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An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Season 22/23 Stagsnet Match Report
English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Swindon Town  
2 - 4
 Mansfield Town
Hepburn-Murphy 3, Williams 86.
 
 Quinn 13, Akins 32, Oates 33, Boateng 65.
Attendance: 9,281 (587 from Mansfield)
 
Date: 7 April 2023

STAGS HIT 4 GOALS AGAIN & WIN AT SWINDON TO BREAK HOODOO

Martin Shaw at the County Ground

Mansfield Town scored four goals for the second successive game and won 4-2 at Swindon Town with a magnificent performance at the County Ground this afternoon. Mansfield had not won in the last 13 visits to Swindon: 11 defeats and 2 draws, and won today for the first time there since 1977. It was sensational stuff and considerable revenge for being beaten 5-2 by Swindon at the One Call Stadium in October.

On a beautiful sunny afternoon, Swindon took the lead after just 3 minutes. Rushian Hepburn-Murphy received a throw-in 35 yards from the Stags goal. He played the ball out to Remeao Hutton on the right. Hutton, level with the edge of the area, cut inside Stags left back Jordan Bowery onto his left foot, and chipped a cross into the middle, to the edge of the six yard box, where Hepburn-Murphy had made a late run into the box, not tracked by any Stags defenders, and Hepburn-Murphy headed past Pym into the bottom right corner of the net. A good goal. Perhaps Bowery could have done more to stop the cross, but he was to go on to have a very good game.

Mansfield equalised after 13 minutes with a tremendous goal. Ollie Clarke played the ball down the right to Elliott Hewitt. Hewitt played a great 1-2 with Rhys Oates, chipping the ball inside to Oates who volleyed down the line for Hewitt to run on to. Hewitt got to the byline and chipped a fabulous cross to the far post where Stephen Quinn was unmarked 8 yards from goal. Quinn headed into the bottom left corner of the net, challenged by George McEachran only just as he headed the ball in. Such a well-worked goal down the right. A lovely assist for Hewitt, his 7th assist of the season (see my stats below). Quinn’s first headed goal for Mansfield, and his second goal in total this season.

The Stags were so unlucky not to take the lead after 19 minutes as Quinn hit the post. Hewitt’s cross from the right was cleared to Quinn on the edge of the box and he thumped a left-footed volley against the post. Davis Keillor-Dunn fired the rebound straight at the keeper.

But Mansfield were in front after 32 minutes. And it was another very well-worked goal. Bowery played the ball into the area from the left to Lucas Akins, with his back to goal. Akins held off his marker, and fed the ball back to Hewitt 30 yards from goal. Hewitt chipped the ball into the area beyond the far post, where Keillor-Dunn controlled it nicely, pulled back to Quinn, level with the edge of the six yard box, just outside the six yard box on the left. Quinn took a touch to control the ball, then crossed low to the unmarked Akins at the right post and Akins side-footed into the empty net from two yards. A super goal. Swindon wouldn’t be happy that Akins, like Quinn for the first goal, was unmarked in the box. Akins’ 9th goal of the season, taking him level with the injured Will Swan as top scorer. Quinn’s 8th assist of the season.

And within a minute, the Stags were 3-1 in front. James Perch beat Charlie Austin to head the ball forward from just inside his own half. Quinn nicked the ball further forward and was fouled in the process by Saidou Khan. The referee played on. Clarke lifted the ball yet further forward for Akins to take the ball down on his chest on the edge of the area. Akins controlled it brilliantly and squared to the unmarked Rhys Oates 12 yards from goal. Oates took one touch and fired goalwards. It was going straight to the keeper, but it took a deflection off Joe Tomlinson which took it past the keeper into the net. A little bit of luck for the Stags, and for Oates, because it wouldn’t have gone in without the deflection. It was Oates goal though nonetheless because it was on target. Oates’ 5th goal of the season. And a terrific assist from Akins, his 6th of the season. The third Stags goalscorer to be left unmarked in the box by Swindon.

Oates limped off after 43 minutes, to be replaced by Hiram Boateng. After the game, Nigel Clough said “Rhys Oates felt his groin. I don’t think he will make it for Monday (against Rochdale).”

A chance for Akins after 40 minutes when he couldn’t control a drilled cross from Hewitt. At the other end after 45 minutes, Charlie Austin glanced a header well wide from 8 yards. It said a lot for the quality of the Stags performance that Austin barely touched the ball all game and that was his only half chance. Austin had been an incredible signing for Swindon in the January transfer window, and had already scored 8 goals for them.

Mansfield were forced into a second change at half time, with Clarke replaced by George Maris. Clarke had been about to go off after 35 minutes after getting a whack, but stayed on with Boateng about to come on, until a change of mind as Clarke carried on. After the game, Nigel Clough said: “Ollie Clarke got a couple of whacks. The one that prevented him from coming out for the second half was down the back of his Achilles, a little bit sore at the moment. We’ll see how he is for Monday (against Rochdale).”
Clarke is such a warrior for Mansfield that you know he will play through the pain on Monday if he possibly can.
Great to see Maris back from injury.

There was nearly a tap-in for Boateng after 47 minutes as Quinn got to the byline and crossed towards an unmarked Boateng in the six yard box but the keeper intercepted the cross.

Boateng made it 4-1 to Mansfield after 65 minutes. Swindon were knocking the ball in and around their own penalty area, and Keillor-Dunn and Akins were working hard to try to close them down. Frazer Blake-Tracy played the ball forward and Boateng nipped in to win it off Ronan Darcy 30 yards from goal. Boateng pushed forward to the edge of the D and curled a beautiful left footed shot into the bottom left corner of the net. It was Boateng’s first goal for Mansfield, after he was so unlucky hitting the bar last week, as well as being brought down when he should have be awarded a penalty. Boateng had scored a glorious goal in pre-season, but it hasn’t been quite happening for him in front of goal this season, until now. He is looking in good form. This was a sweet moment for him, in front of the Stags fans at that end of the ground.

Great control from Boateng after 67 minutes and he got into the area, but he couldn’t quite get his shot away.

Jason Law replaced Quinn after 69 minutes. Quinn had been booked, and with another game coming up quickly on Easter Monday, this was an opportunity to rest him for 20 minutes.

Callum Johnson returned from injury and replaced Hewitt after 74 minutes. Hewitt had been booked and it was a sensible precaution to rest him for the final 15 minutes. Great to have Callum Johnson back from injury. James Gale replaced Keillor-Dunn.

Law sent Gale away on the left after 85 minutes. Gale got into the area and fired in a shot but it was straight at the keeper.

Swindon pulled a consolation goal back after 86 minutes. Jonny Williams, who went to the World Cup with Wales in November, and scored two goals in the 5-2 win at Mansfield earlier in the season, had been surprisingly left on the bench by Swindon. Perhaps he wanted to avoid Ollie Clarke, who put in several “reducers” on Williams in the game at Mansfield last season and rendered him completely ineffective. Williams had come on as substitute after 70 minutes. McEachran dinked a great ball forward from inside the centre circle to the edge of the Stags six yard box. Williams got in behind the Stags defence, played onside by Alfie Kilgour, chested the ball down, and from 12 yards fired past Pym giving him no chance. A high class goal from Williams, who Mansfield were very glad was not selected to start the game.

Really good game management from Mansfield after that, with Pym making a good catch inside his area, and Law and Gale winning corners and throw-ins down the left to wind down the clock and not give the home side another opportunity to create a chance to score.

Magnificent from Mansfield, playing Swindon off the park and grabbing 3 more valuable points. So many superb performances throughout the side. Quinn with his goal, his assist, and a thumping shot against the post, was my man of the match. Akins was not far behind, leading the line superbly, scoring and a great assist for Oates’s goal. Clarke was brilliant again, a true warrior and leader by example. Wallace played very well in front of the back four. The back four were very solid, and Hewitt excellent coming forward including his brilliant assist for Quinn’s goal. And all the substitutes did really well. Boateng especially was terrific. Great to see Maris and Callum Johnson back from injury. The only downside of the day was the injuries to Oates and Clarke.

With Salford losing, Mansfield move back into the play-off positions, one point ahead of Salford with a game in hand. Meanwhile the Stags are 5 points behind 3rd placed Carlisle with a game in hand.

And Mansfield are now the top scorers in League Two, ahead of Salford and Carlisle.

The next game is at home to bottom club Rochdale on Easter Monday (3pm). Get to the game if you can, but if you can’t, as the game is on a Bank Holiday, you can buy a match pass to watch it with us on iFollow Stags. Rochdale’s form has improved with 3 wins in their last 6 games, including 4 goals against Walsall today. The Stags will look to attack them though surely, with Rochdale having conceded 61 goals this season, only Crawley and Hartlepool have conceded more.

DETAILED REPORT TO FOLLOW

Mansfield were unchanged from the side that beat Crawley. It was a 4-4-2 formation with diamond in midfield, with Wallace in front of the back four and Keillor-Dunn behind the front two. Callum Johnson and Maris were back from injury on the bench. Harbottle remained out with concussion, though he was warming up pre-match. Former Swindon man Louis Reed also hadn’t recovered from injury in time.

Swindon made two changes from the side that lost at Hartlepool. Wakeling was back from suspension, while Ronan Darcy replaced Jonny Williams. Perhaps Williams wanted to avoid Ollie Clarke, who put in several “reducers” on Williams in the game at Mansfield last season and rendered him completely ineffective. Swindon boss Jody Morris came into the game with only 9 points from 11 games since he was appointed at the end of January. Charlie Austin, their stellar January signing, had been nominated for League Two player of the month for March.

Swindon took the lead after just 3 minutes. Rushian Hepburn-Murphy received a throw-in 35 yards from the Stags goal. He played the ball out to Remeao Hutton on the right. Hutton, level with the edge of the area, cut inside Stags left back Jordan Bowery onto his left foot, and chipped a cross into the middle, to the edge of the six yard box, where Hepburn-Murphy had made a late run into the box, not tracked by any Stags defenders, and Hepburn-Murphy headed past Pym into the bottom right corner of the net. A good goal. Perhaps Bowery could have done more to stop the cross, but he was to go on to have a very good game.

Wallace did well to win the ball after 6 minutes but the ball went out for a goal kick.

After 11 minutes, Darcy fired well over the bar from 18 yards.

Mansfield equalised after 13 minutes with a tremendous goal. Ollie Clarke played the ball down the right to Elliott Hewitt. Hewitt played a great 1-2 with Rhys Oates, chipping the ball inside to Oates who volleyed down the line for Hewitt to run on to. Hewitt got to the byline and chipped a fabulous cross to the far post where Stephen Quinn was unmarked 8 yards from goal. Quinn headed into the bottom left corner of the net, challenged by George McEachran only just as he headed the ball in. Such a well-worked goal down the right. A lovely assist for Hewitt, his 7th assist of the season (see my stats below). Quinn’s first headed goal for Mansfield, and his second goal in total this season.

The Stags were so unlucky not to take the lead after 19 minutes as Quinn hit the post. Hewitt’s cross from the right was cleared to Quinn on the edge of the box and he thumped a left-footed volley against the post. Davis Keillor-Dunn fired the rebound straight at the keeper.

A good move from the Stags after 26 minutes, after Oates intercepted the ball, ended with Hewitt crossing but no-one on the end of it.

Mansfield were in front after 32 minutes. And it was another very well-worked goal. Bowery played the ball into the area from the left to Lucas Akins, with his back to goal. Akins held off his marker, and fed the ball back to Hewitt 30 yards from goal. Hewitt chipped the ball into the area beyond the far post, where Keillor-Dunn controlled it nicely, pulled back to Quinn, level with the edge of the six yard box, just outside the six yard box on the left. Quinn took a touch to control the ball, then crossed low to the unmarked Akins at the right post and Akins side-footed into the empty net from two yards. A super goal. Swindon wouldn’t be happy that Akins, like Quinn for the first goal, was unmarked in the box. Akins’ 9th goal of the season, taking him level with the injured Will Swan as top scorer. Quinn’s 8th assist of the season.

And within a minute, the Stags were 3-1 in front. James Perch beat Charlie Austin to head the ball forward from just inside his own half. Quinn nicked the ball further forward and was fouled in the process by Saidou Khan. The referee played on. Clarke lifted the ball yet further forward for Akins to take the ball down on his chest on the edge of the area. Akins controlled it brilliantly and squared to the unmarked Rhys Oates 12 yards from goal. Oates took one touch and fired goalwards. It was going straight to the keeper, but it took a deflection off Joe Tomlinson which took it past the keeper into the net. A little bit of luck for the Stags, and for Oates, because it wouldn’t have gone in without the deflection. It was Oates goal though nonetheless because it was on target. Oates’ 5th goal of the season. And a terrific assist from Akins, his 6th of the season. The third Stags goalscorer to be left unmarked in the box by Swindon.

It looked like Boateng would replace Clarke after 35 minutes, he was stripped and ready, but Clarke stayed on.

A chance for Akins after 40 minutes when he couldn’t control a drilled cross from Hewitt.

Hewitt was booked for a foul after 41 minutes. Remarkably his first league booking of the season.

Oates limped off after 43 minutes, to be replaced by Boateng. After the game, Nigel Clough said “Rhys Oates felt his groin. I don’t think he will make it for Monday (against Rochdale).”

After 45 minutes, Charlie Austin glanced a header well wide from 8 yards. It said a lot for the quality of the Stags performance that Austin barely touched the ball all game and that was his only half chance. Austin had been an incredible signing for Swindon in the January transfer window, and had already scored 8 goals for them.

Into stoppage time at the end of the first half and Kilgour headed away a free kick.

A fantastic first half for Mansfield after a terrible start.

Half time 1-3

Mansfield were forced into a second change at half time, with Clarke replaced by George Maris. Clarke had been about to go off after 35 minutes after getting a whack, but stayed on with Boateng about to come on, until a change of mind as Clarke carried on. After the game, Nigel Clough said: “Ollie Clarke got a couple of whacks. The one that prevented him from coming out for the second half was down the back of his Achilles, a little bit sore at the moment. We’ll see how he is for Monday (against Rochdale).”
Clarke is such a warrior for Mansfield that you know he will play through the pain on Monday if he possibly can.
Great to see Maris back from injury.

Akins was up front, with Boateng right and Keillor-Dunn left just behind him. Maris, Wallace and Quinn in midfield

There was nearly a tap-in for Boateng after 47 minutes as Quinn got to the byline and crossed towards an unmarked Boateng in the six yard box but the keeper intercepted the cross.

Quinn was booked for a foul on the edge of the Swindon area after 57 minutes.

Swindon took off Charlie Austin after 58 minutes. The Stags had kept him quiet bar one glancing header.

A Swindon cross into the Stags box after 59 minutes, with two players in the middle missing it.

Boateng made it 4-1 to Mansfield after 65 minutes. Swindon were knocking the ball in and around their own penalty area, and Keillor-Dunn and Akins were working hard to try to close them down. Frazer Blake-Tracy played the ball forward and Boateng nipped in to win it off Ronan Darcy 30 yards from goal. Boateng pushed forward to the edge of the D and curled a beautiful left footed shot into the bottom left corner of the net. It was Boateng’s first goal for Mansfield, after he was so unlucky hitting the bar last week, as well as being brought down when he should have be awarded a penalty. Boateng had scored a glorious goal in pre-season, but it hasn’t been quite happening for him in front of goal this season, until now. He is looking in good form. This was a sweet moment for him, in front of the Stags fans at that end of the ground.

Great control from Boateng after 67 minutes and he got into the area, but he couldn’t quite get his shot away.

Jason Law replaced Quinn after 69 minutes. Quinn had been booked, and with another game coming up quickly on Easter Monday, this was an opportunity to rest him for 20 minutes. Quinn had had a superb game.

Great play by Boateng on the right after 73 minutes, controlling a long free kick forward from Pym, getting into the area and his dangerous cross was cleared.

Callum Johnson returned from injury and replaced Hewitt after 74 minutes. Hewitt had been booked and it was a sensible precaution to rest him for the final 15 minutes. Great to have Callum Johnson back from injury. James Gale replaced Keillor-Dunn.

Good play between Gale and Boateng after 76 minutes. Gale crossed from the left, it reached Boateng, who crossed back in but it just evaded Gale. A minute later, a good run from Gale to win a free kick.

Pym was alert after 81 minutes, out quickly to boot into touch as Swindon threatened.

Law sent Gale away on the left after 85 minutes. Gale got into the area and fired in a shot but it was straight at the keeper.

Swindon pulled a consolation goal back after 86 minutes. Jonny Williams, who went to the World Cup with Wales in November, and scored two goals in the 5-2 win at Mansfield earlier in the season, had been surprisingly left on the bench by Swindon. Perhaps he wanted to avoid Ollie Clarke, who put in several “reducers” on Williams in the game at Mansfield last season and rendered him completely ineffective. Williams had come on as substitute after 70 minutes. McEachran dinked a great ball forward from inside the centre circle to the edge of the Stags six yard box. Williams got in behind the Stags defence, played onside by Alfie Kilgour, chested the ball down, and from 12 yards fired past Pym giving him no chance. A high class goal from Williams, who Mansfield were very glad was not selected to start the game.

A good catch by Pym at full stretch after 88 minutes, just what you want from your keeper

Really good game management from Mansfield with Law and Gale winning corners and throw-ins down the left to wind down the clock and not give the home side another opportunity to create a chance to score.

Magnificent from Mansfield, playing Swindon off the park and grabbing 3 more valuable points. So many superb performances throughout the side. Quinn with his goal, his assist, and a thumping shot against the post, was my man of the match. Akins was not far behind, leading the line superbly, scoring and a great assist for Oates’s goal. Clarke was brilliant again, a true warrior and leader by example. Wallace played very well in front of the back four. The back four were very solid, and Hewitt excellent coming forward including his brilliant assist for Quinn’s goal. And all the substitutes did really well. Boateng especially was terrific. Great to see Maris and Callum Johnson back from injury. The only downside of the day was the injuries to Oates and Clarke.

Man of the match: Stephen Quinn

Here’s a running tally of various stats this season:

Goals (league and cup): Akins 9, Swan 9, Lapslie 7, Clarke 5, Harbottle 5, Hawkins 5, Keillor-Dunn 5, Maris 5, Oates 5, Kilgour 4, Bowery 3, Quinn 2, Boateng 1, Gale 1, Gordon 1, D.Johnson 1, Hewitt 1, McLaughlin 1. 1 OG

Assists (league and cup): Lapslie 8, Quinn 8, Hewitt 7, Akins 6, Maris 5, Gordon 4, Boateng 3, Keillor-Dunn 3, McLaughlin 3, Clarke 2, C.Johnson 2, Hartigan 2, Oates 2, Bowery 1, Flinders 1, Hawkins 1, Law 1, Perch 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 2, Clarke 8, Gale 1, Harbottle 6, Hartigan 1, Hawkins 4, Hewitt 1, Keillor-Dunn 1, D.Johnson 1, Lapslie 3, Law 2, Maris 5, McLaughlin 2, O’Toole 5, Oates 1, Perch 5, Pym 2, Quinn 9, Reed 1, Swan 2, Wallace 5.
Red cards (league and cup): Boateng 1, Bowery 1, Maris 1, Perch, Quinn 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)


Report by: Martin Shaw at the County Ground



Line Up:
(4-4-2, diamond in midfield)
Pym 7 A good catch and alert to get out to make a good clearance. Not at fault for the goals.
Hewitt 9 Very solid, and excellent coming forward including his brilliant assist for Quinn’s goal.
Kilgour 7.5 Very solid.
Perch 7.5 Also very solid. Started the move that led to the third goal.
Bowery 7 Could have done better with the first Swindon goal. After that, he played well.
Wallace 8 Played very well in front of the back four.
Clarke 9 Brilliant again, a true warrior and leader by example. Had to go off at half time after battling on.
Quinn 9.5 My man of the match, with his goal, his assist, and a thumping shot against the post.
Keillor-Dunn 7 Good play in the build-up to the second goal. Worked hard closing the defenders down.
Oates 8 Good play in the build-up to the first goal. Got a bit lucky with his goal which was deflected. Limped off after 43 minutes.
Akins 9 Led the line superbly, scoring, and a great assist for Oates’s goal.
Sub Line Up:
Boateng (for Oates, 43 mins) 8 Terrific, including his first goal for Mansfield.
Maris (for Clarke, 46 mins) 7.5 Great to see him back from injury.
Law (for Quinn, 69 mins) - Did well when coming on.
C.Johnson (for Hewitt, 74 mins) - Also great to see him back from injury.
Gale (for Keillor-Dunn, 74 mins) - Good game management, winning set pieces. One shot at the keeper.
Subs not used: Flinders, D.Johnson.
Opposition Line Up:
(4-4-2): Brynn; Hutton (Kadji, 56), Brewitt, Blake-Tracy, Tomlinson; Khan (Shade, 56), McEachran, Darcy (Cain, 82); Wakeling (Williams, 70), Austin (Lavinier, 56), Hepburn-Murphy. Subs not used: Adeloye, Brann.
Referee:
Thomas Parsons 8 Very good game.


Season 22/23 Reports