Season 22/23 Stagsnet Match Report
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Sheffield Wednesday
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Mansfield Town
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Smith 78, 84.
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Lapslie 34
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Attendance: 13,932 (3,925 from Mansfield)
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Date: 26 November 2022
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STAGS OUT OF THE FA CUP DESPITE FINE PERFORMANCE AT SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Martin Shaw at Hillsborough Mansfield Town are out of the FA Cup, beaten 2-1 at Hillsborough by Sheffield Wednesday in the Second Round this afternoon. The scoreline though doesn’t tell the full story of the game. Indeed the Yorkshire Post report of the game described it as “daylight robbery”. Roared on by brilliant support from over 3900 fans, the Stags put in a superb performance and really should have won, but a catalogue of missed chances, and then two goals from the home side in the final 15 minutes, meant that the Stags ended up losing. The Stags took the lead after 34 minutes. Kellan Gordon cut in from the right touchline and curled in a lovely left-footed cross. George Lapslie, near the penalty spot, nipped in behind the defence and touched the cross past the keeper from six yards. Great awareness and a poacher’s finish from Lapslie. His 7th goal of the season. And a flashback to two years ago when he converted Gordon’s cross in the FA Cup at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland. The Stags should have been out of sight by half time. After just 70 seconds, Hiram Boateng sent Lapslie away into the area. Lapslie had a chance to shoot, instead he laid off to Will Swan. Swan had a chance to shoot, instead he pulled back to Lucas Akins, who teed up George Maris and his shot was blocked. Within seconds, the Stags had recycled the ball to Gordon to the byline on the right. Gordon’s cross towards Swan was pushed up in the air by the keeper, it landed on the bar, bounced down and Akins had to arch his back to get in a header, sending it just over the bar. Such a fast start from the Stags. After 5 minutes, Stephen Quinn, an ex-Sheffield United man booed every time he touched the ball, sent away the overlapping Elliott Hewitt to the byline on the left, Hewitt pulled back to Akins and his shot was deflected wide. A minute later, Boateng pushed forward to the edge of the area and dragged a shot wide of the right post. After 22 minutes, Akins turned on the edge of the area and his low shot was saved at full stretch by the keeper. Then on 44 minutes, a good move from the Stags, involving Swan, Maris, Gordon, Lapslie, and finally Akins teed up Quinn for a shot from 10 yards which the keeper tipped wide. The Stags should have been 3-0 ahead at the break. Into the second half and the Stags remained right on top. After 57 minutes, a quick throw-in from Swan into the area for Quinn, who teed up Lapslie for a shot from 10 yards but he lifted it over the bar. Nothing had been seen of Sheffield Wednesday as an attacking force and they created their first chance of the game after 59 minutes as Mallik Wilks crossed from the right and former Stags striker Lee Gregory glanced a header just wide. Boateng sent a cross-shot wide from a tight angle after 74 minutes. But disaster struck for the Stags after 78 minutes as Sheffield Wednesday equalised with their second chance of the game. Liam Palmer slid a fabulous ball from 45 yards out, in between Gordon and Harbottle for Marvin Johnson to run on to in the area. Johnson pulled the ball across to Michael Smith and he stretched out one of his long legs to slide the ball into the bottom right corner of the net. And the Owls went in front after 84 minutes. Barry Bannan lifted a diagonal ball towards the left. Johnson controlled the pass, possibly off his left arm, and fired in a low ball across the six yard box for Smith who again stretched out a leg and slid the ball into the net from 5 yards. Wednesday had a chance to make it 3-1 after 87 minutes as Fisayo Dele-Bashiru got past Stags sub James Perch with ease and got in a shot which Pym saved. The ball came out to Calum Paterson whose shot was well-blocked by Hewitt on the edge of the six yard box. After 88 minutes, Gordon crossed from the right and Lapslie’s looping shot was just wide. And on 90+5 minutes, the Stags had a glorious chance to equalise as Hewitt’s long throw-in from the left reached Maris at the far post on the edge of the six yard box, but in front of the massed Stags fans, he lifted his shot over the bar. Real frustration and disappointment for the Stags at the result, but the performance was fully appreciated by the 3,800 travelling Stags fans who stayed behind and gave the side a standing ovation at the final whistle. Hard to pick a man of the match, all the outfield players played really well. The defence looked transformed from last week’s terrible defensive performance at Harrogate with the return of the fit again Harbottle and Hewitt. Gordon put in several great crosses from the right. The midfield five of Maris, Lapslie, Akins, Boateng and Quinn were all terrific, and Swan did well up front. And credit to the travelling fans who were in great voice throughout, Mansfield’s best away following since 4,282 travelled to Notts County in February 2019. (update, correction: best away following since 5,227 travelled to MK Dons in May 2019) Mansfield are next in action on Wednesday night away to Everton U21 in the Papa John’s Trophy. It will be Mansfield’s first ever game at Goodison Park and will probably be our last too, unless we draw them in a cup competition next season. If you’re not travelling to the game, you can watch it with us on iFollow Stags (kick off 7pm). Nigel Clough told me after the game that he is hoping to give 45 minutes to Stephen McLaughlin and 45 minutes to Lewis Page, who missed today’s game after getting a kick in the Achilles in the Notts Senior Cup on Tuesday. I also asked Nigel Clough about the injury to Riley Harbottle, who limped off at Hillsborough, Clough was not sure if it was just cramp or a return of his thigh problem. Hopefully the former, as Harbottle made a big difference to the defence with his pace today, as did Hewitt. DETAILED REPORT : What a week for the Stags’ away fans with trips to Hillsborough and Goodison Park in the space of 4 days, two such iconic old grounds. Mansfield made 5 changes from the side that lost at Harrogate: In came: Harbottle (back from injury), Gordon, Hewitt (not able to start at Harrogate),Lapslie (also not fit enough to start at Harrogate), Swan. Out went: O’Toole, Perch, Bowery, Wallace, Hartigan. Clarke was still out with injury. As were McLaughlin and Page (see above). It was a 4-1-4-1 formation: Pym; Gordon, Harbottle, Hawkins, Hewitt (left back); Maris; Akins, Lapslie, Boateng, Quinn; Swan. Maris was the captain. Sheffield Wednesday are 3rd in League One. They made 8 changes from their last league game. Michael Ihiekwe, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Alex Mighten were the 3 players to start who started in their victory over Shrewsbury Town in the last league game. The likes of Barry Bannan, one of the best players in League One, and Michael Smith were on the bench. It was Mansfield’s first visit to Hillsborough since 2015 in the League Cup, when the Stags away following, by the way, was 1,236, in a crowd of 14,021. More than a tripling in the away following here. The Stags should have been out of sight by half time. After just 70 seconds, Hiram Boateng sent Lapslie away into the area. Lapslie had a chance to shoot, instead he laid off to Will Swan. Swan had a chance to shoot, instead he pulled back to Lucas Akins, who teed up George Maris and his shot was blocked. Within seconds, the Stags had recycled the ball to Gordon to the byline on the right. Gordon’s cross towards Swan was pushed up in the air by the keeper, it landed on the bar, bounced down and Akins had to arch his back to get in a header, sending it just over the bar. Such a fast start from the Stags. Harbottle did well to block for a throw-in after 3 minutes. After 5 minutes, Stephen Quinn, an ex-Sheffield United man booed every time he touched the ball, sent away the overlapping Elliott Hewitt to the byline on the left, Hewitt pulled back to Akins and his shot was deflected wide. A minute later, Boateng pushed forward to the edge of the area and dragged a shot wide of the right post. A Wednesday throw-in reached Marvin Johnson 25 yards out after 13 minutes, he tried a shot, Lapslie slid in to partially block, and the ball ran through to Pym for a comfortable save. After 22 minutes, Akins turned on the edge of the area and his low shot was saved at full stretch by the keeper. A good effort out of nothing. Akins cut inside and had another shot blocked after 31 minutes. Two minutes later, Boateng got to the byline, pulled back, and Lapslie couldn’t get a shot in. The Stags took the lead after 34 minutes. Kellan Gordon cut in from the right touchline and curled in a lovely left-footed cross. George Lapslie, near the penalty spot, nipped in behind the defence and touched the cross past the keeper from six yards. Great awareness and a poacher’s finish from Lapslie. His 7th goal of the season. And a flashback to two years ago when he converted Gordon’s cross in the FA Cup at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland. The Stags had a shout for a penalty after 38 minutes. Lapslie went down in the area under a very slight push in the back from Michael Ihiekwe, the referee wasn’t interested, Lapslie protested and got a warning from the referee for doing so. I don’t think it was a penalty. Tellingly, Lapslie didn’t mention it in his post match interviews. Then on 44 minutes, a good move from the Stags, involving Swan, Maris, Gordon, Lapslie, and finally Akins teed up Quinn for a shot from 10 yards which the keeper tipped wide. From the resulting corner taken by Maris, Hawkins headed wide. At the other end on 45+1 minutes, Hawkins blocked a shot from Vaulks. An absolutely brilliant first half performance from the Stags. The Stags should have been 3-0 ahead at the break. A standing ovation from the Stags fans. Boos from the home fans. Half time 0-1 After 49 minutes, out of nothing, Vaulks fired in a shot from 30 yards which Pym pushed wide. A routine save. The Stags remained right on top though. After 53 minutes, Gordon crossed in from the right, Swan headed down and it hit Michael Ihiekwe on the arm. Swan and the Stags wanted a penalty for handball. Again the referee wasn’t interested. My view wasn’t the best of this one at the time. I’ve now seen a replay and I don’t think it was a penalty. Ihiekwe is right next to Swan, too close to do anything about it. After 57 minutes, a quick throw-in from Swan into the area for Quinn, who teed up Lapslie for a shot from 10 yards but he lifted it over the bar. A great chance. A minute later, Boateng sent a shot from 30 yards wide of the left post. What a noise was coming from the Stags fans. Nothing had been seen of Sheffield Wednesday as an attacking force and they created their first decent chance of the game after 59 minutes as Mallik Wilks crossed from the right and former Stags striker Lee Gregory glanced a header just wide. After 63 minutes, Gordon cut in from the right and sent a left footed shot straight at the keeper with little power. Gordon was booked for a foul on Mighten after 63 minutes. Bookings in the FA Cup only count in this competition so it is now of no relevance given that Mansfield were knocked out. Lee Gregory limped off after 72 minutes. He was replaced by Barry Bannan, one of the best players in League One. With Michael Smith also on as sub, Wednesday had brought on the big guns, and switched to 3 at the back. A good move from the Stags and Boateng sent a cross-shot wide from a tight angle after 74 minutes. But disaster struck for the Stags after 78 minutes as Sheffield Wednesday equalised with their second chance of the game. Liam Palmer slid a fabulous ball from 45 yards out, in between Gordon and Harbottle for Marvin Johnson to run on to in the area. Johnson pulled the ball across to Michael Smith and he stretched out one of his long legs to slide the ball into the bottom right corner of the net. It was a high quality goal. However Gordon and Harbottle could have done better to stop the through ball getting in between them. Mansfield made a change before the restart as Oates replaced Swan, and Harbottle limped off (see above) to be replaced by Perch. And the Owls went in front after 84 minutes. Barry Bannan lifted a diagonal ball towards the left. Johnson controlled the pass, with the ball hitting his left arm in the process, and fired in a low ball across the six yard box for Smith who again stretched out a leg and slid the ball into the net from 5 yards. To be critical, I think Hewitt could have done better getting back to pick up Smith and not give him a free shot. Under VAR, I think the goal would have been disallowed for handball. Good defending from Maris after 85 minutes as Wednesday broke. Wednesday had a chance to make it 3-1 after 87 minutes as Fisayo Dele-Bashiru got past Stags sub James Perch with ease and got in a shot which Pym saved. The ball came out to Calum Paterson whose shot was well-blocked by Hewitt on the edge of the six yard box. The ease with which Dele-Bashiru got past Perch was alarming. After 88 minutes, Gordon crossed from the right and Lapslie’s looping shot was just wide. Wallace replaced Gordon after 90+2 minutes. And on 90+5 minutes, the Stags had a glorious chance to equalise as Hewitt’s long throw-in from the left reached Maris at the far post on the edge of the six yard box, but in front of the massed Stags fans, he lifted his shot over the bar. Real frustration and disappointment for the Stags at the result, but the performance was fully appreciated by the 3,900 travelling Stags fans who stayed behind and gave the side a standing ovation at the final whistle. Man of the match: George Lapslie/George Maris Here’s a running tally of various stats this season: Goals (league and cup): Lapslie 7, Swan 6, Hawkins, Maris 4, Akins, Harbottle 3, Bowery, Clarke 2, Gale, Gordon, Oates 1. Assists (league and cup): Lapslie 6, Maris 4, Gordon, Hewitt 3, Akins, Boateng, Hartigan, McLaughlin 2, Bowery, Clarke, Hawkins, Law, Quinn, Wallace 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. In the case of a cross that is headed away before the goal is scored, such as Clarke’s goal at Doncaster, nobody gets an assist.) Yellow cards (FA Cup only, alphabetical order): Gordon, Hartigan 1, Hewitt 1, Perch 1 (note irrelevant now as knocked out) (note: red cards count across competitions apart from Papa John’s Trophy; yellow cards are competition specific) |
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Report by: Martin Shaw at Hillsborough
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Line Up:
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(4-1-4-1)
Pym 7 One or two routine saves and no chance with the goals. Gordon 8 Very good going forward with several great crosses from the right including a fine assist. Could have done better for the first Wednesday goal. Harbottle 8 Very good game and made a big difference to the defence with his pace. Could have done better for the first Wednesday goal though. Hawkins 7.5 Good game. Hewitt 8 Very good game at left back. Could have done better for the second Wednesday goal though. Maris 9 Given the captain’s armband against the team he supported. A terrific game in front of the back four. Akins 7.5 Good game on the right of midfield. Brought one very good save from the keeper. Lapslie 9 Great game. Poacher’s finish for his goal. He was absolutely gutted after the game that we’d lost. Boateng 7.5 Inventive game in midfield. Didn’t have his shooting boots on with three shots wide. Quinn 8.5 His best game for some while. Brought a great save from the keeper at the end of the first half. Swan 7.5 Did well up front. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Oates (for Swan, 79 mins) -
Perch (for Harbottle, 79 mins) - Wallace (for Gordon, 90+2 mins) - Subs not used: Flinders, O'Toole, Hartigan, Bowery, Law, Gale. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(4-2-3-1) Dawson; Hunt (Iorfa 63), Palmer, Ihiekwe (McGuinness 89), Johnson; Dele-Bashiru, Vaulks; Wilks (Smith 63), Paterson, Mighten; Gregory (Bannan 72). Unused substitutes: Stockdale, Brown, James, Shipston, Glover.
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Referee:
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Ollie Yates 6 Missed the hand-ball in the build-up to the second Wednesday goal which I think would have been disallowed with VAR. I think he was right to turn down the two Mansfield appeals for penalties.
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