Season 21/22 Stagsnet Match Report
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Port Vale
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Mansfield Town
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Wilson 33, Harratt 76, 88.
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Oates 22
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Attendance: 5,233 (947 from Mansfield)
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Date: 15 March 2022
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STAGS BEATEN AT PORT VALE AND DROP TO 10th
Martin Shaw at Vale Park Having gone 14 games without defeat, Mansfield Town were beaten for the second time in 4 days, losing 3-1 at Port Vale this evening. And the defeat drops the Stags to 10th place in League Two, four points outside the play-offs though with games in hand. The Stags looked nowhere near the side that went on that incredible run, in a performance littered with mistakes throughout. In a first half of very few chances, Mansfield took the lead with a terrific goal from Rhys Oates that typified his excellent season. Kieran Wallace, Mansfield’s most consistent performer in the game in my opinion, intercepted a pass just outside his own area, and immediately released the ball forward into the Port Vale half for Oates to chase after. Oates out-muscled Aaron Martin to put himself 1-on-1 with former Stags keeper Aidan Stone. Oates calmly took the ball around Stone and rolled the ball into the empty net. Clinical finishing. But Mansfield gifted Vale an equaliser after 33 minutes. Ben Garrity set James Wilson away on a run to the edge of the area, going away from goal. From the edge of the area, Wilson fired a low shot goalwards that should given Nathan Bishop a routine save, but the Stags keeper allowed the shot to go under his arms. It was a howler from Bishop. I think Bishop has been very good this season, and all keepers make mistakes. This one was costly. Those were just about the only shots from either side in the first half which was generally low on quality and high on misplaced passes. Into the second half, and Wallace did superbly to get in a block on a goalbound volley from Harry Charsley, who joined Vale from the Stags in January, after 48 minutes. The Stags had a glorious chance to re-take the lead after 59 minutes when after a good move around the edge of the area, Jamie Murphy’s shot was blocked to George Lapslie who had a free shot at goal from 8 yards with keeper Stone already on the ground. But somehow Lapslie managed to fire straight at the keeper. It was a really bad miss, a sitter. At last the Stags were playing better now. But disaster struck after 76 minutes. From 25 yards out, Tom Pett headed the ball up and forward to the edge of the box. Three Stags players, Rawson, Wallace and John-Joe O’Toole, on as substitute, all went for the same ball, but Ben Garrity won the header and flicked it forward. With all three Stags players now out of position, Vale sub Kian Harratt was 1-on-1 with Bishop. Stephen McLaughlin slid in to try to tackle Harratt, but the striker cut inside, and shot goalwards. Bishop made a fine save, the looped up in the air, O’Toole tripped over Bishop, allowing Harratt to knock the ball into the empty net. A catalogue of errors. The next key moment came after 85 minutes as the Stags were denied an equaliser by the crossbar. Good football from the Stags down the right in a move involving Perch, Lapslie, Hawkins, Lapslie, Johnson. Johnson then slid a super ball forward for Lapslie to get to the byline and his low ball across the edge of the six yard box was sliced against his own bar by defender Nathan Smith. Update: From the video replay and from Stags fan Pete Wright behind the goal, keeper Aidan Stone got a touch on the ball to tip it onto the bar, a brilliant save. Then after 88 minutes Port Vale made it 3-1 with more mistakes at the back. Former Stag Mal Benning, on as a sub, curled in a free kick from the left, O'Toole allowed Jamie Proctor a free header at the far post, he headed back, and three Stags defenders left Harratt unmarked 10 yards out, to hammer a shot into the back of the net. And that was the game over. Too many mistakes from Mansfield defined this defeat. Bishop’s error for the first goal, then Lapslie's miss at 1-1 was a sitter, three players going for the same ball for the second Port Vale goal, and then O'Toole allowing Proctor a free header at the far post and three defenders leaving Harratt unmarked 10 yards out for the third goal. In addition, the Stags made too many misplaced passes and were very sloppy by their own standards during the game. The Stags will look to get back to winning ways back at the One Call Stadium on Saturday, looking to break the club record in the Football League of successive home victories, with Stevenage the visitors. The Stags really need the win to move back up the table. It’s all very much still in the Stags hands, but we need to cut out the mistakes and get back to how we have been playing. DETAILED REPORT : Mansfield were without key midfielders Stephen Quinn (ankle injury picked up in the first half at Tranmere) and Matty Longstaff (who felt his hamstring, having scored in each of the last three games), as well as Lucas Akins (tight hamstring). While Elliott Hewitt needed a breather according to Nigel Clough and dropped to the bench. In came George Lapslie, Ollie Clarke, Kieran Wallace and James Perch, in four changes from the side that lost at Tranmere. Quinn is always a huge miss for the Stags. Farrend Rawson was fit to play after his bang on the head on Friday. He partnered Oli Hawkins in central defence. John-Joe O’Toole was back from his 3 game suspension and slightly surprisingly left on the bench. Wallace was making his first start for Mansfield. Clarke and Stirk were in midfield. Lapslie (right) and Murphy (left) were behind Oates. Vale included Aidan Stone and Harry Charsley in the starting XI. Mal Benning was on the bench and came on in the second half. I saw Mal in the car park before the game and he came over for a good chat. He had always been friendly when at Mansfield. He told me that the move to Vale had not worked out well for him, he had not played as many games as he would have liked, and he’s out of contract at the end of the season. Vale’s manager is Darrell Clarke, a Mansfield lad. Clarke suffered a close family bereavement recently and is off work. I send my condolences to him and his family. Former Stags manager Adam Murray has come in assistant manager (to caretaker manager Andy Crosby). And David Flitcroft is Director of Football. I hadn’t seen him since he left Mansfield straight after the play-off defeat, and he greeted me warmly before the game for a quick chat. Port Vale started the game three points behind the Stags. They were to end it above Mansfield. It was a pleasant evening, relatively mild. The Stags won a corner inside the opening 35 seconds through Wallace. But Murphy’s corner was overhit. At the other end after 9 minutes, a good clearance by Perch, though the offside flag was up. Hawkins was booked for bringing down Garrity 35 yards out after 10 minutes. A good header away by Ollie Clarke from a Chris Hussey corner after 12 minutes. Moments later, a good header away by McLaughlin from another cross. After 22 minutes, Mansfield took the lead with a terrific goal from Rhys Oates that typified his excellent season. It was the first chance for either side in the game. Wallace intercepted a pass just outside his own area, and immediately released the ball forward into the Port Vale half for Oates to chase after. Oates out-muscled Aaron Martin to put himself 1-on-1 with Aidan Stone. Oates calmly took the ball around Stone and rolled the ball into the empty net. Clinical finishing. After 25 minutes, a free kick for Vale 38 yards from goal after Stirk’s late challenge on Hussey. The free kick came out to Tom Pett, whose shot bobbled wide of the left post. After 32 minutes, Bishop came for a cross and didn’t get it. He was fortunate to get a free kick. Mansfield gifted Vale an equaliser after 33 minutes. Ben Garrity set James Wilson away on a run to the edge of the area, going away from goal. From the edge of the area, Wilson fired a low shot goalwards that should given Nathan Bishop a routine save, but the Stags keeper allowed the shot to go under his arms. It was a howler from Bishop. I think Bishop has been very good this season, and all keepers make mistakes. This one was costly. A great move from the Stags after 43 minutes, but it didn’t result in a shot. Level at the break. A first half which was generally low on quality and high on misplaced passes. The Stags midfield was well under par, but overall it was a poor first half. I was astonished at half time to hear a couple of Vale fans in the loo saying what a good game it had been. Half time 1-1 Into the second half, and Wallace did superbly to get in a block on a goalbound volley from Harry Charsley after 48 minutes. Vale fans shouted for a penalty after 53 minutes, but there were no appeals from players or manager. A great clearance from Wallace after 55 minutes after Worrall got to the byline. A minute later Garrity headed over the bar from a corner by Hussey. John-Joe O’Toole replaced Ollie Clarke after 57 minutes. O’Toole went in at centre half. Hawkins moved up front. Oates got down the right and squared inside to Lapslie, whose side-footed shot was soft and easily blocked. The Stags had a glorious chance to re-take the lead after 59 minutes when after a good move around the edge of the area, Murphy’s shot was blocked to Lapslie who had a free shot at goal from 8 yards with keeper Stone already on the ground. But somehow Lapslie managed to fire straight at the keeper. It was a really bad miss, a sitter. At last the Stags were playing better now. Oates won a corner after 62 minutes. The Stags were playing well now. Mal Benning replaced the injured Hussey after 66 minutes. Benning got a good reception from both sets of fans. Charsley was replaced after 70 minutes. Disaster struck after 76 minutes. From 25 yards out, Tom Pett headed the ball up and forward to the edge of the box. Three Stags players, Rawson, Wallace and O’Toole all went for the same ball, but Ben Garrity won the header and flicked it forward. With all three Stags players now out of position, Vale sub Kian Harratt was 1-on-1 with Bishop. McLaughlin slid in to try to tackle Harratt, but the striker cut inside, and shot goalwards. Bishop made a fine save, the looped up in the air, O’Toole tripped over Bishop, allowing Harratt to knock the ball into the empty net. A catalogue of errors. Danny Johnson replaced Oates after 79 minutes. A rare chance for Johnson. The next key moment came after 85 minutes as the Stags were denied an equaliser by the crossbar. Good football from the Stags down the right in a move involving Perch, Lapslie, Hawkins, Lapslie, Johnson. Johnson then slid a super ball forward for Lapslie to get to the byline and his low ball across the edge of the six yard box was sliced against his own bar by defender Nathan Smith. Update: From the video replay and from Stags fan Pete Wright behind the goal, keeper Aidan Stone got a touch on the ball to tip it onto the bar, a brilliant save. Vale caretaker manager Andy Crosby said after the game: "Great saves from Stoney (from Lapslie and the defender Nathan Smith). At crucial moments. They were having their first bit of control in the game where they had got us on the back foot and penned back in. Two crucial saves. The second one from Nathan is an incredible reaction from him to push it onto the bar. There's moments in every game that change the direction of it and that was a key moment and we go on and win the game." Rawson was booked for deliberately pulling back a Vale player after 86 minutes. Jordan Bowery replaced McLaughlin after 86 minutes. The Stags switched to three at back, (Rawson, O’Toole and Perch) with Bowery at left wing-back, Lapslie on the right. After 88 minutes Port Vale made it 3-1 with more mistakes at the back. Former Stag Mal Benning curled in a free kick from the left, O'Toole allowed Jamie Proctor a free header at the far post, he headed back, and three Stags defenders (Rawson, Perch and Bowery) left Harratt unmarked 10 yards out, to hammer a shot into the back of the net. After 90+1 minutes, Murphy got to the byline and crossed in, with Hawkins knocking it wide at the near post. Such a disappointing defeat. Too many mistakes from Mansfield defined this defeat. Bishop’s error for the first goal, then Lapslie's miss at 1-1 was a sitter, three players going for the same ball for the second Port Vale goal, and then O'Toole allowing Proctor a free header at the far post and three defenders leaving Harratt unmarked 10 yards out for the third goal. In addition, the Stags made too many misplaced passes and were very sloppy by their own standards during the game. Aidan Stone was voted the home side man of the match. Well done to him. He had said in an interview on Saturday that playing against Mansfield would be extra motivation for him. He was released by Nigel Clough of course. Man of the Match: Kieran Wallace Here’s a running tally of various stats this season: Goals (league and cup): Oates 10, Hawkins, Johnson 7, Bowery 6, O.Clarke, Lapslie, McLaughlin 4, Longstaff, Maris, O’Toole 3, Charsley 2, Caine, Forrester, Hewitt, Quinn, Rawson, Sinclair, Stirk 1. 1 OG Assists (league and cup): McLaughlin 10, Oates 6, Quinn 5, Bowery 4, Charsley, O.Clarke, Johnson, Sinclair 3, Hawkins, Maris, Murphy, Rawson, Stirk 2, J.Clarke, Gale, Hewitt, Lapslie, Law, Longstaff, Wallace 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 at home, nobody gets an assist. In the case of the scorer scoring from the rebound after a shot is saved or blocked, the player who had the shot saved gets an assist. In the case of an own goal, the player who caused the own goal gets an assist, for example McLaughlin against Newport away where his shot was deflected in for an own goal.) |
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Report by: Martin Shaw at Vale Park
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Line Up:
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(4-3-2-1)
Bishop 5 Made a howler for the first goal. I think he has been very good this season, and all keepers make mistakes. This one was costly. That came moments after he came for a cross and didn’t get it. Made a good save in the build-up to the second goal. Perch 6 Good clearance in the first half. Did ok. Clough said after the game: “He showed his calmness throughout the game from the first few minutes.” Along with Rawson and Bowery, left Harratt unmarked to score the third goal. Rawson 5 Clough picked him out for the second goal: “The second I think three of them went for the ball and none of them win it. I don't think Faz Rawson needed to go for it when the other two were challenging.” Along with Perch and Bowery, left Harratt unmarked to score the third goal. Hawkins 6.5 Started in central defence, and moved up front after 57 minutes. Did ok. McLaughlin 6 Ok. Stirk 5.5 Too many misplaced passes. O.Clarke 5.5 One good header away from a corner. Subbed after 57 minutes. Wallace 7.5 My man of the match, on his first start for the club. An assist for Oates’ goal. Superb block early in the second half. Another great clearance shortly afterwards. Lapslie 5 Didn’t get into the game at all in the first half. Missed a sitter at a crucial time in the second half. Murphy 5 One shot which was blocked giving Lapslie a sitter which he missed. Overhit corner in the opening 60 seconds. Oates 7 Terrific goal that typified his excellent season. Set up a chance for Lapslie. |
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Sub Line Up:
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O’Toole (for O.Clarke, 57 mins) 5 Partly at fault for both the second and third goals, including allowing Proctor a free header at the far post for the third goal.
Johnson (for Oates, 79 mins) - Bowery (for McLaughlin, 86 mins) - Subs not used: Stech, Hewitt, Maris, Law. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(3-5-2) Stone; Smith, Martin, Hall; Worrall, Garrity, Pett, Charsley (Walker, 69), Hussey (Benning, 67); Wilson (Harratt, 72), Proctor. Subs not used: Holy, Amoo, Edmondson, Cooper.
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Referee:
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Peter Wright 6.5 Did ok. Bookings were reasonable.
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