Season 20/21 Stagsnet Match Report
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Mansfield Town
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Oldham Athletic
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Sinclair 12, Lapslie 38, 80, Reid 88.
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Dearnley 51
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Attendance: behind closed doors
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Date: 1 May 2021
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FANTASTIC STAGS BEAT OLDHAM 4-1 BUT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN EIGHT!
Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill Mansfield Town beat Oldham Athletic 4-1 in the final home game of the season this afternoon. It’s been a season like no other, played in its entirety behind closed doors at home, but the Stags signed off in style with a thumping victory which should have been considerably more emphatic. In fact, realistically it should have been about 8-0 given the number of golden opportunities that the Stags created. Oldham demonstrated why they have now conceded 78 goals this season, considerably more than anyone else in the division, with a very porous defence but the Stags were excellent going forward. At the other end, Oldham who are surprisingly also the top scorers in the division with 72 goals, barely looked like creating a chance in the game, apart from being gifted a ridiculous goal courtesy of another calamitous mix-up at the back from the Stags the like of which has been too frequent this season. Mansfield leapfrogged Oldham into 17th place and finish the season with a trip to Port Vale next Saturday. The Stags created three very good chances in the opening 10 minutes. After 4 minutes, Kellan Gordon crossed low to Jamie Reid in the area, and Reid teed up Tyrese Sinclair perfectly for a shot from 16 yards on his left foot but Sinclair fired wide of the left post. Four minutes later, another good chance as George Maris made a good run forward, found Stephen Quinn who swept the ball out to Stephen McLaughlin on the left. McLaughlin’s cross in from level with the edge of the area was in to Reid who glanced a header on to George Lapslie, and Lapslie knocked it goalwards from six yards but couldn’t get a good enough connection on it to get it past the keeper who saved on his line. Then a minute later, McLaughlin intercepted the ball just outside his own area and surged forward into the Oldham half. He laid the ball forward to Reid, who played back to Maris. Maris initially gave the ball away before getting it back and sliding a great ball forward to Quinn who pulled it back from the byline on the left to Reid who shot high and wide from 12 yards. It was another tremendous move and wasteful finish. The Stags took the lead after 12 minutes. Maris played inside to Lapslie who found Sinclair on the left. Sinclair tried to cut inside but lost the ball. Maris won it back, finding Reid on the edge of the box. Reid turned and laid a superb little ball forward for Sinclair to run on to in the box and Sinclair fired under the keeper left footed from 8 yards. A nice assist from Reid and a good finish from Sinclair, his 3rd goal in successive home matches. After 22 minutes, Quinn found Sinclair on the edge of the area, and Sinclair curled a shot just over the bar. After 30 minutes, Quinn’s low shot was going wide but heading towards Lapslie who might have turned it goalwards but it was blocked for a corner. After 35 minutes, Sinclair dinked a corner into the middle with no backlift trying to catch Oldham out taking it quickly. Quinn flicked it on with his head and Lapslie again bundled it goalwards from inside the six-yard box, and the keeper got down low to his left to save on his line. After 37 minutes, Keaton Ward’s low shot was on target and blocked by his own man Lapslie. The Stags made it 2-0 after 38 minutes. Quinn found McLaughlin on the left, level with the edge of the area, he weaved his way past Harry Clarke one way then the other before smashing in a low cross-shot which Lapslie turned into the net side-footed from six yards. Sinclair had another great chance after 40 minutes. Ryan Sweeney’s long ball forward bounced over the sleeping defence leaving Sinclair one-on-one with the keeper from 8 yards, but Sinclair lifted his effort over the bar. It was a sitter and Sinclair held his head in his hands. Jamie Reid fired wide after a good first touch on 43 minutes. And Reid went even closer on 45+2 minutes. Lapslie slid a super ball forward into the area for him to run on to and Reid slammed a shot from the right from 12 yards towards the roof of the net but the keeper tipped it over the bar. A good effort from Reid. What a first half it was from Mansfield, absolutely dominant, chance after chance after chance. Oldham could not have complained if it had been 6-0 at the break. As it was, it was only 2-0. So much good approach play from the Stags and it was a joy to watch. The Stags started the second half in the same vein pouring forward again. But having offered nothing going forward, Oldham were gifted a goal back after 51 minutes. Callum Whelan threaded a hopeful ball forward from inside his own half. Sweeney could have easily cleared or played back to Stone but instead tried to shepherd it out for a goalkick. It never looked like it had the legs to go out for a goalkick. At the last moment, Stone came out to try to collect, but Sweeney ran in to him and they both ended up on the floor, allowing Zak Dearnley to slot the ball into the empty net. Ridiculous. The Stags have conceded too many ridiculous goals gifted to the opposition this season. In my opinion, the main blame lay with Sweeney who had plenty of time to clear and didn’t. But Stone could have done better too and when Sweeney didn’t clear he could have come out to deal with it. It was just a calamity between the two of them. It was gutting for the Stags having been so dominant and for a while Oldham were rejuvenated. Ben Garrity headed wide after 55 minutes and Dylan Bahamboula fired high and wide from 23 yards after 64 minutes. Slowly the Stags regained their grip. After 69 minutes, Sinclair was bundled over by Carl Piergianni after a good flick on by Reid and appealed for a penalty. From the video replay, it was probably a foul, but it was fractionally outside the box. Nothing was given anyway. After 72 minutes, Quinn brilliantly controlled the ball and found Reid whose shot was blocked. After 78 minutes, Oldham had a chance to equalise. Bahamboula’s shot was well-blocked by Sweeney for a corner. Great play from Sweeney trying to atone for his error. From the corner, Harry Clarke had a free header which he sent wide from near the penalty spot. A great run from Lapslie after 79 minutes getting to the byline, he tried to find Sinclair in the middle in a good position but his cross was blocked. The Stags made it 3-1 after 80 minutes. Sinclair’s corner from the left was recycled by Sweeney back to Maris. Maris lifted a fantastic cross in from the right, 25 yards out, to the far post where Lapslie turned it into the net on the volley left footed from 3 yards. It was the goal to kill the game and how Mansfield deserved it. It was Lapslie’s 2nd goal of the afternoon and his 9th of the season. After 84 minutes, Jason Law played to Harry Charsley, one substitute to another, on the edge of the D, and Charsley’s low shot was pushed wide by the keeper. It was 4-1 after 88 minutes. Maris lifted a high ball out to the right for substitute James Clarke. James Clarke controlled it very nicely, cut inside Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and fired goalwards with his left foot from 12 yards. The keeper saved it with his knee, it rebounded to Reid, and Reid tucked the ball into the left corner of the net from 8 yards. It was just reward for Reid for a very good game, but it was his first goal since the win over Cheltenham, and just his 7th of the season in 44 league and cup appearances. Not enough for a striker in my opinion. Substitute Jordan Bowery could have added a fifth after 90+2 minutes but shot into the side netting. It finished 4-1, but it should have been at least 8-0. A tremendous performance with loads of fantastic approach play. Maris, Quinn, Lapslie, and Keaton Ward on his full debut were all excellent in midfield, Sinclair and Reid were very good up front, and McLaughlin got forward well from left back as did Gordon from the right. But the performance did highlight poor finishing yet again and a goal gifted to the opposition both of which have too often dogged the Stags this season. Mansfield have now won two games more than they have lost under Nigel Clough, at least mid-table form, and this has rescued the Stags from that disastrous start under Graham Coughlan. With good additions in attack, in defence and in goal (Nigel Clough is targeting 8 new players in the summer in these positions), the Stags could be a force next season. So a second double this season for Mansfield, having won at Boundary Park in January, and having done the double (in fact triple) over Scunthorpe in the last home game. There is a chance of a third double next Saturday as the Stags beat Port Vale 4-0 in January. Vale have been on a brilliant run recently though, under manager Darrell Clarke and director of football David Flitcroft. DETAILED REPORT : Mansfield made three changes to the side that lost at Salford. Gordon replaced the injured Rawson. Rawson suffered that bad injury at Salford but it was great news to hear that the injury was not as bad as feared. Perch moved from right back to centre half. Keaton Ward started in place of Law, his first start in professional football. And Jamie Reid started ahead of Bowery. Centre half Jake Wright returned to the bench. Youngsters Jamie Pardington, James Clarke and Jaden Charles did not start and were on the bench. Clough had suggested that each would get a chance of a start once the Stags were safe. It was the usual 4-4-2 with a diamond formation in midfield with Maris in front of the back four and Lapslie behind the front two of Reid and Sinclair. Keaton Ward was on the right of midfield. There was news in the week that Perch and McLaughlin had both signed one year contract extensions. This was good news and both have deserved them in my opinion. A word on Mal Benning, who it was announced this week will leave the club after 6 years. He’s been a great club man. Thanks for the memories Mal and good luck for the future. It's been a joy watching you play. Nigel Clough had explained him not getting a final swansong: "The last thing we wanted was him twisting a knee or something which jeopardises any potential contract that he could get for next season and beyond. I think he deserves that and out of respect for him we won't be involving him." More on contracts at the bottom of this report. The pitch played ok, as well as it has in recent weeks. It will be dug up on Monday. There is a large pile of sand from Mansfield Sand in the car park, which will be laid on the pitch to aid with drainage. Good luck to Mez and his team in getting the pitch back to how it was 2 or 3 years ago, an excellent surface, for next season. Before the game, Oldham took the knee, Mansfield did not. After just 30 seconds, Tyrese Sinclair tried his luck from 35 yards but fired high and wide. The Stags then created three very good chances in the opening 10 minutes. After 4 minutes, Kellan Gordon crossed low to Jamie Reid in the area, and Reid teed up Tyrese Sinclair perfectly for a shot from 16 yards on his left foot but Sinclair fired wide of the left post. Four minutes later, another good chance as George Maris made a good run forward, found Stephen Quinn who swept the ball out to Stephen McLaughlin on the left. McLaughlin’s cross in from level with the edge of the area was in to Reid who glanced a header on to George Lapslie, and Lapslie knocked it goalwards from six yards but couldn’t get a good enough connection on it to get it past the keeper who saved on his line. Then a minute later, McLaughlin intercepted the ball just outside his own area and surged forward into the Oldham half. He laid the ball forward to Reid, who played back to Maris. Maris initially gave the ball away before getting it back and sliding a great ball forward to Quinn who pulled it back from the byline on the left to Reid who shot high and wide from 12 yards. It was another tremendous move and wasteful finish. The Stags took the lead after 12 minutes. Maris played inside to Lapslie who found Sinclair on the left. Sinclair tried to cut inside but lost the ball. Maris won it back, finding Reid on the edge of the box. Reid turned and laid a superb little ball forward for Sinclair to run on to in the box and Sinclair fired under the keeper left footed from 8 yards. A nice assist from Reid and a good finish from Sinclair, his 3rd goal in successive home matches. Stone was out quickly to thwart Zak Dearnley after 17 minutes when it seems the Oldham striker might be through on goal. That came after a poor kick out from Stone, who then redeemed himself. Moments later a low shot from Conor McAleny was easily saved by Stone. After 22 minutes, Quinn found Sinclair on the edge of the area, and Sinclair curled a shot just over the bar. A good clearance at the other end by Sweeney moments later. Straight to the other end again and Keaton Ward put in a good cross across the face of goal but no-one was on the end of it. After 30 minutes, Quinn’s low shot was going wide but heading towards Lapslie who might have turned it goalwards but it was blocked for a corner. A minute after that, Lapslie 30 yard shot was blocked. After 32 minutes, a free kick from left from Quinn and Sweeney headed towards the bottom corner where the keeper tipped it away but the whistle had already gone for a foul. After 35 minutes, Sinclair dinked a corner into the middle with no backlift trying to catch Oldham out taking it quickly. Quinn flicked it on with his head and Lapslie again bundled it goalwards from inside the six-yard box, and the keeper got down low to his left to save on his line. After 37 minutes, Keaton Ward’s low shot was on target and blocked by his own man Lapslie. The Stags made it 2-0 after 38 minutes. Quinn found McLaughlin on the left, level with the edge of the area, he weaved his way past Harry Clarke one way then the other before smashing in a low cross-shot which Lapslie turned into the net side-footed from six yards. Sinclair had another great chance after 40 minutes. Ryan Sweeney’s long ball forward bounced over the sleeping defence leaving Sinclair one-on-one with the keeper from 8 yards, but Sinclair lifted his effort over the bar. It was a sitter and Sinclair held his head in his hands. After 41 minutes, a loose pass from Gordon, and McLaughlin had to concede a free kick. Jamie Reid fired wide after a good first touch on 43 minutes, after Lapslie had found him. And Reid went even closer on 45+2 minutes. Lapslie slid a super ball forward into the area for him to run on to and Reid slammed a shot from the right from 12 yards towards the roof of the net but the keeper tipped it over the bar. A good effort from Reid. What a first half it was from Mansfield, absolutely dominant, chance after chance after chance. Oldham could not have complained if it had been 6-0 at the break. As it was, it was only 2-0. So much good approach play from the Stags and it was a joy to watch. Oldham were on the ropes. Half time 2-0 The Stags started the second half in the same vein pouring forward again. But having offered nothing going forward, Oldham were gifted a goal back after 51 minutes. Callum Whelan threaded a hopeful ball forward from inside his own half. Sweeney could have easily cleared or played back to Stone but instead tried to shepherd it out for a goalkick. It never looked like it had the legs to go out for a goalkick. At the last moment, Stone came out to try to collect, but Sweeney ran in to him and they both ended up on the floor, allowing Zak Dearnley to slot the ball into the empty net. Ridiculous. The Stags have conceded too many ridiculous goals gifted to the opposition this season. In my opinion, the main blame lay with Sweeney who had plenty of time to clear and didn’t. But Stone could have done better too and when Sweeney didn’t clear he could have come out to deal with it. It was just a calamity between the two of them. It was gutting for the Stags having been so dominant and for a while Oldham were rejuvenated. Ben Garrity headed wide after 55 minutes and Dylan Bahamboula fired high and wide from 23 yards after 64 minutes. Slowly the Stags regained their grip. After 69 minutes, Sinclair was bundled over by Carl Piergianni after a good flick on by Reid and appealed for a penalty. From the video replay, it was probably a foul, but it was fractionally outside the box. Nothing was given anyway. After 72 minutes, Quinn brilliantly controlled the ball and found Reid whose shot was blocked. Moments later a great block from Maris. The Stags made a double change after 73 minutes. Bowery replaced Ward who had done very well. James Clarke replaced Gordon. Sinclair moved back from forward to attacking midfield as Bowery joined Reid up front. Lapslie moved from attacking midfield to the right of midfield. Within a minute the two subs combined as Bowery laid off nicely to James Clarke whose fine cross was across the face of goal and no-one was there. After 78 minutes, Oldham had a chance to equalise. Bahamboula’s shot was well-blocked by Sweeney for a corner. Great play from Sweeney trying to atone for his error. From the corner, Harry Clarke had a free header which he sent wide from near the penalty spot. A great run from Lapslie after 79 minutes getting to the byline, he tried to find Sinclair in the middle in a good position but his cross was blocked. The Stags made it 3-1 after 80 minutes. Sinclair’s corner from the left was recycled by Sweeney back to Maris. Maris lifted a fantastic cross in from the right, 25 yards out, to the far post where Lapslie turned it into the net on the volley left footed from 3 yards. It was the goal to kill the game and how Mansfield deserved it. It was Lapslie’s 2nd goal of the afternoon and his 9th of the season. The Stags made three more changes after 81 minutes, before the game restarted. Jaden Charles, young left back, replaced Quinn. Law replaced Sinclair. Charsley replaced Lapslie. McLaughlin moved to midfield. After 84 minutes, Jason Law played to Harry Charsley, one substitute to another, on the edge of the D, and Charsley’s low shot was pushed wide by the keeper. Two minutes later, Maris tried his luck from 25 yards but it was well over the bar. It was 4-1 after 88 minutes. Maris lifted a high ball out to the right for substitute James Clarke. James Clarke controlled it very nicely, cut inside Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and fired goalwards with his left foot from 12 yards. The keeper saved it with his knee, it rebounded to Reid, and Reid tucked the ball into the left corner of the net from 8 yards. It was just reward for Reid for a very good game, but it was his first goal since the win over Cheltenham, and just his 7th of the season in 44 league and cup appearances. Not enough for a striker in my opinion. After 89 minutes, Jaden Charles was into the action as his shot from inside the area on the left was blocked, after being found by McLaughlin. Moments later Bowery also had a shot blocked after good play between Law and McLaughlin. Bowery could have added a fifth after 90+2 minutes but shot into the side netting from the right, after Maris slid a great ball forward for him to run on to. Moments later, good play from McLaughlin, set Bowery away into the area again on the right, he tried to cross towards Law in the middle but it was blocked behind for a corner. Oldham just wanted the final whistle, and it soon came to save them from further pummelling. A great performance and good way to end the season at home. The Stags had an incredible 27 shots according to the PA stats. A final word on contracts. After the game Nigel Clough told iFollow Stags: “I think we’re about done with [extending] contracts. We’re having a chat with Stephen Quinn at the moment, seeing what his position is.” Players out of contract include Aidan Stone and Ryan Sweeney so this suggests that they might be leaving at the end of the season. Clough was not happy with either of them over the goal conceded here. If Sweeney does leave, he, along with Benning, will be the last players from the Flitcroft era and the side that just missed out on promotion, to leave the club. Man of the match: George Lapslie |
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Report by: Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill
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Line Up:
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(4-4-2, diamond in midfield)
Stone 5.5 Could have done better with the goal. Had little else to do though was out quickly to thwart Dearnley. Gordon 7 Got forward well on occasion. Perch 7 Very solid game at centre half. Sweeney 5.5 He had a really good game, apart from his one error, which was a bad one and completely changed the complexion of the game for 20 minutes. So I have to give him a rating below average. McLaughlin 8 An assist for the second goal. Some surging runs. Maris 9 An assist for the third goal. Played a part in the 1st and 4th goal. Set up other chances. Ward 8 Very good full debut. Some neat passing, one shot blocked. Quinn 8.5 Heavily involved in some great moves. Great movement down the left. Lapslie 9 Scored 2 to take his tally to 9 this season. Could have had a couple more. Reid 8.5 Very good game. Scored one. Another good effort brought a fine save. An assist for the 1st goal. Sinclair 9 Scored his 3rd goal in successive home matches. Missed a couple of good chances. So lively up front. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Bowery (for Ward, 73 mins) -
J.Clarke (for Gordon, 73 mins) - Great play in the build-up to the 4th goal. One other nice cross. Took his chance well. Jaden Charles (for Quinn, 81 mins) - Got into the action at left back with a shot blocked. Law (for Sinclair, 81 mins) - Charsley (for Lapslie, 81 mins) - Subs not used: Pardington, Wright. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(3-5-2): Walker; Jameson, Piergianni, Borthwick-Jackson, Harry Clarke, Whelan, Garrity, McAleny (Bahamboula 52), Adams (Fage 70); Dearnley (Keillor-Dunn 52), Barnes (McCalmont 60). Subs not used: Bilboe, Badan, Vaughan.
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Referee:
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Antony Coggins 7 Handled the game well.
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