Season 19/20 Stagsnet Match Report
|
|
|
||
|
Bradford City
|
|
Mansfield Town
|
||
|
Vaughan pen 13, pen 83
|
|
|||
|
Attendance: 15197 (1141 from Mansfield)
|
||||
|
Date: 29 December 2019
|
||||
|
Before I start I’d like pay my respects to the Stags fan who tragically died of a heart attack on the way home from the game at Bradford. He was well known to dear friends of mine. Rest in Peace.
Martin Shaw at Valley Parade Mansfield Town were beaten 2-0 at fifth placed Bradford City this afternoon in the first away game under new manager Graham Coughlan. It was a very frustrating game for the Stags who dominated the game yet came away with nothing as they made two mistakes to concede two penalties, and despite all the possession didn't create any golden chances. In front of a wonderful travelling support of 1100, Mansfield were on the front foot from the start, taking the game to Bradford as Alex MacDonald shot straight at the keeper from outside the box, CJ Hamilton played a good ball across to Andy Cook who couldn’t get the ball from under his feet on the edge of the six yard box, and Cook hooked a shot wide of the target from 18 yards inside the opening 7 minutes. But Bradford took the lead from the first time they entered the Stags box, after 13 minutes. Alex MacDonald clumsily brought down Matty Palmer in the box for a clear penalty after Dylan Connolly had cut inside Mal Benning on the right of the area to pull the ball back. MacDonald admitted after the game that he’d made a mistake. It was a costly one. James Vaughan stepped up and sent an unstoppable penalty with power into the top right corner of the net. In the opening minutes, the home fans had already been starting to get on the home side’s back, but in an instant, the atmosphere changed. During the rest of the half, the Stags continued to have most of the play, but there was a lack of quality to create clearcut chances, while Bradford rarely got into the Stags’ final third. Into the second half, and Mansfield again started it well. A good run from Hamilton with pace earned a free kick just outside the area on the left in front of the Stags fans. Otis Khan’s free kick was glanced just over his own bar by the head of a Bradford defender. Then after 50 minutes three shots were blocked in quick succession from in and around the Bradford box as Danny Rose, twice, and Otis Khan saw shots blocked. Home fans were again starting to get on the back of the home side again with some boos. Mansfield remained the better side but still were unable to create more clearcut chances with the final ball lacking. MacDonald hooked a cross across the face of goal but there was no-one near it. As in the first half, Bradford rarely had the ball in the Stags’ final third and created absolutely nothing but were gifted another penalty after 83 minutes. James Vaughan slid a low ball forward from the halfway line for Dylan Connolly to chase after. Connolly was heading for the byline and really going nowhere but Matt Preston clumsily bundled him over just inside the area on the right for a penalty. It was dreadful from Preston and so needless, and in truth he has been guilty of so many costly mistakes this season after a wonderful season last season. Again Vaughan stepped up and confidently dispatched the penalty into the left corner, sending Conrad Logan the wrong way. It sealed the game and at the end of the game, the home fans gave their side a standing ovation, having spent much of it turning on their side. Bitterly disappointing and so frustrating for the Stags and the wonderful travelling support. This game should have ended 0-0, which would have at least been a hard-earned point away to a side in the top 5, but thanks to two clumsy challenges, Bradford won it 2-0. Bradford offered nothing going forward, rarely getting the ball into the Stags’ final third, but they defended well, while the Stags had so much of the ball but where it really mattered, they didn’t show enough quality to create enough golden chances. I’m not going to say Mansfield were unlucky, because they weren’t. This defeat was self-inflicted. On to Cambridge on New Year’s Day. Mansfield should be really fired up to exact revenge on Cambridge for that 4-0 defeat in September. Let’s see if they can, and produce a first win for Graham Coughlan. This was Mansfield’s first visit to Valley Parade for almost 12 years, when Nathan Arnold and Micky Boulding scored as Mansfield won 2-1 in the relegation season. Graham Coughlan made two changes from the side that drew with Port Vale. Conrad Logan came in for Bobby Olejnik in goal. Coughlan explained that he wanted the experienced Logan to command the young back 4 (without Pearce) a bit better, and also that Logan is a big kicker on a big pitch. Otis Khan came in for Neal Bishop. Coughlan explained that he wanted to go for a more attack minded side by adding Khan, who would play on the wing, with Hamilton on the other wing, and MacDonald moving into the middle. Coughlan thought Mansfield could exploit spaces down the wing and stretch the home side. Coughlan said that Bishop tailed off against Port Vale so needed a bit of a rest but could come back into the thinking for the Cambridge game. Shaughnessy remained out with a hamstring strain. White and Gordon also remained out with injury, though White might be available soon. No place in the squad again for Sterling-James and Afolayan. Once again, it was a 4-4-2 formation. Mansfield were on the front foot from the start, taking the game to Bradford. After 4 minutes, MacDonald shot straight at the keeper from outside the box, after Khan laid off to him. On 7 minutes, Hamilton got down the left and played a good ball across to Andy Cook who couldn’t get the ball from under his feet on the edge of the six yard box. Moments later, Cook hooked a shot wide of the target from 18 yards. But Bradford took the lead from the first time they entered the Stags box, after 13 minutes. Alex MacDonald clumsily brought down Matty Palmer in the box for a clear penalty after Dylan Connolly had cut inside Mal Benning on the right of the area to pull the ball back. MacDonald admitted after the game that he’d made a mistake. It was a costly one. James Vaughan stepped up and sent an unstoppable penalty with power into the top right corner of the net. In the opening minutes, the home fans had already been starting to get on the home side’s back, but in an instant, the atmosphere changed. After 16 minutes, good defending by Preston to clear under pressure from Vaughan. A minute later, great tracking back by Rose to win the ball, and then win a free kick. Good attacking play by the Stags after 18 minutes, the ball came out to Clarke who fired high and wide from 25 yards. On 27 minutes, good play by Benning to win the ball in his own half. Sweeney was booked for a foul on the halfway line after 28 minutes as Bradford broke. Despite the scoreline, it was a good opening half hour from the Stags. Benning got the ball in the Bradford area after 35 minutes but his low cross was cleared. Sweeney had to go off injured, with a twisted ankle, after 38 minutes. He had been down and received treatment earlier, but eventually could not carry on. He was replaced by Pearce, who came on for his first appearance under Coughlan. Pearce also took over the captain’s armband from Sweeney. Rose was booked for a deliberate foul after 40 minutes. After 42 minutes, the Stags were in the Bradford box again but the ball wouldn’t fall for Cook. On 45+3 minutes, Benning crossed from the left and Rose headed tamely wide. Mansfield had most of the play in the first half but trailed at the break. The Stags, despite all their play, created few clearcut chances, while Bradford rarely got into the Stags’ final third, but led through a penalty clumsily given away. Half time 1-0 Into the second half, and Mansfield again started it well. After 46 minutes, a good cross from MacDonald, Cook couldn’t get over it and headed over the bar. Two minutes later, a good run from Hamilton with pace earned a free kick for a foul by Henley just outside the area on the left in front of the Stags fans. Pearce was booked for protesting that Henley was not booked. Henley had already been booked in the first half. It looked like a clear second yellow. Otis Khan’s free kick was glanced just over his own bar by the head of a Bradford defender. Then after 50 minutes three shots were blocked in quick succession from in and around the Bradford box as Rose, twice, and then Khan saw shots blocked. Tomlinson was booked, a soft booking for a foul on McCartan, after 61 minutes. Mellis replaced Khan after 61 minutes. Bradford’s Dylan Connolly was booked for an obvious dive in the Stags area after 63 minutes. Bradford manager Gary Bowyer laughably complained after the game that it should have been a penalty. Bradford were carrying no threat at all. Home fans were again starting to get on the back of the home side again with some boos. Mansfield remained the better side but still were unable to create more clearcut chances with the final ball lacking. A good run by Hamilton across the pitch, he found MacDonald who crossed in, but it was out for a goalkick. Maynard replaced Rose after 72 minutes. Benning shot well wide from 25 yards after 73 minutes. Two minutes later, Cook’s left footed shot from 30 yards was deflected straight to the keeper. On 77 minutes, MacDonald hooked a cross across the face of goal but there was no-one near it. A minute later, a cross from Benning was cleared. This was so frustrating. The Stags so much on top, but unable to create golden chances and make them count. Clarke was booked after 79 minutes. He took a poor touch to give the ball away, then fouled his man trying to win it back. After 81 minutes, Cook sent a tame shot wide from 25 yards. As in the first half, Bradford rarely had the ball in the Stags’ final third and created absolutely nothing but were gifted another penalty after 83 minutes. James Vaughan slid a low ball forward from the halfway line for Dylan Connolly to chase after. Connolly was heading for the byline and really going nowhere but Matt Preston clumsily bundled him over just inside the area on the right for a penalty. It was dreadful from Preston and so needless, and in truth he has been guilty of so many costly mistakes this season after a wonderful season last season. Again Vaughan stepped up and confidently dispatched the penalty into the left corner, sending Logan the wrong way. The atmosphere changed in an instant. The home fans were now buoyant. After 87 minutes, Taylor shot well wide of the left post. A rare shot from Bradford. After 88 minutes, MacDonald shot from 30 yards and it was blocked through to the keeper. A minute later, a terrible cross from Benning straight to the keeper. After 90+1 minutes, MacDonald crossed from the left and Cook headed over the bar, though a corner was given. Preston was booked for a high boot against Connolly. At the end of the game, the home fans gave their side a standing ovation, having spent much of it turning on their side. Bitterly disappointing and so frustrating for the Stags and for the wonderful travelling support. But this defeat was self-inflicted. Man of the match: CJ Hamilton Footnote: the attendance of 15197 was the biggest in League Two this season. Mansfield were also involved in the biggest League Two attendance last season: 20718 at MK Dons. |
||||
|
Report by: Martin Shaw at Valley Parade
|
||||
|
Line Up:
|
(4-4-2)
Logan 6 Beaten by two well-taken penalties. Really had nothing else to do. Clarke 6 Did ok. Booked after he lost the ball. Preston 5 Clumsily bundled over his man to concede the penalty. Sweeney 6 Went off with a twisted ankle after 38 minutes. Benning 5 Allowed Connolly to cut inside him in the build-up to the first penalty. Some poor crossing. Khan 6 One decent free kick and one good lay off. Tomlinson 6 Ok. MacDonald 5 Clumsily brought down Palmer in the box for a penalty and admitted after the game that he’d made a mistake. A couple of decent crosses. Hamilton 6.5 Good set-up for a Cook chance, good run to win a free kick in a dangerous position which should have seen Henley sent off. Rose 5.5 Not his day. Cook 6 Had a couple of tame shots wide. Couldn’t get the ball from under his feet from an early chance |
|
Sub Line Up:
|
Pearce (for Sweeney, 38 mins) 6 Got his chance with the injury to Sweeney and took the captain’s armband back over.
Mellis (for Khan, 61 mins) - Maynard (for Rose, 72 mins) - Subs not used: Olejnik, Bishop, Davies, Knowles. |
|
Opposition Line Up:
|
(3-4-1-2): O’Donnell; P O’Connor, A O’Connor, Richards-Everton; Henley, Reeves (Cooke, 74), Palmer, Wood; McCartan (Taylor, 65); Connolly, Vaughan (Oteh, 87). Subs not used: Sykes-Kenworthy, Gibson, Anderson, Ismail.
|
|
Referee:
|
Ross Joyce 5.5 Should sent Henley off for a second bookable offence. Got both penalties right.
|
|
|