{ match reports }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Season 18/19 Stagsnet Match Report
English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Cheltenham Town  
2 - 2
 Mansfield Town
Tozer 10, Boyle 45.
 
 Walker 7, 90+3
Attendance: 2828 (404 from Mansfield)
 
Date: 3 November 2018

STAGS SHOW FIGHTING SPIRIT TO RESCUE POINT AT CHELTENHAM

Martin Shaw at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium, Whaddon Road

Mansfield Town showed fighting spirit to rescue a draw at Cheltenham thanks to an equaliser from Tyler Walker three minutes into stoppage time at Whaddon Road this afternoon. Three times this season, Mansfield have been pegged back from a winning position by a late equaliser from the opposition, and it felt particularly sweet for the Stags to be on the other end of the late drama today. Before the game, a draw at a team in the relegation zone would seem like a disappointing result, but the late equaliser and fighting spirit shown meant it was anything but disappointing. The draw protected Mansfield’s unbeaten away record which now stands at 12 away games, extending the club record. The Stags had taken the lead after 7 minutes when Mal Benning whipped a perfect ball in from the left and Walker glanced a fabulous header out of the keeper’s reach into the right corner of the net. But the lead lasted only 3 minutes as former Stag Chris Clements’ corner from the left came straight back to him, Clements knocked the ball low back in and Ben Tozer was left in too much space to poke a shot wide of Bobby Olejnik into the net from 12 yards. It looked like Krystian Pearce was supposed to be marking Tozer but found himself out of position attempting to prevent Clements knocking the ball back in. Mansfield fell behind on 45 minutes when Tozer got in a high cross from the byline on the right to beyond the far post where William Boyle headed down and goalwards and it took a slight deflection off Matt Preston to take it past Olejnik. The Stags created few chances to equalise in the second half and it seemed that Mansfield would be beaten for the first time away from home while Cheltenham would pick up their first home victory of the season, before Benning chipped a teasing ball in to the middle which just went over the head of Walker, but bounced invitingly into his path off defender Chris Hussey and Walker gleefully knocked into the net from 3 yards to spark wild scenes from the Stags fans immediately behind the goal. In truth Mansfield didn’t play well, and lacked the quality that has been apparent in the recent run of games, but it’s important to not lose if you don’t play well enough to win, and that is what the Stags did today. Mansfield never gave up and got their reward for fighting until the end. Tyler Walker was obviously the hero and my man of the match, with a special mention too for Mal Benning for his part in both goals. A word or two on Cheltenham. They had been buoyed by scoring 6 goals in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday, having had a dreadful home record in the league of two draws and five defeats from seven games, and according to their manager Michael Duff this was their best performance in the league this season. We know exactly how they will be feeling this evening conceding such a late equaliser. Chris Clements had a decent game for the home side in midfield while in young Jacob Maddox, on loan from Chelsea, they had a player with immense skill alongside him in midfield. Cheltenham’s time-wasting tactics were frustrating for Mansfield, but you could understand them with their desperation to pick up a home victory. So the Stags are three points behind the play-offs positions with a game in hand, and six points behind third place with a game in hand. The game in hand is on Tuesday at home to Grimsby Town. A win would take Mansfield into the play-off zone on goal difference. Get down to the One Call Stadium if you possibly can and roar the Stags into those play-off positions.

The Stags were unchanged from the side that won at Crewe. Ryan Sweeney was available after suspension and was on the bench. Otis Khan again missed out with an Achilles problem. Young attacking midfielder Alistair Smith had been recalled from a good loan spell at Frickley Athletic and came into the squad as the club’s “home grown player”. Young defender Lewis Gibbens was left off the bench with defensive cover provided by Sweeney.

Cheltenham included former Stags Chris Clements. Clements had scored against the Stags for Grimsby two seasons ago, then come on as a late sub against the Stags for Forest Green last season. Another former Stag, Johnny Mullins, had played in Cheltenham’s last league game but was dropped for this game and on the bench. Cheltenham had failed to win in seven league games at home this season, with two draws and five defeats, and were in the bottom two.

The Stags took the lead after 7 minutes. Benning whipped a perfect ball in from the left and Walker glanced a fabulous header out of the keeper’s reach into the right corner of the net.

On 10 minutes, Olejnik made a good save tipping over a shot from Boyle from 12 yards after a high ball to the far post was knocked back into the middle.

The lead lasted only 3 minutes. From the corner resulting from that save, Cheltenham were level. Chris Clements’ corner from the left came straight back to him, Clements knocked the ball low back in and Ben Tozer was left in too much space to poke a shot wide of Bobby Olejnik into the net from 12 yards. It looked like Krystian Pearce was supposed to be marking Tozer but found himself out of position attempting to prevent Clements knocking the ball back in.

A good header away by Hamilton from Broome’s cross on 14 minutes.

Preston was booked for a deliberate trip on the tricky Chelsea loanee Maddox in the centre circle on 21 minutes.

On 24 minutes, good play by Elsnik turning 22 yards out and he fired a right foot shot just over the bar.

Hamilton was fouled 26 yards out, to the right of centre on 30 minutes. Benning’s free kick was low and straight at the keeper.

Bishop was booked for a deliberate foul on Maddox on 34 minutes much as Preston was earlier.

On 39 minutes, Elsnik’s short corner to Mellis, back to Elsnik, who found Benning in space 22 yards out, and Benning shot over the bar.

On 40 minutes, a super marauding run from White from inside his own half to the byline after a 1-2 with Hamilton, he pulled back to Rose whose on-target shot was blocked. A minute later at the other end, Broome crossed from the right and Mooney headed straight at Olejnik.

Preston, having already been booked, shoved Varney off the ball on 42 minutes. Thankfully the referee saw it as a fair shoulder barge. To me, it was more of a foul than Atkinson’s that saw him get a second yellow at Swindon.

Olejnik saved well, at full stretch, from a shot from Clements from 25 yards on 43 minutes.

Mansfield fell behind on 45 minutes. Tozer got in a high cross from the byline on the right to beyond the far post where Boyle headed down and goalwards and it took a slight deflection off Preston to take it past Olejnik. Mellis was down injured as the ball went in. From the video, Mellis was fouled by Clements as he cleared the ball out to the wing before it was crossed back in for the goal. The referee was right on top of it but wrongly said no foul. A bit of bad luck with the foul not given and the slight deflection but the Stags could have stopped the cross and stopped the header.

A disappointing first half from Mansfield having taken the lead. Some poor defending, while Cheltenham had played better than their league table suggested, creating problems with high balls into the box from both sides.

Half time 2-1

Mansfield changed formation at the start of the second half, switching to 4 at the back in a 4-3-3 formation, as they had done at Crewe at half time on Tuesday. White moved to right back, while Walker was on the right up front with Hamilton on the left and Rose in the middle. Walker and Hamilton were to change sides during the half.

On 56 minutes, Varney broke down the left, cut inside and fired a shot so wide it went out for a throw-in. On 63 minutes, a cross from Maddox and Clements’ shot was blocked by Benning. A minute later, a high ball from the left by Broome was headed down and Olejnik saved on his line.

Nothing positive was happening for the Stags.

Davies replaced Bishop on 68 minutes. The Stags effectively had four up front.

On 69 minutes, Maddox shot just over the bar from 24 yards. Moments later, a good turn by Varney away from Pearce, and a good stop by Olejnik.

A double chance for the Stags on 71 minutes as the Stags at last created something in the second half. Benning got to the byline and pulled back with Walker having a shot blocked then White having a shot blocked.

Good defending by White on 73 minute as Varney threatened to break.

On 74 minutes, Benning forward to Hamilton who shot wide from 14 yards. Then on 78 minutes, Elsnik’s corner came to Mellis whose on-target shot was blocked.

Atkinson replaced White on 79 minutes.

On 81 minutes, Varney’s shot from 22 yards was blocked by Pearce.

Mellis was booked after a melee on 84 minutes when Cheltenham tried to delay a Stags free-kick.

The Stags were scrapping trying hard to create something but the quality in the final third had been lacking.

Into 5 minutes of stoppage time. Five minutes was low given Cheltenham’s time-wasting tactics.

On 90+1 minutes, Hamilton hared down the left and crossed in with Walker heading wide. Great play from Hamilton. A minute later, Elsnik’s shot was very wide and went out for a throw-in.

But the equaliser finally came on 90+3 minutes. Benning chipped a teasing ball in to the middle which just went over the head of Walker, but bounced invitingly into his path off defender Chris Hussey and Walker gleefully knocked into the net from 3 yards to spark wild scenes from the Stags fans immediately behind the goal.

In truth Mansfield didn’t play well, and lacked the quality that has been apparent in the recent run of games, but it’s important to not lose if you don’t play well. Mansfield never gave up and got their reward for fighting until the end.

Man of the match: Tyler Walker


Report by: Martin Shaw at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium, Whaddon Road



Line Up:
(3-5-2)
Olejnik 6 No chance with the first goal. The second goal seemed to take the slightest of deflections which made it difficult. Made good stops from Boyle, Clements and Varney.
White 6 Super play to set up a chance for Rose. Some good defending.
Pearce 6 Overall a decent game. It looked like he was supposed to be marking Tozer for the first Cheltenham goal but found himself out of position attempting to prevent Clements knocking the ball back in.
Preston 6 Struggled with Maddox and took him out for a booking. Did ok.
Hamilton 6 Great play to set up a chance for Walker just before the equaliser. Missed a good chance with a poor finish.
Bishop 5.5 Didn’t boss things as we’ve become accustomed to.
Mellis 6.5 Probably the pick of the midfield.
Elsnik 5.5 A little disappointing after the highs of his man of the match performance at Crewe. Allowed Tozer to get in the cross for the second Cheltenham goal.
Benning 7 Played a part in both goals, including his wonderful cross for the first goal.
Walker 8 Super glancing header for the first goal, and right place at the right time for the equaliser. Ten goals in all competitions now this season.
Rose 5.5 Had a shot on target in the first half that was blocked. Good lay-off to Benning in the build-up to the first goal. Overall not heavily involved.
Sub Line Up:
Davies (for Bishop, 68 mins) -
Atkinson (for White, 79 mins) -
Subs not used: Logan, Sweeney, Butcher Alistair Smith, Graham.
Opposition Line Up:
(4-4-2) S Flinders; J Forster, B Tozer, W Boyle, C Hussey; R Broom, C Clements (N Atangana 79), C Thomas, J Maddox; K Mooney (A Addai 79), L Varney (T Barnett 89). Subs not used: R Lovett, J Mullins, T Field, C Alcock.
Referee:
Neil Hair 5 Missed a foul on Mellis in the build-up to Cheltenham’s second goal. Should have added on more stoppage time for Cheltenham’s time-wasting.


Season 18/19 Reports