Archived News from May 2022
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CLOUGH, OATES, HAWKINS, JON BRADY REACTION
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Manager lauds endeavour in effective play-off victory
mansfieldtown.net, Saturday 14th May 2022 Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough says his side’s ‘effort and endeavour’ was ‘remarkable’ as the Stags secured a 2-1 advantage in this evening’s play-off semi-final first leg at home to Northampton. Forwards Rhys Oates and Jordan Bowery netted inside the opening 35 minutes as the gaffer’s side marched on to a 14th home league victory in 16 outings. With the second leg at Sixfields just four days away, the boss praised his squad’s tireless energy to achieve the victory needed to put the Stags in the driving seat heading for the return fixture. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/may/manger-lauds-endeavour-in-effective-play-off-victory/ Speaking to the local media after the game, Nigel said: “The effort and endeavour was remarkable tonight, as it has been for most of the season. “It was another home victory, which is 14 out of 16 [home league matches], which is incredible considering the pressure we were under in the last half-hour. “A lot of credit [must go] to Northampton after they got the goal - they put it [pressure] on us and we had to defend extremely well.” Despite the goal advantage halfway through the tie, the gaffer feels his side can improve. “I wish the second leg was tomorrow as I think we can play a lot better than we did tonight,” he said. “I think our nerves were a bit edgy at times and we didn't get our foot on the ball and play. I think we will be better away from home. “We are still in there after 47 games. We are still in with a chance. “We didn't play anywhere nearly as well as we have done in recent weeks and months, but that's the nature of the play-offs. “You just have to try to be effective and win the game. Also, don't make mistakes - we made one tonight and were punished for it. “We gave the ball away cheaply on the edge of their box and then that's their strength, breaking as they did. “They did very well at stopping us playing our normal game tonight. “The minimum we should have had tonight was a 2-0.” The squad reaped the rewards of sticking with Jordan Bowery in attack following his goal last Saturday against Forest Green. The Stags’ number nine bagged again this evening. “They were both good [Stags’] goals, good passing and good finishes. Jordan Bowery's was almost a carbon copy of the one he got against Forest Green last week. “He [Bowery] is in the right position again for a tap-in at the far post and [that] hopefully justified him keeping his place. “[Bowery’s strike partner] Rhys Oates caused them problems all night and they did well to stick with him at times. I don't think he got many decisions go his way tonight, but then I don't think we did as a team.” The Stags’ attention will now turn to a mouth-watering second leg tie away at Northampton on Wednesday evening. “If we didn't know before we now know what Northampton are about and the way that they can play and put you under pressure,” said the boss. “It's [that style of football] difficult to play against. That's why they were a few minutes away from getting automatic promotion. “They are a good team with a lot of League One players from last season when they came down. It's going to be an interesting game on Wednesday night.” -------------- We can play better and I wish the second leg was tomorrow says Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough after narrow play-offs win over Northampton Town chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Saturday 14th May 2022 Nigel Clough said he wished the second leg was tomorrow as Mansfield Town prepare to head to Northampton Town on Wednesday night with a 2-1 first leg lead in the League Two play-offs. Clough believes his side can and will play better as they try to book a Wembley final. “I wish the second leg was tomorrow as I think we can play a lot better than we did tonight,” he said. “I think our nerves were a bit edgy at times and we didn't get our foot on the ball and play. I think we will be better away from home. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/we-can-play-better-and-i-wish-the-second-leg-was-tomorrow-says-mansfield-town-boss-nigel-clough-after-narrow-play-offs-win-over-northampton-town-3694398 “But it was another home victory, which is 14 out of 16, which is incredible considering the pressure we were under in the last half-hour. “A lot of credit to Northampton after they got the goal - they put it on us and we had to defend extremely well.” Stags led 2-0 at the break and Clough said: “They were both good goals, good passing and good finishes. Jordan Bowery's was almost a carbon copy of the one he got against Forest Green last week. “He is in the right position again for a tap-in at the far post and hopefully justified him keeping his place. “The effort and endeavour was remarkable tonight, as it has been for most of the season. We didn't play anywhere nearly as well as we have done in recent weeks and months, but that's the nature of the play-offs. “You just have to try to be effective and win the game. Also, don't make mistakes - we made one tonight and were punished for it. “We said at half-time let's do everything we can to get that third goal and we had two or three opportunities in the first 10 minutes of the second half. “Unfortunately we conceded not long after that and the game turned. “We gave the ball away cheaply on the edge of their box and then that's their strength, breaking as they did. “They did very well at stopping us playing our normal game tonight. “The minimum we should have had tonight was a 2-0.” Clough added: “If we didn't know before we now know what Northampton are about and the way that they can play and put you under pressure. It's difficult to play against. That's why they were a few minutes away from getting automatic promotion. “They are a good team with a lot of League One players from last season when they came down. It's going to be an interesting game on Wednesday night. “Rhys Oates caused them problems all night and they did well to stick with him at times. I don't think he got many decisions go his way tonight, but then I don't think we did as a team, especially in the second half. “We are still in there after 47 games. We are still in with a chance.” -------------------- Nigel Clough told Craig Priest for mansfield 103.2: "Stephen Quinn is carrying the same injury he's had for a couple of weeks. I didn't think he was as fluent as he normally is and moving as well as he can do. He was struggling a bit when he came off." ----------------- Nigel Clough told TalkSport2 after the game that Matty Longstaff "was subdued and felt tired for some reason." ------------------ Nigel Clough interview on Sky Sports, asked about the referee: "Exactly the same as the last 9 and a half months! "I was very disappointed with his second half performance." "I thought we looked a bit leggy, a bit nervous, a lot of expectation from the crowd. I think we'll be better on Wednesday." ----------------- Opposition view: Clough says 'edgy' Mansfield 'can play a lot better' after play-off semi-final first leg ‘They did very well at stopping us playing our normal game tonight.’ northamptonchron.co.uk, By James Heneghan Mansfield manager Nigel Clough gave credit to Northampton for ‘stopping’ his side from being ‘anywhere near’ their best in Saturday’s play-off semi-final first leg at Field Mill. The Stags appeared on course for Wembley when they eased into a 2-0 first-half lead through goals from Rhys Oates and Jordan Bowery. But the home side managed just six shots in total during the game, only one of which came after half-time, while Northampton racked up almost double (11) and got their reward in a strong second-half display thanks to Ali Koiki’s first goal for the club. https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/opposition-view-clough-says-edgy-mansfield-can-play-a-lot-better-after-play-off-semi-final-first-leg-3694408 “The effort and endeavour was remarkable tonight, as it has been for most of the season,” said Clough. “It was another home victory, which is 14 out of 16 home league matches, which is incredible considering the pressure we were under in the last half-hour. “A lot of credit must go to Northampton after they got the goal - they put pressure on us and we had to defend extremely well.” Despite hanging onto the lead, Clough was not especially pleased with his side’s performance. “I wish the second leg was tomorrow as I think we can play a lot better than we did tonight,” he added. “I think our nerves were a bit edgy at times and we didn't get our foot on the ball and play. I think we will be better away from home. “We are still in there after 47 games. We are still in with a chance. “We didn't play anywhere nearly as well as we have done in recent weeks and months, but that's the nature of the play-offs. “You just have to try to be effective and win the game. Also, don't make mistakes - we made one tonight and were punished for it. “We gave the ball away cheaply on the edge of their box and then that's their strength, breaking as they did. “They did very well at stopping us playing our normal game tonight. The minimum we should have had was a 2-0.” ----------------------- Rhys Oates (the Sky man of the match) told Sky Sports: "It's half time. We'll take the lead. We wanted to get the win. We'll take the advantage and see what happens on Wednesday. "We said in the changing room: have a fast start and get at them. We knew they were going to be hard to break down. We know that if we play like we can, we can break teams down. It was good to get the fast start and get the two goal advantage. "We said at half time keep going and try and get a third. But we knew they'd come out flying in the second half. "We'll go there and hopefully have another fast start, hopefully get a goal or two and see it out." --------------------- Hawkins proud of first leg result mansfieldtown.net, Saturday 14th May 2022 Defender Oli Hawkins says he is proud of the position Mansfield Town have put themselves into after Stags won 2-1 in tonight’s play-off semi-final at home to Northampton. Stags emerged victorious thanks to fine first-half finishes from Rhys Oates and Jordan Bowery. Northampton halved the deficit in the 61st through midfielder Ali Koiki. However, Hawkins and his fellow defenders stood firm in the game’s final half-an-hour to withstand the visitors’ pressure and keep the Stags’ lead intact. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2022/may/hawkins-proud-of-first-leg-result/ “We held on,” he said. “[We] were very strong defensively [in] the last half-an-hour when they put it [pressure] on us. “We knew today was going to be tough and we knew that we wanted to come out of it with a win. We were annoyed to concede and [not have] a two-goal lead [going into the second leg] but it’s still a win. “We knew what they were going to come with. [They utilise] set-pieces, they’re big and strong defensively as well so we knew it was going to be a battle. I thought the back four did well today.” The 30-year-old felt Mansfield’s free-flowing first-half performance was deserved of a victory. “I thought we played really well in the first-half,” he told iFollow Stags. “We always start really well at home. We started strongly and we knew that if we got a one or two goal lead, we could see out this game. "We didn't face the way we normally face (in the first half), we had to turn it round because of the sun." “When we attacked, we attacked with purpose, and you could tell when they conceded the first goal that they were a bit shaky, and we knew that we could get a second [goal]. We were unlucky not to go 3-0 up at half-time because we were brilliant [in the] first-half. “It’s an advantage at the end of the day. We’re going to play our way, we’re not going to go there and put everyone behind the ball and defend for 90 minutes. “We know we can score away from home. We know as long as we play well and we get a good result then that one-goal lead will benefit us.” The former Portsmouth man credited the electric atmosphere inside One Call Stadium and its influence on the result. “[It was] the best atmosphere of the season that was today, from minute one to 90 [they were] incredible. It helped us to get through the game you could still hear the fans with us [when we conceded]. We knew that we needed to get a win for them. “We’ve got to rest up now, relax and get ready for Wednesday. We’re capable [of getting a result] and we’ll be very confident going into that game. “I’m very proud of the team, the fans and everyone at the club. We all deserve [this opportunity]. “We’re quite harsh on ourselves because we feel we should’ve been promoted in the automatics but we’ve got a job [to do] now in the play-offs.” ------------------- A win is a win and we won’t sit on it on Wednesday vows Mansfield Town defender Oli Hawkins. chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Saturday 14th May 2022 Mansfield Town defender Oli Hawkins said Stags will not try to sit on tonight's 2-1 first leg play-off lead at Northampton Town on Wednesday night. The tie is in the balance after Ali Koiki pulled one back for the Cobblers tonight but Hawkins said: “We held out well in the last 20 minutes when they put it on us. “We knew today was going to be tough and we wanted to come out of it with a win. “We knew it was going to be a battle and I thought the back four did well today. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/a-win-is-a-win-and-we-wont-sit-on-it-on-wednesday-vows-mansfield-town-defender-oli-hawkins-3694403 “It was a bit annoying to concede when we were 2-0 up, but it's still a win. Having the advantage for the second leg is the most important thing. We know we are capable of going there and getting a result. “We will still play like we always do, we won't be going there trying to get men behind the ball and defend for 90 minutes. We will try to get a goal.” A big home crowd made a huge noise and Hawkins said that was a massive help to the players. “That was the best atmosphere of the season today from minute one to 90 - they were incredible and it helped us get through the game,” he said. “They had scored and we were struggling a bit but you could still hear them and we knew we needed to get a win for them. “We have to rest up now, relax and get ready for Wednesday. We will be very confident going into it. “I feel very very proud of the team, the fans and the club and we all deserve it. We are quite harsh on ourselves and we think we should have been promoted automatically. “But we are going to do the job in the play-offs.” --------------------- Mansfield defender 'annoyed' not to have a bigger lead after first leg against 'shaky' Cobblers ‘You could tell when they conceded the first goal that they were a bit shaky.’ northamptonchron.co.uk, By James Heneghan Mansfield defender Oliver Hawkins admits he feels ‘annoyed’ not to be taking a bigger lead to Sixfields after the first leg of their play-off semi-final with Northampton. The Stags had Wembley in their sights when Rhys Oates and Jordan Bowery fired them into a 2-0 lead with 32 minutes played in Saturday’s game at a raucous Field Mill. But, to their credit, Cobblers kept fighting and completely dominated the second-half, deservedly halving the deficit heading back to Sixfields next Wednesday courtesy of Ali Koiki’s deflected strike. “We held on,” said Hawkins. “We were very strong defensively in the last half-an-hour when they put pressure on us. “We knew today was going to be tough and we knew that we wanted to come out of it with a win. We were annoyed to concede and not have a two-goal lead going into the second leg but it’s still a win. https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-defender-annoyed-not-to-have-a-bigger-lead-after-first-leg-against-shaky-cobblers-3695097 “We knew what they were going to come with. They utilise set-pieces, they’re big and strong defensively as well so we knew it was going to be a battle. I thought the back four did well today. “We played really well in the first-half. We started strongly and we knew that if we got a one or two goal lead, we could see out this game. “When we attacked, we attacked with purpose, and you could tell when they conceded the first goal that they were a bit shaky, and we knew that we could get a second goal. We were unlucky not to go 3-0 up at half-time because we were brilliant in the first-half.” Hawkins says Mansfield will not set up to defend their lead in the second leg. “It’s an advantage at the end of the day,” he added. “We’re going to play our way, we’re not going to go there and put everyone behind the ball and defend for 90 minutes. “We know we can score away from home. We know as long as we play well and we get a good result then that one-goal lead will benefit us.” --------------------- Mixed feelings for Brady as strong second-half gives Cobblers a fighting chance northamptonchron.co.uk, By James Heneghan A performance of two halves left Cobblers boss Jon Brady with mixed emotions after his side were beaten 2-1 by Mansfield Town in the first leg of their League Two play-off semi-final on Saturday evening. The tie threatened to get away from Northampton when Rhys Oates and then Jordan Bowery eased Mansfield into a two-goal lead with only 32 minutes played. But the visitors dominated in the second-half and Ali Koiki’s first goal for the club was the very least they deserved for their efforts, setting up a tasty second leg at Sixfields on Wednesday. https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/mixed-feelings-for-brady-as-strong-second-half-gives-cobblers-a-fighting-chance-3694397 "We are still very much in the tie,” said Brady. “I thought the first-half was a bit uncharacteristic from us in terms of the two goals we conceded because we don’t usually give away goals like that. "The first goal is offside, I think the Sky cameras show that, so again we have been dealt a tough blow, but we showed character and spirit to come back into the game in the second-half and we acquitted ourselves well.” On the message at half-time, Brady added:"There were certain messages and things that we have done all season but I didn’t feel we did them in the first-half. "We talked about that at half-time and it was just about reinforcing those messages and I thought we were a lot more purposeful in our play and a lot more aggressive in the things we did. "We look forward to taking them back to Sixfields where we have been strong all season.” ------------------- The momentum is with us says Northampton Town boss Jon Brady after narrow play-off first leg defeat at Mansfield Town chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Saturday 14th May 2022 Northampton Town manager Jon Brady feels momentum is with his side for the second leg after tonight's 2-1 League Two play-offs first leg defeat at Mansfield Town. Stags were 2-0 ahead and well on top, but Ali Koiki's 61st minute reply has give the Cobblers heart and they dominated the rest of the game, forcing Stags to defend stoutly. “We definitely felt were in the ascendancy in the second half and we're going to make sure we take that momentum into the next game,” said Brady. “We showed character and spirit to come back into the game second half and I thought we acquitted ourselves well in that second half. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/the-momentum-is-with-us-says-northampton-town-boss-jon-bardy-after-narrow-play-off-first-leg-defeat-at-mansfield-town-3694401 “At half-time we told them there were certain things we'd done all season that we weren't doing, and we looked a lot more purposeful and aggressive in our play. “Credit to Mansfield. It was a strong game tonight. “We are now looking forward to taking them back to Sixfields. We have been strong at home all season. “We did come back to 2-1 but we know we still have a lot to do. “But we know what we can do.” Northampton could have had their chins on the floor after missing out on promotion on the last day, but instead showed true grit. “I know within what they are capable of and one thing is we have never laid down all season,” said Brady. “We have come back when we have had setbacks and we are probably at our best when our backs are against the wall. We come out fighting and we get results.” --------------------- Maxted admits he had 'big shoes to fill' but was happy with his display against Mansfield Goalkeeper played his first competitive game since October northamptonchron.co.uk, By James Heneghan Goalkeeper Jonny Maxted admitted he had ‘big shoes to fill’ when stepping in for the suspended Liam Roberts during Saturday’s play-off semi-final first leg against Mansfield. Roberts had played every minute of every league game during the regular season - up until stoppage-time against Barrow on the final day when he was sent off for punching the ball outside of his area. A one-game suspension followed, ruling him out of Saturday’s tie at Field Mill and providing a rare opportunity for Maxted. https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/maxted-admits-he-had-big-shoes-to-fill-but-was-happy-with-his-display-against-mansfield-3696323 “It's my first competitive game since October so I just was trying to get up to speed,” said the 28-year-old. "Obviously Robbo has done brilliantly this season and it was big shoes to fill but I have experience of playing in big games and I’m always ready for the opportunity. "I work hard every day in training and I'm ready to take a chance when it's given to me. It will be the gaffer’s decision who plays in the second leg. Robbo has been magnificent but I felt like I did well.” Rhys Oates fired the opening goal through Maxted’s legs before Jamie Murphy’s cross-shot deflected off the goalkeeper and fell kindly to Jordan Bowery. "A few of the lads were saying that the first goal is offside,” Maxted added. “The second goal is one of those where you have to try and stand your ground at your near post. "I thought I had got enough on it but their lad had come in at the back stick behind Ali to tap it into an empty net.” Maxted made a good stop from Oates to stop it going 3-0 early in the second-half, adding: “It took a massive deflection off Fraser (Horsfall). It's gone to my right and I've just made a reaction save and kept it out of the net. Let's hope that save is an important moment in the tie. "We were a bit slow out of the blocks but in the second-half we came out all guns blazing and the boys dug deep and we grabbed that goal back which gives us a better chance going into the second leg. "We have given ourselves a good chance. It might have been a different story if we went back to Sixfields 2-0 behind.” ---------------- |
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