Season 21/22 Stagsnet Match Report
|
|
|
||
|
Mansfield Town
|
|
Sheffield Wednesday
|
||
|
Quinn 69.
|
Wing 64, Kamberi 90+3
|
|||
|
Attendance: 2836 (1291 from Sheffield Wednesday, official figure given, though they sold 1666)
|
||||
|
Date: 5 October 2021
|
||||
|
YOUNG STAGS IMPRESS BUT BEATEN BY LATE GOAL AGAINST SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill Mansfield Town lost 2-1 to Sheffield Wednesday in the second game of this season’s Papa John’s Trophy at the One Call Stadium last night. The Stags put out a predominantly young side, and many of the youngsters impressed as Mansfield put in an encouraging performance only to lose to a more experienced Sheffield Wednesday side with a goal in stoppage time. With the Stags on a very poor run of form in the league, hampered by injuries and suspensions, it was a night when young players needed to put their hands up and put themselves in the frame for a place in the first team in the league on Saturday, and several of them did that. On a windy night, Sheffield Wednesday had the wind behind them in the first half. A mistake by George Shelvey nearly gifted the visitors the lead inside the opening 30 seconds as the young keeper was slow to clear the ball, Saido Berahino charged his clearance down and the ball ricocheted just wide. Shelvey had a nightmare game in the opening game of this competition against Harrogate, and he was already off to a bad start. At the other end, Harry Charsley had a shot blocked after a nice move on 3 minutes. Then young Stags central defender George Cooper did well to put in a good block after tricky winger Theo Corbeanu got past Stags left back Ryan Burke too easily after 11 minutes. Three minutes later, Shelvey was able to parry Corbeanu’s shot while Farrend Rawson blocked the rebound. A chance for the Stags after 26 minutes as Jason Law’s corner reached Keaton Ward who found space at the far post but headed wide. Nearly another calamity for Shelvey a minute later as he came to claim the ball near the edge of his area and lost it, but he got away with it. The Stags should have been ahead after 41 minutes. Danny Johnson laid a magnificent ball from the halfway line into the path of Tyrese Sinclair. Sinclair took a touch to get him inside the area, clean through on goal, but then slid his shot wide of the left post. Sinclair looked to the heavens in frustration. Another chance for the Stags after 45+1 minutes as Sinclair pushed forward again and put in a low cross but Johnson couldn’t get a good enough connection on it to turn it goalwards. A positive first half for the Stags more than holding their own with the likes of James Clarke, George Cooper, Keaton Ward and Jason Law really impressing. Sadly, Cooper, a product of the academy and making his first ever start for the club, had to go off at half time with a groin injury, and will now be out for a few weeks, joining the list of injured centre halves. It was a shame, because he would have had a chance of making his league debut on Saturday. Elliott Hewitt came on to replace him at centre half. Into the second half, and with the wind behind them, the Stags got right on top for 15 minutes. Sinclair had a first time shot straight at the keeper from 18 yards after 50 minutes. A minute later a great ball from Law into Johnson but he couldn’t get a shot in. Then Sinclair with a volley that the keeper saved above his head. The Stags went even closer after 56 minutes, with good play on the left from Quinn, playing the ball inside to Law, whose low shot took a little deflection taking it towards the bottom left corner of the net, but the keeper made a brilliant save to tip it wide. But having been on top, the Stags found themselves behind after 64 minutes. Marvin Johnson curled a high cross from the right into the middle. Shelvey came out to clear, didn’t get there, and Lewis Wing nipped in front of him to head into the empty net. There’s no getting away from it, it was another howler from the young keeper. But within 5 minutes the Stags were deservedly level. James Clarke did well to win the ball just outside the area. He laid a nice ball in to Sinclair, Sinclair controlled it, and back-flicked the ball to an unmarked Stephen Quinn, who smashed the ball gleefully into the top right corner of the net from 9 yards. The ex-Sheffield United man ran three-quarters of the length of the pitch to knee-slide in front of the Wednesday fans in celebration! A lovely goal, with good play from James Clarke, and what a wonderful flick by Sinclair in the build-up. After 70 minutes, Sinclair got to the edge of the area and had a shot deflected for a corner. On 77 minutes, great defending from Rawson at one end, and immediately James Clarke fired a great crossfield diagonal pass into the path of Quinn who tried to chip the ball over the advancing keeper but sent his shot just wide. On 83 minutes, a chance for the Owls as Corbeanu weaved his way into the Stags area on the right and Shelvey did well to save his shot, that coming after sub Rhys Oates had lost the ball. Then a minute after that, good play from Marvin Johnson just outside the Stags area on the right and Sylla Sow fired across Shelvey and wide of the left post. Keaton Ward scuffed a left footed shot wide after 90+2 minutes. But there was disappointment for the young Stags after 90+3 minutes as Wednesday snatched a late winner. Wing slid Corbeanu in on the byline on the right, Corbeanu pulled the ball back to Florian Kamberi who fired into the roof of the net from 6 yards having peeled away from Rawson and Hewitt. From the kick-off, Oates embarked on a wonderful run all the way into the Wednesday area and his low left footed shot was saved by the keeper. So defeat for Mansfield. But really encouraging performances from several of this young side. James Clarke, captain again for the night, really caught the eye with some good defending, and some good balls going forward. George Cooper had a very good first half before his injury. Keaton Ward had a very fine game in front of the back four in midfield. A local lad, it meant a lot to him to play in front of fans at the One Call Stadium for the first time, and he arguably put in his best performance in a Stags shirt, though he was also very good on his full debut last season against Oldham. Jason Law put in his best performance of the season and looked more like the player who so impressed last season having finally broken into the side after five years at the club. Rawson had a decent game at centre half, Charsley did well in midfield, Quinn was good and reminded us what we are missing during his six game suspension, and Danny Johnson worked very hard and was more involved than he has been in some other games. Sinclair’s assist for Quinn’s goal was something special though he missed a few chances himself in front of goal. George Shelvey in goal had another poor game with too many mistakes, while Ryan Burke had a difficult game at left back against tricky winger Theo Corbeanu. The Stags are out of the competition with one game remaining (against Newcastle U21 next month). But last night’s game was an extremely useful workout for the young players against experienced opposition. On to Saturday’s game against Oldham at home. It’s a big game. Should the Stags lose, they will drop into the bottom two. An upturn in form is needed. With Rawson suspended for one game, there is a slot in the defence up for grabs. I think James Clarke is the most likely player to grab that shirt at right back, with Hawkins having to continue at centre half, alongside Hewitt, and McLaughlin at left back. While up front, Danny Johnson will probably come into the side, looking the most likely player to put the ball in the net. Quinn and Sinclair remain suspended in the league for two more games. On the injury front, there was one piece of good news from Nigel Clough after the game, who said that Will Forrester has been training with Stoke, he'll be with us on Friday, and will be in the bench on Saturday against Oldham. Credit to the Stags fans again last night for creating a good atmosphere, with a good following from Wednesday also in attendance. The Stags will need the fans right behind them again on Saturday. A mention of last night’s referee, Rebecca Welch, the first woman ever to referee a Stags game (correction below). She had a very good game overall, in stark contrast to some of the poor refereeing performances we’ve seen this season. (correction: she is the second, Amy Fearn refereed a Stags game against Stockport in April 2012, and against Bath City the same season in November 2011, thank to you Richard Baldwin for the correction, while Paul Taylor is sacked as my adviser :-) ). DETAILED REPORT : Nigel Clough had already revealed most of his line-up in his press conference last week. The three suspended players, Quinn, Sinclair and Rawson, were all included, allowed to play in this competition. George Cooper came in for his first start in a competitive game. Keaton Ward played in front of the back four. Danny Johnson was up front with Sinclair. James Gale, 19-year-old striker signed from Long Eaton United on transfer deadline day, was on the bench for the first time. Jaden Charles, who has returned from a one month loan at York City which was to cover injuries, was also on the bench. On the injury front, there was one piece of good news from Nigel Clough after the game, who said that Will Forrester has been training with Stoke, he'll be with us on Friday, and will be in the bench on Saturday against Oldham. Sheffield Wednesday named a strong side with plenty of experience. Saido Berahino was up front. He had been named in an England first XI squad a few years back though did not play. He was up front with Florian Kamberi, on £5k per week according to a preview I read of this game. The Owls had beaten Newcastle U21 3-0 in their opening game. I watched 15 minutes of highlights of the game, and it should have been 8-0. It was a windy night, though not as wet as forecast. Sheffield Wednesday had the wind behind them in the first half. Nigel Clough watched the first half from the Quarry Lane Stand to get a better view of his young defence. He did revert to the dugout in the second half. A mistake by George Shelvey nearly gifted the visitors the lead inside the opening 30 seconds as the young keeper was slow to clear the ball, Saido Berahino charged his clearance down and the ball ricocheted just wide. At the other end, Harry Charsley had a shot blocked after a nice move on 3 minutes. Then George Cooper did well to put in a good block after tricky winger Theo Corbeanu got past Stags left back Ryan Burke too easily after 11 minutes. Three minutes later, Shelvey was able to parry Corbeanu’s shot while Farrend Rawson blocked the rebound. A chance for the Stags after 26 minutes as Jason Law’s corner reached Keaton Ward who found space at the far post but headed wide. Nearly another calamity for Shelvey a minute later as he came to claim the ball near the edge of his area and lost it, but he got away with it as Cooper blocked the resulting cross. At the other end moments later, Sinclair had a shot from 30 yards. Charsley was booked after 29 minutes for a foul. After 39 minutes, Berahino’s shot from 10 yards was blocked by Cooper. The Stags should have been ahead after 41 minutes. Danny Johnson laid a magnificent ball from the halfway line into the path of Tyrese Sinclair. Sinclair took a touch to get him inside the area, clean through on goal, but then slid his shot wide of the left post. Sinclair looked to the heavens in frustration. A good move from the Stags a minute later as Quinn found Burke whose cross was punched away. Another chance for the Stags after 45+1 minutes as Sinclair pushed forward again and put in a low cross but Johnson couldn’t get a good enough connection on it to turn it goalwards. A positive first half for the Stags more than holding their own with the likes of James Clarke, George Cooper, Keaton Ward and Jason Law really impressing. The best chance of the half for either side was Sinclair’s shot wide of the post when clean through on goal. Half time 0-0 Sadly, Cooper had to go off at half time with a groin injury, and will now be out for a few weeks, joining the list of injured centre halves. Elliott Hewitt came on to replace him at centre half. Into the second half, and with the wind behind them, the Stags got right on top for 15 minutes. Sinclair had a first time shot low and straight at the keeper from 18 yards after 50 minutes having been fed by Law. A minute later a great ball from Law into Johnson but he couldn’t get a shot in. Then Sinclair with a volley that the keeper saved above his head. Shelvey was out quickly to clear after 54 minutes. The Stags went even closer after 56 minutes, with good play on the left from Quinn, playing the ball inside to Law, whose low shot took a little deflection taking it towards the bottom left corner of the net, but the keeper made a brilliant save to tip it wide. Good defending from Hewitt after 57 minutes. Corbeanu made a good run down the right after 61 minutes and fired into the side netting. Burke was booked after 63 minutes for sliding in with a challenge. But having been on top, the Stags found themselves behind after 64 minutes. Marvin Johnson curled a high cross from the right into the middle. Shelvey came out to clear, didn’t get there, and Lewis Wing nipped in front of him to head into the empty net. There’s no getting away from it, it was another howler from the young keeper. A good header away by James Clarke after 67 minutes. But within 5 minutes of the Wednesday goal, the Stags were deservedly level. James Clarke did well to win the ball just outside the area. He laid a nice ball in to Sinclair, Sinclair controlled it, and back-flicked the ball to an unmarked Stephen Quinn, who smashed the ball gleefully into the top right corner of the net from 9 yards. The ex-Sheffield United man ran three-quarters of the length of the pitch to knee-slide in front of the Wednesday fans in celebration! A lovely goal, with good play from James Clarke, and what a wonderful flick by Sinclair in the build-up. After 70 minutes, Sinclair got to the edge of the area and had a shot deflected for a corner. Lapslie replaced Charsley after 72 minutes. On 77 minutes, great defending from Rawson at one end, and immediately James Clarke fired a great crossfield diagonal pass into the path of Quinn who tried to chip the ball over the advancing keeper but sent his shot just wide. Oates replaced Law after 79 minutes. Law had had a fine game. Oates went up front, Sinclair dropped back into the attacking midfield position. A chance for the Stags to get a free kick into a dangerous position after 82 minutes, but Sinclair’s delivery from level with the edge of the area on the right was straight to the keeper. On 83 minutes, a chance for the Owls as Corbeanu weaved his way into the Stags area on the right and Shelvey did well to save his shot, that coming after Oates had lost the ball. Then a minute after that, good play from Marvin Johnson just outside the Stags area on the right and Sylla Sow fired across Shelvey and wide of the left post. Ward was booked after 86 minutes for an earlier foul on Marvin Johnson when the referee played on. Keaton Ward scuffed a left footed shot wide after 90+2 minutes. But there was disappointment for the young Stags after 90+3 minutes as Wednesday snatched a late winner. Wing slid Corbeanu in on the byline on the right, Corbeanu pulled the ball back to Florian Kamberi who fired into the roof of the net from 6 yards having peeled away from Rawson and Hewitt. From the kick-off, Oates embarked on a wonderful run all the way into the Wednesday area and his low left footed shot was saved by the keeper. Defeat for the Stags, but an encouraging performance. Back to the league on Saturday and a big game at home to Oldham. If you can’t make it to the game, a reminder that the game will be available to view on iFollow Stags with a match pass (as it falls on an international weekend). Here’s a running tally of various stats: Goals: Hawkins, Johnson 3, O.Clarke, Hewitt, Lapslie, Maris, Oates, Quinn 1 Assists: O.Clarke, McLaughlin, Oates 2, Hawkins, Johnson, Rawson, Sinclair, Quinn 1 (note: in the case of a penalty, the player who earns the penalty gets an assist. In the case of a solo goal, such as Maris against Newport, nobody gets an assist.) Man of the match: James Clarke |
||||
|
Report by: Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill
|
||||
|
Line Up:
|
(4-4-2, diamond in midfield)
Shelvey 4 Poor game with too many mistakes, including for the first goal coming for the cross and not getting there, nearly gifting goal inside the opening 30 seconds when he was too slow to clear the ball, and later coming to claim the ball near the edge of his area and losing it. J.Clarke 8 Captain again for the night, really caught the eye with some good defending, and some good balls going forward. Rawson 7 Decent game at centre half with some good blocks and defending. Cooper 8 Had a very good first half before his injury. Burke 5 Had a difficult game at left back against tricky winger Corbeanu. Ward 8 Had a very fine game in front of the back four in midfield. Charsley 7 Did well in midfield. Quinn 7.5 Reminded us what we are missing during his six game suspension. Took his goal well. Law 7.5 Put in his best performance of the season and looked more like the player who so impressed last season having finally broken into the side after five years at the club. Johnson 7 Worked very hard and was more involved than he has been in some other games. Super pass for Sinclair’s good chance in the first half. Sinclair 7 Assist for Quinn’s goal was something special though he missed a few chances himself in front of goal. |
|
Sub Line Up:
|
Hewitt (for Cooper, 46 mins) - 6.5 Did ok at centre half.
Lapslie (for Charsley, 72 mins) - Oates (for Law, 79 mins) - Subs not used: Stech, Charles, Bowery, Gale. |
|
Opposition Line Up:
|
(4-4-2): Wildsmith; Hunt (Brown 61), Dunkley, Gibson (Palmer HT), Marvin Johnson; Corbeanu, Dele-Bashiru, Wing, Sow; Kamberi, Berahino (Shopido HT). Subs not used: Render, Iorfa, Adeniran, Adedoyin.
|
|
Referee:
|
Rebecca Welch 8 The second (see above) woman ever to referee a Stags game. She had a very good game overall, in stark contrast to some of the poor refereeing performances we’ve seen this season.
|
|
|