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An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Season 19/20 Stagsnet Match Report
English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Mansfield Town  
3 - 4
 Forest Green Rovers
Hamilton 3, Rose 40, Maynard 90.
 
 Rawson 45+5, 52, Winchester 60, Collins 90+6
Attendance: 3956 (158 from Forest Green)
 
Date: 11 January 2020

DREADFUL DEFENDING AS STAGS LOSE 4-3 TO FOREST GREEN

Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill

Mansfield Town were beaten 4-3 at home by Forest Green Rovers in an extraordinary game in which Mansfield’s dreadful defending, which has come to the fore all season starting in pre-season, again came back to haunt them.
The first 45 minutes was terrific from the Stags though.
After 3 minutes CJ Hamilton put the Stags in front. Mal Benning crossed from the left into the middle, Alex MacDonald headed down and Hamilton profited from indecision in the visitor’s defence to nip in, round the keeper and slot into the net from 8 yards. Great determination from Hamilton.
Mansfield had a goal disallowed after 15 minutes as Hamilton played across to Danny Rose who knocked forward to Nicky Maynard who turned the ball into the net, but from an offside position (from the video, he was half a yard offside).
The Stags were 2-0 ahead after 40 minutes as Danny Rose leapt superbly to head a long throw from MacDonald across the keeper and into the far corner of the net.
And the Stags were so nearly 3-0 ahead after 44 minutes as Hamilton fired against the post.
It was terrific stuff from the Stags who pressed Forest Green hard and really rattled them with an up-and-at-them approach.
Returning keeper Bobby Olejnik had made a brilliant save after 37 minutes, tipping over a header from Liam Kitching.
Four minutes of stoppage time were added on at the end of the half. But 45 seconds over that time, with no stoppages worthy of adding on further time, a free kick from Joseph Mills was headed into the net by Farrend Rawson. Manager Coughlan fumed, repeatedly showing his watch to the referee. Notwithstanding the time, this was yet more dreadful defending from Mansfield as Matt Preston allowed Rawson to get away from him and head in unmarked.
More dreadful defending was to follow 7 minutes into the second half as Rawson beat Ryan Sweeney to a header to head past Olejnik from a corner.
And more was to come after 60 minutes as Forest Green turned it around to lead 3-2. Twice in the first half, midfielder Carl Winchester had been afforded too much space to shoot from just outside the box. You can’t allow him to do that. But the Stags did again and Winchester was given too much time and space by the Stags midfield to fire into the net from 23 yards after 60 minutes, though the shot did seem to take a slight deflection.
Goals change games of course, but Mansfield’s second half performance was nowhere near as good as their first, and in truth, Mansfield didn’t really look like equalising after Forest Green took the lead, but equalise they did on the stroke of 90 minutes. Great battling play by James Clarke and then a lovely little ball played forward by the young right back into the path of Maynard, who fired a super shot into the roof of the net from 12 yards.
I thought in real time that Mansfield might have had a penalty on 90+2 minutes as Maynard went down on the edge of the area, but our pitchside footage shows that it was actually a brilliant tackle by Liam Kitching on Maynard and it was fractionally outside the area as well.
Then Mansfield had another shout for a penalty after 90+4 minutes, and from our pitchside footage this should have been a penalty as Rawson controlled the ball with him arm away from his body, but the referee’s view was obscured by Rawson’s body.
Mansfield were pushing for a winner but lightning struck for the second time as Mansfield yet again conceded a goal over time, half a minute over the 5 minutes of stoppage time that had been added on, as Joseph Mills pulled a low cross back from the left and Forest Green sub Aaron Collins had time to control the ball and fire into the net from 9 yards, as defenders Preston and Sweeney, and midfielder Alistair Smith, stood on and watched. Poor defending once again.
An absolute sickener for the Stags to lose the game in that manner.
This was an entertaining game, and going forward, Mansfield scored three, hit the post and had a penalty turned down that should have been a penalty. But the defending was shambolic, and all four goals came as a result of poor defending (from the defence and midfield). The new manager needs to address this and will clearly be trying to bring in some fresh defenders and midfielders during the January transfer window.

Mansfield had only won two home games all season. But Mansfield had played Forest Green seven times at home in league matches, and won all seven of them! Could they make it eight out of eight? No they couldn’t despite going 2-0 in front.

Mansfield made four changes from the side that lost to Grimsby Town in such poor fashion, having played for more than 80 minutes against ten men.
Olejnik came in for Logan in goal. Coughlan explained that he was shaking it up and wanted one of his goalkeepers to claim the number 1 spot, and it was Olejnik’s turn to stake a claim today.
Clarke came in for White. Coughlan explained that it was more “protection” for White who was “breathing through his backside” last week as he found two games in quick succession tough after returning from injury.
Sweeney and Tomlinson returned from injury replace Pearce and Mellis.
Coughlan explained that Pearce and Mellis have been told they can move on and seek challenges elsewhere, though they can still roll their sleeves up and make Coughlan change his mind. Coughlan said that “like every other player, they are in the shop window for other clubs and for themselves.” Coughlan said the “dressing room has gone a bit stale and some players have been here a bit longer than maybe they should”. Coughlan is looking for “young, fit, hungry, enthusiastic” players. Coughlan has previously, on more than one occasion in interviews, referred to Mellis not being as fit as he should be.

Added to Coughlan’s explanations pre-match, chairman John Radford said in his programme notes before the game: “Let me be clear: as a football club, we win, lose and draw together. There can be no divisions. But this also means everyone - not just some - giving their all for the cause and in every way. There should be no excuses for the low levels of performances in the first half of the season, which have already cost a good man his job. I have no qualms about allowing anyone to leave the club if there is even a hint of doubt of dedication to the badge. I want to now see a greater desire to play for Mansfield Town Football Club.”

Elsewhere, Shaughnessy and Afolayan have departed from their loans, with Shaughnessy being recalled by Leeds, reportedly to join League One Burton on loan. Gordon is still out with a back injury. No place for Sterling-James in the squad again.


DETAILED REPORT:

It was a windy day in Mansfield. It appeared that the wind would play a major part in the game when MacDonald was trying to take a corner early on and the ball kept moving. But as the game wore on, the wind appeared from the stands to play very little part.

After 3 minutes CJ Hamilton put the Stags in front. Mal Benning crossed from the left into the middle, Alex MacDonald headed down and Hamilton profited from indecision in the visitor’s defence to nip in, round the keeper and slot into the net from 8 yards. Great determination from Hamilton.

Hamilton was brought down just outside the corner of the area on the left after 7 minutes. From MacDonald’s free kick, Benning headed well wide. After 10 minutes, Hamilton intercepted a loose ball, and pulled the ball across towards Rose but Winchester did well to intercept. Then after 12 minutes, a high ball forward, Maynard headed the ball up then try to hit it on the volley but miscued through to the keeper.

Mansfield had a goal disallowed after 15 minutes as Hamilton played across to Danny Rose who knocked forward to Nicky Maynard who turned the ball into the net, but from an offside position (from the video, he was half a yard offside).

The Stags were buzzing around the visitors, fighting for every ball and had really rattled Forest Green with the up-and-at-‘em approach.

After 22 minutes, a corner from MacDonald from the right was headed over the bar by Preston.

A clumsy foul by Preston on Josh March after 27 minutes. A free kick for Forest Green on the left. Aitchison’s free kick came off Brown for a goal kick.

Winchester was given too much space to shoot and curled over the bar from 25 yards after 28 minutes.

Rose did well to win a free kick after 30 minutes. From Benning’s free kick, Sweeney headed across the area and Mills put it behind for a corner. From that corner, taken by MacDonald, it flicked off a defender and Preston then headed over the bar.

A humorous moment after 31 minutes as Rose and the lineman collided. As Rose got back up he waved the flag to signify a foul.

Clarke twice did well after 34 minutes, but then gave the ball away. Aitchison picked up the ball and shot just wide. MacDonald gestured to Clarke that he needed to clear the ball when he had the chance.

Tomlinson limped off after 35 minutes and was replaced by Smith.

Returning keeper Bobby Olejnik made a brilliant save after 37 minutes, tipping over a header from Liam Kitching. That came after March cut inside Clarke who brought him down for a free kick, and the free kick reached Kitching.

The Stags were 2-0 ahead after 40 minutes as Danny Rose leapt superbly to head a long throw from MacDonald across the keeper and into the far corner of the net. What was interesting was that Forest Green had left two players forward for the throw-in so the penalty area was less congested than it might otherwise have been.

Olejnik made another good save after 41 minutes, this time from March as he got into the Stags area on the right. A minute later, trickery from Aitchison on the left, he got away from Clarke and MacDonald and his shot was deflected wide. Then Winchester was again given space to shoot from the edge of the area, and Olejnik did well to push it away.

And the Stags were so nearly 3-0 ahead after 44 minutes as Hamilton fired against the near post from an angle on the right.

On 45+3 minutes, Hamilton intercepted the ball, made a great run and tried to play inside to Rose, but his pass was intercepted.

It was terrific stuff from the Stags who pressed Forest Green hard and really rattled them with an up-and-at-them approach.

Four minutes of stoppage time had been added on at the end of the half. But 45 seconds over that time, with no stoppages worthy of adding on further time, a free kick from Joseph Mills was headed into the net by Farrend Rawson. Manager Coughlan fumed, repeatedly showing his watch to the referee. Notwithstanding the time, this was yet more dreadful defending from Mansfield as Matt Preston allowed Rawson to get away from him and head in unmarked.

Half time 2-1

It was now raining as the second half started.

Good play from Smith after 47 minutes, he played a 1-2 with Maynard, and fired in a low left footed shot which was easily saved. After 50 minutes, a free kick taken quickly by Bishop, to Clarke on the right who overlapped, Clarke’s low ball into the middle just evaded Smith.

Forest Green made it 2-2 after 52 minutes. Aitchison’s shot was blocked for a corner by Preston. From Aitchison’s corner, more dreadful defending as Rawson beat Ryan Sweeney to a header to head past Olejnik.

Great tracking back by Hamilton to win the ball after 54 minutes. Two minutes later, Mondal cut inside and his low shot provided an easy save for Olejnik. Then Clarke, who had done plenty of good things, again gave the ball away in his own half.

More bad defending was to come after 60 minutes as Forest Green turned it around to lead 3-2. Twice in the first half, midfielder Carl Winchester had been afforded too much space to shoot from just outside the box. You can’t allow him to do that. But the Stags did again and Winchester was given too much time and space by the Stags midfield to fire into the net from 23 yards after 60 minutes, though the shot did seem to take a slight deflection.

Cook replaced Rose after 63 minutes. Rose had had a decent game.

After 66 minutes, Aitchison’s cross from the left deflected onto the top of the bar and out for a corner. Sweeney fouled Brown just outside the area after 71 minutes. Aitchison’s free kick was just too high for Rawson to get another header towards goals.

Khan replaced MacDonald after 73 minutes.

Goals change games of course, but Mansfield’s second half performance was nowhere near as good as their first, and in truth, Mansfield didn’t really look like equalising after Forest Green took the lead. Nothing happened of note between 73 and 90 minutes.

But then Mansfield equalised on the stroke of 90 minutes. Great battling play by James Clarke and then a lovely little ball played forward by the young right back into the path of Maynard, who fired a super shot into the roof of the net from 12 yards.

I thought in real time that Mansfield might have had a penalty on 90+2 minutes as Maynard went down on the edge of the area, but our pitchside footage shows that it was actually a brilliant tackle by Liam Kitching on Maynard and it was fractionally outside the area as well.

On 90+3 minutes, Olejnik made a good save from a low ball in the box.

Then Mansfield had another shout for a penalty after 90+4 minutes, and from our pitchside footage this should have been a penalty as Rawson controlled the ball with him arm away from his body, but the referee’s view was obscured by Rawson’s body.

Mansfield were pushing for a winner but lightning struck for the second time as Mansfield yet again conceded a goal over time, half a minute over the 5 minutes of stoppage time that had been added on, as Joseph Mills pulled a low cross back from the left and Forest Green sub Aaron Collins had time to control the ball and fire into the net from 9 yards, as defenders Preston and Sweeney, and midfielder Alistair Smith, stood on and watched. Poor defending once again.

Man of the match: Hamilton/Rose/Maynard, the three goalscorers. Did their part in what should have been a victory.


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



Line Up:
(4-4-2)
Olejnik 7 Made three good saves. In my opinion, not at fault for the goals.
Clarke 6 Great play to set up the third goal. Some good defending but also gave the ball away or didn’t clear when he had the chance. Perhaps he should have stopped the cross for Forest Green’s 4th goal.
Preston 4.5 Bad marking for the Forest Green first goal and could have done better for the 4th goal.
Sweeney 4.5 Beaten by Rawson to the header for the Forest Green second goal and could have done better for the 4th goal.
Benning 6 One or two decent crosses.
MacDonald 6 Rose headed in from his long throw for the second goal, and he headed down to Hamilton for the first goal. Otherwise didn’t have a particularly good game.
Tomlinson 6.5 Limped off after 35 minutes when the Stags were right on top.
Bishop 6 ok.
Hamilton 7 Great determination for the early goal, and unlucky when he fired against the post which would have made it 3-0.
Rose 7 Leapt superbly for his goal. Decent game.
Maynard 7 Clinical finish for the third goal, and had another goal disallowed.
Sub Line Up:
Smith (for Tomlinson, 35 mins) 5 Could have done better for the 4th goal.
Cook (for Rose, 63 mins) -
Khan (for MacDonald, 73 mins) -
Subs not used: Stone, White, Davies, Knowles.
Opposition Line Up:
(4-4-1-1): Adam Smith; Bernard, Kitching, Rawson, J.Mills; Winchester, Adams, Brown (Collins 76), Mondal; Aitchison (Frear 73); March (McCoulsky 69). Subs not used: Thomas, M Mills, Dawson, McGinley.
Referee:
Graham Salisbury 5 Should have awarded Mansfield a penalty as Rawson controlled the ball with him arm away from his body in stoppage time. The referee’s view might have been obscured but then his assistant should have seen it. Played over time in injury time in both halves when there had not been additional stoppages and lightning struck twice as Forest Green scored during both of those periods.


Season 19/20 Reports