Season 22/23 Stagsnet Match Report
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Grimsby Town
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Mansfield Town
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Lloyd 52.
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Bowery 39.
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Attendance: 7,088 (1236 from Mansfield)
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Date: 15 April 2023
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STAGS DRAW WITH GRIMSBY
Martin Shaw at Blundell Park Mansfield Town drew 1-1 at Grimsby Town yesterday. A frustrating result for the Stags. In a one-sided first half, Mansfield were deservedly ahead through a Jordan Bowery goal, and had 6 shots to none from Grimsby, who barely got anywhere near the Stags penalty area. The second half was even, Grimsby equalised when a penalty was saved by Christy Pym but the rebound was knocked in. Both sides could have won it, with Pym making a good save from Lloyd, but Mansfield should have had a penalty in stoppage time, and on the basis that the Stags were so much the better side in the first half and the second half was even, I think the Stags would have just about deserved a victory. Mansfield were once again without 8 players through injury. The news that Ollie Clarke will be out “for a few weeks” is yet another massive blow. Rhys Oates was initially named on the subs bench, but had to pull out. Stephen McLaughlin was at least able to come on for the last few minutes, a welcome return, but was only capable of a maximum of ten minutes. With Callum Johnson now fit, and James Gale having been ill, Gale was on the bench, and Jordan Bowery moved further forward, on the right of Lucas Akins, with Davis Keillor-Dunn on the left. Callum Johnson was at right back, as Elliott Hewitt switched to left back in a 4-3-3 formation. The first half was completely one-sided. Grimsby barely got near the Stags penalty area and didn’t have a single shot, while Mansfield had 6 shots. Mansfield were deservedly in front after 39 minutes. Hewitt crossed from the left, Bowery took the ball down beautifully 10 yards from goal, and then volleyed goalwards. Keeper Max Crocombe got down to his left and got a hand on it but couldn’t keep it out. In truth the keeper probably should have done better, but it was a fine goal from Bowery, with good play to control the ball then volley it. His 4th goal of the season and his first since February but he has been playing wing-back or full-back most of that time. Hewitt’s 8th assist of the season (see my stats below), equal top in the assists table with Quinn and Lapslie. Grimsby equalised after 52 minutes. Otis Khan chipped the ball in behind the Stags defence, George Lloyd ran on to it, getting away from Callum Johnson, knocked the ball past Pym and was brought down by Pym as Pym tried to get the ball. A definite penalty. A yellow card for Pym as he tried to get the ball. Callum Johnson got caught out and should have done better. Nigel Clough put it down to rustiness on Callum Johnson’s part, having been out injured. Khan took the penalty and Pym made a brilliant save, diving to his right. Lloyd though headed the rebound into the net. Nigel Clough said his defenders should have been more alive to the rebound. That is right and Boateng and Kilgour could have been quicker. But a view of the video shows that Lloyd was a yard inside the area when Khan struck the penalty, and it should have been retaken. Really unlucky for Pym anyway, who got no reward for his excellent penalty save. The rest of the half panned out evenly. Pym made a magnificent save after 64 minutes, as Harry Clifton sent Lloyd through 1-on-1. Lloyd shot from the edge of the area, and Pym dived to his left to push away the shot one-handed. Lucas Akins made a brilliant run forward after 74 minutes to the edge of the area, and his low left footed shot was well-saved, pushed away by Crocombe. Mansfield thought they were awarded a penalty after 72 minutes, as Bowery was brought down, just outside the box. From my position in the press box, the referee appeared to point towards the penalty spot, but he was pointing at the player who had brought him down to give him a yellow card. The foul was just outside the box and Davis Keillor-Dunn fired the free kick into the wall. Keillor-Dunn wasted a number of good positions in the second half. Mansfield made three changes after 89 minutes, bringing on Law, Gale and McLaughlin. Some Mansfield fans on social media have criticised Nigel Clough for not making changes earlier, but Oates had been removed from the bench, Gale had been ill, and Danny Johnson had been ineffective in his recent time on the pitch (since AFC Wimbledon), hence in my opinion the 11 on the pitch were best placed to find a winner, as the Stags kept pushing forward to the very end. Law would be the only one I might have brought on earlier. With a fit Swan, or a fit Oates, or even Gale not having been ill, it would have been completely different in terms of substitutions clearly. As it was, Mansfield should have been awarded a penalty after 90+2 minutes. A free kick from just inside his own half from Pym was flicked on by Akins, and Bowery got goalside of his defender Anthony Glennon just outside the six yard box. As Bowery was looking to shoot, Glennon made contact with him, was nowhere near getting the ball, and brought Bowery down. The referee gave a goal kick, as Glennon feigned injury. A poor decision from the referee, who was bad in the game, for both sides. So Mansfield were denied an opportunity to win the game at the death With Salford losing at home to Colchester, the point moved Mansfield back into 7th place, level with Salford on points, with a game in hand, and above Salford on the basis of having scored more goals. Indeed Mansfield are the top scorers in League Two, with one goal more than Salford. The Stags are 7 games unbeaten, but 5 of those were draws, and at least a couple of those draws should have been wins with better finishing. The Stags move on to Newport County on Tuesday night. Graham Coughlan will of course have a point to prove. But Mansfield need the points. If you’re not travelling to Newport, you can buy a match pass to watch the game with us on iFollow Stags. DETAILED REPORT TO FOLLOW It was a beautiful sunny day in Cleethorpes, and warmer than of late. Mansfield made two changes from the side that drew with Rochdale: Wallace came in for the injured Maris as he did during the first half against Rochdale; Callum Johnson came in for Gale. Gale had been ill in the week. Gale was on the bench. Mansfield were once again without 8 players through injury (Swan, Hartigan, O’Toole, Clarke, Maris, Reed, Oates, McLaughlin who was only able to play 10 minutes). The news that Ollie Clarke will be out “for a few weeks” is yet another massive blow. Rhys Oates was initially named on the subs bench, but had to pull out. Clough explained: “Rhys trained for 10 minutes yesterday and had a very stiff groin. He did the warm-up today but said he couldn't even go on for five or 10 minutes. So we will have to see how that settles down.” Oates was replaced by Abdullah on the bench. Stephen McLaughlin was back from injury on the bench, and he was at least able to come on for the last few minutes, a welcome return, but was only capable of a maximum of ten minutes, according to Clough. Jordan Bowery moved further forward, on the right of Lucas Akins, with Davis Keillor-Dunn on the left. Callum Johnson was at right back, as Elliott Hewitt switched to left back in a 4-3-3 formation. On Danny Johnson not starting or even coming on as sub, Nigel Clough said after the game: "Danny's not had the impact we'd hoped he'd have in recent games." Grimsby have a more or less fully fit squad and were able to rest players, including Luke Waterfall. Another former Stag Otis Khan started on the left. Mansfield had only played four games since the teams last met, winning 2 and drawing 2. Grimsby had had a remarkable season in the FA Cup but were mid-table in League Two and their home form was one of their worst in the league. A bad challenge inside the opening minute from Michee Efete on Quinn on the touchline. Efete was booked. Keillor-Dunn took the resulting free kick, over everyone for a goal-kick. Disappointing delivery. Nearly a chance for Quinn after 8 minutes: a ball forward from Akins, Quinn tried to nick it past the keeper as he came out, the keeper missed it, but he was able to retrieve the ball before Quinn could get to it. Great play from Akins to win a corner after 13 minutes. From Keillor-Dunn’s corner, Hewitt headed wide at the near post. A minute later, Boateng found Akins on the edge of the area. Akins cut inside and sent a left-footed curling shot just over the angle of bar and post. At the other end, a rare break by Grimsby, and a good interception by Boateng as Khan broke forward. Quinn had a shot blocked from a Keillor-Dunn cross after 22 minutes. Perch did well to head behind an Efete cross after 27 minutes. Hewitt was booked for a foul on Efete after 28 minutes. Just his second league booking of the season; his first was last week. Mansfield were deservedly in front after 39 minutes. Hewitt crossed from the left, Bowery took the ball down beautifully 10 yards from goal, and then volleyed goalwards. Keeper Max Crocombe got down to his left and got a hand on it but couldn’t keep it out. In truth the keeper probably should have done better, but it was a fine goal from Bowery, with good play to control the ball then volley it. His 4th goal of the season and his first since February but he has been playing wing-back or full-back most of that time. Hewitt’s 8th assist of the season (see my stats below), equal top in the assists table with Quinn and Lapslie. After 42 minutes, Callum Johnson crossed from the right, Quinn met it first time but fired high over the bar. Then on 45+2 minutes, Keillor-Dunn fired an optimistic shot from 38 yards over the bar. That came after the referee played on after Boateng threw Otis Khan to the ground. The home fans had already been booing the referee and this brought them to a crescendo at half time. The Stags by far the better side in the first half. The first half was completely one-sided. Grimsby barely got near the Stags penalty area and didn’t have a single shot, while Mansfield had 6 shots. Grimsby boss Paul Hurst said after the game: “To say I wasn’t happy with the first half would be a bit of an understatement.” Half time 0-1 Grimsby wanted a penalty after 51 minutes as Brynn Morris’s shot was blocked by Kilgour on the edge of the area. The referee wasn’t interested. Grimsby equalised after 52 minutes. Otis Khan chipped the ball in behind the Stags defence, George Lloyd ran on to it, getting away from Callum Johnson, knocked the ball past Pym and was brought down by Pym as Pym tried to get the ball. A definite penalty. A yellow card for Pym as he tried to get the ball. Callum Johnson got caught out and should have done better. Nigel Clough put it down to rustiness on Callum Johnson’s part, having been out injured. Khan took the penalty and Pym made a brilliant save, diving to his right. Lloyd though headed the rebound into the net. Nigel Clough said his defenders should have been more alive to the rebound. That is right and Boateng and Kilgour could have been quicker. But a view of the video shows that Lloyd was a yard inside the area when Khan struck the penalty, and it should have been retaken. Really unlucky for Pym anyway, who got no reward for his excellent penalty save. Grimsby level when they’d done nothing really all game. After 55 minutes, Lloyd’s shot from 14 yards was easily saved by Pym under his bar. A minute later, a good run from Khan to the edge of the area and he shot just wide. Akins was brought down 23 yards out, just to the right of centre. A good position for a free kick. Boateng sent it over the bar. A shot from Kieran Green from the edge of the area was blocked by Kilgour after 59 minutes. Another shot from Boateng after 62 minutes, low from the edge of the area, and keeper Crocombe saved low on his line. Khan shot high and wide after 64 minutes. Pym made a magnificent save after 64 minutes, as Harry Clifton sent Lloyd through 1-on-1. Lloyd shot from the edge of the area, and Pym dived to his left to push away the shot one-handed. A good move from the Stags after 66 minutes, and Keillor-Dunn fired over the bar from 12 yards. Quinn got an important header away in his own box after 70 minutes. Mansfield thought they were awarded a penalty after 72 minutes, as Bowery was brought down by Niall Maher, just outside the box. From my position in the press box, the referee appeared to point towards the penalty spot, but he was pointing at the player who had brought him down to give him a yellow card. The foul was just outside the box and Davis Keillor-Dunn fired the free kick into the wall. Keillor-Dunn wasted a number of good positions in the second half. Moments later, from Keillor-Dunn’s cross from the right, Quinn headed wide. Lucas Akins made a brilliant run forward after 74 minutes to the edge of the area, and his low left footed shot was well-saved, pushed away by Crocombe. At the other end after 77 minutes, Lloyd toe-poked wide after some pinball in the box, after an apparent foul on Kilgour wasn’t given. After 80 minutes, Keillor-Dunn got into the area and fired in a shot, on target, that was deflected for a corner. From the resulting corner, Wallace had a shot blocked. A minute later, Keillor-Dunn cut into the area again, and his shot was blocked again. Wallace was booked for a late tackle after 88 minutes, 25 yards from goal. Glennon’s free kick was well over the bar. Mansfield made three changes after 89 minutes, bringing on Law, Gale and McLaughlin, for Boateng, Keillor-Dunn and Quinn. Some Mansfield fans on social media have criticised Nigel Clough for not making changes earlier, but Oates had been removed from the bench, Gale had been ill, and Danny Johnson had been ineffective in his recent time on the pitch (since AFC Wimbledon), hence in my opinion the 11 on the pitch were best placed to find a winner, as the Stags kept pushing forward to the very end. Law would be the only one I might have brought on earlier. With a fit Swan, or a fit Oates, or even Gale not having been ill, it would have been completely different in terms of substitutions clearly. Great defending from Perch after 90 minutes, shepherding the ball out under pressure. After 90+1 minutes, Gavan Holohan’s shot from 20 yards was easily saved by Pym. Mansfield should have been awarded a penalty after 90+2 minutes. A free kick from just inside his own half from Pym was flicked on by Akins, and Bowery got goalside of his defender Anthony Glennon just outside the six yard box. As Bowery was looking to shoot, Glennon made contact with him, was nowhere near getting the ball, and brought Bowery down. The referee gave a goal kick, as Glennon feigned injury. On the touchline, Clough was screaming for a penalty. A poor decision from the referee, who was bad in the game, for both sides. So Mansfield were denied an opportunity to win the game at the death. Update: pitchside footage from close to the incident confirms it was a stonewall penalty, with Glennon’s legs going through the back of Bowery’s legs putting him off balance and causing him to stumble over. After that, the Grimsby management team in the technical area in front of me were telling their players to slow the game down, clearly happy to settle for a point. Mansfield were anything but settling for a point and ended the game frustrated. The second half was even. 10 shots from Grimsby (including two for the penalty incident), 9 shots from Mansfield. On to Newport. Man of the match: Jordan Bowery/Christy Pym 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, Bowery 4, Kilgour 4, Boateng 2, Quinn 2, Gale 1, Gordon 1, D.Johnson 1, Hewitt 1, McLaughlin 1. 1 OG Assists (league and cup): Hewitt 8, Lapslie 8, Quinn 8, Akins 7, 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 2, Keillor-Dunn 1, D.Johnson 1, Lapslie 3, Law 2, Maris 5, McLaughlin 2, O’Toole 5, Oates 1, Perch 6, Pym 3, Quinn 9, Reed 1, Swan 2, Wallace 6. 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) |
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Report by: Martin Shaw at Blundell Park
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Line Up:
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(4-3-3)
Pym 8 Brilliant save from the penalty but got no reward as the rebound was knocked in. Also made a magnificent save from Lloyd. C.Johnson 6 Got caught out and should have done better with the penalty. Nigel Clough put it down to rustiness on Callum Johnson’s part, having been out injured. Otherwise did ok. Kilgour 6.5 Could have been quicker off the mark as the penalty was taken. Got in a couple of blocks. Perch 7 Some good pieces of defending. Hewitt 7.5 Switched to left back. Got his 8th assist of the season. Boateng 6.5 Like Kilgour, could have been quicker off the mark as the penalty was taken. One poor free kick, over the bar. Wallace 6 Did ok. Quinn 6.5 Not at his influential best. One good header away. Bowery 8 Scored a fine goal, albeit the keeper should have done better. Won a free kick on the edge of the box. Should have been awarded a penalty in stoppage time. Akins 7.5 Good game. One great run and shot. Keillor-Dunn 5 Wasted a number of good positions. Also some poor set pieces. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Law (for Boateng, 89 mins) -
Gale (for Keillor-Dunn, 89 mins) - McLaughlin (for Quinn, 89 mins) - Subs not used: Flinders, Harbottle, D.Johnson, McKeal Abdullah (replaced Oates 10 minutes before kick-off). |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(4-3-3): Crocombe; Efete, Smith, Maher, Gallacher (Glennon, 46); Morris (Holohan, 67), Green (Khouri, 85), Clifton; Lloyd, Taylor (Orsi, 67), Khan (McAtee, 85). Subs not used: Emmanuel, Hunt.
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Referee:
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Neil Hair 4 Poor decision not to award Mansfield a penalty in stoppage time. Missed encroachment of Lloyd inside the area when the Grimsby penalty was taken as Lloyd went on to knock in the rebound. Some other terrible decisions for both sides, including missing Boateng blatantly throwing Khan to the ground just before half time.
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