

STAGS OUTPLAYED AND BEATEN AT HOME AGAIN

Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill

Mansfield Town were beaten at home by Colchester United this afternoon. Colchester fully deserved their victory, which could have been by more than 3-2 but for an excellent display by Stags keeper Conrad Logan, and in my opinion were the best side Mansfield have come up against this season. However, for the Stags it was a 5th home defeat of the season, with just 2 wins, in 9 home games. No other clubs in League Two have lost more home games and only Morecambe and Walsall have also lost 5 games at home. Nowhere near good enough for a club that has aspirations of promotion this season.
The Stags came into the game on the back of an improved run of form, with 10 points from the previous 5 games, which had eased some of the considerable pressure on young manager John Dempster. Colchester came into the game on the back of the remarkable achievement of reaching the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup in midweek where they have been drawn away to Manchester United, having earlier in the competition knocked out Champions League runners-up Tottenham Hotspur.
At the start of the day, Colchester were just three points ahead of Mansfield, but in truth Colchester were streets ahead of the Stags during the 90 minutes here.
Perhaps it would have been different if the Stags had taken the lead early in the game as they so nearly did, with Kellan Gordon putting in a high hanging cross which was perfect for Andy Cook who leapt high in typical fashion and headed down, bringing a fantastic one handed save from Colchester keeper Dean Gerken, after just 4 minutes.
But it was Colchester who took the lead after 8 minutes as Brandon Comley fired a magnificent shot into the top right corner of the net from 28 yards.
Colchester remained good value for their lead but the Stags were surprisingly level on the stroke of half time as Ryan Sweeney was left unmarked at the far post to knock into the net from close range from Mal Benning’s corner from the right, as Colchester keeper Gerken seemed to slip over. Sweeney’s first goal of the season.
It should have been a good time for the Stags to score, but instead it was Colchester who flew out of the traps early in the second half, and they won a penalty after 48 minutes as midfielder Kwame Poku embarked on a tricky run into the Stags area and was tripped by Mal Benning. It was the sort of run you wanted Otis Khan to be making at the other end, but that never happened all afternoon. Frank Nouble, the player who ended Hayden White’s season in January with that lunging challenge, stepped up to take the penalty and sent it to Conrad Logan’s left, but Logan made a magnificent save with a strong right hand.
Again, you would have hoped Mansfield would take heart and gain some momentum, but it was Colchester who continued to be the better side, and had three more efforts on goal shortly afterwards.
After 64 minutes, both sides went close. Firstly Nicky Maynard did superbly to get to the byline and put in a great cross for Cook whose effort hit Ryan Jackson on the line. Then Logan pulled off another stunning save as he turned Callum Harriott’s shot onto the right post.
Logan made another good save after 70 minutes from Courtney Senior, but Colchester were back in front after 74 minutes as Senior waltzed past Preston into the area and fired past Logan.
Colchester’s midfield of Senior, Poku, Comley, Harriott and Ben Stevenson had completely outshone Mansfield’s disappointing midfield of Neal Bishop, Conor Shaughnessy, Alex MacDonald and Otis Khan all afternoon. Finally, after 78 minutes, Stags boss John Dempster made a double change, removing Bishop and Khan, and replacing them with Jacob Mellis and CJ Hamilton. At last the Stags looked more lively. After 81 minutes, Hamilton did well to set up a chance for Maynard with a square ball across the 6 yard box, Maynard stabbed it goalwards but it was cleared. A minute later, Mellis fired in a shot from 20 yards which was saved by the keeper just inside the post. Mansfield made a third change as MacDonald was replaced by Omari-Sterling-James after 84 minutes.
But Colchester made it 3-1 after 86 minutes as Cohen Bramall’s low cross into the box was completely miscued by Preston into the path of Tom Lapslie whose goalbound shot was blocked by Benning but only into the path of Luke Gambin who kneed the ball into the net.
The Stags pulled a goal back on the stroke of 90 minutes as Hamilton did well to pull a low cross back from the left into the path of Sterling-James who fired into the net from 14 yards via a deflection.
But it was too little too late, and Colchester were worthy winners. The Colchester midfield caused Mansfield so many problems with runs from outside the box into the box, and they looked very much more lively than the Stags. Mansfield’s midfield was collectively very poor, while last season’s best defence in League Two continued to leak goals, with Preston in particular poor here as he could have done better for the second and third goals.
Not many positives at all for the Stags, with Logan being clear man of the match, keeping the Stags in the game with another fine display. CJ Hamilton on as a late substitute was another positive perhaps, providing an assist for the late goal, and creating a good chance for Maynard. Hamilton was in the League Two team of the year last season, and scored 14 goals. This season, he’s yet to score and has been very disappointing. A return to form for him could make a massive difference to Mansfield’s season.
It’s a break from the league now as the Stags take on Chorley in the FA Cup next Saturday. A good run in the FA Cup would be very important for Mansfield’s season, to provide some cheer, and perhaps as it has for Colchester in the League cup, some much needed momentum.

Mansfield made one expected change from the side that won at Walsall, with Preston coming in for the injured Pearce. Mellis returned from injury to the bench, while Sterling-James also returned to the bench, in preference to Afolayan. White and Rose remained out with injury. Rose told me before the game that he hopes to return to training on Tuesday, well ahead of schedule, then he hopes to be available for selection for the bench against Chorley, and to start against Burton in the EFL Trophy in 10 days time.

There had been a lot of rain during the morning but Michael Merriman and his groundstaff did a great job getting the pitch ready and in good condition.

Before the game, The Last Post was performed beautifully followed by minute’s silence to remember the fallen. The club had put up huge banners on the West Stand hoardings with poppies on them and “Lest we forget” written on them, which looked good.

The Stags nearly took the lead early in the game, as Kellan Gordon put in a high hanging cross which was perfect for Andy Cook who leapt high in typical fashion and headed down, bringing a fantastic one handed save from Colchester keeper Dean Gerken, after just 4 minutes.

After 6 minutes, Bramall cut inside MacDonald on the Colchester left, Benning tried to clear his cross, it hit Senior and fell kindly for Logan. A minute later, Poku cut inside from the right, and his shot deflected off Bishop and just over the bar.

It was Colchester who took the lead after 8 minutes as Brandon Comley fired a magnificent shot into the top right corner of the net from 28 yards.

After 11 minutes, Stevenson pushed forward and had a shot blocked by Shaughnessy then Poku’s shot was deflected for a corner. On 16 minutes, Senior’s shot was deflected for a corner.

Colchester were right on top. And it was all a bit untidy from Mansfield.

After 22 minutes, Benning tried to curl a shot with the outside of his left foot but it was always going wide.

On 26 minutes, good play from Colchester around the edge of the box (something they had been doing a lot), Jackson found Stevenson who volleyed straight at Logan.

A good save from Logan after 32 minutes pushing Harriott’s low shot wide after Stevenson sent Harriott away. Another great move from Colchester two minutes later and Senior shot straight at Logan. After 35 minutes, Preston fouled Nouble 27 yards out. The wall did its job though blocking Bramall’s free kick.

A better move from the Stags after 38 minutes as Khan’s shot was blocked for a corner. From the corner, Cook appealed for a penalty but it was optimistic. Moments later a good cross from Khan and Eastman did well to put it behind for a corner.

Maynard did well to force his way forward and fire in a low shot from 25 yards after 43 minutes, which was pushed away by the keeper.
Colchester had been good value for their lead but the Stags were surprisingly level on the stroke of half time as Ryan Sweeney was left unmarked at the far post to knock into the net from close range from Mal Benning’s corner from the right, as Colchester keeper Gerken seemed to slip over. Sweeney’s first goal of the season.

Half time 1-1

It should have been a good time for the Stags to score, but instead it was Colchester who flew out of the traps early in the second half, and they won a penalty after 48 minutes as midfielder Kwame Poku embarked on a tricky run into the Stags area and was tripped by Mal Benning. It was the sort of run you wanted Otis Khan to be making at the other end, but that never happened all afternoon. Frank Nouble, the player who ended Hayden White’s season in January with that lunging challenge, stepped up to take the penalty and sent it to Conrad Logan’s left, but Logan made a magnificent save with a strong right hand.

Again, you would have hoped Mansfield would take heart and gain some momentum, but it was Colchester who continued to be the better side. After 52 minutes, Poku played forward to Nouble in the area and his shot was deflected for a corner. A minute later, Senior skipped his way into the area. It looked like he might earn another penalty similar to the one earned by Poku but the Stags got away with it.

After 55 minutes, great play by Gordon on the right to win a free kick. Benning’s free kick into the area was cleared to Bishop who miscued a shot well wide.Two minutes later, another Benning free kick into the area, Cook claimed he was fouled but nothing was given.

On 58 minutes, Nouble got into the area on the left and his cross-shot was cleared. Two minutes later, Comley chipped a shot onto the roof of the net, which was always going over.

Cook did superbly to keep the ball in play on the touchline after 61 minutes, he played inside to Maynard who pushed forward and sent a shot over the bar with Shaughnessy in space to his left. Two minutes later at the other end, Bramall got forward down the left and Preston did well to clear his cross.

After 64 minutes, both sides went close. Firstly Nicky Maynard did superbly to get to the byline and put in a great cross for Cook whose effort hit Ryan Jackson on the line. Then Logan pulled off another stunning save as he turned Callum Harriott’s shot onto the right post.

Bishop was booked for a foul after 66 minutes, after the referee initially played advantage.

After 68 minutes, Nouble got into the area on the left and Preston made a good block for a corner. A minute later, Jackson’s shot from 30 yards deflected off Cook for a corner.

Logan made another good save after 70 minutes from Courtney Senior.

But Colchester were back in front after 74 minutes. The Stags won a free kick as Shaughnessy was fouled by Senior. Khan’s free kick was cleared, Colchester broke straight to the other end and Senior waltzed past Preston into the area and fired past Logan.

Colchester’s midfield of Senior, Poku, Comley, Harriott and Ben Stevenson had completely outshone Mansfield’s disappointing midfield of Neal Bishop, Conor Shaughnessy, Alex MacDonald and Otis Khan all afternoon. Finally, after 78 minutes, Stags boss John Dempster made a double change, removing Bishop and Khan, and replacing them with Jacob Mellis and CJ Hamilton. Bishop had not been at his best, indeed he hasn’t all season. Khan had done little after being very good in recent weeks.

At last the Stags looked more lively. After 79 minutes, Gordon got to the byline and put in a good cross, Benning headed it down, but to no-one. A minute later, a free kick from 30 yards from Benning, but he chipped it straight to the keeper, neither a shot nor a cross really.

After 81 minutes, Hamilton did well to set up a chance for Maynard with a square ball across the 6 yard box, Maynard stabbed it goalwards but it was cleared. A minute later, Mellis fired in a shot from 20 yards which was saved by the keeper just inside the post.

Mansfield made a third change as MacDonald was replaced by Omari-Sterling-James after 84 minutes.

But Colchester made it 3-1 after 86 minutes as Cohen Bramall’s low cross into the box was completely miscued by Preston into the path of Tom Lapslie whose goalbound shot was blocked by Benning but only into the path of Luke Gambin who kneed the ball into the net.

It was a goal Colchester deserved. After 89 minutes, Colchester waltzed into the Stags box again and Nouble’s shot was blocked.

The Stags pulled a goal back on the stroke of 90 minutes as Benning did well to set Hamilton away from the left, Hamilton did well to pull a low cross back into the path of Sterling-James who fired into the net from 14 yards via a deflection.

But it was too little too late, and Colchester were worthy winners. The Colchester midfield caused Mansfield so many problems with runs from outside the box into the box, and they looked very much more energetic than the Stags.

Some people have asked me on Stagsnet and social media in response to my initial brief report on the game whether the club needs a change of manager. We'd just taken 10 points from 5 games before the defeat to Colchester. Prior to that run, I'd written a couple of times in my reports that no-one could be surprised if Dempster was about to be sacked. I think the run in October started to turn things around, but another bad run now would probably lead to a change of manager.

Man of the match: Conrad Logan


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



Line Up:
(4-4-2)
Logan 9 Excellent display to keep the Stags in the game. Magnificent save from the penalty and another stunning save as he turned Callum Harriott’s shot onto the right post. Deserved for his performance to earn some points.
Gordon 6.5 Perfect cross for Cook’s early header. Some other good crosses. Caught out of position a few times.
Preston 4 Poor. Could have done better for the second and third goals.
Sweeney 6 Scored his first goal of the season.
Benning 6 His corner was an assist for Sweeney’s goal. Set Hamilton away in the build-up to Sterling-James’s goal. Gave away the penalty.
MacDonald 5 Disappointing.
Shaughnessy 5 Also disappointing.
Bishop 5 Not at his best, indeed he hasn’t all season.
Khan 5 Did little after being very good in recent weeks. Never embarked on any of his trademark tricky runs.
Maynard 6 Did superbly to get to the byline and put in a great cross for Cook whose effort was blocked on the line. Otherwise did ok.
Cook 7 Leapt high in typical fashion bringing a fantastic one handed save from Colchester keeper early on. Plus another effort that hit a defender on the line.
Sub Line Up:
Mellis (for Bishop, 78 mins) -
Hamilton (for Khan, 78 mins) - A real positive, providing an assist for the late goal, and creating a good chance for Maynard.
Sterling-James (for MacDonald, 84 mins) - Another goal, despite getting little game time.
Subs not used: Olejnik, Smith, Tomlinson, Knowles.
Opposition Line Up:
(4-5-1): Gerken; Jackson, Eastman, Prosser, Bramall; Comley, Stevenson (sub Pell, 90), Senior, Poku (sub Lapslie, 82), Harriott (sub Gambin, 85); Nouble. Subs not used: Sowunmi, Brown, Clampin, Ross.
Referee:
Seb Stockbridge 7 Got the penalty right. Good game.


Season 19/20 Reports