Season 21/22 Stagsnet Match Report
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Mansfield Town
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Northampton Town
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Oates 13, Bowery 32.
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Koiki 61
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Attendance: 7,469 (1221 from Northampton)
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Date: 14 May 2022
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STAGS BEAT COBBLERS 2-1 IN FIRST LEG OF PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL
Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill Mansfield Town beat Northampton Town 2-1 at the One Call Stadium in the first leg of the play-off semi-final last night. The Stags raced into a deserved 2-0 lead in the first half with goals from Rhys Oates and Jordan Bowery. But the Stags were pegged back as the Cobblers scored after 61 minutes and put the Stags under plenty of aerial pressure in the final 30 minutes, but there were no further goals. 2-1 was just about a fair scoreline with Mansfield playing very well and much the better side for 55 minutes, but Northampton put Mansfield under considerable pressure in the final 35 minutes, and the Stags had to defend well to hold out. So Mansfield take a single goal lead to Sixfields for the second leg on Wednesday night with all to play for. It was Mansfield’s 14th win in 16 home games in the league and play-off games, an extraordinary run, and again the atmosphere created by the fabulous Stags fans was incredible. There were opportunities at either end in the opening stages as a great run and low cross from Stephen McLaughlin just evaded the stretching Rhys Oates in the middle after 5 minutes, and then Nathan Bishop pushed away a 25 yard shot from Louis Appere after 11 minutes. Mansfield took the lead after 13 minutes. McLaughlin intercepted a stray ball inside his own half, pushed forward into the Northampton half, slid the ball inside to Bowery, and Bowery laid a beautiful pass forward into the area for Oates to run on to and smash a low hard shot through the keeper’s legs and into the net from 12 yards out on the right. A fine goal from the Stags. A bit of luck though as Oates was fractionally offside as Bowery played the ball forward for him, but it was missed by the linesman. A 12th goal of the season for Oates, and an 8th assist for Bowery (which puts him second in the number of assists this season, level with Oates, behind McLaughlin, see list below). The Stags made it 2-0 after 32 minutes. Hawkins and O’Toole both made great tackles in the early build-up to the goal. Lovely football as the Stags played the ball around on the right before Longstaff played a great crossfield pass to Murphy just inside the area on the left. Murphy took a couple of touches on to his left foot to create space to smash a low cross across the six yard box. It took the slightest deflection off the boot of the keeper and Bowery coming in at the far post turned it into the net from a tight angle. Another crucial goal from Bowery, which had some similarities to his goal against Forest Green a week ago. His 9th goal of the season, which makes him second top scorer. Oates made a run down the left and fired wide of the left post after 34 minutes, while after a brilliant move on the right, Perch chipped over the bar after 40 minutes. The Stags deservedly 2-0 ahead at half time. Inside the opening minute of the second half, Quinn had a great opportunity to put Oates in a run through on goal but just played the ball too far in front of him. Then after 48 minutes, Oates nearly made it 3-0. Perch played the ball forward from halfway inside his own half, brilliant skill from Oates as he nicked the ball past defender Guthrie and surged forward from the halfway line into the area. Just as he fired in a powerful shot from 12 yards, defender Horsfall slid in and got a slight deflection on the shot, and keeper Maxted made a brilliant save to parry it away. If the reserve keeper Maxted, in his first game since October in for Liam Roberts who was suspended for one game, could have perhaps done better with the first goal letting it through his legs, he made up for it here with a fine and important save for the Cobblers. After that, Northampton got on top, putting the Stags under plenty of aerial pressure for much of the remainder of the game. They pulled a goal back after 61 minutes. Quinn gave the ball away as the Stags were on the attack. Northampton counter-attacked, Mitch Pinnock played the ball out to the left, Perch fouling him in the process. Appere cut in from the left, past O’Toole, to Ali Koiki on the edge of the area. Koiki took a couple of touches to make half a yard of space before firing low under Maris, who tried to the block the shot, and it took a slight deflection off Hawkins which took it past Bishop into the net. It little bit of luck for the Cobblers with the deflection. Perch was booked for the earlier foul. A rare piece of good refereeing from Anthony Backhouse on the night playing advantage for the Cobblers. After that, the Stags were relying on some great defending from Hawkins, O’Toole, McLaughlin and Perch, who all played well, to keep Northampton out. The closest the Cobblers came to equalising was after 78 minutes. Pinnock’s long throw, one of very many on the evening, was headed on by Horsfall and came to Sam Hoskins 16 yards out. His first time shot was blocked by O’Toole, then Josh Eppiah’s cross shot, from the rebound, hit McLaughlin’s knee and landed on the roof of the net. The Stags had a couple of half opportunities to create something in stoppage time as Oates was fouled just outside the area on the left but the hapless referee failed to give a blatant free kick. It capped a poor night for the referee and the other officials, but fortunately we have a much better referee in Bobby Madley on Wednesday night. Then Oates tried to get past Guthrie for a run at goal but fouled Guthrie before he could get to the ball. So a lead for the Stags to take in to Wednesday night. A word on the attendance, which at 7,469 was the biggest at the One Call Stadium since 2017 and a crowd 7,525 against Chesterfield. Surprisingly Northampton came nowhere near to selling out their allocation, with only 1221 away fans travelling to the game. Mansfield sold out their away allocation of 1400 for Wednesday night in just a few hours and I’m sure could easily have sold over 3000 if they had been available. Quite a difference in the level of away support. On to Sixfields on Wednesday. Once again the game is live on Sky Sports, so it cannot be streamed live on iFollow, though of course we will have full match commentary as always. DETAILED REPORT : Mansfield named an unchanged side from the side that drew with Forest Green. The bench was unchanged too, meaning no place in the 18 for Rawson, Johnson and Law. Northampton were forced into two changes: Jonny Maxted in goal for Liam Roberts, suspended for one game. Roberts was superb in the league game here. Josh Eppiah was only fit enough for the bench, and was replaced by Idris Kanu. Sean Dyche’s son Max was on the bench. Sean Dyche watched on from the directors box. It was a glorious evening, warm and sunny. Northampton won a throw in the opening 15 seconds. Pinnock hurled in a long throw which was headed away by Bowery. There were opportunities at either end in the opening stages as a great run and low cross from Stephen McLaughlin just evaded the stretching Rhys Oates in the middle after 5 minutes, and then Nathan Bishop pushed away a 25 yard shot from Louis Appere after 11 minutes. Mansfield took the lead after 13 minutes. McLaughlin intercepted a stray ball inside his own half, pushed forward into the Northampton half, slid the ball inside to Bowery, and Bowery laid a beautiful pass forward into the area for Oates to run on to and smash a low hard shot through the keeper’s legs and into the net from 12 yards out on the right. A fine goal from the Stags. A bit of luck though as Oates was fractionally offside as Bowery played the ball forward for him, but it was missed by the linesman. A 12th goal of the season for Oates, and an 8th assist for Bowery (which puts him second in the number of assists this season, level with Oates, behind McLaughlin, see list below). A nasty challenge by McWilliams on Oates after 21 minutes. McWilliams was booked. After 27 minutes, a great ball from O’Toole out to Quinn who chested the ball down and won a corner. Keeper Maxted punched away the corner. The Stags made it 2-0 after 32 minutes. Hawkins and O’Toole both made great tackles in the early build-up to the goal. Lovely football as the Stags played the ball around on the right before Longstaff played a great crossfield pass to Murphy just inside the area on the left. Murphy took a couple of touches on to his left foot to create space to smash a low cross across the six yard box. It took the slightest deflection off the boot of the keeper and Bowery coming in at the far post turned it into the net from a tight angle. Another crucial goal from Bowery, which had some similarities to his goal against Forest Green a week ago. His 9th goal of the season, which makes him second top scorer. What a noise! Oates made a run down the left and fired wide of the left post after 34 minutes. At the other end, Quinn headed away a Northampton corner. After a brilliant move on the right, Perch chipped over the bar after 40 minutes. The Stags deservedly 2-0 ahead at half time. Half time 2-0 Inside the opening minute of the second half, Quinn had a great opportunity to put Oates in a run through on goal but just played the ball too far in front of him. After 48 minutes, Guthrie lifted a hopeful ball forward but Pinnock nearly got on the end of end of it, just unable to do so. Straight to the other end and Oates nearly made it 3-0. Perch played the ball forward from halfway inside his own half, brilliant skill from Oates as he nicked the ball past defender Guthrie and surged forward from the halfway line into the area. Just as he fired in a powerful shot from 12 yards, defender Horsfall slid in and got a slight deflection on the shot, and keeper Maxted made a brilliant save to parry it away. If the reserve keeper Maxted, in his first game since October in for Liam Roberts who was suspended for one game, could have perhaps done better with the first goal letting it through his legs, he made up for it here with a fine and important save for the Cobblers. Maris was booked for a foul 20 yards inside his own half after 50 minutes. After that, Northampton got on top, putting the Stags under plenty of aerial pressure for much of the remainder of the game. On 53 minutes, Sam Hoskins curled a good shot a yard wide of the far post from the left edge of the area. Bishop probably had it covered. Wallace replaced Longstaff after 59 minutes. Nigel Clough told TalkSport2 after the game that Longstaff "was subdued and felt tired for some reason." Northampton pulled a goal back after 61 minutes. Quinn gave the ball away as the Stags were on the attack. Northampton counter-attacked, Mitch Pinnock played the ball out to the left, Perch fouling him in the process. Appere cut in from the left, past O’Toole, to Ali Koiki on the edge of the area. Koiki took a couple of touches to make half a yard of space before firing low under Maris, who tried to the block the shot, and it took a slight deflection off Hawkins which took it past Bishop into the net. It little bit of luck for the Cobblers with the deflection. Perch was booked for the earlier foul. A rare piece of good refereeing from Anthony Backhouse on the night playing advantage for the Cobblers. After that, the Stags were relying on some great defending from Hawkins, O’Toole, McLaughlin and Perch, who all played well, to keep Northampton out. On 63 minutes, a brilliant clearance from Hawkins after Bowery gave the ball away. Former Stag Danny Rose was on for Northampton after 66 minutes, replacing Appere. Bishop made a nice catch from a free kick after 67 minutes. Moments later, great defending from McLaughlin as he blocked a cross. Then a brilliant tackle by Hawkins on the edge of his own area after 71 minutes. On 76 minutes, yet another Pinnock long throw was cleared to Mills who fired 10 yards wide from 25 yards. Stirk replaced Quinn after 77 minutes. Nigel Clough told Craig Priest for Mansfield 103.2 after the game "Stephen Quinn is carrying the same injury he's had for a couple of weeks. I didn't think he was as fluent as he normally is and moving as well as he can do. He was struggling a bit when he came off." The closest the Cobblers came to equalising was after 78 minutes. Pinnock’s long throw, one of very many on the evening, was headed on by Horsfall and came to Sam Hoskins 16 yards out. His first time shot was blocked by O’Toole, then Josh Eppiah’s cross shot, from the rebound, hit McLaughlin’s knee and landed on the roof of the net. The resulting corner came off Horsfall and wide of the right post. Two minutes later, O’Toole did well to put the ball behind for a corner. Perch headed away the corner. On 84 minutes, a free kick from Hoskins was headed over the bar via a deflection for a corner. The corner was headed wide by Mills under pressure. Akins replaced Murphy after 86 minutes. A minute later, a great header away by Hawkins. On 88 minutes, Pinnock was well wide with a free kick from 32 yards. On 90+2 minutes, a great header away by O’Toole from a corner. The Stags had a couple of half opportunities to create something in stoppage time as Oates was fouled just outside the area on the left but the hapless referee failed to give a blatant free kick. It capped a poor night for the referee and the other officials, but fortunately we have a much better referee in Bobby Madley on Wednesday night. Then Oates tried to get past Guthrie for a run at goal but fouled Guthrie before he could get to the ball. Plenty of good performances in the Stags side. The back four were superb, under an aerial bombardment. Hawkins was particularly good, as he was against the Cobblers in the league game a few weeks ago. The midfield were not at their best however. Oates was dynamic going forward, as he so often is, and was picked out by Sky Sports as their man of the match. The other scorer, Bowery, also had a good game. Man of the match: Oli Hawkins Here’s a running tally of various stats this season: Goals (league, cup and play-offs): Oates 12, Bowery 9, Hawkins 8, Johnson, Lapslie, McLaughlin 7, Longstaff 6, O.Clarke 4, Maris, O’Toole 3, Charsley, Stirk 2, Akins, Caine, Forrester, Hewitt, Murphy, Perch, Quinn, Rawson, Sinclair 1. 3 OG Assists (league, cup and play-offs): McLaughlin 14, Bowery, Oates 8, Quinn 5, Charsley, O.Clarke, Hawkins, Johnson, Longstaff, Maris, Murphy, Sinclair 3, Hewitt, Lapslie, Rawson, Stirk 2, Akins, J.Clarke, Gale, Law, 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 the One Call Stadium, Field Mill
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Line Up:
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(4-4-2 diamond in midfield)
Bishop 7 An early save from Appere, and a nice catch in the second half. No chance with the goal due to the deflection off Hawkins. Otherwise little to do. Perch 7.5 Played well. Very solid defensively. O’Toole 8 Very good game, with great blocks and headers away. Hawkins 8.5 Superb under the aerial bombardment, winning headers and tackles. McLaughlin 8 Very good first half going forward. Defended well throughout. Maris 6 Booked. Along with most of the midfield, not at his best. Couldn’t keep the ball like he usually does. Longstaff 6 Great crossfield pass in the build-up to the second goal. Quiet game overall. Nigel Clough told TalkSport2 after the game that Longstaff "was subdued and felt tired for some reason." Quinn 6 Gave the ball away, eventually leading to the Northampton goal. Had a great opportunity to put Oates in a run through on goal but just played the ball too far in front of him. Nigel Clough told Mansfield 103.2 after the game "Quinn is carrying the same injury he's had for a couple of weeks. I didn't think he was as fluent as he normally is and moving as well as he can do. He was struggling a bit when he came off." Murphy 6.5 Super assist for Bowery’s goal. Not too involved aside from that. Bowery 8 Scored his goal from a tight angle, for the second game running. Also an assist for Oates’s goal. Overall had a good game. Oates 8 Scored the first goal. Dynamic going forward, as he so often is, and was picked out by Sky Sports as their man of the match. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Wallace (for Longstaff, 59 mins) - Did ok in the final half hour.
Stirk (for Quinn, 77 mins) - Looked nervous. One particularly poor 60 yard pass nowhere near a Stags player. Akins (for Murphy, 86 mins) - Subs not used: Stech, Hewitt, O.Clarke, Lapslie. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(4-2-3-1) Maxted; Mills, Horsfall, Guthrie, Koiki; McWilliams, Sowerby; Pinnock, Hoskins, Kanu (Eppiah 56); Appere (Rose 66). Subs not used: Woods, Harriman, Dyche, Pollock, Zimba
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Referee:
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Anthony Backhouse 5 Poor game. One extraordinary error in stoppage time missing a blatant foul on Oates. Luckily for the Stags the linesman failed to spot that Oates was offside for the first goal.
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