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Archived News from September 2008

ALTY PREVIEWS + SEATS LEFT ON COACH
30th September 2008 12:02


Seats left on SSA coach
As at 8am this morning, SSA have 15 seats still available to travel to Altrincham - ring 07967 689597 to book - coach departs 3.45pm

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Stags hope for first away win at struggling Altrincham
CHAD.co.uk, 22 September 2008
DESPITE the distraction and worry of off-the-field probes into transfer activities at Field Mill, on the field Stags head to struggling Altrincham tonight (Tuesday) still looking for their first away win of the season.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Stags-hope-for-first-away.4516241.jp

Billy McEwan's side have the threat of a points deduction hanging over their heads over alleged transfer irregularities which could knock them off their lofty fourth-placed perch and drag them towards the other end where struggling Altrincham sit in 21st place, nine points adrift of the Stags.

The Robins, only still in the BSP this season due to the relegation of doomed Halifax Town, grabbed a late winner on Saturday to beat bottom club Lewes.

It was only their second win since the opening day of the season and angry home fans chanted and protested against manager Graham Westcote during and after the game.

But it will be no stroll for Stags tomorrow as Altrincham have at least managed home draws against sides of the calibre of Salisbury City, Kettering Town and Wrexham.

The game at Moss Lane kicks off at 7.45pm.

SSA have 15 seats still available to travel to Altrincham - ring 07967 689597 to book - coach departs 3.45pm


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Stags want maximum return on the road
Evening Post, 23 September 2008

MANSFIELD Town's Alan O'Hare believes his side should be settling for nothing less than three points from away games.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-want-maximum-return-road/article-344890-detail/article.html

Despite securing five wins and a draw on home soil to make a solid start to life in the Blue Square Premier, the Stags have not won on their travels.
But they are hoping to secure that first away victory at struggling Altrincham tonight.
And O'Hare says it is imperative Mansfield get the win and kick on.
He said: "There is no point going and hoping to get a draw in away games.
"We need to go out and get the win in away matches because we do not want to be lagging too many points behind the leaders.
"We want to be up there as quickly as possible.
"We said in the dressing room after the game against Cambridge that because we did not win at home we need to pick up points away.
"Although we did not get beaten we look at it as two points dropped and we need to go tonight and get the win tonight."
The former Chesterfield defender said Mansfield should have nothing to fear as they look to bounce back into the Football League.
And he said it is imperative they do that by playing a passing brand of football, both at home and on their travels.
The 26-year-old said: "The manager can go away from home and go 4-5-1 and be defensive and hope to hit them on the break.
"But we do not see why we should because we should not fear anybody in this league, home or away.
"We cannot get bogged down into playing the way so-called lower league teams play.
"We cannot play long balls and we got into that with Barrow a little bit, the same at Crawley until we went behind and then we suddenly got the ball down and played.
"But from the outset we have to get the ball down and play."

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O'Hare: Stags can secure first away win at Altrincham
Evening Post, 23 September 2008
Starting the season as a group of strangers, entering the unknown, Alan O'Hare admits nobody at Mansfield knew what to expect.But as the new-look squad gelled in double-quick time, there is now an air of confidence around Field Mill.

http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk/news/O-hare--Stags-can-secure-first-away-win-at-Altrinc.aspx

Sitting fourth in the Blue Square Premier, life under Billy McEwan's leadership has started rather well... except for one thing.

The away form.

But defender O'Hare sees no reason why that cannot be rectified at Altrincham tonight.

And with the style of play Mansfield are adopting, he believes they can succeed in this division.

He is the first to admit they must tighten up at the back - something he feels is being achieved now they have had ten matches to get to know each other.

"We brought more or less 16 new players in and we knew we were going to have to work on it, we knew it was going to take time," said O'Hare, who scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Cambridge at the weekend.

"We are getting better and I thought on Saturday we were fantastic at the back.

"I know we conceded a goal but we were resolute and defended well as a team.

"So we are getting better as a back five but we need to get better as a whole unit.

"We are always going to create chances with the players we have and the quality we have.

"We have so much league experience within the team and some young lads who want to do well and are eager to get into the league.

"We will always score goals.

"It is up to us guys at the back to stop conceding so many."

Struggling Altrincham scored their first goal in 531 minutes against Lewes on Saturday to record a 1-0 victory.

And O'Hare said there will be no easy games as Mansfield go in search of that first away win.

"It is going to be difficult everywhere you go, it is the same in every league," he said.

"Every game is difficult, no matter who the opposition is.

"Altrincham are struggling but I am sure they do not want to be there. They will be going all out to win - and especially against a team that is up there, they will want a scalp.

"We have to go out and not fear them. We have so many creative players we are confident we can go out and get positive results.

"We can get goals and it is up to the defensive unit to keep clean sheets.

"We are creating chances away from home but we have to eradicate defensive mistakes and when we do that, we will win games away, there is no doubt about it.

"We have a good squad and are getting to know each other on and off the pitch which is vital.

"With just two or three players signed at the beginning of the season I do not think fans, press, players or the public in general knew how we were going to start.

"But because we started so well anything less now and the fans will be disappointed.

"We have high expectations and nobody wants to be in the Conference. I know practically it is just League Three, but we all have ambitions to be back in the Football League.

"We played Cambridge and another couple of teams up there and we can show we should beat these teams. That will all come.

"The likes of Cambridge are all good teams but we have nothing to fear because after all we have come down and we are the ex-League team from last season. We are expected to be in and around there - and should be."

The Irishman now has high hopes for the back-to-back away matches at Altrincham and Salisbury.

And he hopes to build on his first goal of the campaign after converting Michael Blackwood's free kick against Cambridge.

"It was only a point on Saturday but we came from behind against a good side and could have nicked it in the end," he said.

"We have high hopes for the two upcoming away games and we need to be picking up points.

"As for my goal, every day we are doing set pieces, for and against, and the more you do it the more you understand where you need to be.

"At the end of the day when the ball comes in you have to attack it.

"If we are not doing the job I am sure the manager will get somebody else in.

"The opportunity is there and at centre half I have licence to go up and if I chip in three, four or five goals in a season.

"That would be a good return."

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Exclusive Stags ties now in club shop:

http://www.mansfieldtown.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1400497,00.html

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Commentary for Altrincham v Mansfield will be available at bbc.co.uk/nottingham tonight but NOT via the 'listen live' link where it can usually be found.

Instead, you'll have to go to the sport section of the website and go from there. It should be on a section titled 'Altrincham v Mansfield'.

 

Latest | September 2008