Season 18/19 Stagsnet Match Report
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Newport County
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Mansfield Town
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Willmott 15
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Attendance: 3133 (362 from Mansfield)
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Date: 9 February 2019
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STAGS BEATEN AT NEWPORT
Martin Shaw at Rodney Parade Mansfield Town were beaten 1-0 at Newport County this afternoon in what turned out to be a terrible day for the Stags. Not only did the Stags lose, and Newport were certainly the deserved winners, but Danny Rose suffered a horrific facial injury, the extent of which is not known at the time of writing, though players on the pitch at the time were visibly shaken by it. Hopefully the injury will not be as serious as it looked. Get well soon Danny. Ryan Sweeney was also booked and will therefore be suspended for the next two games, starting with the huge local derby at Notts County next Saturday. The Stags didn’t get to grips with a muddy pitch that didn’t suit the likes of players Jorge Grant, Jacob Mellis, CJ Hamilton etc, and Mansfield created very few goalscoring chances in the game. Newport are used to playing on this pitch and it’s no coincidence that their home record is excellent (10 wins, 4 draws and 1 defeat from the last 15 home games prior to today in all competitions), while their recent away record is terrible. The only goal of the game came on 15 minutes with a well-worked corner. Dan Butler’s short corner along the byline was knocked back by Joss Labadie to the edge of the area where Robbie Willmott ran onto it and smashed it into the net. Willmott was in acres of space thanks to poor defending from the Stags, though it was clever from Newport to achieve this space with Tyreeq Bakinson blocking off Neal Bishop from getting out to the edge of the area. Newport had a goal disallowed on 25 minutes as Butler’s free kick into the area was headed down by Jamille Matt for Labadie to knock into the net. From the video, Matt was a fraction offside as the free kick was taken so that was the correct decision. Newport put the Stags under considerable pressure in the first half with a succession of set pieces and long throws from Mickey Demetriou and the Stags struggled to cope. The Stags had just two chances in the first half as CJ Hamilton put in a super cross from the right to Nicky Ajose who fired a great chance over the bar. That came inside the opening 20 seconds. And with the last touch of the first half, Ryan Sweeney rose above the defence to head a corner over the bar. The second half, with Rose’s horrific injury coming just 7 minutes after coming on as a half time substitute, saw very few chances for either side. However Mansfield should have had a penalty on 83 minutes. CJ Hamilton played a good 1-2 with Grant to get into the box on the left. Hamilton then knocked the ball over defender Demetriou. Demetriou was late on his challenge and took out Hamilton’s foot. Both players’ feet were slightly raised, and were at exactly the same height when Demetriou caught Hamilton, from studying the pitchside footage. It was a stonewall penalty. The referee gave a free kick to Newport to the astonishment of the Stags players. That was really just about the only time Mansfield looked like scoring in the second half, apart from a header just wide by Ryan Sweeney, and despite 11 minutes of stoppage time, mostly added on for the Rose injury, Newport comfortably held on. Not many Mansfield players came out from the game with much credit. Jordan Smith was my man of the match for good handling and one or two good saves, especially in a 1-on-1 with Matt in the second half. Substitute Willem Tomlinson gave a decent account of himself in midfield, coming on after the Rose injury. By and large a very bad day for the Stags who will desperately want to bounce back in that huge game next Saturday. Notts County will be a completely different proposition from the side that has struggled all season, having made one or two remarkable signings in January, notably the excellent Michael Doyle in midfield. However the Stags are having a brilliant season, with poor performances so few and far between, and I’m hopeful of a good result. Mansfield were unchanged from the side that beat Macclesfield. New central defender Ben Turner is not yet fit. It remains to be seen whether he’ll be fit for the next Saturday to replace Sweeney, or whether Benning will have to move into central defence, or whether the Stags revert to 4 at the back. Willem Tomlinson, signed on an 18 month deal after leaving Blackburn, was on the bench in place of Jason Law. Newport were unchanged from the side that beat Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on Tuesday with a magnificent performance. The pitch was very muddy. This suits Newport. Boss Michael Flynn joked on Tuesday that he was hoping there would be a couple of rugby matches on it before the FA Cup game against Manchester City. Mansfield were in their third kit of all green, used in away games at Cambridge and here this season, to avoid a colour clash. The Stags should have been ahead after just 20 seconds. Mellis played a fine ball out to the right, Hamilton got to the byline and fired in a brilliant low cross for Ajose, who sent a first time shot just over the bar on the half volley. It was a glorious chance and Ajose should have scored. There was an immediate contrast in style as Bakinson punted a huge ball forward which Matt chased after. Walker was hurt by a terrible challenge by Labadie on 7 minutes. It was very high, just under the knee, and late. It could have broken Walker’s leg. The inept referee didn’t even give a foul, let alone a yellow or red card. Home fans, absurdly one-eyed, chanted “cheat cheat cheat”. Newport were ahead after 15 minutes. Bakinson’s shot from 14 yards was deflected wide for a corner. The resulting corner was very well-worked. Dan Butler’s short corner along the byline was knocked back by Labadie to the edge of the area where Willmott ran onto it and smashed it into the net. Willmott was in acres of space thanks to poor defending from the Stags, though it was clever from Newport to achieve this space with Bakinson blocking off Neal Bishop from getting out to the edge of the area. On 18 minutes, good interplay by Grant won a corner. But it came to nothing. On 24 minutes at the other end, a great tackle by Sweeney on Bakinson as Newport broke. Newport had a goal disallowed on 25 minutes as Butler’s free kick into the area was headed down by Jamille Matt for Labadie to knock into the net. From the video, Matt was a fraction offside as the free kick was taken so that was the correct decision. On 26 minutes, a great ball from Mellis to Grant, who played inside to Benning, who won a corner. Moments later, Bishop teed up Mellis who shot from 30 yards, and it was just wide of the right post, hitting the back stanchion. On 34 minutes, a good punch from Smith from Demetriou’s cross. Two minutes later at the other end, good play by Bishop and Ajose to win a corner, which was cleared. Sweeney was booked for a deliberate foul on Willmott on 37 minutes. It was his 10th yellow card of the season and he will therefore be suspended for the next two games, starting with the huge local derby at Notts County next Saturday. By the way, Bishop is on 9 yellows and Preston on 8. More good keeping from Smith on 38 minutes as he caught a free kick and got a counter-attack moving with a good throw-out. Moments later, Mellis found Walker on the edge of the area, Walker turned well, but his shot lacked power and trickled through to the keeper. On 42 minutes, Smith was out quickly to grab the ball. Benning was booked for a trip on Willmott on 42 minutes. There could be no complaints at the yellow card and Willmott had given Benning plenty of problems. On 45+3 minutes, a rare great move from the Stags as Walker’s cross was put behind for a corner. Grant’s corner was met by Sweeney, rising above the defence, to head well over the bar. 1-0 to Newport at half time. Newport had put the Stags under considerable pressure and the Stags had struggled to cope. A poor performance from Mansfield, whose players looked frustrated and rattled. The crowd got right behind Newport putting enormous pressure on the referee, frothing at the mouth every time a decision went against their side, however clear the decisions were. Half time 1-0 A double change by David Flitcroft at half time. Gethin Jones replaced Benning, who had struggled against Willmott and been booked, and Danny Rose replaced Ajose, who should have scored in the opening 20 seconds. The Stags needed more of a physical presence up front. On 48 minutes, Grant’s corner came out to Rose who turned on the edge of the area, but his low shot rolled wide of the left post. A great take at full stretch by Smith from Bakinson’s cross a minute later. Then on 52 minutes that horrific facial injury to Danny Rose as he was sandwiched between two Newport players in an accidental collision. There was concern immediately from both sets of players. Respect to the Newport fans for the standing ovation as Rose walked off the pitch following 7 minutes of treatment. Blood had to be wiped off the pitch after Rose was walked off the pitch. It was a sickening episode. News later in the evening was better than feared as Rose tweeted an update at 9.30pm : “Couple of fractures and a tooth missing but we’re all good”. With 59 minutes now on the clock, Willem Tomlinson came on for his Stags debut. The Stags switched to 4-3-3. Jones at right back, Sweeney at left back. Tomlinson, Bishop and Mellis in midfield. Walker, Hamilton and Grant up front. On 68 minutes, Butler’s corner came out to Bakinson, whose shot was deflected for a corner. Walker made a good break on 70 minutes, he found Hamilton on the right, and Hamilton tried to play back inside to Walker but his ball wasn’t good enough. On 71 minutes, Bishop won the ball and found Mellis whose shot was deflected over the bar for a corner. Grant’s corner came out to Tomlinson who fired in a goalbound shot that was deflected for another corner. Bishop committed a foul in the centre circle on 75 minutes. He put his head in his hands fearing a booking but he got away with it. A great save from Smith on 78 minutes, as Matt superbly controlled a long ball forward to him and was through 1-on-1, but Smith was out quickly to make a brilliant save. A great tackle by Tomlinson on 82 minutes. He was impressing on his debut amongst a poor performance from his team. Mansfield should have had a penalty on 83 minutes. CJ Hamilton played a good 1-2 with Grant to get into the box on the left. Hamilton then knocked the ball over defender Demetriou. Demetriou was late on his challenge and took out Hamilton’s foot. Both players’ feet were slightly raised, and were at exactly the same height when Demetriou caught Hamilton, from studying the pitchside footage. It was a stonewall penalty. The referee gave a free kick to Newport to the astonishment of the Stags players. Pearce was booked for a foul on Matt on 90 minutes. Sweeney was now pushed up front, with Hamilton dropping back to the left of central defence, though Hamilton was still getting forward on the left. On 90+2 minutes a volley from Mellis was blocked for a throw-in. On 90+3 minutes, Hamilton got to the byline but ran the ball out of play. He did the same again a few minutes later. It just wasn’t his day at all. A final chance for the Stags on 90+5 minutes as Grant’s corner from the left was met by a header by Ryan Sweeney which was on just wide. Despite 11 minutes of stoppage time, mostly added on for the Rose injury, Newport comfortably held on as the Stags had a couple of late free kicks into the box but couldn’t capitalise. No doubt that Newport deserved the win. The Stags didn’t play well enough in the conditions, though will still feel hard-done-by not to have been given that stonewall penalty on 83 minutes Man of the match: Jordan Smith |
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Report by: Martin Shaw at Rodney Parade
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Line Up:
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(3-4-1-2)
Smith 8 My man of the match for good handling and one or two good saves, especially in a 1-on-1 with Matt in the second half. Preston 6 Did ok. Pearce 6 Ok. Sweeney 6 One great tackle. Two headers, both off target. Booked and therefore suspended for the next two games, starting with the huge local derby at Notts County next Saturday. Hamilton 6.5 Super cross for Nicky Ajose who fired a great chance over the bar inside the opening 20 seconds. Won a stonewall penalty which the hapless referee didn’t give. Otherwise had a poor game. Bishop 6.5 Several good challenges. He remains one yellow card away from a two game suspension. However if he can avoid being booked in the next 5 games, he will avoid a suspension (the cut-off for suspension is 37 games). Mellis 6 Some good passes. A couple of shots blocked and one just wide. Benning 5.5 Given plenty of problems by Willmott and subbed at half time. Grant 7 Two good corners to set up headers for Sweeney. 1-2 with Hamilton for the penalty incident which wasn’t given. Walker 6 Could have had his leg broken by a terrible challenge after 7 minutes. Very few chances. Ajose 5 Missed a great chance after 20 seconds. Subbed at half time. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Jones (for Benning, 46 mins) 6 Did ok.
Rose (for Ajose, 46 mins) - Suffered a horrific facial injury 7 minutes after coming on. He later tweeted “Couple of fractures and a tooth missing but we’re all good”. Tomlinson (for Rose, 59 mins) 7 Gave a decent account of himself in midfield. One great tackle. A goalbound shot was deflected wide. Subs not used: Logan, Atkinson, Alistair Smith, Khan. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(4-4-2): Day; Poole, O’Brien, Demetriou, Butler; Willmott (Dolan, 88), Bakinson, Bennett, Labadie; Matt, Amond. Subs not used: Townsend, Hornby-Forbes, Kennedy, Crofts, Sheehan, Marsh-Brown.
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Referee:
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Graham Salisbury 4 Hapless and hopeless. Missed a stonewall penalty and missed a shocking challenge by Labadie on Walker which could have broken his leg.
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