Season 22/23 Stagsnet Match Report
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Tranmere Rovers
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Mansfield Town
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Harbottle 34, Keillor-Dunn 54
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Attendance: 6,282 (905 from Mansfield)
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Date: 18 February 2023
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COMFORTABLE WIN AT TRANMERE AS RUN CONTINUES
Martin Shaw at Prenton Park Mansfield won 2-0 at Tranmere Rovers yesterday afternoon to continue a fine run that has seen 4 wins and a draw from the last 5 games, including 3 wins in a week, with 3 clean sheets. It is the first time the Stags have kept 3 consecutive clean sheets under Nigel Clough. In fact the first time since November 2017, a run that included that memorable win at Coventry City (thanks to Jake Garner for pointing this out). It was another brilliant performance from Mansfield, a comfortable victory and one that had the home fans booing their side, so comprehensively were their side outclassed. By contrast, the 900 visiting Stags fans were in great voice throughout, even before taking the lead. The Mansfield players wore black armbands, as a mark of respect to Kevin Bird, who passed away this week. Kevin was one of the best players to ever play for the club, clocking up an incredible 463 appearances, and despite being a defender, scoring 63 goals. The Stags fans did him proud, singing his name and spontaneously applauding during the game. If you weren’t lucky enough to watch Kevin play, I wrote this profile of him which I hope did him some justice. Mansfield took the lead after 34 minutes. Akins won a free kick down by the corner flag on the left. Quinn played it short, inside to Bowery, who returned it to Quinn. Quinn chipped a delightful cross into the six-yard box where Harbottle met it 5 yards out and turned it into the net. It wasn’t a clean header from Harbottle, he said it came off his shoulder into the net, but it doesn’t matter, they all count. Harbottle had his second goal of the season against Tranmere, and his fourth in total. Quinn is up to 5 assists this season, level with Maris and Hewitt (see my stats below). The Stags were very good indeed in the first half and the only disappointment at half time was that they only led 1-0. Quinn missed a glorious chance after 20 minutes. Hewitt was fouled 35 yards from goal. He took the free kick quickly, catching the home side out and sending Akins away to the byline on the right. Akins whipped in a beautiful cross which found Quinn unmarked 8 yards out, and with three quarters of the net gaping, but he could only turn it wide, possibly off his knee. To be fair to Quinn, it was perhaps a difficult height for him. He put his head in his hands. There were other chances too, as Harbottle’s throw-in found Akins, who turned very well and got in a shot that the keeper just saved, low on his line, after 19 minutes. A minute earlier, Hewitt sent Keillor-Dunn away into the area for a great run, but with Akins in space to his left, he shot straight at the keeper. Keillor-Dunn had more chances towards the end of the half. On 44 minutes, from Wallace’s ball forward, Keillor-Dunn got into the area and shot straight at the keeper. Then on 45+1 minutes, he sent a free kick from 22 yards just over the bar. But Keillor-Dunn got his first goal in a Stags shirt 9 minutes into the second half. Kilgour lifted a long ball forward from 20 yards inside his own half, Clarke ran on to it, but despite being sandwiched between two defenders, he headed the ball down, and lifted a left footed shot over keeper Murphy from 16 yards. The keeper did superbly to get finger tips on to it and turn it against the bar, and Keillor-Dunn was left to turn the rebound into the empty net. Tranmere defenders and keeper appealed for offside against Keillor-Dunn but he was fully 4 yards onside. Brilliant play from Clarke, who was only denied the goal by an outstanding save from 41 year old keeper Joe Murphy. And Keillor-Dunn was in the right place to turn the rebound in. It could have been 3-0 after 65 minutes, as the Stags were denied by another outstanding save from the keeper. Hewitt’s long throw-in from the right, was flicked on by Keillor-Dunn and came to Bowery, 7 yards out. Bowery struck it goalwards, into the ground, it deflected off defender Jameson, and the keeper stuck out his right hand to turn it away. A wonderful reflex stop, especially given the deflection. Four minutes later, a great move down the left involving Quinn, Bowery and Keillor-Dunn, and Keillor-Dunn fired just over the bar from 22 yards. Tranmere huffed and puffed, but were kept at bay by some good defending from Mansfield, and Pym in goal didn’t have a single save to make in the match. Worth noting that Tranmere were missing three important players through injury: striker Kane Hemmings, formerly of the Stags of course, right midfielder Kieron Morris, and defender Jordan Turnbull. What was obvious, was that the quality of replacement was lacking. Contrast this with Mansfield, who have so many quality players out injured, but are able to replace them with other players of similar high quality. Testament to Nigel Clough’s policy of having a squad of players all of whom are of high quality, despite not being a squad of huge quantity. One booking for Mansfield: Harbottle was booked after 62 minutes. Incidentally, Mansfield don’t have anyone close to a suspension through accumulation of bookings at the moment. Mansfield are in 5th place, three points behind third placed Carlisle with a game in hand. Level with 4th placed Northampton. And now only 5 points behind 2nd placed Stevenage, who have a game in hand. The Stags are also now joint top scorers in League Two with 49 goals, level with Carlisle. It was Mansfield’s first win at Tranmere since 1985 (at the 8th attempt), and the first double over Tranmere since 1957-58 (stat from Paul Taylor). DETAILED REPORT: Mansfield included three academy players on the bench. Taylor Anderson, right back, who made his debut in the final minutes at Carlisle on Tuesday. Darien Wauchope, left back. McKeal Abdullah, striker, who replaced Maris after the team sheet initially handed in. Nigel Clough said after the game: “It was good in some ways to have the three Academy lads on the bench and if we had got the third goal, we might’ve got them on but a great experience for them being here. It’s great for Coops (Richard Cooper) and the Academy that they’re stepping up.” Mansfield were without eight players through injury: McLaughlin, Oates, Reed, Hartigan, Callum Johnson, Swan, O’Toole, Maris. (this is in addition to James Gale, still out injured, and Jimmy Knowles who has joined Kettering on loan) Maris (who had been out with a sore Achilles) was listed on the team sheet at 2pm, but had to be replaced by Abdullah. Nigel Clough said after the game: “George Maris came along to see if he could give it a go in the warm-up but he couldn’t. We’re hoping in another week he might be in contention.” Two new injuries since Tuesday were O’Toole and Swan: Clough explained about O’Toole: “He has been playing with a very sore foot and he got another bash on it at Carlisle the other night. He had an X-ray and a scan and his foot is now in a protective boot. I think it's a stress fracture of his metatarsal and he will be in the boot for four weeks and then another four to six weeks after that which pretty much rules him out for the season.” On Swan, Clough said: “Will Swan had 12 minutes training in a little seven v seven game yesterday, which is all we had, and somehow managed to run into Hiram Boateng when the ball was nowhere near, twisted his ankle, and left the training ground in a boot as well. We’re not sure how long he’ll be.” Of the injuries, Callum Johnson and Maris may be back for the Salford game next Saturday, with the Swan status unknown at this stage. Incidentally, I asked Nigel Clough again about Lewis Page and he confirmed that Page will not be staying at the club. This had been implied in the midweek press conference but not explicitly stated. There was good news though that Clarke (kick on back of calf at Carlisle), Hewitt (whack on knee at Carlisle) and Wallace (headache at Carlisle) were fit to start. And indeed all three were to make it through 90 minutes. And thus the Stags were unchanged. With those two changes on the bench: Wauchope and Abdullah in for O’Toole and Swan. Tranmere were unbeaten against Mansfield in the last 7 games at Prenton Park. They made three changes from their last game: Kane Hemmings and Kieron Morris were injured. In came Joel Mumbongo and Jay Turner-Cooke. And in goal, 41 year old Joe Murphy came in for dropped keeper Mateus Hewelt. It was a slightly windy day in Birkenhead. However the wind did not appear to affect the game. The Stags were not off to the best start as Hewitt gave the ball away after 5 minutes, and Harvey Saunders got forward before dragging a shot well wide with Mumbongo in space on his left. A minute later, Lee O’Connor fired well wide from 30 yards. The first half-chance for the Stags came after 14 minutes. A good corner from Keillor-Dunn, and Kilgour got something on it in front of goal, but not enough to turn it in. A minute later, a great ball threaded forward from Wallace to Keillor-Dunn, but he just miscontrolled it inside the area. After 18 minutes, Hewitt sent Keillor-Dunn away into the area for a great run, but with Akins in space to his left, he shot straight at the keeper. Then a minute later, Harbottle’s throw-in found Akins, who turned very well and got in a shot that the keeper just saved, low on his line. Quinn missed a glorious chance after 20 minutes. Hewitt was fouled 35 yards from goal. He took the free kick quickly, catching the home side out and sending Akins away to the byline on the right. Akins whipped in a beautiful cross which found Quinn unmarked 8 yards out, and with three quarters of the net gaping, but he could only turn it wide, possibly off his knee. To be fair to Quinn, it was perhaps a difficult height for him. He put his head in his hands. On 22 minutes, a great move from the Stags and Bowery got to the byline to win a corner. This was great stuff from the Stags, but so far without a goal. At the other end, Dacres-Cogley fired wide from 25 yards for Tranmere, after 26 minutes. Wallace chipped into the area towards Quinn after 30 minutes, but it was just headed away. Mansfield took the lead after 34 minutes. Akins won a free kick down by the corner flag on the left. Quinn played it short, inside to Bowery, who returned it to Quinn. Quinn chipped a delightful cross into the six-yard box where Harbottle met it 5 yards out and turned it into the net. It wasn’t a clean header from Harbottle, he said it came off his shoulder into the net, but it doesn’t matter, they all count. Harbottle had his second goal of the season against Tranmere, and his fourth in total. Quinn is up to 5 assists this season, level with Maris and Hewitt (see my stats below). After 37 minutes, Turner-Cooked fired well wide from an improbable angle. Keillor-Dunn had more chances towards the end of the half. On 44 minutes, from Wallace’s ball forward, Keillor-Dunn got into the area and shot straight at the keeper. Then on 45+1 minutes, he sent a free kick from 22 yards just over the bar. In between those two chances, Hewitt put in a great cross, but it was just over Akins in the middle. The Stags were very good indeed in the first half and the only disappointment at half time was that they only led 1-0. Boos from some home fans at the break. Half time 0-1 Tranmere were off to a fast start in the second half. 15 seconds in, Perch had to make a great tackle inside the area. And 45 seconds in, Hawkes had the ball in the net, after a long ball played from the back that he ran on to, but the offside flag was long since up. The flag was up early, but it was tight. Former Premier League referee Chris Foy later examined the decision for skysports.com: Foy said: “This is a tight decision and one that is always difficult for an assistant referee given the ball travels a significant distance. On this occasion, I think the fact that the attacker is leaning to start his run forward may just put him in front of the second-last defender and in an offside position. It's a decision with fine margins, but one I would agree with.” After 47 minutes, Clarke sliced a shot wide for the Stags from 18 yards. Then on 52 minutes, a half opportunity for Akins in the box but he couldn’t get a shot away. It was 2-0 after 54 minutes as Keillor-Dunn got his first goal in a Stags shirt. Kilgour lifted a long ball forward from 20 yards inside his own half, Clarke ran on to it, but despite being sandwiched between two defenders, he headed the ball down, and lifted a left footed shot over keeper Murphy from 16 yards. The keeper did superbly to get finger tips on to it and turn it against the bar, and Keillor-Dunn was left to turn the rebound into the empty net. Tranmere defenders and keeper appealed for offside against Keillor-Dunn but he was fully 4 yards onside. Brilliant play from Clarke, who was only denied the goal by an outstanding save from 41 year old keeper Joe Murphy. And Keillor-Dunn was in the right place to turn the rebound in. After 55 minutes, the Stags were on the attack again as Hewitt got to the byline and crossed low towards Keillor-Dunn but it was put behind for a corner. At the other end on 59 minutes, a great header away by Kilgour from a cross in by Ethan Bristow. From the resulting corner, a great header away by Quinn, who was clattered in the process for a free kick. Harbottle was booked after 62 minutes for a foul on the touchline. Mansfield’s only booking of the game. Incidentally, Mansfield don’t have anyone close to a suspension through accumulation of bookings at the moment. After 64 minutes, a good ball forward by Jameson from the halfway line into the Stags area. A great first touch by sub Jake Burton to bring the ball down, but Perch got his body on the line to stop the shot. Great defending. It could have been 3-0 after 65 minutes, as the Stags were denied by another outstanding save from the keeper. Hewitt’s long throw-in from the right, was flicked on by Keillor-Dunn and came to Bowery, 7 yards out. Bowery struck it goalwards, into the ground, it deflected off defender Jameson, and the keeper stuck out his right hand to turn it away. A wonderful reflex stop, especially given the deflection. Four minutes later, a great move down the left involving Quinn, Bowery and Keillor-Dunn, and Keillor-Dunn fired just over the bar from 22 yards. Pym was out of his area after 71 minutes to head the ball away. On 74 minutes, Quinn lost the ball, but brilliantly won it straight back. He is playing superbly at the moment. A minute later, a superb challenge from Hewitt to win the ball on the half way line. Keillor-Dunn played a great ball forward for Quinn who sprinted into the area and played a little ball inside for Akins, but the keeper just got to the ball first. Brilliant from Hewitt, Keillor-Dunn and Quinn, great football. After 77 minutes, following a Tranmere corner, Jameson acrobatically overhead-kicked well wide. Mansfield made their first and only change after 77 minutes as Keillor-Dunn was replaced by Boateng. Keillor-Dunn has not played regular games this season and Clough said “he looked a bit tired”. Harbottle made a great block after giving the ball away after 78 minutes. It epitomised Mansfield’s spirit. Clarke gave the ball away after 89 minutes, and Tranmere won a corner. But following it, sub Chalmers’ shot nearly hit the corner flag. Clough shouted and gesticulated to Clarke his displeasure. Tranmere had huffed and puffed, but were kept at bay by good defending from Mansfield, and Pym in goal didn’t have a single save to make in the match. The Stags were comfortable winners with a brilliant performance from all 11 players. Super scenes at the end of the game as the players received applause from the fantastic travelling fans. Man of the match: Stephen Quinn Here’s a running tally of various stats this season: Goals (league and cup): Swan 9, Akins 7, Lapslie 7, Hawkins 5, Maris 5, Clarke 4, Harbottle 4, Oates 4, Kilgour 3, Bowery 2, Gale 1, Gordon 1, Hewitt 1, Keillor-Dunn, McLaughlin 1, Quinn 1. 1 OG Assists (league and cup): Lapslie 8, Hewitt 5, Maris 5, Quinn 5, Akins 4, Gordon 4, Keillor-Dunn 3, McLaughlin 3, Boateng 2, Clarke 2, Hartigan 2, Bowery 1, C.Johnson 1, Flinders 1, Hawkins 1, Law 1, Oates 1, 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, Bowery 1, Clarke 6, Harbottle 5, Hartigan 1, Hawkins 4, Keillor-Dunn 1, Lapslie 3, Law 1, Maris 5, McLaughlin 2, O’Toole 5, Oates 1, Perch 4, Pym 1, Quinn 6, Reed 1, Swan 2, Wallace 3. Red cards (league and cup): Boateng 1, Bowery 1, Maris 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) |
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Report by: Martin Shaw at Prenton Park
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Line Up:
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(3-5-2)
Pym 7 Didn’t have a save to make. Harbottle 8 Scored his 4th goal of the season, off his shoulder. Defended well, good block near the end. Kilgour 8 One great header away. Defended well. Good ball forward for Clarke to run on to for the second goal. Perch 8 In great form now after a difficult earlier part of the season. Great tackle at the start of the second half, and good block later on. Hewitt 8.5 Terrific game at right wing-back, getting very far forward. Dangerous crosses and long throws. Clarke 8 Absolutely brilliant play for the second goal. Wallace 8 Some fine forward balls. Really good defensively again. Quinn 9 Involved in plenty of great moves. Delightful assist for the first goal. When he lost the ball on one occasion he did brilliantly to win it straight back. One great header away from a corner. In superb form. Bowery 8 Involved in several good moves down the left. Only denied a goal by a wonderful reflex stop. Keillor-Dunn 8.5 Had several chances to score, and then did get his first Stags goal turning home a rebound after being in the right place at the right time. Some good corners. Akins 8 Another good game up front, and a handful for the defence. Won the free kick that led to the first goal. Beautiful cross created a chance for Quinn. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Boateng (for Keillor-Dunn, 78 mins) -
Subs not used: Flinders, Law, D. Johnson, Taylor Anderson, Darien Wauchope, McKeal Abdullah (replaced Maris after team sheet initially handed in). |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(4-4-2) Murphy; Dacres-Cogley, Davies, Jameson, Bristow; Hawkes, Hendry, O'Connor, Turner-Cooke (Chalmers 58); Saunders, Mumbongo (Burton 58). Subs not used: Hewelt, Fisher, Merrie, Nolan, Lewis.
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Referee:
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Lee Swabey 8 Very good game, barely noticed.
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