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Archived News from August 2021

STAGS DENIED BY LATE PENALTY AT COLCHESTER
20th August 2021 17:55


English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Colchester United 1 - 1 Mansfield Town
Sears pen 90+5. Hewitt 72
Attendance: 2,354 (224 from Mansfield)

Date: 17 August 2021

STAGS DENIED BY CONTROVERSIAL LATE PENALTY AT COLCHESTER

Martin Shaw at the Jobserve Community Stadium

Mansfield Town were denied victory by a penalty in the last minute of stoppage time last night at Colchester United. The Stags were looking for a third straight win to start the season for the first time since 1974. But, leading 1-0 late into stoppage time, the home side were awarded a very soft penalty. The penalty was taken by Freddie Sears and very nearly saved by Nathan Bishop who made a great effort and got a strong hand to it, but it still went in.

It was a bitterly disappointing end to a game in which the Stags played very well and certainly deserved victory.

The first half was almost all Mansfield, with several chances. Ollie Clarke had a good shot parried by the excellent keeper Shamal George, who also saved Danny Johnson’s follow-up. Then Ollie Clarke had another shot blocked and Stephen McLaughlin had a shot deflected wide. Then from McLaughlin’s cross, Johnson’s header was blocked for a corner.

The Stags went even closer after 17 minutes. A brilliant move from the back as George Maris found McLaughlin, who played a 1-2 with Stephen Quinn. McLaughlin got away from his marker Luke Hannant before lifting a superb cross into the area. Johnson got his head on it to head it towards the top corner but keeper George made a brilliant save to tip it over the bar. There was a double chance for the Stags after 28 minutes following a McLaughlin corner with a Rawson header cleared away by Cole Skuse, and the follow-up shot from Quinn was deflected wide.

It took Colchester until 39 minutes to register a shot as Frank Nouble stabbed over the bar from a low cross from the right. Then on 45 minutes, Hannant cut in from the right and fired in a shot from the edge of the area which Bishop saved above his head. The Stags ended the half with McLaughlin firing wide.

The second half continued in the same vein with the Stags right on top. After 47 minutes, Quinn put Johnson through 1-on-1 with the keeper in the area with a brilliant pass, and keeper George made another good save to deny Johnson. Johnson has been denied in each of the league games in a 1-on-1 by great saves. Another glorious chance two minutes later, as Quinn’s shot from 22 yards was deflected up in the air off Miles Welch-Hayes, it ballooned into the path of Rhys Oates who would have just had the keeper to beat if he could have volleyed it, but he missed his kick. Oates recovered to get hold of the loose ball on the turn and fired just wide from 8 yards out on the right. Another chance for Oates after 63 minutes as he got into the area on the left and his shot was well saved low down by keeper George. A minute after that, Johnson was into the area on the left and he fired just over the angle of bar and post.

It had been all Mansfield, and finally after 72 minutes they were rewarded with a goal. McLaughlin brilliantly intercepted a long crossfield ball from Luke Chambers. McLaughlin pushed forward, played it to the overlapping Quinn. Quinn crossed low to Oates on the nearside of the penalty area, and Oates played it back to Quinn. Quinn put in a lovely right-footed cross from the left, and Elliott Hewitt, on his first start for the club, rose superbly, and way above his marker Hannant, to head into the left corner of the net. A terrific goal. We haven’t seen enough headed goals from defenders in the last year or so, so this was great to see.

Colchester had made a couple of changes, bringing on Charlie Daniels who was playing in the Premier League for Bournemouth a couple of years ago, at left back, and Sylvester Jasper on loan from Fulham, also on the left, and these two started to make Colchester look more dangerous. Jasper sent a shot from 25 yards over the bar after 81 minutes, Noah Chilvers had a shot blocked by Hewitt, and then Chilvers fired high over the bar from 25 yards following a corner after 84 minutes. Into stoppage time, and on 90+2 minutes a great block from Perch, now wearing an amber headband after an earlier knock to the head, and on the follow-up Daniels sent in a shot that was easily saved by Bishop.

But 4 minutes into stoppage time, disaster for the Stags. A long ball into the Stags area was headed down by Cameron Coxe, towards Frank Nouble. Nouble was goalside of McLaughlin and went down very easily, under what was basically no challenge from McLaughlin. A poor decision from the referee. Freddie Sears, who had been completely ineffective all game, stepped up to take the penalty, towards the left corner of the net. Bishop dived the right way and got a strong hand to it, but was unlucky to see the ball deflect off his hand and into the opposite corner of the net. A great effort from Bishop. But it was the equaliser for Colchester, totally undeserved. Home fans and players celebrated their first goal of the season.

Nigel Clough was very frustrated after the game with the decision, saying: “I thought it was a very, very poor decision. Very rarely do you see a penalty given when the person who has gone down doesn't even appeal. He was getting up to play the next ball, and the one next to him was as well. When the referee has got two bodies in front of him I am not sure how he can give it from 20-25 yards. It was an astonishing decision really.”

So, Frank Nouble again! In 2019 he broke Hayden White’s leg in stoppage time at the Community Stadium with a lunging challenge, which had a huge impact on Mansfield’s bid for promotion. Last season, his shot in the last minute deflected into the top corner of the net to give Colchester a 2-2 draw. And now he wins the softest of penalties to earn another draw.

So frustrating for the Stags!

This was a very good performance though. McLaughlin was fantastic down the left and was my man of the match. Perch was also very good and brave to continue after his head injury. Rawson and Hewitt at the back were also very good. The midfield was very good, especially Quinn and Ollie Clarke, though perhaps Lapslie was not at his best.

So, Mansfield have 7 points from 3 games. A good start, and the Stags meet Bradford City on Saturday, who have also started with 7 points from 3 games under new boss Derek Adams. Andy Cook scored a hat-trick last night and will be keen to do well against his former side, as will Lee Angol, who scored twice on Saturday. It promises to be another exciting clash!

Mansfield made two changes from the side that beat Newport County. Elliott Hewitt came in for his first start at right back in place of Kellan Gordon, in order to give extra height at the back against a big side as explained by Nigel Clough afterwards. And George Lapslie came in for Oli Hawkins who was a “bit under the weather” according to Clough, but able to be on the bench. Lapslie came into the attacking midfield position, with Oates moving up front.

Colchester had a much-changed side from last season. All 4 of the players who used to play for Ipswich in the Championship and who signed in the summer, who Nigel Clough talked about in his press conference on Monday, Skuse, Chambers, Judge and Sears, started the game. Sylvester Jasper, on loan from Fulham, was on the bench as was Charlie Daniels, signed just hours before kick-off. Colchester had picked up just one point from their first two league games, and had not yet scored a goal.

It was the first away league game for the Stags in front of Stags fans since the away game at Sixfields in March 2020. 224 Stags fans travelled to the game, which was a long journey on a Tuesday night.

John and Carolyn Radford travelled to the game, and Carolyn messaged me during the game to pass on her thanks to the supporters who had travelled:
“Martin, just to say thank you for all the supporters who have made the journey tonight. It’s been a while since we’ve done a long away journey and it’s a real pilgrimage with lots of traffic. Thank you all for all your dedication.”

DETAILED REPORT IN THE MATCH CENTRE

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TUE 17 AUG 2021, LEAGUE TWO
Colchester United 1-1 Mansfield Town

Sears (90'+5minutes pen)
Hewitt (72'minutes)
Assists
Quinn (72'minutes)

Match report supplied by PA Media.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58154450

A late penalty from Freddie Sears secured Colchester a point against visitors Mansfield in League Two.

Mansfield almost took an early lead when Colchester keeper Shamal George saved Ollie Clarke's long-range shot and then recovered to foil Danny Johnson's follow-up effort.

And George made another fine stop in the 17th minute, pushing away Johnson's far-post header.

Farrend Rawson's header was cleared away from near his own goal-line by Cole Skuse.

Johnson was sent through on goal by Stephen Quinn's pass just after the break, only for George to make another vital stop.

Mansfield looked the more likely side to score and Rhys Oates forced George to make another save, just after the hour.

And they went ahead in the 73rd minute through Elliott Hewitt, who planted a fine header into the far corner from Quinn's precise cross to the far post.

But Sears struck home a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage-time after Frank Nouble had been fouled in the box to rescue a point for Colchester.


Match Stats
Home Team Colchester Away Team Mansfield
Possession Home 48% Away 52%
Shots Home 10 Away 17
Shots on Target Home 4 Away 5
Corners Home 3 Away 6
Fouls Home 7 Away 19

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Colchester United earn draw thanks to late penalty
By Jonathan Waldron
https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/19519841.colchester-united-earn-draw-thanks-late-penalty/

A LATE, late equaliser from Freddie Sears earned Colchester United a dramatic 1-1 draw with Mansfield Town tonight.

Sears struck home from the spot after Frank Nouble had been fouled in the area to rescue the U's at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Former U's loanee Elliott Hewitt had looked to have headed the winner against his former club with 17 minutes to go, only for Sears to strike late and salvage a point.

Colchester made four changes to their starting line-up, with Miles Welch-Hayes, Noah Chilvers, Freddie Sears and Luke Hannant all in the team in place of Brendan Wiredu, Cameron Coxe and Sylvester Jasper who were all on the bench and skipper Tommy Smith, who was not in the 18.

Former Bournemouth left-back Charlie Daniels, whose signing on a contract until the end of the season was confirmed before kick-off, was also among the substitutes.

Colchester lined up with three centre-backs, with Chilvers playing in a role just behind front two Frank Nouble and Freddie Sears.

Mansfield made a bright start and U’s goalkeeper Shamal George made a fine eighth-minute low save to deny Ollie Clarke’s long-range shot, before recovering to bravely save the follow-up shot from Danny Johnson and picking up a knock in the process.

Tom Eastman then made two key blocks a few minutes later to deny Clarke who had initially fired in a shot from the edge of the area, as the visitors pressed.

Mansfield were unfortunate not to take a 17th-minute lead when Johnson's far-post header was brilliantly pushed away by George after a fabulous sweeping move from the visitors that resulted in Stephen McLaughlin's deep cross into the area.

And just before the half-hour mark, Farrend Rawson's header from a corner for the Stags was cleared away from near his own goal-line by Cole Skuse.

Colchester struggled to make an impact on the Mansfield goal in the first half, although Frank Nouble had a sniff of goal six yards out five minutes before the break but could only spoon his shot over the bar.

Just before the break, Hannant tried his luck with a powerful 20-yard strike that keeper Nathan Bishop does well to hold on to as the sides went in goal-less at the interval.

Mansfield started the second half strongly and Johnson was sent through on goal by Quinn’s pass in the opening minutes after the restart, only for George to make another vital stop to deny the striker.

New signing Daniels was sent on for his U’s debut just before the hour for Clampin but George was called upon again soon after to make a save low down to his left from Rhys Oates, as the visitors pressed.

And Mansfield went ahead in the 73rd minute through Elliott Hewitt, who rose to plant a fine header into the far corner from Quinn’s precise cross to the far post.

But Sears stuck home in the fifth minute of stoppage-time to rescue Colchester a point.

COLCHESTER UNITED: George, Welch-Hayes, Eastman (sub Coxe, 35), Chambers, Hannant (sub Jasper, 74), Skuse, Judge, Chilvers, Clampin, Sears, Nouble.

Subs (not used): Beadle, Wiredu, Tovide, Turner.

U’s man of the match: Shamal George.

Mansfield Town: Bishop, McLaughlin, Hewitt, Rawson, Clarke, Perch, Quinn, Oates (sub Bowery, 87), Lapslie (sub Stirk), Maris, Johnson.

Subs (not used): Gordon, Hawkins, Shelvey, Burke, Sinclair.

Goals: Colchester: Sears: (90). Mansfield: Hewitt (73).

Referee: Sam Allison.

Bookings: Colchester: Skuse (foul, 58). Mansfield: Quinn (foul, 68), Perch (dissent, 90).

Attendance: 2,354 (224 Mansfield fans).

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Dominant Mansfield Town denied win by stoppage time penalty at Colchester United
chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tuesday 17th August 2021

Sears struck home a heart-breaking spot-kick in the fifth minute of stoppage-time to cancel out Elliott Hewitt’s header on 72 minutes on his full Stags EFL debut.

Stags created a wealth of opportunities on the night with Danny Johnson forcing two good saves and Rhys Oates firing a great chance over and having another effort saved.

Mansfield were looking to chalk up a third straight league win and they started the game well.

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/dominant-mansfield-town-denied-win-by-stoppage-time-penalty-at-colchester-united-3350084

Colchester keeper Shamal George made a fine low save to deny Ollie Clarke’s eighth-minute long-range shot and then recovered to save Johnson’s follow-up shot.

It was the Stags who were making all of the running and they came agonisingly close to scoring again in the 17th minute.

Johnson’s far post header was brilliantly pushed away by George after a fabulous sweeping move from the visitors that resulted in Stephen McLaughlin’s deep cross into the area.

Stags kept pressing for an opener and just before the half-hour mark, Farrend Rawson's header from a corner was cleared away from near his own goal-line by Colchester midfielder Cole Skuse.

The hosts were rarely seen as an attacking force in the first half, although they did finish strongly before half-time.

Frank Nouble had a sniff of goal six yards out but could only spoon his shot over the bar.

And just before the interval, Luke Hannant tried his luck with a powerful 20-yard strike that keeper Nathan Bishop did well to hold on to, as the teams went in at the break goalless.

Mansfield againstarted well and came close to scoring early in the second half when Johnson was sent through on goal by Stephen Quinn’s pass only for George to make another vital stop.

And it was the visitors who always looked the more likely side to break the deadlock, as the second half wore on and the rain fell in North Essex.

Oates forced George to make a save low down to his left just after the hour.

Finally Hewitt rose to plant a fine header into the far corner in the 73rd minute from Quinn’s precise left wing cross to the far post.

That looked to be enough as the game entered its fifth and final minute of added time only for Sears to steal an agonising late, late equaliser from the spot, after Stephen McLaughlin had been adjudged to have fouled Nouble in the box.

COLCHESTER: George, Welch-Hayes, Eastman (Coxe 35), Chambers, Hannant (Jasper 74), Skuse, Judge, Chilvers, Clampin (Daniels 59), Sears, Nouble. SUBS NOT USED: Beadle, Wiredu, Tovide, Jasper, Turner.

STAGS: Bishop, Hewitt, Perch, Rawson, McLaughlin, Quinn, Oates (Bowery 87), Clarke, Lapslie (Stirk 79), Maris, Johnson (Hawkins 82). SUBS NOT USED: Gordon, Shelvey, Burke, Sinclair.

REFEREE: Sam Allison.

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