Season 21/22 Stagsnet Match Report
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Northampton Town
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Mansfield Town
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McGowan 23, Horsfall 74
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Attendance: 6,034 (1019 from Mansfield)
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Date: 16 October 2021
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POOR STAGS BEATEN BY MEDIOCRE COBBLERS
Martin Shaw at Sixfields Mansfield Town put in a really poor performance this afternoon to be beaten a Northampton Town side that looked mediocre at best, but still had enough to claim the three points. The Stags created very little going forward with Ollie Clarke, Jordan Bowery, Danny Johnson particularly poor and Oli Hawkins, who has been Mansfield’s best outfield player this season in my opinion, having by far his worst game in a Stags shirt. The first half was poor from both sides. Northampton had their first attempt after 23 minutes and scored with it. A long throw from Mitch Pinnock from the left was headed away by Hawkins, but the ball was recycled to Aaron McGowan who took aim from 25 yards and his low shot found the net despite Nathan Bishop getting a hand on it. I initially thought the shot took a deflection off Ollie Clarke who tried to block it, but from the video Clarke didn’t touch it and the shot didn’t get any deflection, but the bounce seemed to beat Bishop. I think Bishop will probably feel he should have done better, given the very high standards he has set this season, though it was a good shot from McGowan. The Stags had two chances in the opening half. On 16 minutes, a cross from James Clarke came out to Danny Johnson but he miscued his shot from 16 yards. Then on 36 minutes, Stephen McLaughlin put in a very good cross from the left, Hawkins was unmarked in the middle but headed straight at the keeper from 9 yards. He should have done better. Northampton were unfortunate not to go 2-0 ahead after 59 minutes. A lovely chipped ball forward down the left from Pinnock set Ali Koiki away towards the byline, and his cross into the middle was crashed against the bar from 6 yards by striker Kion Etete, preferred up front to former Stag Danny Rose who was on the bench. The home side did make it 2-0 after 74 minutes. Another long throw from Pinnock, this time from the right, was headed away by Bowery, but the ball was recycled back to Pinnock, and his excellent left-footed cross beyond the far post was met by a superb header from centre half Fraser Horsfall who headed past Bishop from a tight angle. It was poor marking from Mansfield who found themselves outnumbered at the far post with Horsfall and Paul Lewis outnumbering James Clarke, who was unable to stop Horsfall getting in a header. The Stags were awarded a penalty after 87 minutes but the referee then changed his mind after consulting his linesman. A long kick forward from Bishop was flicked on by Hawkins. George Lapslie ran on to it and got goalside of Koiki who wrestled him down. The foul started outside the box, but Koiki still had his arm on Lapslie inside the box before Lapslie went down. The referee, who was well-positioned, correctly pointed to the spot. As Hawkins put the ball on the spot ready to take the penalty, the referee belatedly went over to consult his assistant and then changed his decision, instead giving a free kick just outside the area. The referee incredibly also failed to book Koiki. Koiki, incidentally, should have been booked earlier too (*). Sub Keaton Ward took the resulting free kick and sent it over the bar. (* Koiki should have been booked first after 68 minutes when he brought Lapslie down with a trip from behind 35 yards from goal. It should have been a clear yellow card. Lapslie took the free kick quickly before the referee could produce his yellow card, the referee allowed the kick to be taken, Keaton Ward played the ball forward but out for a goal kick, and the referee did not then go back and book Koiki. Nigel Clough said afterwards that the fourth official told him that the referee could not produce the yellow card after he’d allowed the free kick to be taken quickly! Extraordinary.) So, defeat for the Stags, and a deserved victory for Northampton who were far from impressive themselves. Another bitterly disappointing result and nothing for the Stags’ magnificent support of over 1,000 to really get behind, though their vocal encouragement was again excellent as it had been at Walsall for example. The Stags are now 10 games without a win in the league. Particularly disappointing from Mansfield going forward. But Lapslie was at least unlucky not to win the penalty. Sub Rhys Oates, feeling under the weather before the game and not well enough to start, did provide a bit of a spark in the final 15 minutes, including one fine run forward, but it was too little too late. After the game, boss Nigel Clough cut a very dejected figure, after such a poor performance and such a long time since a victory, saying “The side are at rock bottom, we all are.” He also dropped a couple of hints that he is under considerable pressure saying “We just keep battling unless told otherwise”, and regarding players: “If we get through to January, we'll be able to get a few more.” The Stags came into the game without George Maris, out with concussion. He will remain a doubt for the next game on Tuesday against Port Vale. The injury news worsened with Stephen McLaughlin going off with an ankle injury and he is also now doubtful for Tuesday according to Nigel Clough. The Stags were already without Perch, Nartey, Stirk, Gordon all injured, plus Forrester who is returning from injury and still not ready to start. The good news for Tuesday is that Stephen Quinn, badly missed during his six game suspension, and Tyrese Sinclair, after his three game suspension, are both available for the game. It would be a shame if, with Quinn returning, McLaughlin was now out as they have previously been a fine combination down the left. Port Vale are the visitors to the One Call Stadium on Tuesday, and are going well, in third place in the table. Mansfield are third bottom, only outside the relegation zone on goal difference. Mal Benning will return to the One Call Stadium with Port Vale, having scored his first goal for Vale today coming on as substitute. He is sure to get a good reception from the Stags fans, as Danny Rose did today when he came on as substitute for Northampton. The game against Port Vale will be available to view on iFollow Stags with a match pass. Incidentally, I’ve seen a question or two about Nigel Clough’s record in charge at Mansfield. It is: P 47, W 15, D 16, L 16. Lost one game more than he's won. Win ratio 31.9% DETAILED REPORT : Mansfield made one change from the side that drew with Oldham. Farrend Rawson returned from suspension to replace Maris, who was out with concussion. Hawkins was fit enough to start after being forced off with injury at half time against Oldham, and he reverted from centre half to centre forward. Rhys Oates was feeling under the weather before the game and not well enough to start, but was on the bench and came on towards the end. Northampton were unchanged from their side that lost at Hartlepool. That meant that Danny Rose, suspended against Hartlepool, was on the bench with Kion Etete, on loan from Spurs having started his career at Notts County, preferred up front. Mansfield’s last visit to Sixfields, 19 months ago, was the last game that Stags fans attended in a 17 month period, coming just before the country was plunged into lockdown. The Stags had won that game 2-1, including a goal from Danny Rose, now at Northampton. Only Harry Charsley in the Mansfield side started both games. James Clarke and Tyrese Sinclair were the only two other players still at the club from that period. Northampton had been promoted in the play-offs played behind closed doors, been relegated back again, again behind closed doors, and sacked manager Keith Curle, in the intervening period. The Stags were backed by more than 1,000 travelling fans. It was a lovely, mild, mostly sunny October day. There was very little goalmouth action in the opening stages. The Stags looked reasonably solid. After 12 minutes, Hoskins crossed and home fans called for a handball and penalty against Rawson, but there was no interest from the referee. McLaughlin did well to head away a Pinnock free kick after 15 minutes. On 16 minutes, a cross from James Clarke came out to Danny Johnson but he miscued his shot from 16 yards. Northampton had their first attempt after 23 minutes and scored with it. A long throw from Mitch Pinnock from the left was headed away by Hawkins, but the ball was recycled to Aaron McGowan who took aim from 25 yards and his low shot found the net despite Nathan Bishop getting a hand on it. I initially thought the shot took a deflection off Ollie Clarke who tried to block it, but from the video Clarke didn’t touch it and the shot didn’t get any deflection, but the bounce seemed to beat Bishop. I think Bishop will probably feel he should have done better, given the very high standards he has set this season, though it was a good shot from McGowan. Lapslie was clearly brought down in the middle of the park after 26 minutes, but the referee played on. McWilliams volleyed well over the bar from 22 yards after 29 minutes. A minute later, a shot from Hoskins was blocked and rolled through to Bishop. The Stags had a good chance on 36 minutes. Stephen McLaughlin put in a very good cross from the left, Hawkins was unmarked in the middle but headed straight at the keeper from 9 yards. He should have done better. Charsley was booked for a foul on Koike after 41 minutes. Four minutes later, Charsley was given a final warning by the referee after another foul. The first half had been poor from both sides but the Cobblers were ahead with a rare moment of quality and a fine shot. Half time 1-0 Charsley was replaced by Ward at the start of the second half. This was sensible as he was one foul away from a red card. After 49 minutes, Lapslie pushed forward after winning the ball well, but made the wrong choice as he should have played the ball to his left with two players unmarked but instead played it to Johnson on his right who was heavily marked and lost the ball. Hewitt was booked for bringing down Hoskins after 49 minutes. McWilliams won a free kick for Northampton after 51 minutes when he ran straight into Lapslie. The free kick, 30 yards out, was headed away by Hawkins. After 57 minutes, James Clarke took a throw into the area, Ollie Clarke went down, but there was no foul, and it was a good challenge by McGowan. Northampton were unfortunate not to go 2-0 ahead after 59 minutes. A lovely chipped ball forward down the left from Pinnock set Ali Koiki away towards the byline, and his cross into the middle was crashed against the bar from 6 yards by striker Kion Etete. After 65 minutes, Ward’s free kick from 30 yards reached Bowery who rose highest and flicked the ball on but it went well wide. McLaughlin had to go off injured after 67 minutes with an ankle injury and he is also now doubtful for Tuesday according to Nigel Clough. He was replaced by Burke. After 68 minutes, a good burst of speed from Lapslie, and he was brought down with a trip from behind 35 yards from goal by Koiki. It should have been a clear yellow card for Koiki. Lapslie took the free kick quickly before the referee could produce his yellow card, the referee allowed the kick to be taken, Keaton Ward played the ball forward but out for a goal kick, and the referee did not then go back and book Koiki. Nigel Clough said afterwards that the fourth official told him that the referee could not produce the yellow card after he’d allowed the free kick to be taken quickly! Extraordinary. The home side made it 2-0 after 74 minutes. Another long throw from Pinnock, this time from the right, was headed away by Bowery, but the ball was recycled back to Pinnock, and his excellent left-footed cross beyond the far post was met by a superb header from centre half Fraser Horsfall who headed past Bishop from a tight angle. It was poor marking from Mansfield who found themselves outnumbered at the far post with Horsfall and Paul Lewis outnumbering James Clarke, who was unable to stop Horsfall getting in a header. Oates replaced Johnson after 75 minutes. Oates had been feeling under the weather before the game and not well enough to start, according to Clough. Danny Rose came on as sub for Northampton after 78 minutes. Quite a lot of Stags fans chanted “Danny Danny Rose”. Oates won the ball and embarked on a fine run, but eventually the ball was cleared, after 81 minutes. The Stags were awarded a penalty after 87 minutes but the referee then changed his mind after consulting his linesman. A long kick forward from Bishop was flicked on by Hawkins. George Lapslie ran on to it and got goalside of Koiki who wrestled him down. The foul started outside the box, but Koiki still had his arm on Lapslie inside the box before Lapslie went down. The referee, who was well-positioned, correctly pointed to the spot. As Hawkins put the ball on the spot ready to take the penalty, the referee belatedly went over to consult his assistant and then changed his decision, instead giving a free kick just outside the area. The referee incredibly also failed to book Koiki. Koiki, remember, should have been booked earlier too (on 68 minutes). Sub Keaton Ward took the resulting free kick and sent it over the bar. On 90+2 minutes, a throw from James Clarke came out to Ollie Clarke who volleyed wide. Burke was booked for a foul on Hoskins, after 90+3 minutes. Huge disappointment for the Stags. After the game, boss Nigel Clough cut a very dejected figure, after such a poor performance and such a long time since a victory, saying “The side are at rock bottom, we all are.” He also dropped a couple of hints that he is under considerable pressure saying “We just keep battling unless told otherwise”, and regarding players: “If we get through to January, we'll be able to get a few more.” Nigel Clough then added a couple of days later, talking to iFollow Stags: "We know we were crap on Saturday." Man of the match: Stephen McLaughlin |
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Report by: Martin Shaw at Sixfields
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Line Up:
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(4-4-2)
Bishop 5 Will probably feel he should have done better with the first goal, given the very high standards he has set this season, though it was a good shot from McGowan. (Confirmed two days later: Nigel Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham: "The first goal ... I was talking to Bish about it, he thinks he should have saved it comfortably. He's been immaculate for us all season"). J.Clarke 5.5 Was outnumbered at the far post for the second goal, but ended up not marking either player. Hewitt 6 The defence collectively should have done better for the second goal. Rawson 6 The defence collectively should have done better for the second goal. McLaughlin 6.5 Very good cross for Hawkins free header. One good header away. Charsley 5 Booked, and then given a final warning by the referee after another foul, and had to be subbed at half time. Lapslie 6.5 The least disappointing of the midfield in my opinion as the others contributed almost nothing. Made four runs forward, should have been awarded a penalty, did win a couple of free kicks. O.Clarke 5 Offered little. Bowery 5 Offered nothing. Did head a couple of set pieces away. Hawkins 5 Has been Mansfield’s best outfield player this season in my opinion, but had by far his worst game in a Stags shirt. Had one chance but headed it straight at the keeper. Johnson 5 Ineffective. Had one chance and completely miscued his shot. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Ward (for Charsley, 46 mins) 5 Below the standard of his recent matches.
Burke (for McLaughlin, 67 mins) - Oates (for Johnson, 75 mins) - Feeling under the weather before the game and not well enough to start; did provide a bit of a spark in the final 15 minutes, including one fine run forward. Subs not used: Shelvey, Forrester, Law, Gale. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(4-2-3-1): Roberts; McGowan, Horsfall, Guthrie, Koiki (Harriman 90); McWilliams, Sowerby; Hoskins, Lewis, Pinnock; Etete (Rose 79). Subs not used: Woods, Revan, Pollock, Connolly, Kabamba.
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Referee:
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Robert Lewis 4 Some extraordinary errors, including absolutely inexplicable failures to book Koiki TWICE!
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