Season 22/23 Stagsnet Match Report
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Mansfield Town
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Colchester United
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Swan 34, Akins 90+2.
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Newby 10
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Attendance: 5,918 (163 from Colchester) (note this it is essentially tickets sold, including season tickets)
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Date: 3 December 2022
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STAGS BEAT COLCHESTER WITH STOPPAGE TIME GOAL FROM SUB AKINS
Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill Mansfield Town came from behind to beat Colchester United 2-1 at the One Call Stadium with substitute Lucas Akins scoring the winner in stoppage time, just a minute after coming off the bench. The Stags were very much in need of a victory having taken just four points from the previous 6 league games, as well as going out of the FA Cup and Papa John’s Trophy. It was a very welcome return to winning ways at home as well, after just one win at home in the previous 6 league games, following that astonishing run of 17 wins from 19 home games in league and play-off. Colchester had taken the lead after 10 minutes when Alex Newby curled a brilliant free kick from 25 yards over the wall and into the left corner of the net giving Christy Pym no chance. The Stags were level after 34 minutes as Elliott Hewitt chased a ball from George Maris down towards the corner flag and put in a fabulous cross to the far post where Will Swan rose superbly to head into the top left corner of the net. A towering header from Swan outjumping centre half Luke Chambers. His 7th goal of the season taking him level with George Lapslie as leading scorer. And a tremendous assist from Hewitt, his 4th assist of the season, taking him equal second in the number of assists this season (see my stats below). And in dramatic fashion the Stags won it after 90+2 minutes. Lucas Akins was brought on for Swan after 90+1 minutes. Within seconds, Rhys Oates sent Akins into the box for a shot at goal which the keeper saved with his legs. The Stags recycled the ball to Stephen McLaughlin on the left and from level with the edge of the area he whipped in a brilliant cross which Akins headed past the keeper from 6 yards. What a moment for Akins to become the hero, and what a moment for Mansfield, having been dumped out of two cup competitions this week after leading both times. It was Akins’ 4th goal of the season and his 100th career goal. Colchester were unhappy with the winning goal. Justifiably so, as Akins threw Tommy Smith to the ground as the cross came in, meaning that Akins was unmarked for the header. However that evened up things after an incident 6 minutes into the game when Oli Hawkins sent a brilliant ball forward from inside his own half for Rhys Oates who controlled it superbly and was about to shoot in a 1-on-1 with the keeper from 12 yards when he was bundled over from behind by defender Tom Dallison. I watched the incident back at half time from the analyst’s video from the West Stand and the foul was very clear. The foul is not quite so obvious from the main camera from the Bishop Street TV gantry. Dallison made no attempt to play the ball, so not only should it have been a penalty, but it should also have been a red card (with 84 minutes left in the game). Had Dallison attempted to the play the ball and committed the foul, then it should have been a penalty and a yellow card. Not a game with many chances for either side. Hiram Boateng had a couple of shots straight at the keeper, while Rhys Oates fired just over the bar. At the other end, the Stags were indebted to a brilliant save from Christy Pym after 57 minutes when Dan Chesters made a great run into the area, he shot towards the bottom left corner and Pym stuck out a hand to deflect the shot just wide. An outstanding save when it had goal written all over it. Mansfield are back into the play-off positions, two points above 8th place, one point behind 4th place, and six points behind 3rd place. Next Saturday, the Stags visit second placed Stevenage, who are having a superb season managed by Steve Evans. If you can’t travel to the game, you can watch it with us on iFollow Stags. DETAILED REPORT : Mansfield made two changes from the side that started at Sheffield Wednesday. In came McLaughlin and Oates, who had both been injured but back in the starting XI at Everton U21 on Wednesday. Out went Gordon and Akins. Harbottle was in the starting XI after limping off at Sheffield Wednesday. Ollie Clarke was back from injury on the bench. O’Toole was suspended for picking up 5 bookings. After his performances at Everton U21 and Harrogate he surely wouldn’t have started anyway. Bowery didn’t make the 18, though he was not injured. As Nigel Clough said afterwards, a good position to be in with more players back from injury. Page remained out with injury. The Stags started with a 4-3-3 formation: Pym; Hewitt, Harbottle, Hawkins, McLaughlin; Lapslie, Maris, Boateng; Oates (right), Swan, Quinn (left). Nigel Clough explained: “We started with the 4-3-3 because we wanted Oatesy wide and cutting in with his pace. He got into that area twice and made chances. After an hour, we went to a back three to get up the middle and see if that changed anything. I think we got a little bit more pressure.” Colchester were 3rd bottom in the table, but had won their last league game, 3-0 against Doncaster. They made four changes from that side. Frank Nouble, often a pain for Mansfield in more ways than one, dropped to the bench. Matty Longstaff, at the Stags last season of course, was out with a hamstring issue. He has only started 5 league games this season. The impressive Dan Chesters, on loan from West Ham, had played one game in the Premier League. It was Mansfield’s first home game for 3.5 weeks, after 4 games on the road. After 3 minutes, Lapslie was fouled 33 yards out. McLaughlin elected to shoot, his low effort lacked power, and although it was towards the corner of the net, it gave an easy save for Kieran O’Hara. After 6 minutes, Hawkins sent a brilliant ball forward from inside his own half for Rhys Oates who controlled it superbly and was about to shoot in a 1-on-1 with the keeper from 12 yards when he was bundled over from behind by defender Tom Dallison. I watched the incident back at half time from the analyst’s video from the West Stand and the foul was very clear. The foul is not quite so obvious from the main camera from the Bishop Street TV gantry. Dallison made no attempt to play the ball, so not only should it have been a penalty, but it should also have been a red card (with 84 minutes left in the game). Had Dallison attempted to the play the ball and committed the foul, then it should have been a penalty and a yellow card. Colchester took the lead after 10 minutes. Quinn brought down Alex Newby 25 yards from goal. Quinn protested his innocence but it looked a clear foul. Newby curled a brilliant free kick over the wall and into the left corner of the net giving Christy Pym no chance. After 15 minutes, Maris slid a wonderful ball forward for Oates to run on to on the right to the byline. Oates pulled it back across the six yard box but no-one could get on the end of it. This was the sort of position Nigel Clough wanted Oates to exploit (see Clough quote above). Lapslie teed up Boateng for a shot from 22 yards after 25 minutes, but it was straight at the keeper. A good tackle at the other end by McLaughlin after 28 minutes. Hawkins was booked after 29 minutes for a foul. That looked a harsh card. Hawkins would have to be careful now. Not only was it vital not to get sent off in this game, but he would certainly be needed next week at Stevenage against Carl Piergianni and Dan Sweeney. The Stags were level after 34 minutes as Elliott Hewitt chased a ball from George Maris down towards the corner flag and put in a fabulous cross to the far post where Will Swan rose superbly to head into the top left corner of the net. A towering header from Swan outjumping centre half Luke Chambers. His 7th goal of the season taking him level with George Lapslie as leading scorer. And a tremendous assist from Hewitt, his 4th assist of the season, taking him equal second in the number of assists this season (see my stats below). Great movement from the Stags after 37 minutes, as McLaughlin played inside to Lapslie who laid a lovely ball forward for Swan just outside the area. Swan took a couple of touches before his shot was blocked by the face of Dallison. Oates recycled the ball back into the middle, Lapslie tried to turn it goalwards but couldn’t get enough on it. 1-1 at the break. Not too many chances for either side. A disjointed half with the ball out of play a lot. The Stags aggrieved not to have had that early penalty and Colchester to be playing the final 84 minutes with 10 men. Half time 1-1 After 54 minutes, Boateng played a 1-2 with McLaughlin before shooting straight at the keeper. A minute later, Hewitt tried his luck from 28 yards and fired well over the bar. The Stags were indebted to a brilliant save from Christy Pym after 57 minutes when Dan Chesters made a great run into the area, he shot towards the bottom left corner and Pym stuck out a hand to deflect the shot just wide. An outstanding save when it had goal written all over it. Great play from Oates after 58 minutes, to find Boateng, who shot miles over the bar. A poor shot from Boateng. On the hour, Maris lifted a beautiful ball out to the right wing for Oates. Oates cut inside as Hewitt made a run outside him, and Oates fired just over the bar from 18 yards. Great effort. Off the ball meanwhile, Appiah put in an elbow on Hewitt to wipe him out. That should have been spotted by the officials with retrospective action after the shot went just over the bar. Swan was booked after 67 minutes for leaving a leg in on the keeper. A long stoppage on 68 minutes as the assistant referee was replaced. The Stags used the stoppage to switch formation to three at the back, with Oates up front, Lapslie at right wing back, McLaughlin at left wing back. Nigel Clough said after the game: “we went to a back three to get up the middle and see if that changed anything. I think we got a little bit more pressure.” Lapslie played a 1-2 with Boateng after 76 minutes and got to the byline on the right, he sent in a dangerous low cross that just evaded Swan. Two minutes later at the other end, the dangerous Chesters got to the byline and pulled back to sub Huws who sent a terrible shot well wide. Clarke replaced Quinn after 80 minutes. Chesters got to the byline again after 81 minutes and Boateng cleared his cross. McLaughlin lifted a ball down the line on the left after 82 minutes. Oates ran on to it and cut into the area. He went down in a collision with Luke Chambers. The Stags wanted a penalty. From the video, Oates put his right leg into Chambers and both players went down. The referee gave a free kick to Colchester. I think this was one decision the referee got right. Great defending from Harbottle after 83 minutes against Chesters in the area. Fine play by Swan after 85 minutes, to win a free kick outside the area on the left, McLaughlin took the free kick across the edge of the six yard box, but missed by everyone. Alan Judge’s free kick from the half way line into the Stags box after 89 minutes was cleared to Huws, who tried a shot, blocked by Boateng. It was off target anyway. Seven minutes of stoppage time was signalled. Lucas Akins was brought on for Swan after 90+1 minutes. There were some boos. I think the boos were for Akins coming on. He has come in for a lot of criticism. Some people have suggested the boos were for Swan going off. After the game, Clough said that he took Swan off because the player said his ankle was sore. In dramatic fashion the Stags won it after 90+2 minutes. Within seconds of Akins coming on, Rhys Oates sent Akins into the box for a shot at goal which the keeper saved with his legs. The Stags recycled the ball to Stephen McLaughlin on the left and from level with the edge of the area he whipped in a brilliant cross which Akins headed past the keeper from 6 yards. What a moment for Akins to become the hero, and what a moment for Mansfield, having been dumped out of two cup competitions this week after leading both times. It was Akins’ 4th goal of the season and his 100th career goal. Colchester were unhappy with the winning goal. Justifiably so, as Akins threw Tommy Smith to the ground as the cross came in, meaning that Akins was unmarked for the header. Great celebrations for the winning goal, and at the full time whistle. Man of the match: George Maris Here’s a running tally of various stats this season: Goals (league and cup): Lapslie, Swan 7, Akins, Hawkins, Maris 4, Harbottle 3, Bowery, Clarke 2, Gale, Gordon, Oates 1. Assists (league and cup): Lapslie 6, Hewitt, Maris 4, Gordon, McLaughlin 3, Akins, Boateng, Hartigan 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 (league only, alphabetical order): Boateng 1, Clarke 4, Harbottle 2, Hartigan 1, Hawkins 3, Lapslie 3, Law 1, Maris 3, McLaughlin 2, O’Toole 5, Perch 2, Pym 1, Quinn 6, Swan 2, Wallace 1. Red cards (league and cup): Boateng 1, Bowery 1, Perch 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: 6489 (average away fans: 556, average home fans 5933) (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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(4-3-3)
Pym 7.5 Brilliant save from Chesters after 57 minutes. Not at fault for the goal in my opinion. Hewitt 8 Tremendous assist for the first goal. Very good game. Harbottle 7 Defended well. One great tackle on the dangerous Chesters. Hawkins 7 Brilliant ball forward from inside his own half for Oates who was brought down for what should have been a penalty and red card. Defended well. McLaughlin 7.5 Brilliant cross for Akins’ goal. Some other good attacking moves. One fine tackle. Lapslie 6.5 Did ok. Won an early free kick in a good position. Maris 8 Some great passes, for Oates especially. Boateng 6.5 A couple of shots straight at the keeper and a poor effort over the bar. Some good defending. Oates 7.5 Some very good play going forward. Should have won a penalty (with a red card) after 6 minutes after great control to get goalside of his defender. Some good runs. Swan 7.5 Great goal with a towering header outjumping the centre half. Fine play to win a free kick after 85 minutes. Quinn 7 Decent game. Gave away the free kick that led to the Col.U goal. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Clarke (for Quinn, 80 mins) -
Akins (for Swan, 90+1 mins) - The hero with the winner. Subs not used: Flinders, Gordon, Perch, Wallace, Hartigan. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(4-2-3-1) O’Hara; Tchamadeu, Chambers, Smith, Dallison; Ashley, Judge (sub Huws, 71); Newby (sub Tovide, 90), Hannant, Chesters (sub Nouble, 90); Appiah (sub Sears, 71). Subs not used: Kazeem, Chilvers, Collins.
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Referee:
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Ross Joyce 4 Infuriated both managers with poor decisions not to award the Stags penalty and a red card after 6 minutes, and another poor decision from the officials to miss the foul by Akins for the Stags winner.
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