Archived News from September 2003
|
SPORT FIRST REPORT
|
 |
|
Sport First report:
By Frank Stillerton (thanks to Carole for the transcription) Johnson's men make it four on trot: Yeovil inflicted a 1-0 defeat on Mansfield to remove any doubt that the Football League new boys belong in the big time. Four successive wins and four successive clean sheets are testament to the spirit of Gary Johnson's men, bouncing back with a bang after they had lost three on the trot. Mansfield, who began the game just one place behind Yeovil in fifth, have been scoring goals for fun at Field Mill recently, netting 13 in their previous three home games. But Yeovil's water-tight defence shut them out with relative ease, the nearest they came being a Junior Mendes shot that came back off the post on 31 minutes. Delighted Glovers boss Johnson said “This was a big win.” “We dominated the first 10 minutes, pushing them back, and then they had the next 20. but we were on top by the time we scored.” Mansfield did have five first team players out injured, two others suspended, three more pushed into action carrying injuries and five raw teenagers on the bench. But Mansfield boss Keith Curle said “We were down to the bare bones but we still could and should have got something out of the game.” Yeovil started and finished the first half strongly and forged ahead when Kirk Jackson turned home Colin Pluck's low cross after Mansfield had failed to clear a corner. Mansfield dominated the second half as Yeovil got everyone back behind the ball and the visitors kept them out with a degree of comfort, despite three late scares as Neil McKenzie, Liam Lawrence and Craig Mitchell all went close. |
Latest | September 2003