Archived News from September 2003
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NINE MAN STAGS TRIUMPH
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See Match Centre for the Stagsnet report.
Cambridge United 1 - 2 Mansfield Town Fleming 82. Disley 33, Lawrence pen 75 Kitson sent off 77. Christie sent off 35, Day sent off 42. Att: 4,068 (700 from Mansfield) Stagsnet report by Martin Shaw and Jeff Barnes in the Match Centre. -------- Press Association report: FT: Cambridge Utd 1 Mansfield 2 Mansfield had two players sent off in the first half and gave away a penalty but still managed to pull off an extraordinary 2-1 victory at Cambridge. Iyseden Christie and Rhys Day were dismissed before the break - much to the disgust of manager Keith Curle who was banished from the dug-out for the second half. Craig Disley fired Mansfield in front in the 34th minute after a bad backpass by Terry Fleming, and Cambridge's afternoon took another turn for the worse when Justin Walker had a penalty saved by Kevin Pilkington. Liam Lawrence then made it 2-0 from the spot after he was tripped by Walker. Cambridge had Dave Kitson sent off after a flare-up with Chris Beardsley, but they pulled a goal back in the 81st minute through Fleming and then hit the woodwork twice through Luke Guttridge and Lloyd Opara. ---------- From Cambridge Official Site: John Taylor made one enforced change to the side that won 3-0 at Cheltenham last weekend, handing Warren Goodhind his first start of the season in place of the suspended Stev Angus. On the bench, Adam Tann replaced Goodhind and Shane Tudor, who proved his recovery from bruised ribs with a promising display for the reserves on Wednesday, replaced David Bridges. Mansfield, making their first visit to the Abbey since their 7-2 defeat in 1999, made three changes to the side that lost 1-0 at home to Yeovil last weekend. Iyseden Christie returned from a three match suspension, strike partner Colin Larkin returned from injury, and Bobby Hassell was recalled in place of Jamie Clark. The Stags also included former U's midfielder Neil Mackenzie and former Man City defender Rhys Day, who had a trial The game kicked off in bright sunshine and in a noisy atmosphere with the visitors attacking the Newmarket Road End. John Turner looked lively on his first home start, linking well with Dave Kitson, and United's first chance arrived in the third minute. A great ball from Kitson picked out the run of Terry Fleming, and although the midfielder was unable to pull his cross back enough for a team mate he won a corner, which Andy Duncan headed just over the bar. Stags striker Christie, fresh from serving a suspension, was the first player in Mr Cable's book when he clattered into the back of Mark Venus in the fifth minute. Just three minutes after Craig Disley had robbed Luke Guttridge and beaten Shaun Marshall to put Mansfield ahead in the 33rd minute, slightly against the run of play, Christie charged into the back of Andy Duncan and quite rightly received his marching orders, although there was an angry reaction from his team mates. The atmosphere simmered and boiled over in the 43rd minute when Rhys Day hauled down Dave Kitson as he raced through on goal, giving Mr Cable no choice but to show a straight red card for a professional foul. This led to angry scenes on the pitch as he was surrounded by protesting Mansfield players and the Stags bench had to be calmed down by the fourth official and police as they shouted and pointed from the technical area. In the 45th minute defender Dave Artell was sent on for midfielder Neil Mackenzie, who looked so angry that he was in danger of being the next Mansfield player booked, and at the final whistle Stags manager Keith Curle stormed off the bench and towards the officials but was intercepted by stewards and pulled away by his assistant. Half-time summary: "A half that had everything apart from a United goal. Mansfield lost their heads and two men as the Abbey became a powderkeg with visiting players, supporters and management enveloped in a red mist. Mansfield's goal, scored slightly against the run of play, came in their best spell before the mist descended." Second half: An incredibly eventful game still had plenty of twists and turns to offer. First John Taylor went for Mansfield's throats by sending on winger Shane Tudor for Freddie Murray, and the U's set up a constant bombardment on the Mansfield goal, roared on by an expectant home crowd. Shots were blocked, crosses were cleared, and United's best chance was wasted in the 55th minute when Tudor waltzed into the box but fired wide from 12 yards. Eight minutes later Tudor won a penalty when he fell over Artell's outstretched leg but Justin Walker's spot kick was pushed around the post by Pilkington, and when Venus blasted a free kick well over the bar in the 67th minute and Lawrence scored from the spot for Mansfield in the 73rd minute some home fans decided to start leaving the ground. They missed even more incident when Dave Kitson was dismissed just three minutes later as United's frustration spilled over, Terry Fleming was booked at the same time but then gave United a foothold back into the match with his well-taken 81st minute goal. Prompted by the determination of substitute Lloyd Opara and the cool head of Mark Venus, United set up seige on the Mansfield goal for the final ten minutes but were denied by last gasp defending and some good saves from Pilkington. Annanova: Mansfield had two players sent off in the first half and gave away a penalty but still managed to pull off an extraordinary 2-1 victory at Cambridge. Iyseden Christie and Rhys Day were dismissed before the break - much to the disgust of manager Keith Curle who was banished from the dug-out for the second half. Craig Disley fired Mansfield in front in the 34th minute after a bad backpass by Terry Fleming, and Cambridge's afternoon took another turn for the worse when Justin Walker had a penalty saved by Kevin Pilkington. Liam Lawrence then made it 2-0 from the spot after he was tripped by Walker. Cambridge had Dave Kitson sent off after a flare-up with Chris Beardsley, but they pulled a goal back in the 81st minute through Fleming and then hit the woodwork twice through Luke Guttridge and Lloyd Opara. |
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