Season 18/19 Stagsnet Match Report
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Mansfield Town
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Accrington Stanley
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Walker pen 9, pen 13, 45+2, Khan 16, Rose 66, Hamilton 90+3.
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Finlay 6.
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Attendance: 1565 (76 from Accrington)
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Date: 14 August 2018
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STUNNING STAGS STICK SIX PAST STANLEY
Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill Mansfield Town produced a memorable performable, one of the best in living memory, to swamp bogey side Accrington Stanley 6-1 in the League Cup at the One Call Stadium last night. Both sides had made changes from their most recent league games, Accrington 6 and Mansfield 4, but the quality of much of Mansfield’s play was there to behold as the Stags knocked in six goals and in truth it could have been ten. Since Accrington had reformed as a club, the two sides had played 14 times in the league, with Accrington winning 10, 4 draws and not a single win for Mansfield. However in the cups, Mansfield had won the only meeting between the sides, thanks to a Richie Barker penalty in 2006 in the FA Cup. The Stags made a bright start with two early entries into the Accrington box, including a great 1-2 between CJ Hamilton and Calum Butcher on the right, and then Hamilton setting up Mal Benning for a shot into the side netting. But it was Accrington who took the lead on 6 minutes as Sean McConville, one of the players of the season in League Two last season, laid a nice ball forward to Sam Finlay who turned Hayden White a little too easily, held White and Hamilton off, and fired across understudy keeper Bobby Olejnik and into the right corner of the net. A fine goal for Accrington, but weak defending from White. The Stags had gone behind at Yeovil after 6 minutes on Saturday through weak defending, and equalised on 9 minutes. And exactly the same thing happened here on 9 minutes. Calum Butcher played a wonderful ball forward with the outside of his right foot for Tyler Walker to run on to in the area, Walker took one touch to go around the keeper on the right, went to hurdle the keeper and was brought down for a stonewall penalty. Walker himself got up and sent the penalty kick just to the left of centre as the keeper dived the wrong way. Four minutes later, Mansfield had another penalty. Hamilton took a throw-in from 5 yards from the corner flag on the right, along the byline. Butcher tried to turn his man Scott Brown as the ball went past him and was brought down. The linesman, who had a great view, immediately flagged for a penalty, and the referee pointed to the spot. From my position, it looked like a foul. After the game, Accrington boss John Coleman bemoaned the decision. I think he should turn his frustration towards Scott Brown for a needless foul. Walker stepped up again and sent the penalty down the left again, this time further into the corner, with the keeper diving the wrong way again. Incredibly it was 3-1 after just 16 minutes. A nice ball down the line from Pearce, and fabulous play from Butcher on the right wing to nick the ball past Mark Hughes, power forward to level with the edge of the area on the right, and then slide the ball across to Otis Khan, who took one great touch to create an easy shooting chance for himself and then lifted the ball into the left corner of the net. Good from Pearce, magnificent from Butcher, and clinical from Khan. Accrington boss Coleman smashed the ball away in frustration to pick up the first yellow card ever by a manager in a Stags game, following the new rules this season. Even better was to come. On 45+2 minutes, Benning won the ball on the left touchline, with superb pressing that has typified Mansfield’s game this season and pre-season, laid forward to Khan who carried on the run down the left and from level with the six yard box on the left crossed to Walker, on the edge of the six yard box, who back-flicked with his left boot past the keeper. A stunning finish and wait until you see it on our superb pitchside footage (*). It was very reminiscent of Lee Angol’s goal at Wycombe last season. A first half hat-trick for Walker. (*) note that the pitchside footage and club videos cannot be released until midnight on Wednesday, 12 hours later than for a league game, due to broadcasting rights. 4-1 to the Stags at the break. Wow, this was just brilliant attacking. On 65 minutes, Danny Rose was brought on as substitute, for Walker. Rapturous applause for Walker of course for his first half hat-trick, and almost unanimous applause for Rose, with a few isolated boos. I had said in commentary that the Rose situation was nothing that a goal and an apology could not sort out. I didn’t expect a goal with a minute! Well, 78 seconds to be exact. Jacob Mellis played a sumptuous ball forward from the halfway line for Hamilton (now at left wing-back) to run on to on the left side of the area, Hamilton slid a perfect ball across the box for Rose to side foot into the net from 8 yards. Rose also held his hands up in apology to spectators on a number of occasions during the evening. Welcome back Danny. It couldn’t get any better could it? Well yes it could actually with one of the finest goals ever scored by Mansfield. During stoppage time at the end of the game, the Stags kept possession of the ball with Accrington not able to get a touch on it. 1 minute and 18 seconds in total, and 26 passes without Accrington touching it, as finally Mellis made a run forward, played a 1-2 with Rose, and then laid off to Hamilton to blast past the keeper. Simply incredible and I’ve run out of adjectives to describe it. Accrington boss John Coleman described it as “one of the best goals I’ve ever seen as Mansfield kept the ball for about 60 passes”. 6-1. Incredible. Mansfield’s biggest ever win in the League Cup. The draw for Round 2 is on Thursday. It’s back to the league action on Saturday at home to Colchester. If you missed last night’s game, don’t miss the action on Saturday. Because the Stags might be onto something special here. Mansfield made four changes from the side that drew at Yeovil. One enforced change as Matt Preston is not allowed to play and specifically to head the ball for 7 days due to the “enhanced care pathway” which includes the concussion protocol as described by physio Lizzie. Preston suffered concussion in the Yeovil game. Preston will be allowed to play on Saturday against Colchester. Rested were Conrad Logan, Neal Bishop and Craig Davies. In came Ryan Sweeney for Preston, Sweeney’s debut on loan from Stoke for the season, Bobby Olejnik in for Logan, Jacob Mellis for Bishop, and Calum Butcher for Davies. Mansfield lined up in what I can best describe as a 3-4-2-1 formation: Olejnik; White, Pearce, Sweeney (left of the three); Hamilton, MacDonald, Mellis, Benning; Butcher, Khan; Walker (but Butcher and Khan pushing forward so Walker not isolated, so almost a 3-4-3). A return to the squad for Danny Rose, for the first time this season including pre-season, following his toe injury and then transfer request. I expect Rose to stay at the club now. David Flitcroft accused Peterborough of manipulating, lying to and misleading Rose into putting in a transfer request, saying that Peterborough had told Rose that his transfer valuation had been met when it hadn’t. Accrington were without Billy Kee, whose partner had given birth to their second child on the morning of the game. They had two debutants in defence, Matthew Platt on loan from Blackburn, and Will Wood, signed from Southampton. The Stags made a bright start with two early entries into the Accrington box. Firstly a great 1-2 between CJ Hamilton and Calum Butcher on the right, into the box, but Hamilton just overran the ball rather than shoot. Then a good move, Hamilton moved across the edge of the box to set up Mal Benning for a shot into the side netting. But it was Accrington who took the lead on 6 minutes as Sean McConville, one of the players of the season in League Two last season, laid a nice ball forward to Sam Finlay who turned Hayden White a little too easily, held White and Hamilton off, and fired across understudy keeper Bobby Olejnik and into the right corner of the net. A fine goal for Accrington, but weak defending from White. On 8 minutes, there was a clear bad foul on Mellis, not given by the referee. The Stags had gone behind at Yeovil after 6 minutes on Saturday through weak defending, and equalised on 9 minutes. And exactly the same thing happened here on 9 minutes. Calum Butcher played a wonderful ball forward with the outside of his right foot for Tyler Walker to run on to in the area, Walker took one touch to go around the keeper on the right, went to hurdle the keeper and was brought down for a stonewall penalty. Walker himself got up and sent the penalty kick just to the left of centre as the keeper dived the wrong way. Four minutes later, Mansfield had another penalty. Hamilton took a throw-in from 5 yards from the corner flag on the right, along the byline. Butcher tried to turn his man Scott Brown as the ball went past him and was brought down. The linesman, who had a great view, immediately flagged for a penalty, and the referee pointed to the spot. From my position, it looked like a foul. After the game, Accrington boss John Coleman bemoaned the decision. I think he should turn his frustration towards Scott Brown for a needless foul. Walker stepped up again and sent the penalty down the left again, this time further into the corner, with the keeper diving the wrong way again. On 14 minutes, Hamilton cut inside and found Mellis inside the D, who side footed a good chance over the bar. Incredibly it was 3-1 after just 16 minutes. A nice ball down the line from Pearce, and fabulous play from Butcher on the right wing to nick the ball past Mark Hughes, power forward to level with the edge of the area on the right, and then slide the ball across to Otis Khan, who took one great touch to create an easy shooting chance for himself and then lifted the ball into the left corner of the net. Good from Pearce, magnificent from Butcher, and clinical from Khan. Accrington boss Coleman smashed the ball away in frustration to pick up the first yellow card ever by a manager in a Stags game, following the new rules this season. On 25 minutes, a good catch by Olejnik from a chipped cross. Mellis was booked for a late tackle on McConville on 28 minutes. The booking was fair, but the foul earlier on Mellis was similarly worthy of a yellow, and wasn’t even given as a foul. A minute later, Mingoia was booked for a foul on Mellis, to ironic cheers from the home fans. Olejnik got into a mess on 36 minutes, but recovered partially to concede a corner by tackling McConville. Benning was booked for virtually nothing on 41 minutes. Flitcroft looked bemused. On 43 minutes, Walker had a shot at goal from the edge of the box, but he didn’t catch it well and it was an easy save for keeper Maxted. Two minutes later, Walker got past his man on the left despite being fouled. The referee failed to play advantage, and simply booked the Accrington man. Khan’s free kick was just over Ryan Sweeney at the far post. After the stunning play we’d already seen, even better was to come. On 45+2 minutes, Benning won the ball on the left touchline, with superb pressing that has typified Mansfield’s game this season and pre-season, laid forward to Khan who carried on the run down the left and from level with the six yard box on the left crossed to Walker, on the edge of the six yard box, who back-flicked with his left boot past the keeper. A stunning finish and wait until you see it on our superb pitchside footage. It was very reminiscent of Lee Angol’s goal at Wycombe last season. A first half hat-trick for Walker. 4-1 to the Stags at the break. Wow, this was just brilliant attacking. Half time 4-1 Atkinson replaced Benning at the break. Benning had been harshly booked in the first half. Atkinson slotted in at right wing-back, Hamilton moved to left wing-back. On 49 minutes, Zanzala, who had a hopeless game up front for Accrington, was through 1-on-1 but sent his shot closer to the corner flag than the net. On 51 minutes, a double chance for the Stags as Walker’s shot was blocked and then so was MacDonald’s after some great approach play. Straight to the other end, and a good tackle by Pearce on Zanzala. Danny Rose was cheered as he warmed up. MacDonald chipped a great ball forward on 54 minutes, but Butcher was adjudged offside. He looked onside and would have been through on goal. Great play by Khan on 56 minutes, to set up a chance for Walker, and Walker curled a right foot shot just over the bar. Olejnik was called into action on 58 minutes, with a great save tipping over Mingoia’s shot from 30 yards. Sterling-James replaced Khan on 60 minutes. McConville was subbed on 64 minutes, and started to get involved verbally with a fan behind the dugout before quick intervention from both managers Coleman and Flitcroft to prevent an incident. Jordan Clark cut inside from the left and shot wide in a rare chance for Accrington on 64 minutes. On 65 minutes, Danny Rose was brought on as substitute, for Walker. Rapturous applause for Walker of course for his first half hat-trick, and almost unanimous applause for Rose, with a few isolated boos. I had said in commentary that the Rose situation was nothing that a goal and an apology could not sort out. I didn’t expect a goal with a minute! Well, 78 seconds to be exact. Jacob Mellis played a sumptuous ball forward from the halfway line for Hamilton (now at left wing-back) to run on to on the left side of the area, Hamilton slid a perfect ball across the box for Rose to side foot into the net from 8 yards. Rose also held his hands up in apology to spectators on a number of occasions during the evening. Welcome back Danny. A mistake by Sweeney on 71 minutes as he tried to shepherd the ball out, the ball was never going to go out, but he got away with it. MacDonald sent in a great cross which Butcher acrobatically volleyed straight at the keeper. Jordan Clark went down in the area with a blatant dive on 82 minutes, with the referee waving away the claims. On 83 minutes, Sterling-James whipped in a good ball, a defender made a mess of it, Rose got a touch on it, but the keeper was able to claim at his feet. At the other end a minute later, a good header away by Pearce for a corner. Then Mingoia sent a pea-roller wide of the left post. It was nearly 6-1 on 85 minutes. Hamilton made a great run, Sterling-James laid off to Mellis whose powerful shot was heading for the top corner before it was tipped wide. On 88 minutes, a shot from MacDonald was on target and blocked. The Stags were rampant. Then a chance for Rose which he volleyed over the bar, over the stand, and it ended up in Peterborough. Another great move on 90+1 minutes, involving Atkinson and White, and White’s ball in found Sterling-James who he miscued a really good chance straight to the keeper. After all we’d seen, it couldn’t get any better could it? Well yes it could actually with one of the finest goals ever scored by Mansfield. During stoppage time at the end of the game, the Stags kept possession of the ball with Accrington not able to get a touch on it. 1 minute and 18 seconds in total, and 26 passes without Accrington touching it, as finally Mellis made a run forward, played a 1-2 with Rose, and then laid off to Hamilton to blast past the keeper. Simply incredible and I’ve run out of adjectives to describe it. Accrington boss John Coleman described it as “one of the best goals I’ve ever seen as Mansfield kept the ball for about 60 passes”. 6-1. Incredible. A privilege to witness it. Man of the match: Tyler Walker for a hat-trick, (but special mention to Calum Butcher for an outstanding performance too) |
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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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(3-4-2-1)
Olejnik 7 No chance with the goal. Very good save from long range shot from Mingoia. Some nice catching and handling. Got himself into a mess on one occasion but partially got himself out of it by tackling McConville for a corner. White 6 Turned too easily for the Accrington goal. Pearce 7 Defended well. Nice ball down the line for Khan’s goal Sweeney 7 Solid and strong debut. One mistake as he tried to shepherd the ball out, the ball was never going to go out, but he got away with it. Hamilton 9 Started off like a train in the opening 4 minutes and kept going for 90 minutes with great runs. Set up chances for Benning, Mellis, and Rose for his goal. And then capped off the night finishing off the move of the season, or indeed any season, for the sixth goal in stoppage time, after 26 passes and 78 seconds of build-up without Accrington touching the ball. MacDonald 8 Very good game. Great cross for Butcher’s volley. A couple of on-target shots blocked. Mellis 7.5 Started poorly, probably because he got badly fouled early on. But had a wonderful second half, with great play for the fifth and sixth goals. Benning 7.5 Subbed at half time after a soft booking. Great pressing to win the ball and start the move going for the fourth goal. Fired into the side netting early, when he probably should have got on target. Butcher 9 Outstanding. Wonderful ball for the first penalty, won the second penalty, magnificent play on the right wing for the third goal. Khan 8 Clinical finish for the third goal, wonderful run and cross for the fourth goal. Walker 9 Hat-trick. Two penalties, the first of which he won, and then a stunning back-flick with his left boot. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Atkinson (for Benning, 46 mins) 7 Slotted in well at right wing-back.
Sterling-James (for Khan, 60) - Did well. A couple of good lay-offs. One shot that he should have done better with. Rose (for Walker, 65 mins) - I had said in commentary that the Rose situation was nothing that a goal and an apology could not sort out. I didn’t expect a goal with a minute! Well, 78 seconds to be exact. Rose also held his hands up in apology to spectators on a number of occasions during the evening. Welcome back Danny. Subs not used: Logan, Gibbens, Bishop, Davies. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(4-3-3): Maxted; Rodgers, Platt, Hughes, Wood; Conneely (Mangan 67), Brown (Nolan 68), Finley; Mingoia, McConville (Clark 63), Zanzala. Subs not used: Johnson, Richards-Everton, Williams, Ripley.
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Referee:
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Seb Stockbridge 6 Got both penalties right. Inconsistent with his yellow cards. Failed to play a simple advantage on one occasion.
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