Season 22/23 Stagsnet Match Report
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Gillingham
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Mansfield Town
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Akins 17, Lapslie 33. Akins missed pen 29
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Attendance: 4,195 (404 from Mansfield)
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Date: 17 September 2022
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COMPREHENSIVE WIN FOR STAGS AT GILLINGHAM
Martin Shaw at Priestfield Stadium Mansfield Town comprehensively outplayed Gillingham for a 2-0 victory at Priestfield this afternoon. In the first game between the two clubs for 26 years, the Stags scored twice in the first half, also had a penalty saved, and missed a hatful of glorious opportunities. Gillingham created next to nothing in the entire game and a scoreline of 5-0 would have been a better reflection of the difference between the two sides. Mansfield move up one place to 7th, 4 points behind 3rd placed Northampton. Gillingham meanwhile remain 3rd bottom with 6 points from 9 games, having scored just 2 goals, and on the evidence of today, look every bit as weak as Scunthorpe were last season. Gillingham will be hoping that Hartlepool and Rochdale remain worse than them. On a beautiful sunny day in Kent, the Stags were on the front foot from the start with a corner and a free kick in the opening two minutes, which were cleared. Then on 10 minutes a good cross from Maris was just over Lapslie. The Stags went close after 11 minutes. A goal kick from Gills keeper Glenn Morris was headed forward from just inside his own half by Clarke to set Akins away with a surging run. Akins went to the right before cutting back inside on to his left foot and curling a fine shot just over the bar from 17 yards. It was so close to the left corner and Morris wouldn’t have got near it. Mansfield were in front after 17 minutes. Gordon whipped in a good cross from the right to find Akins who leapt and hooked a volley into the left corner of the net from 10 yards while still fully off the ground. An absolutely brilliant acrobatic finish from Akins. It should have been 2-0 after 29 minutes. A long goal kick from Pym bounced into the Gillingham area with no-one touching it. Lapslie got between Gills right back Haji Mnoga and keeper Morris and got his boot to the ball first before being clattered to the ground by Morris. Clumsy goalkeeping and a clear penalty despite the boos of the home fans. Akins took the penalty and sent it towards the right of the net as he did at Doncaster two weeks ago. But keeper Morris made a brilliant save to redeem himself. Not the worst penalty from Akins but he could have done with getting it a fraction higher to stop the keeper getting to it. Three minutes later the Stags had another glorious chance to make it 2-0. A short corner from the right from Hartigan to Akins who teed up Clarke for a shot from 9 yards but he sent it over the bar. A very clever corner routine. But the Stags finally did make it 2-0 after 33 minutes. A goal kick from Gills keeper Morris was again headed forward from just inside his own half by Clarke. Akins headed it back to Hartigan who threaded a magnificent ball forward from the edge of the centre circle for Lapslie to run on to. Lapslie got goalside of Max Ehmer, rounded Morris and slid his shot into the net. A clinical finish from Lapslie. Lapslie celebrated and put his finger over his lips in front of the home fans in the Rainham End. I’m not sure if that was because he was getting stick for winning the penalty or because he was getting stick for being a former Charlton player. What a ball forward from Hartigan though! It was nearly 3-0 after 42 minutes. Clarke slid in to win the ball just inside his own half. Lapslie squared the ball to Maris in the centre circle, and Maris played a perfect ball forward for McLaughlin to run on to in the area. But with just the keeper to beat from an angle, McLaughlin fired across Morris and inches wide of the right post. A minute later, the Stags went close again as Gordon crossed from the right and Lapslie got in front of the keeper to the cross but headed wide. 2-0 to the Stags at half time. An excellent performance, winning the ball all over the pitch, surging forward and forcing Gillingham into mistakes. Gillingham also made mistakes without being forced into them though with numerous balls booted into touch when not under pressure. It should have been at least 4-0 by this stage, with several chances going begging and Gillingham having not looked like creating anything of note. Into the second half. On 53 minutes, McLaughlin sent a cross-shot from the left wide of the far post. A minute later, Gillingham gifted the ball to Gordon who surged forward but when he got to the edge of the area he could have set up Lapslie for a shot but wasted the ball. On 69 minutes Clarke crossed from the right and McLaughlin fired over the bar. On 70 minutes, Ben Reeves sent a shot straight at Pym from 30 yards. Applause from the home fans. I thought it must be ironic applause for getting in a shot until we saw home manager Neil Harris joining in! It turned out to be a minute’s applause for Her Majesty the Queen to mark the length of her reign. I hadn’t realised that would be happening, it didn’t at Mansfield on Tuesday. Another good chance for the Stags after 76 minutes. McLaughlin whipped in a great cross from the left to Akins who headed over the bar from 8 yards. On 86 minutes, a free header for Hawkins from a corner: Hartigan’s corner from the right, Hawkins was left in acres of space, but headed over the bar. Under no pressure, he would have expected to get that on target. Gillingham’s best chance of the game, indeed their only decent chance, came on 90+3 minutes. Former Stag Alex MacDonald, on as a substitute for the last 15 minutes, curled in a great free kick which Elkan Baggott header over the bar. I spoke to Macca after the game and told him I thought he produced more quality in stoppage time than his teammates did in 90 minutes. He told me he had been injured last season but is quite frustrated not to be starting now. MacDonald had received applause from the Stags fans when he came on as substitute. He was a popular player at Mansfield. Boos from home fans at full time and a few supporters to my right were calling for manager Neil Harris to be sacked. The 400 travelling Stags fans though enjoyed this comprehensive victory. Every Stags player played very well and won their individual battle. Akins and Lapslie up front were superb, both involved in such a lot. Akins’ goal was quite brilliant, though he would be disappointed to miss the penalty of course. He also went close with another super effort. Lapslie was also superb, taking his goal in clinical fashion, as well as winning the penalty. The midfield totally outclassed Gillingham. Clarke was tremendous, winning everything, while Hartigan and Maris provided some excellent passing. Hartigan’s ball forward for Lapslie’s goal was magnificent. Both wingbacks got forward very well, with Gordon getting a fine assist for Akins’ goal. At the back, Hawkins was dominant, while Hewitt and Harbottle either side also won virtually everything. Pym in goal had a very quiet afternoon, but as usual his distribution was impressive. DETAILED REPORT : It was the first game between the clubs for 26 years. Gillingham won the last game at Priestfield, 2-0 in 1996, when the two managers were Tony Pulis and Andy King. The Stags’ last game at Priestfield was actually against Brighton & Hove Albion, when Brighton were without a ground and before they moved to Withdean. The Stags won that game 3-1 in 1998. Mansfield made one change from the side that drew with Carlisle on Tuesday. Kellan Gordon came in at right wing back for Bowery. Bowery dropped to the bench. Clough explained after the game: “Jordan Bowery had been a little below par for the last couple of games so we decided to give Kel a run today.” Perch returned from the knee injury he picked up at Doncaster to the bench. Swan remained out of the squad with a chest infection. Clough said that Boateng is still not ready to return from his hamstring injury, and won’t be ready for Tuesday in the Papa John’s Trophy at Grimsby, but will hopefully train by the end of the week. Gillingham made a couple of changes from their midweek draw at Grimsby, when they netted only their second goal of the season. Lewis Walker, younger brother of Tyler Walker, came in for Scott Kashket up front. Haji Mnoga came in for Ryan Law at full back. Mnoga had been sent off on his debut and this was his second game. He only lasted 45 minutes here, hooked off at half time after a poor first half. Alex MacDonald was on the bench. On a beautiful sunny day in Kent, the Stags were on the front foot from the start with a corner and a free kick in the opening two minutes, which were cleared. Then on 10 minutes a good cross from Maris was just over Lapslie. The Stags went close after 11 minutes. A goal kick from Gills keeper Glenn Morris was headed forward from just inside his own half by Clarke to set Akins away with a surging run. Akins went to the right before cutting back inside on to his left foot and curling a fine shot just over the bar from 17 yards. It was so close to the left corner and Morris wouldn’t have got near it. Great pace from Gordon after 16 minutes chasing after a Maris ball and winning a free kick. The free kick was cleared. Mansfield were in front after 17 minutes. Gordon whipped in a good cross from the right to find Akins who leapt and hooked a volley into the left corner of the net from 10 yards while still fully off the ground. An absolutely brilliant acrobatic finish from Akins. Boos from the home fans as Gillingham put a clearance into touch, not for the first time. Then a shoddy attack from the home side, back-tracking into their own half and putting the ball out for a Stags throw-in. After 22 minutes, a free kick for the Gills from 27 yards out. Robbie McKenzie sent it well wide of the left post. Four minutes later, from a corner from Ben Reeves, Elkan Baggott headed straight at Pym. It should have been 2-0 after 29 minutes. A long goal kick from Pym bounced into the Gillingham area with no-one touching it. Lapslie got between Gills right back Haji Mnoga and keeper Morris and got his boot to the ball first before being clattered to the ground by Morris. Clumsy goalkeeping and a clear penalty despite the boos of the home fans. Akins took the penalty and sent it towards the right of the net as he did at Doncaster two weeks ago. But keeper Morris made a brilliant save to redeem himself. Not the worst penalty from Akins but he could have done with getting it a fraction higher to stop the keeper getting to it. Three minutes later the Stags had another glorious chance to make it 2-0. A short corner from the right from Hartigan to Akins who teed up Clarke for a shot from 9 yards but he sent it over the bar. A very clever corner routine. But the Stags finally did make it 2-0 after 33 minutes. A goal kick from Gills keeper Morris was again headed forward from just inside his own half by Clarke. Akins headed it back to Hartigan who threaded a magnificent ball forward from the edge of the centre circle for Lapslie to run on to. Lapslie got goalside of Max Ehmer, rounded Morris and slid his shot into the net. A clinical finish from Lapslie. Lapslie celebrated and put his finger over his lips in front of the home fans in the Rainham End. I’m not sure if that was because he was getting stick for winning the penalty or because he was getting stick for being a former Charlton player. What a ball forward from Hartigan though! After 39 minutes, Gordon did well to win the ball, set off on a great run down the left (unusually), but with Hartigan and Clarke in space in the penalty area on his right, his cross was blocked. It was nearly 3-0 after 42 minutes. Clarke slid in to win the ball just inside his own half. Lapslie squared the ball to Maris in the centre circle, and Maris played a perfect ball forward for McLaughlin to run on to in the area. But with just the keeper to beat from an angle, McLaughlin fired across Morris and inches wide of the right post. A minute later, the Stags went close again as Gordon crossed from the right and Lapslie got in front of the keeper to the cross but headed wide. After 44 minutes, McKenzie sent a shot from 20 yards at least 10 yards over the bar. 2-0 to the Stags at half time. An excellent performance, winning the ball all over the pitch, surging forward and forcing Gillingham into mistakes. Gillingham also made mistakes without being forced into them though with numerous balls booted into touch when not under pressure. It should have been at least 4-0 by this stage, with several chances going begging and Gillingham having not looked like creating anything of note. Half time 0-2 The home fans in the Rainham End wanted a penalty for handball by Hewitt after 48 minutes. Tellingly there were no appeals from any player. A good header away by Hawkins after 51 minutes, from a long ball forward. On 53 minutes, McLaughlin sent a cross-shot from the left wide of the far post. A minute later, Gillingham gifted the ball to Gordon who surged forward but when he got to the edge of the area he could have set up Lapslie for a shot but wasted the ball. A good move from the Stags after 63 minutes down the right but the ball was cleared. Harbottle was booked after 66 minutes for a foul on Mandron. On 69 minutes Clarke crossed from the right and McLaughlin fired over the bar. On 70 minutes, Ben Reeves sent a shot straight at Pym from 30 yards. Applause from the home fans. I thought it must be ironic applause for getting in a shot until we saw home manager Neil Harris joining in! It turned out to be a minute’s applause for Her Majesty the Queen to mark the length of her reign. I hadn’t realised that would be happening, it didn’t at Mansfield on Tuesday. Perch replaced Harbottle after 73 minutes. Harbottle had been booked. Perch was returning from injury. Another good chance for the Stags after 76 minutes. McLaughlin whipped in a great cross from the left to Akins who headed over the bar from 8 yards. Bowery replaced Gordon at right wing-back after 80 minutes. Gordon had been clattered shortly before. After 83 minutes, good play from McLaughlin to get to the byline, he pulled back to Akins, whose shot was blocked source. On 86 minutes, a free header for Hawkins from a corner: Hartigan’s corner from the right, Hawkins was left in acres of space, but headed over the bar. Under no pressure, he would have expected to get that on target. The corner had come after good play from Bowery to win it. Excellent defending by Hawkins after 88 minutes, heading back to Pym under pressure. Gillingham’s best chance of the game, indeed their only decent chance, came on 90+3 minutes. Former Stag Alex MacDonald, on as a substitute for the last 15 minutes, curled in a great free kick which Elkan Baggott header over the bar. I spoke to Macca after the game and told him I thought he produced more quality in stoppage time than his teammates did in 90 minutes. He told me he had been injured last season but is quite frustrated not to be starting now. MacDonald had received applause from the Stags fans when he came on as substitute. He was a popular player at Mansfield. Boos from home fans at full time and a few supporters to my right were calling for manager Neil Harris to be sacked. A comprehensive victory. Interesting post match comments from Stephen McLaughlin: “Lucas Akins and George Lapslie, those two were the standouts today. The workrate that they done up there, Lucas up on his own and Laps in and around him. Lucas, the hold up play, the flick on and Laps running in behind. You don’t realise what it does for us. I know when it goes up to him [Lucas], that I can go forward as well. I know he’s going to hold it, lay it off. It’s valuable what he’s done the last couple of weeks when he’s started up there. If Lucas didn’t hold it up the way he did we would’ve struggled to get into the game. His play today was exceptional.” Man of the match: George Lapslie The next game is on Tuesday in the EFL Trophy at Grimsby (7.30 kick off). You can watch the game with us on iFollow Stags by buying a match pass. Incidentally, you can also buy a match pass for the game at Crewe on Saturday to watch the game with us on iFollow Stags, as the game falls on an international weekend. Here’s a running tally of various stats this season: Goals (league and cup): Akins, Lapslie 3, Clarke, Harbottle, Hawkins, Maris, Swan 2, Gale, Oates 1. Assists (league and cup): Lapslie 5, Maris 3, Hartigan 2, Akins, Boateng, Bowery, Clarke, Gordon, 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, Harbottle 1, 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) |
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Report by: Martin Shaw at Priestfield Stadium
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Line Up:
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(3-5-1-1)
Pym 7 Had a very quiet afternoon, but as usual his distribution was impressive. His long kick led to the penalty. Hewitt 7.5 Won virtually everything. Hawkins 8 Very good defending, won plenty of headers. Harbottle 7.5 Also won virtually everything. Picked up a yellow card and was subbed. Gordon 8.5 Great pace and good crossing. Got forward very well, and got a fine assist for Akins’ goal. Clarke 8.5 Tremendous, winning everything, constantly closing down players on the ball. Hartigan 8.5 Threaded a magnificent ball forward for Lapslie’s goal. Plenty of great passing. Good corner to find Hawkins in space in the second half. Maris 8 Excellent passing. Lovely ball to play in McLaughlin for a shot. McLaughlin 7.5 Got forward very well, good cross for Akins’ header in the second half. Had a few shots off target. Lapslie 9.5 Superb, taking his goal in clinical fashion, as well as winning the penalty. Akins 9 Also superb. His goal was quite brilliant, though he would be disappointed to miss the penalty of course. He also went close with another super effort. Held the ball up so well. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Perch (for Harbottle, 73 mins) -
Bowery (for Gordon, 80 mins) - Subs not used: Flinders, O’Toole, Wallace, Quinn, Gale |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(4-2-3-1): Morris; Mnoga (Law 46’), Ehmer, Baggott, McKenzie; O’Keefe, Williams; Adelakun (Green 61’), Reeves (MacDonald 72’), Walker (Gbode 61’); Mandron. Subs not used: Turner, Alexander, Wright.
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Referee:
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Tom Reeves 7 Good game. Got the penalty right.
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