Archived News from November 2006
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BEARDSLEY ON TARGET AS STAGS PAINT THE TOWN AMBER
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Johnstone's Paint Trophy Northern Section Round 2
Mansfield Town 3 - 0 Grimsby Town Boshell OG 37, Beardsley 79, 85 Attendance: 1761 (135 from Grimsby) ----------- Two goals from Chris Beardsley, his first for Mansfield since October 2003, saw the Stags comfortably through to the Northern Area Quarter finals of the JPT Trophy at Field Mill. The game also saw a very welcome return to action for Simon Brown, and a debut for young Rory Boulding. Mick and Rory Boulding therefore became the first brothers to play in the same game for Mansfield since Mick and Gary Saxby in the late 1970's. The draw for the Area Quarter finals will be on Saturday morning during Sky Sports' Soccer AM. The match will be played around Nov 28. Martin ----------- BEARDSLEY'S DOUBLE IS A TIMELY REMINDER Evening Post, 01 November 2006 Mansfield Town 3 - 0 Grimsby Town Johnstone's Paint Trophy, 2nd Round Anyone who doubts that football can be a cruel game should talk to Stags striker Chris Beardsley. In his first start for well over a month, the Derby-born player had a rare chance to impress and did all that can be asked of a good front man in scoring not once, but twice, in Mansfield's victory. Yet the irony is that, despite his exploits, it is highly unlikely he will keep his place for the club's next match on Saturday at Bristol Rovers in League Two. At some other teams in the division, Beardsley's display would have been enough for him to cement his place in the side for weeks to come. At Mansfield, though, that is not going to happen because of the blistering form of first-choice pairing Richard Barker and Danny Reet. The duo have netted 17 goals so far between them. Both men were rested last night carrying slight knocks. But providing they are fit, they are almost certain to start at the Memorial Stadium. Even if Barker or Reet were unable to recover, Beardsley might still be below fit-again Simon Brown and Michael Boulding in the pecking order. Of course, from manager Peter Shirtliff's point of view, such an embarrassment of striker riches is a pleasant problem to have. Beardsley's feeling are more likely to be of frustration - especially after spending nearly the whole of last season out with a broken leg. Although it was a match in a competition that is billed as a waste of time in the early rounds by some, there were several other big plus points to come out of the night, not least the result kept up Mansfield's good run of recent form. Not only did it ensure that the Stags finished October unbeaten in five matches, but it was also a third win on the bounce. The last time they notched a hat-trick of successes was almost three years ago in December 2003 when the likes of Colin Larkin and Liam Lawrence were at Field Mill. That tells its own story in that the team have struggled for consistency since then, even if they have showed immense promise in brief patches. But now there is a real sense that Mansfield can build on their good month and get themselves in the play-off mix. Jake Buxton showed he is champing at the bit for a first team recall in what was an excellent display from the back four led by the outstanding Alex John-Baptiste. In midfield, Giles Coke was once again steady and will give his manager a selection poser when Stephen Dawson returns. The Boulding brothers - Michael and Rory - both used their pace to good effect, the former from the start against his former club and the latter off the bench. Brown - back after a lengthy spell out after hernia and knee problems - also made an impact as a substitute by setting Beardsley clear for his first and the Stags' second goal. Mansfield made five changes to the side which won at Macclesfield, while Grimsby played their strongest available side. But the first half was tepid. It was a 36th-minute own goal from Danny Boshell that separated the sides at the break when he diverted Matt Hamshaw's corner past Phil Barnes. There was an improvement after the break and only a fine save from Barnes prevented Michael and then Rory Boulding twice from extending the lead. The Mariners keeper could not keep out the Stags for ever though as Beardsley rattled in two goals in six minutes - his first since re-signing for the club in the summer of 2005. He raced on to a Brown pass, held off a defender and fired just inside the left-hand corner. Then, as Michael Boulding hoisted a ball high over two Grimsby defenders, he won the race to the ball and guided his shot past Barnes. --------- CHAD report: No tricks - Stags treat fans to Hallowe'en cup triumph IF Stags can make it all the way to the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, few will remember this cold and largely unexciting Halloween 3-0 win over Grimsby at Field Mill. There were more fireworks in the sky than on the pitch over much of a game in which a depleted but hard-working Stags led from the 36th minute thanks to a Danny Boshell own goal. But the night eventually belonged to Chris Beardsley who made sure of Mansfield's place in the Area quarter-finals with two late goals inside five minutes. Stags boss Peter Shirtliff rang the changes with five players left out from the weekend win in Macclesfield. Carl Muggleton, Jon Hjelde and Gareth Jelleyman were rested while strike force Danny Reet and Richie Barker, with 17 goals between them, were both nursing knocks. In came White in goal, Buxton to centre half, Michael Boulding and Beardsley up front and Lloyd at left midfield. A surprise on the bench was the welcome return of Brown after seven weeks out. Mansfield made a positive start and Lloyd and Coke had efforts blocked in quick succession as Stags forced an early corner. Then Barnes left his box to kick clear as Boulding chased John-Baptiste's forward ball. Boulding came even closer on seven minutes as he cut inside McDermott from the left and drilled a low shot across the face of goal. Butler got away from his marker from Toner's corner but just failed to get a head on it from three yards when any contact would have left Stags in trouble. Neat play from Rankin and James got the ball to Toner in space on the far side of the box. He laid it into the path of Ravenhill and his 18 yard blast wasn't far over. But the Stags were given a helping hand on 36 minutes as Grimsby put through their own goal. Hamshaw swung the fourth Stags corner over from the left and Boshell inadvertently turned it past his own keeper from five yards. With North on for Bore up front for Grimsby after the interval, it was Mansfield who carved out the first danger as Beardsley was well over with a 16-yard dipperdipping shot from 16 yards. On 50 minutes the visitors were indebted to Barnes as Boulding sprinted clear into the box and the keeper did well to parry his firm on-target finish. White was comfortably behind Toner's stabbed shot on 53 minutes - their first shot on target - and Stags broke quickly, Hamshaw's cross a fraction too high for the head of Beardsley. Rory Boulding came on in place of Lloyd for his debut on 57 minutes, brother Michael moving to left midfield. Hegarty was booked for dissent within three minutes of coming on as a sub, Sheehan joining him soon after, also after words with referee Mr Miller. Another Grimsby sub, Hegarty was even quicker to see yellow, booked within a minute of joining the action after shoving Mullins over and kicking the ball away. Michael Boulding raced forward to set up brother Michael who forced a save from Barnes with a rasping low shot. Mansfield finally looked to have clinched the win 10 minutes from time when substitute Brown chipped an inviting ball over a square defence and Beardsley fended off the chasing defender to plant it past Barnes. It was certainly all over five minutes later as Beardsley made it 3-0. Chasing a Michael Boulding ball over the top, he did superbly well to get there first and squeeze it between two defenders and the keeper as they converged on him. MANSFIELD: White, Mullins (Wood 84) M. Boulding, D'Laryea, Buxton, John-Baptiste, Hamshaw (Brown 74), Beardsley, Coke, Sheehan, Lloyd (R. Boulding 57). Subs not used: Jelleyman, Birchall. GRIMSBY: Barnes, McDermott, Fenton, Toner, Ravenhill, Rankin, Butler, Bore (North ht), Boshell, Croft (Harkins 73), James (Hegarty 67). Subs not used: Whittle, Murray. REFEREE: Nigel Miller. ATTENDANCE: 1,761. GOALS: Stags - Boshell og 36; Beardsley 80, 85. CAUTIONS: Stags - Sheehan 71 (dissent); R. Boulding 90 (foul). Grimsby - Hegarty 70 (unsporting); Harkins 73 (unsporting) MAN OF THE MATCH: Michael Boulding. ------------ report from gtfc.co.uk: Isaiah Rankin returned to action after missing the previous eight games with a thigh injury. Rankin took his place in the Town attack in place of the suspended Gary Jones. Paul Bolland was again missing with an ankle injury. Mansfield had the first chance of the game with just two minutes played.Butler gave the ball away in his own half, former Mariner Michael Boulding took the ball onto the eithteen yard line before seeing his shot blocked by Butler. Boulding was again a thorn in Town's side, beating Nick Fenton before curling a shot wide. But Town began to get into the game and Toner's free-kick was met by the head of Nick Fenton but was just wide of White's post. The Mariners were linking up well, and on 16 minutes Town had a good chance. Rankin to Toner and his square pass found Ricky Ravenhill who fired over what turned out to be Town's best chance of the first half. Beardsley shot over for the Stags on 27 minutes and 8 minutes later the home side were ahead. Hamshaw's corner was met by the head of Danny Boshell and the ball flew into the net, giving Barnes no chance. Half-Time: Mansfield Town 1 Grimsby Town 0 Danny North replaced Peter Bore at the start of the second half. The Mariners had a chance on 54 minutes when Croft went on a good run down the left, picked out Kevin James who headed just wide. It was a great chance for the Nottingham Forest loanee to put Town level. The Mariners introduced Nick Hegarty on 67 minutes, replacing Kevin James. Gary Harkins came on for a limping Gary Croft on 72 minutes.. That didn't happen and the home side continued to cause the Mariners problems. Rory Boulding had an effort saved by Barnes before the Stags did double their advantage. GOAL! 78mins. Beardsley beat the Town offside trap, carried the ball forward before slotting the ball past Barnes. GOAL! With the game effectively already over the Stags scored a third on 84 minutes. A dangerous ball into the Town box, Butler and Toner left it for each other and Beardsley nipped in to complete the scoring. The Mariners will be hoping that this was just a bad day at the office and that they can recapture the form shown at Peterborough last Saturday for the visit of the MK Dons this weekend.. --------------- electronicfishcake.com Mansfield 3 Grimsby 0 By Rik Bushell GRIMSBY Town made a couple of changes for the visit to Mansfield, namely Isaiah Rankin in for the suspended Gary Jones and John McDermott coming in for Tom Newey, who took a knock at Peterborough, with Gary Croft switching to the left. Town lined up with the 4-3-3 system that started off so well at Peterborough and were looking to continue with the fine passing and movement they had shown at London Road. The starting line-up was as follows: Barnes, McDermott, Fenton, Butler and Croft made up the back five, Toner, Ravenhill and Boshell the mid three with James, Rankin and Bore up front. The omen's weren't good for Town however with them not having recorded a win at Field Mill since their sole one way back in the 1955/56 season! Their was also the recent curse of former player's bagging against us to contend with as Michael Boulding lined up in attack for The Stags. Mansfield soon carved a chance early on after a poor pass by Butler let Mansfield on the offensive and that man Boulding let rip only to see his shot deflected for a corner. From the resulting corner Fenton was able to clear and was fouled relieving some early pressure. Five minutes into the game and Barnes showed good alertness to come rushing out his goal mouth to sweep up for his defenders before Boshell had a foray forward a minute later but had his run snuffed out. Once again former Town hero Boulding caused problems after he beat Fenton to a ball down the line, cut inside him and flashed a rasping shot across the goal and just wide of the post. Soon after another ball into Town's box was headed down by Boulding but Town managed to clear. Another ball down the line found Boulding again, he centred it and the shot was deflected for a corner. Barnes rushed off his line for the in-swinger and got his fists to it. There was then more concerted pressure by Mansfield with Butler clearing for another corner on the eighth minute. From the corner a soft effort was cleared off the line by McDermott with the second attempt headed over. Grimsby seemed to be second to every ball and after another ball in was cleared Boulding tried his luck but couldn't get enough on his header. Town finally started to get a hold of the game soon after however, with good move instigated by Boshell switching the play right to left wasted by Croft who couldn't control properly. On 11 minutes Toner whipped in a dangerous looking free-kick but Fenton's resulting header flashed just wide. Soon after Butler won the ball in defence, Ravenhill passed to Rankin who played Toner in but the shot was deflected for a corner. From the corner the shot was hit wide. Peter Bore made a good run down the left on 13 minutes but it ended up fizzling out with a poor cross. Soon after a ball over the top sent Boulding clear of the last man but luckily the linesmen was having none of it and flagged for offside. On 14 minutes James battled well down the right and won a throw. From the throw-in the ball was played about well, switched right to left by Boshell but Toner's cross in was too close to the keeper. A great tackle by Boshell put Town on the attack, he played in Toner who had his shot saved. Soon after Butler won the ball with a strong challenge and Town carved out a good chance with some neat inter-play between Rankin, Toner and Ravenhill with the latter's shot firing over. A couple of minutes later a poor pass let in Bore but he was stopped in his tracks by the Mansfield rearguard. A poor cross-field pass by Fenton allowed The Stags to attack and put a cross in but Fenton redeemed himself with a clearance and play was stopped after Mansfield hand-balled. A long ball down the left by Town had Rankin in a good position but he failed to control the ball and the chance went begging. Then Bore played in Rankin down the left again, he cut inside and pulled the trigger but the attempt was blocked. Boulding was clear on goal once again on 21 minutes after the ball was flicked past Fenton but once again Town blushes were saved as the linesman flagged. Fenton put the ball in row Z after some Mansfield pressure down the right and after some neat work following the throw in, Mansfield got the ball in to Boulding who headed over. Again Boulding was played in down the left soon after but this time Fenton dispelled the attack with a crunching tackle. On 26 minutes a shot on the edge of the area was blocked by Croft with Barnes coming out and sweeping up well on the edge of his area. Mansfield were attacking again soon after however and a neat back-heel on the edge of the area gave the opportunity to shoot but The Stags man fired well over. What looked to be a poor challenge on Boshell went unpunished by the referee to the anger of the 135 Town fan's. However Town were forward next when Bore picked up the ball and nearly sent Rankin through but the pass was blocked. Then Mansfield went up the other end down the left and after squaring the ball to the right the ball was headed behind for a corner. The corner was swung into the six-yard area and with no Mansfield challenge the ball hit BOSHELL then Butler's mid-rift before ricocheting into the back of the Town net. There seemed to be confusion amongst the Town player's as Boshell, Butler and Barnes argued over who should have cleared the ball with Butler saying Barnes should have caught it. A good move by Town saw them again switching the play from left to right with Ravenhill, James, Toner and Croft all involved before Rankin was tackled in the box. After a ball through the centre, Mansfield had the ball on the edge of the box and played in Boulding on the left who again flashed a dangerous shot wide of the far post. On 42 minutes Mansfield were again put through, this time down the right but Barnes did well to save before the late offside flag. Half time came and although Town had played some neat stuff across the park it always seemed as though the final telling ball lacked that bit of quality. Half time: 0-1 Danny North came on for Bore at the half-time interval and immediately made a nuisance of himself getting stuck in to the Mansfield defender's but often with little reward. A poor clearance by Town let Mansfield have a pop at goal but fortunately the effort was poor and flew over. Up the other end a Croft long-ball had North battling again but to no avail. The Town defence were caught napping soon after and Barnes had to pull off a good save after the centre-back's had looked a bit too static. North created a half-chance down the right but the chance was lost when James misunderstood the pass. Another Town foray saw Rankin having a run at their back four but again he lost the ball. It was clear to see this was his first game back after a long lay-off. Town were creating chances however and after a long ball, James hit it outside to North, who passed to McDermott with Macca slinging in a cross that was deflected. Ravenhill got a hold of it, cut inside but hit a soft shot at the keeper. There was a great chance for James to open his Grimsby account on 55 minutes, but his diving header from Croft's run and cross went just the wrong side of the far post. A Rankin ball out wide to James saw him rain in another cross but it was headed out for a corner. Town played the corner short to Boshell but his shot was saved. Mansfield were back on the attack next however with the attacker beating his man on the by-line and flashing in a dangerous fast ball but it was adjudged to have gone out. Another long ball by Croft saw the ball headed down to Rankin by North but his long range effort fizzed wide. On 68 minutes Graham Rodger decided to change things around with young Nick Hegarty coming on for James, James had gone down because of a foul a little earlier so perhaps it was a precautionary measure. Once again Town's approach play was good with North still causing a nuisance but time and again they lacked the final killer ball and their efforts were being blocked. Hegarty was booked soon after coming on for complaining to the linesman when the ball had just gone out. Then Barnes had to be on his toes soon after and produced a good save from a long distance Mansfield effort. Town went up the other end and had the ball in the net through Rankin after a Mansfield clearance bounced kindly to him off Ravenhill but the linesman flagged and it was ruled out. Gary Harkins came on for the injured Croft on 72 minutes with Toner dropping back to the left-back position. Straight away Harkins was in hot water with the referee and received a booking for throwing the ball away. Fenton and Harkins managed to get themselves in a mix down the right letting in Mansfield for a shot but the effort was easily saved. Soon after Harkins played in Rankin on the edge of the box but again Rankin lost possession. McDermott, Ravenhill and Boshell combined well but the shot was blocked with the ball bouncing up to North but he was seen to foul going for the header. Up the other end Barnes again did well to save a shot down to his right. Disaster struck in the 78th minute as Chris Beardsley sprung the offside trap to rifle home at the far post with Fenton desperately trying to recover. Afterwards Barnes again had to sweep up, flying out to the edge of his area and heading the ball clear to nullify another Mansfield chance. On 81 minutes Boshell, Hegarty, Rankin and Harkins did well with Harkins crossing in but Hegarty's effort went wide. There was absolutely no way back on 84 minutes however as Butler and Toner left the ball for each other in the box and Beardsley took the gift and slotted home with Barnes in no man's land. An obvious lack of communication there amongst the Town rearguard. Town had a few more attempts at creating something but as per the rest of the game it fizzled out into nothing. So once again Saturday's result seems like a flash in the pan as Town return to their losing ways. Let's hope that old adage "Now we can concentrate on the league" rings true and Town can re-create the passion shown at Peterborough, starting on Saturday against MK Dons. My MOM: Did consider Boshell and Toner for their passing play but for me it had to be Phil Barnes. He had to be on his toes a few times to rush out and sweep up Town's problems and also made some fine stops. May have to take some of the blame for the last goal but without him Mansfield could have scored many more. |
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