Season 22/23 Stagsnet Match Report
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Mansfield Town
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Carlisle United
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Attendance: 5,421 (155 from Carlisle) (note this it is essentially tickets sold, including season tickets)
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Date: 13 September 2022
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STAGS DRAW 0-0 AT HOME TO CARLISLE
Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill Before last night’s 0-0 draw at home to Carlisle United, Mansfield Town had won 3 league games at home out of 3 this season. And if you include last season and the play-off semi-final, Mansfield had won 17 league games at home out of 19. Indeed in all competitions at home, Mansfield had scored in 23 consecutive home games. The last time the Stags had failed to score at home was a 0-0 draw with Oldham Athletic all the way back on 9th October last year. Such was that incredible run of form at home, that it was understandable that Stags fans were left frustrated and disappointed with a 0-0 draw. Visitors Carlisle were no mugs though. Indeed they had only been beaten once this season. There were some boos at the end of the game. They weren’t for the Stags players though, even though the Stags were far from being at their best. They were for the match officials, who had a dreadful game, with a catalogue of poor decisions, including disallowing a Stags goal for offside which should have stood. However a 1-0 defeat would have been harsh on Carlisle, who were dangerous going forward and created several good chances, but were denied victory by some poor finishing, and good goalkeeping from Christy Pym. Taking all that into account, a draw was a fair result. The draw drops Mansfield one place in the table to 8th, one point and one place outside the play-off places. Before the game, there was an impeccable minute’s silence to mark the death of the Queen last Thursday, followed by the singing of God Save The King, and then the release of 96 white doves from the middle of the pitch, one for every year of the Queen's life. Carlisle could have been ahead with a couple of good chances in the opening 15 minutes. On 12 minutes, a low ball in from the right from Jordan Gibson found Kristian Dennis in front of goal with just Pym to beat from 10 yards, but Oli Hawkins did just enough to put him off from behind and Dennis sent his effort wide. Then two minutes later, Jack Armer crossed from the byline on the left and Morgan Feeney had a free shot at goal from 5 yards with more than three quarters of an open goal to aim at, but fired straight at Pym who was covering the quarter of the goal. However the Stags should have taken the lead after 16 minutes with a goal wrongly disallowed. Riley Harbottle headed the ball down to George Maris 40 yards from goal. Maris got past Callum Guy and did well to work space for a shot from 20 yards, which was parried by keeper Tomas Holy into the path of George Lapslie who tucked the rebound into the net. Brilliant play from Maris and a clinical finish from Lapslie. But Mansfield’s celebrations were cut short by an offside flag. At half time, I was able to check the video from the main camera (see still below) and from the analyst’s camera in the West Stand, and freezing at the point that Maris fired in his shot, it’s clear that Lapslie was played onside by Carlisle no.3 Jack Armer. A mistake from the assistant referee to flag for offside. 
Stephen McLaughlin went close after 24 minutes. He played a 1-2 with Maris before cutting inside from the left and firing a right-footed shot just wide of the left post into the side netting. The keeper had left a big gap in the left of the net and would not have had a chance if McLaughlin’s shot had been on target. The shot lifted the netting away from the woodwork, and there was a four minute stoppage in play while it was re-attached. In a moment of comedy, the groundstaff brought on a ladder, but in the meantime 6 ft 9 inches keeper Holy was able to re-attach it with some tape and no need for the ladder! Christy Pym made a good save after 33 minutes getting down low to Gibson’s shot from 15 yards, after McLaughlin had headed away Owen Moxon’s cross under pressure from Dennis. A minute into the second half, Dennis missed a sitter for Carlisle. A great diagonal ball forward from Paul Huntington put Gibson in behind the defence on the byline on the right. Gibson’s low ball across the edge of the six yard box found Dennis 6 yards out but somehow he fired over the bar with just Pym to beat. A dreadful miss. Excellent play by Lucas Akins after 49 minutes. With his back to goal on the edge of the box on the left, he took a pass from Maris, brilliantly span away from Feeney, and sent in a low left footed shot which the keeper knocked around the post with his right boot. Brilliant from Akins. Not too many clearcut chances after that for either side, but Mansfield had the best of them to win it, after 82 minutes. A good move, and sub Stephen Quinn played a great ball in from the left to Maris who met it first time and cleanly from 12 yards, but sent his shot just wide of the left post. A fair result overall then, though the Stags had good reason to be frustrated with the officials. The Stags didn’t do enough to deserve victory and didn’t hit the heights of previous performances at home in the wonderful run stretching back to last October. Credit to Carlisle who played well. For the Stags, Elliott Hewitt was terrific in defence, with plenty of excellent challenges and headers. Christy Pym also did very well in goal with one fine save, good handling, and good distribution. DETAILED REPORT: Mansfield made one change from the side that won at Doncaster Rovers 10 days earlier, with Elliott Hewitt coming in for James Perch who missed out with a knee injury picked up in the game at Doncaster. The Stags continued with the 3-5-1-1 formation with Lapslie just behind Akins up front. The Stags did then switch formation at half time to 4-3-3 (with Bowery going up front, Bowery and Lapslie either side of Akins, just behind him), before switching back again. Will Swan missed out from the squad with a chest infection. Hiram Boateng remained out with a hamstring problem but is close to a return which might happen in the Papa John’s Trophy game at Grimsby next Tuesday. Carlisle had been beaten just once this season, though with plenty of draws. They had Kristian Dennis up front. Dennis has quite a record, being relegated to non league with both Chesterfield and Notts County. He already had 6 goals this season though. The Stags created a half chance after 4 minutes. A good move, Clarke crossed from the right, and Lapslie laid back to Maris who shot from 17 yards, but it lacked power and gave the keeper an easy save. Carlisle could have been ahead with a couple of good chances in the opening 15 minutes. On 12 minutes, a low ball in from the right from Jordan Gibson found Kristian Dennis in front of goal with just Pym to beat from 10 yards, but Oli Hawkins did just enough to put him off from behind and Dennis sent his effort wide. Then two minutes later, Jack Armer crossed from the byline on the left and Morgan Feeney had a free shot at goal from 5 yards with more than three quarters of an open goal to aim at, but fired straight at Pym who was covering the quarter of the goal. However the Stags should have taken the lead after 16 minutes with a goal wrongly disallowed. Riley Harbottle headed the ball down to George Maris 40 yards from goal. Maris got past Callum Guy and did well to work space for a shot from 20 yards, which was parried by keeper Tomas Holy into the path of George Lapslie who tucked the rebound into the net. Brilliant play from Maris and a clinical finish from Lapslie. But Mansfield’s celebrations were cut short by an offside flag. At half time, I was able to check the video from the main camera (see still above) and from the analyst’s camera in the West Stand, and freezing at the point that Maris fired in his shot, it’s clear that Lapslie was played onside by Carlisle no.3 Jack Armer. A mistake from the assistant referee to flag for offside. Stephen McLaughlin went close after 24 minutes. He played a 1-2 with Maris before cutting inside from the left and firing a right-footed shot just wide of the left post into the side netting. The keeper had left a big gap in the left of the net and would not have had a chance if McLaughlin’s shot had been on target. The shot lifted the netting away from the woodwork, and there was a four minute stoppage in play while it was re-attached. In a moment of comedy, the groundstaff brought on a ladder, but in the meantime 6 ft 9 inches keeper Holy was able to re-attach it with some tape and no need for the ladder! Christy Pym made a good save after 33 minutes getting down low to Gibson’s shot from 15 yards, after McLaughlin had headed away Owen Moxon’s cross under pressure from Dennis. After 38 minutes, Akins found Lapslie who, with nothing else on, sent a shot always rising over the bar from 25 yards. Then a minute later, Bowery crossed from the right, it was headed out to McLaughlin who volleyed well wide from 15 yards. On 45+5 minutes, Akins was fouled 27 yards from goal. A chance for McLaughlin or Hartigan to shoot. But instead McLaughlin nudged it for Hartigan to chip into the middle and it was headed away. Nil nil at the break. The Stags unlucky with the disallowed goal, but Carlisle had some good chances and brought one good save from Pym. Carlisle were dangerous going forward. Half time 0-0 The Stags switched formation at half time to 4-3-3, with Bowery going up front, Bowery and Lapslie either side of Akins, just behind him. A minute into the second half, Dennis missed a sitter for Carlisle. A great diagonal ball forward from Paul Huntington put Gibson in behind the defence on the byline on the right. Gibson’s low ball across the edge of the six yard box found Dennis 6 yards out but somehow he fired over the bar with just Pym to beat. A dreadful miss. A minute later at the other end, a good run from Lapslie on the right, he elected not to shot and sent a cross across the 6 yards box with no-one near it. Excellent play by Lucas Akins after 49 minutes. With his back to goal on the edge of the box on the left, he took a pass from Maris, brilliantly span away from Feeney, and sent in a low left footed shot which the keeper knocked around the post with his right boot. Brilliant from Akins. From the resulting corner, Clarke volleyed well wide. Bowery shot well wide from 32 yards after 53 minutes. At the other end, Jordan Gibson cut inside from the right and shot across Pym and well wide Maris was booked for a deliberate trip on Gibson to stop him getting away on the break after 59 minutes. Then from a free kick after 65 minutes, aimed beyond the far post, Feeney volleyed across the six yard box, and Pym claimed it well, low down. After 68 minutes, Hawkins headed on a Hewitt long throw, but Maris couldn’t get a shot in. Quinn replaced Clarke after 70 minutes. It turned out to be Mansfield’s only change of the night. Nigel Clough explained afterwards: “Couldn't see a benefit of making more than one change. You don’t want to lose the game as well. Kell [Kellan Gordon] is champing at the bit, but then you would lose one of the best headers [of the ball] with Jordan [Bowery] who has an important role to play with set plays. That could be all it takes on a night like this. You can lose those games as easily as you can win them.” After 73 minutes, a long throw from Hewitt was headed out to Maris, who controlled nicely, before firing over the bar from 17 yards. Then Hartigan fired over the bar from 30 yards after 75 minutes. Good defending from Hewitt at the other end under pressure after 77 minutes. Two minutes later, Finley Back fired straight at Pym from 14 yards. Moments later two more great challenges from Hewitt to win the ball. Then the hapless referee Allison missed a blatant foul, not for the first time on the evening. Good defending from Harbottle after 81 minutes. Mansfield had the best chance late on to win the game, after 82 minutes. A good move, and sub Stephen Quinn played a great ball in from the left to Maris who met it first time and cleanly from 12 yards, but sent his shot just wide of the left post. No chances for either side after that. The Stags didn’t do enough to deserve victory and didn’t hit the heights of previous performances at home in the wonderful run stretching back to last October. Credit to Carlisle who played well and deserved their point. The Stags visit Gillingham for the first time for 26 years on Saturday. Gillingham have won just one game this season and are third bottom. Man of the match: Elliott Hewitt I dedicated last night’s commentary to Steve Hartshorn who passed away last week. Steve was simply a top bloke. Steve co-commented on the Stags for many years and I was so proud to have commentated with him many many times, going back to 2004 and for years afterwards. He also put so much effort into his fanzine FTYBR which was a magnificent publication, enjoyed by so many. RIP Steve Former Stags manager Dave Smith also passed away last week. Again what sad news. Smith was one of the greatest managers in MTFC's history. Indeed I wrote in this article (https://stagsnet.net/vintage/reports/manager_records.htm): My opinion is that Dave Smith was our best ever manager. The club will hold a minute’s applause prior to kick-off in the home fixture against Hartlepool United on Friday 30 September. Here’s a running tally of various stats this season: Goals (league and cup): Akins, Clarke, Harbottle, Hawkins, Lapslie, Maris, Swan 2, Gale, Oates 1. Assists (league and cup): Lapslie 5, Maris 3, Akins, Boateng, Bowery, Clarke, Hartigan, Hewitt, McLaughlin 1 (notes on assists: in the case of a penalty, the player who earns the penalty gets an assist, such as Lapslie against AFC Wimbledon. In the case of a solo goal, such as Maris against Newport at home last season, 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, such as Lapslie against Stockport. In the case of an own goal, the player who caused the own goal gets an assist, for example McLaughlin against Newport away last season where his shot was deflected in for an own goal.) Yellow cards (league only, alphabetical order): Clarke 2, Hawkins 2, Lapslie 2, Maris 1, McLaughlin 2, O’Toole 2, Quinn 3. Red cards (league and cup): Bowery 1. (note: red cards count across competitions apart from Papa John’s Trophy; yellow cards are competition specific) (note: 5 yellow cards before the end of the 19th league game will result in a one match ban; 10 yellow cards before the end of the 37th league game will result in a two match ban; 15 yellow cards before the end of the 46th league game will result in a three match ban) Average home league attendance: 6296 (average away fans: 510, average home fans 5786) (see Tranmere report for explanation of how attendance is calculated: it is essentially tickets sold, including season tickets) |
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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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(3-5-1-1)
Pym 8 Did very well in goal with one fine save, good handling, and good distribution. Hewitt 8.5 Terrific in defence, with plenty of excellent challenges and headers. Hawkins 7 Did just enough to put Dennis off from behind for his early chance. Defended well. Harbottle 7 Defended well. Bowery 6 Did ok. Maris 7.5 Brilliant play to set up the wrongly disallowed goal for Lapslie. Sent a late shot just wide. Hartigan 6 Did ok. Clarke 6 Didn’t hit the heights of his performance at Doncaster. McLaughlin 6.5 One shot just wide. Didn’t have much joy down the left. Lapslie 6.5 Clinical finish for his wrongly disallowed goal. Set up a chance for Maris. Akins 6.5 Excellent play to bring a fine save from the keeper after spinning with his back to goal and shooting. Otherwise a fairly quiet game. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Quinn (for Clarke, 70 mins) - Good cross to set up a chance for Maris.
Subs not used: Flinders, O'Toole, Gordon, Wallace, Gale. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(3-5-2): Holy; Feeney, Huntington, Mellish; Back, Gibson (Hilton 83), Moxon, Guy, Armer; Patrick, Dennis (Stretton 89). Subs not used: Kelly, Charters, Whelan, Harris, Idehen.
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Referee:
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Sam Allison 4 Had a dreadful game. His assistant also made an error signalling Lapslie’s goal offside when it wasn’t. Allison has had a series of poor games officiating Stags games, including missing a blatant handball by Bowery when he scored against Orient last season, and wrongly giving a penalty against the Stags late on at Colchester last season, and wrongly giving a penalty against Rollin Menayese at Newport two seasons ago.
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