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Season 20/21 Stagsnet Match Report
English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Port Vale  
0 - 3
 Mansfield Town
 
 McLaughlin 10, 63 Quinn 30
Attendance: behind closed doors
 
Date: 8 May 2021

SUPERB STAGS END SEASON IN STYLE AT PORT VALE

Martin Shaw at Vale Park

Mansfield Town ended the season in style with a superb display in a 3-0 win at Port Vale this afternoon. Stephen McLaughlin scored twice, a low shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner and a free kick from 29 yards, while Stephen Quinn scored the other with a free shot into the net from 10 yards after a brilliant surging run forward from George Lapslie. The Stags went close on numerous other occasions and if they had scored seven, or more, the home side could not have complained.

The Stags finish the season in 16th place. In fact just 3 points behind 11th place. Full credit to manager Nigel Clough. Under his management, Mansfield won 3 more league games than they lost which was above mid-table form. Stags fans can now look forward to next season with more positivity, especially in the hope that they will be back in the stands and not being forced to watch from home!

The Stags could have had a penalty after 8 minutes as young right back James Clarke, who had a fine game, was tripped in the box as a cross came in from the left.

However the Stags didn’t have to wait long to go ahead. On 10 minutes, Jordan Bowery nicely controlled a lovely crossfield pass from Tyrese Sinclair. Bowery laid off to Ollie Clarke who teed up McLaughlin. The Stags left back took one touch before blasting a brilliant shot from the left, 25 yards out, across the keeper and into the bottom right corner of the net.

After 11 minutes, a great move from the Stags involving McLaughlin, Quinn, Bowery and Ollie Clarke ended with Lapslie teeing up James Clarke for a shot from the edge of the box which was just over the bar. Two minutes after that, a free kick from McLaughlin from the left was met with a glancing header from Bowery against the outside of the right post.

After 23 minutes, young keeper Jamie Pardington, who caught four set pieces into the Stags area on his full league debut, caught a free kick and set the Stags away on a breakaway move which ended with Bowery turning and firing over the bar via a deflection. It was another glorious opportunity.

The near misses kept on coming as George Maris played forward to Ollie Clarke on 27 minutes and he threaded a superb ball forward for Bowery to run on to in the box for a 1-on-1 with keeper Scott Brown but Bowery’s low shot was saved by the keeper with his right boot.

Moments later, Lapslie teed up Ollie Clarke to take aim from 28 yards and keeper Brown parried away.

The Stags made it 2-0 after 30 minutes. Lapslie nipped in to intercept a loose pass from Shaun Brisley 18 yards inside his own half. Lapslie surged forward all the way to the edge of the six yard box on the right, before pulling back into the middle for Stephen Quinn who ran on to it and sent a free shot into the net from 10 yards.

Port Vale went close after 36 minutes as Harry McKirdy chipped a cross from the left which looked to be going straight in before McLaughlin superbly and acrobatically cleared off the line. Then Devante Rodney’s follow up shot from 4 yards was saved by Pardington on his line with his knee.

At the other end a minute later, Lapslie’s shot from 30 yards was parried away by keeper Brown, and a minute after that, Maris tried his luck from 25 yards and his shot was deflected for a corner.

Port Vale had chances to pull one back in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Tom Conlon’s free kick after 45+1 minutes, 30 yards out wide on the right, curled just wide of the post. Then after 45+3 minutes, Alex Hurst cut in from the right and sent a superb shot from 25 yards against the bar. The ball rebounded to McKirdy, whose shot from the edge of the box was blocked by James Clarke and deflected just wide of the right post.

A tremendous first half performance from Mansfield with a catalogue of near misses on top of the two goals. Port Vale came into the game towards the end of the half and could have pulled one back.

After 48 minutes, James Perch, who had a great game at the heart of the defence, got in a great block on a shot from Rodney. The ball rebounded to Hurst who lose shot was saved at full stretch by Pardington, into the path of Conlon who was about to shoot when James Clarke put in a fantastic tackle.

After 53 minutes, Ollie Clarke’s shot from the edge of the area was on target but deflected for a corner. Following that corner, McLaughlin’s shot from 25 yards looked to be heading for the net but deflected wide off his own man Sinclair!

Sinclair’s corner from the right after 56 minutes to the near post found Perch who fired into the side-netting. After 61 minutes, a surging run forward from Ollie Clarke to the edge of the area, he laid off to Sinclair on the right, who cut inside and his shot was deflected into the side-netting.

The Stags finally made it 3-0 after 63 minutes. A free kick for the Stags 28 yards out and McLaughlin curled it into the bottom right corner of the net. His second goal of the game, and his second goal of the season from a free kick from outside the box.

Sinclair was wide of the right post with a shot from 24 yards after 65 minutes. Sinclair was then fouled twice outside the box after 69 minutes. The referee played on after the first but gave a free kick for the second foul. It was 29 yards out. McLaughlin took it again and curled a wonderful shot towards the bottom left corner of the net but keeper Scott Brown tipped it wide with a superb save. McLaughlin so close to a hat-trick.

The Stags were mauling Vale.

Sinclair won another free kick, after 78 minutes, this time on the left hand side. Sinclair took the free kick himself and cracked it against the inside of the far post. Terrific effort.

Sub Harry Charsley had a chance after 79 minutes as he fired into the side netting.

The chances kept on coming as Vale were being pummelled and desperate for the final whistle. After 89 minutes, Lapslie played sub Jamie Reid to the edge of the area and Reid’s blockbuster was parried away by keeper Brown. On 90 minutes, Jason Law’s shot was saved by Brown.

This really was an outstanding performance to end the season. It was 3-0, but could have been so many more. Indeed, seven goals wouldn’t have flattered the Stags at all.

The midfield of Maris, Ollie Clarke, Quinn and Lapslie ran all over the home side and were absolutely fantastic. The Stags were very good at the back too, with Perch playing very well, and James Clarke impressing at right back. Ryan Sweeney had a good game too. I think that will be Sweeney’s last game for the club as he is now out of contract after 3 years at the club. I wish him well, he was terrific in the play-off season under David Flitcroft, but like others from that season wasn’t able to recreate that form last season, though has done much better this season particularly as the season has gone on. Jamie Pardington did well on his full league debut in goal with some good catches from set pieces, and a couple of good saves. His kicking needs plenty of work though. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is back next season as 3rd choice keeper on loan from Wolves again if he is happy to play that role. Tyrese Sinclair had another very lively game up front and has ended the season in superb form, having been handed his chance by Nigel Clough. I did say long before he broke into the team that I think he can be something very special and I still firmly believe that. My man of the match though is Stephen McLaughlin, who was brilliant on the left, scored twice from outside the box and was so close to a hat-trick all from outside the box. Added to that he made a brilliant acrobatic clearance off the line.

With 5 games left this season, the Stags were on 19 draws and just one away from equalling the club record. But four wins and one defeat means that the Stags don’t equal a record that you don’t particularly want to equal or beat! Three of those four wins were by a 3 goal margin as well and all of them should have been by a greater margin such was the high quality of those performances.

So we come to the end of the season. Thanks for reading this season. Thanks also for watching on iFollow Stags and buying your match passes and season tickets. It’s been a season like no other. Let’s hope that next season fans will be back, and it is a memorable one for Mansfield Town!

DETAILED REPORT :

Mansfield made four changes to the side that beat Oldham. Jamie Pardington came in in goal for his 1st start in place of Aidan Stone. James Clarke came in at right back in place of Kellan Gordon. Ollie Clarke returned in place of Keaton Ward. Jordan Bowery started in place of Jamie Reid.

Port Vale made five changes from their last game, and left several regulars on the bench like David Worrall, Danny Whitehead, Leon Legge, Theo Robinson.

It was a wet day, but the pitch was in perfect condition.

The Stags could have had a penalty after 8 minutes as young right back James Clarke was tripped in the box as a cross came in from the left.

However the Stags didn’t have to wait long to go ahead. On 10 minutes, Jordan Bowery nicely controlled a lovely crossfield pass from Tyrese Sinclair. Bowery laid off to Ollie Clarke who teed up McLaughlin. The Stags left back took one touch before blasting a brilliant shot from the left, 25 yards out, across the keeper and into the bottom right corner of the net.

After 11 minutes, a great move from the Stags involving McLaughlin, Quinn, Bowery and Ollie Clarke ended with Lapslie teeing up James Clarke for a shot from the edge of the box which was just over the bar. Two minutes after that, a free kick from McLaughlin from the left was met with a glancing header from Bowery against the outside of the right post.

Two good pieces of defending by James Perch followed. Then Jamie Pardington caught a free kick.

Ryan Sweeney was booked for a late challenge on Rodney after 21 minutes.

After 23 minutes, Pardington caught another free kick and set the Stags away on a breakaway move which ended with Bowery turning and firing over the bar via a deflection. It was another glorious opportunity.

The near misses kept on coming as George Maris played forward to Ollie Clarke on 27 minutes and he threaded a superb ball forward for Bowery to run on to in the box for a 1-on-1 with keeper Scott Brown but Bowery’s low shot was saved by the keeper with his right boot.

Moments later, Lapslie teed up Ollie Clarke to take aim from 28 yards and keeper Brown parried away.

The Stags made it 2-0 after 30 minutes. Lapslie nipped in to intercept a loose pass from Shaun Brisley 18 yards inside his own half. Lapslie surged forward all the way to the edge of the six yard box on the right, before pulling back into the middle for Stephen Quinn who ran on to it and sent a free shot into the net from 10 yards.

Port Vale went close after 36 minutes as Harry McKirdy chipped a cross from the left which looked to be going straight in before McLaughlin superbly and acrobatically cleared off the line. Then Devante Rodney’s follow up shot from 4 yards was saved by Pardington on his line with his knee.

At the other end a minute later, Lapslie’s shot from 30 yards was parried away by keeper Brown, and a minute after that, Maris tried his luck from 25 yards and his shot was deflected for a corner.

More good defending from Perch after 44 minutes.

Port Vale had chances to pull one back in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Tom Conlon’s free kick after 45+1 minutes, 30 yards out wide on the right, curled just wide of the post. Then after 45+3 minutes, Alex Hurst cut in from the right and sent a superb shot from 25 yards against the bar. The ball rebounded to McKirdy, whose shot from the edge of the box was blocked by James Clarke and deflected just wide of the right post.

A tremendous first half performance from Mansfield with a catalogue of near misses on top of the two goals. Port Vale came into the game towards the end of the half and could have pulled one back.

Half time 0-2

After 47 minutes, McLaughlin with an important header away from Rodney’s cross which looked destined for the head of Tom Pope.

After 48 minutes, James Perch got in a great block on a shot from Rodney. The ball rebounded to Hurst who lose shot was saved at full stretch by Pardington, into the path of Conlon who was about to shoot when James Clarke put in a fantastic tackle.

Mansfield made their first change after 51 minutes as Jason Law replaced Quinn.

After 53 minutes, Ollie Clarke’s shot from the edge of the area was on target but deflected for a corner. Following that corner, McLaughlin’s shot from 25 yards looked to be heading for the net but deflected wide off his own man Sinclair!

Sinclair’s corner from the right after 56 minutes to the near post found Perch who fired into the side-netting.

After 60 minutes, a header from Pope from 22 yards (!) was straight at Pardington.

After 61 minutes, a surging run forward from Ollie Clarke to the edge of the area, he laid off to Sinclair on the right, who cut inside and his shot was deflected into the side-netting. Moments later, a shot from 25 yards from Maris was blocked.

The Stags finally made it 3-0 after 63 minutes. A free kick for the Stags 28 yards out, after McKirdy handled when a ball span up in the air, he lost sight of it and it hit his arm. McLaughlin curled it into the bottom right corner of the net. His second goal of the game, and his second goal of the season from a free kick from outside the box.

Sinclair was wide of the right post with a shot from 24 yards after 65 minutes.

After 66 minutes, good defending from Maris to nick the ball away from McKirdy.

Vale made a quadruple change after 67 minutes.

Sinclair was then fouled twice outside the box after 69 minutes. The referee played on after the first but gave a free kick for the second foul. It was 29 yards out. McLaughlin took it again and curled a wonderful shot towards the bottom left corner of the net but keeper Scott Brown tipped it wide with a superb save. McLaughlin so close to a hat-trick.

The Stags were mauling Vale.

Pardington caught a Conlon corner after 73 minutes.

A double change for the Stags after 74 minutes. Charsley on for Ollie Clarke. Reid on for Bowery.

Sinclair won another free kick, after 78 minutes, this time on the left hand side, about level with the six yard box. Sinclair took the free kick himself and cracked it against the inside of the far post. Terrific effort. The ball rolled almost along the line. Reid tried to turn it in near the post but fouled Brisley in the process and picked up a harsh booking.

Sub Charsley had a chance after 79 minutes as he fired into the side netting.

A good block from James Clarke after 81 minutes.

Another double change for the Stags after 82 minutes. Ward replaced Maris. Jaden Charles replaced McLaughlin at left back.

After 83 minutes, Robinson cut inside Charles but Sweeney did well to block.

The chances kept on coming as Vale were being pummelled and desperate for the final whistle. After 89 minutes, Lapslie played sub Jamie Reid to the edge of the area and Reid’s blockbuster was parried away by keeper Brown. On 90 minutes, Law nicked the ball off Brisley and the Stags had a 4-on-2 break as Reid found Lapslie who played Law in for a shot. Law side-stepped a defender, but with just the keeper to beat, his shot was saved by Brown. An incredible number of saves from Brown. The Port Vale commentators behind us said “give the goalkeeper a raise”.

Sweeney conceded a free kick after 90+2 minutes. Conlon’s free kick into the area was caught by Pardington, his 4th catch of the game. And with that, the referee brought the season to a close, a minute earlier than the 4th official had indicated.

The win gave Mansfield their third double of the season, all of them coming in the last 4 games!


Footnote: these are my average player ratings (NOW UPDATED TO INCLUDE today’s game) based on the 53 league+cup games for the players who have started at least 20 games (top 10 players):

Quinn 7.43, Lapslie 7.05, O.Clarke 7.02, Maris 6.96, Perch 6.79, McLaughlin 6.78, Bowery 6.76, Sweeney 6.71, Rawson 6.65, Charsley 6.64.

Note: only ratings for players starting a game are included - ie. sub appearances not included.

Special mention also to two players who have started fewer than 20 games:

Sinclair 7.70 (from 10 starts), Law 6.92 (from 13 starts)

Thanks to Pete Wright for his spreadsheet.

The average ratings highlight I think the quality of the Stags in midfield especially with Quinn, Lapslie, Ollie Clarke and Maris, backed up by Jason Law. Quinn ended the season with a remarkable run of form and it is to be hoped that Nigel Clough can persuade him to join for next season. That midfield, backed up by a strengthened defence for next season, with a couple of new goalkeepers, and especially a couple of new strikers, could see the Stags as a force next season.


Man of the match: Stephen McLaughlin


Report by: Martin Shaw at Vale Park



Line Up:
(4-4-2, diamond in midfield)
Pardington 8 Did well on his full league debut in goal with four good catches from set pieces, and a couple of good saves. His kicking needs plenty of work though. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is back next season as 3rd choice keeper on loan from Wolves again if he is happy to play that role.
J.Clarke 8 Had a fine game and took his chance. One particularly good block and another good tackle. Could have had a penalty and fired just over the bar.
Perch 8 Had a great game at the heart of the defence. Several good pieces of defending.
Sweeney 7.5 Had a good game too. I think that will be Sweeney’s last game for the club as he is now out of contract after 3 years at the club. I wish him well, he was terrific in the play-off season under David Flitcroft, but like others from that season wasn’t able to recreate that form last season, though has done much better this season particularly as the season has gone on.
McLaughlin 9.5 Brilliant on the left, scored twice from outside the box and was so close to a hat-trick, all from outside the box. Added to that he made a brilliant acrobatic clearance off the line. If he had completed the hat-trick I would have given him a very rare 10/10.
Maris 9 Wonderful game, going forward and defensively.
O.Clarke 9 Set up plenty of chances. Had a couple of shots on target.
Quinn 8 Scored his second goal for the club. Very good, yet again. What an end to the season he has had.
Lapslie 9 Magnificent assist for Quinn’s goal. Set up numerous chances.
Sinclair 8.5 Hit the inside of the post. Good set pieces. Won several free kicks, Had another very lively game up front and has ended the season in superb form, having been handed his chance by Nigel Clough. I did say long before he broke into the team that I think he can be something very special and I still firmly believe that.
Bowery 8 Hit the post with a header but should have done better with two chances with his feet. Involved in plenty of good moves.
Sub Line Up:
Law (for Quinn, 51 mins) - Started a good move nicking the ball off Brisley but should have ended the move converting a chance with just the keeper to beat.
Charsley (for O.Clarke, 74 mins) -
Reid (for Bowery, 74 mins) -
Ward (for Maris, 82 mins) -
Jaden Charles (for McLaughlin, 82 mins) -
Subs not used: Stone, Gordon.
Opposition Line Up:
(3-5-2): Brown; Olagunju (Whitehead 57’), Smith, Brisley; Hurst (Worrall 66’), Burgess, Joyce (Robinson 66’), Conlon, McKirdy (Swan 66’); Rodney, Pope (Amoo 66’). Subs not used: Scott, Guthrie.
Referee:
Sam Allison 6 Generally handled the game well. The officials missed a clear penalty for a foul on James Clarke though.


Season 20/21 Reports