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Archived News from November 2009

GARNER GOAL EARNS REPLAY FOR BELOW-PAR STAGS
19th November 2009 16:26


FA Cup Round 1
Forest Green Rovers 1 - 1 Mansfield Town
Hodgkiss 27 Garner 87
Attendance: 1149 (363 from Mansfield)

Date: 7 November 2009

Martin Shaw at the New Lawn

A header on 87 minutes by Scott Garner earned Mansfield Town a replay against Forest Green Rovers at the New Lawn this afternoon. The Stags had started powerfully in the opening 10 minutes, but faded after that and Forest Green's goal on 27 minutes, a result of poor marking by Mansfield, gave the home side confidence. In the second half, Forest Green played very well, led by Conal Platt on the right wing, and Tomi Ameobi, and the Stags had Alan Marriott to thank for hanging in at 1-0. Then with 3 minutes to go, Scott Garner took advantage of a ball bouncing around the box and keeper Terry Burton flapping at it, to head home a loose ball and earn the Stags an undeserved replay, to the delight of the Stags fans who were fantastic in getting behind their team throughout the afternoon despite very little to cheer about.

The replay will be at Field Mill in ten days (Tuesday 17 November, 7.45pm).

Stagsnet report in the Match Centre

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Forest Green 1 Mansfield 1
Saturday, November 07, 2009,

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/news/Forest-Green-Mansfield-time/article-1490747-detail/article.html

Rovers must head to Mansfield in 10 days' time for a replay after a cruel late leveller in this FA Cup first round tie.
The opening goal came on 28 minutes and stemmed from a counter-attack that was started and finished by Jared Hodgkiss. The killer pass was played by David Brown to Rigg, who crossed low from the left for the little full-back to score his first goal for the club.
A running battle between Mark Preece and Kyle Perry could easily have resulted in a penalty for Mansfield three minutes before half-time, but the officials failed to spot the defender's manhandling of the giant frontman.
Marriott was by far the busier of the two stoppers after the break, clutching another shot from Rigg before producing a fine save to deny Conal Platt the finishing touch to a mazy run.
Pressure on the visiting goal grew, with Rigg twice denied by Marriott after some delightful build-up play.
So it was an injustice when the leveller came with three minutes remaining. Burton failed to get enough distance in punching clear substitute Ryan Williams' cross, and the ball was lofted back into the mix for Scott Garner to bundle home.
Forest Green: T. Burton; J. Hodgkiss, M. Preece, J. O'Cearuill, C. McDonald; C. Platt, J. Smith, D. Brown, P. Stonehouse; T. Ameobi (S. Davies 77), S. Rigg; Subs not used: B. Pugh, J. Else, D. King, D. Powell, M. Palmer, T. Pass.

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FA CUP Rnd 1: Forest Green Rovers 1 Mansfield Town 1 - Saturday 7th November
CHAD.co.uk, 07 November 2009
By Stephen Thirkill
STAGS kept their FA Cup dreams alive after Scott Garner headed an equaliser three minutes from time to rescue a draw against Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/FA-CUP-Rnd-1-Forest.5804798.jp?

Below-par Mansfield appeared to be crashing out of the world famous competition after Jared Hodgkiss had put the Gloucestershire side into the lead in the first half of this First Round tie.

But for the second week in a row Stags' never-saw-die attitude shone through as they fought to the end to equalise and set up a replay at Field Mill in 10 days time.

Garner pounced after home goalkeeper Terry Burton failed to punch a deep cross clear.

And with the ball high in the air the commanding defender rose highest through a crowd of players to head home and level the tie.

Stags, who failed to perform for much of the game with the home side bossing large parts of the second period, will have Alan Marriott to thank after he pulled off two wonderful reaction saves from Platt and Stonehouse just after the hour mark to keep the tie alive.

Mansfield had started the game in convincing fashion with Perry, Duffy and Speight all causing the home defence problems with their collective strength and pace.

But after the promising start Stags faded as the 4-3-3 'away' formation failed to get them a firm foothold in the game as Platt and Rigg began to run the show for the home side.

A change formation to 4-4-2 gave Stags more width and threat which ultimately paid dividends for the Field Mill side.

And after Stags played their 'get out of jail card', boss David Holdsworth will now be confident that his side will see off Forest Green when the sides meet on 17th November for a place in the second round

New signing Michael Brough was given his debut against his former club as one of three changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Histon.

Boss David Holdsworth brought in Brough along with Steven Istead and Jake Speight as he reverted back to his favoured 4-3-3 away formation.

Making way were Ryan Williams, the goal hero against Histon, Craig Dobson and Leeds loanee Oliver Hothckiss.

Ex-Stag Tomi Ameobi was named in the starting line-up for Forest Green.

Stags, who beat Forest Green in the league earlier this season, made a good start with Rob Duffy scuffing a shot just wide from a tight angle after he was played in by Speight on two minutes.

Brough also tested Burton in the home goal two minutes later when Forest Green failed to clear a mis-hit effort by England C player Kyle Perry.

Forest Green came back into the game after their jittery start and Sean Rigg tested Marriott on 8 minutes after he spun, before firing a powerful shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Former Stag Ameobi then nodded wide after he rose well to get on the end of a deep cross by Jared Hodgkiss on 16 minutes as the home side consolidated their foothold in the game.

And the pressure told as the home side made it 1-0 after 27 minutes when Jared Hodgkiss had a simple tap in to an unguarded net.

The Stags defence appeared to go to sleep as Sean Rigg slotted a neat ball along the six yard box to an unmarked Hodgkiss following a flowing move by Forest Green.

With six minutes to go until half-time Kyle Perry, who has scored nine goals this season, smashed a free-kick into the Forest Green wall from 22 yards as Stags pushed for the equaliser.

Stags then had a massise shout for a penalty when Kyle Perry appeared to be manhandled by Mark Preece after Mills launched the ball into the box.

But despite the huge cries for a spot-kick from the army of Stags fans behind the goal referee Brendan Malone waved play on.

In injury time Speight flicked a back header into the hands of Terry Burton after another direct ball from midfield nearly paid dividends for the visitors.

After a slow start to the second half Holdsworth made a double substitution, bringing on Dobson for Istead and Williams for Speight on 52 minutes, as he looked to get Stags firing once again.

The changes saw Stags revert back to their 4-4-2 formation.
But it was Forest Green who had the first chance of the half when Brown broke down the right before firing in a low shot which was well held by Marriott on 58 minutes.

Marriott kept Stags in the contest on the hour with another fantastic reflex save after Platt broke well down the right for Rovers.

He then jinked beautifully inside Heckingbottom before unleashing a powerful shot for the top corner, which was superbly tipped over by the diving Marriott.

The visiting keeper once again performed heroics as Stonehouse broke the Stags offside trap on 65 minutes as the game became stretched.

Stonehouse then drilled a low shot for the far corner which was parried by Marriott low to his left, before the loose ball was cleared at the second attempt by the scrambling defence.

Forest Green continued to pile on the pressure and won a series of corners as they looked to hit on the counter and seal their passage into the next round.

The dangerous Rigg then amazingly beat three defenders by the corner flag, before he fired at Marriott's legs from virtually on the by-line on 69 minutes to win the home side's latest corner.

Silk tested Burton from distance on 71 minutes after the ball broke to him 30 yards out from a corner, the first Stags shot of note during the second half.

Forest Green continued to play the better of the football with their intricate passive moves causing the Stags defence problems.

The quiet Brough fired well wide on 77 minutes from distance after a Ryan Williams corner fell to him following a punch out by the goalkeeper.

With the game entering its closing ten minutes Stags began to pour men forward and squeeze the game.

Perry then blew a good chance with five minutes to go after his first touch let him down when he was in the box.

That poor touch dragged him out wide before the striker then mis-hit into the gratefuk arms of Burton.

Forest Green then broke at speed and nearly clinched the win as the excellent Platt surged through the empty midfield before he dragged his shot just wide.

And it was a very costly miss as Stags equalised with just three minutes to go following a goal-mouth scramble.

Burton failed to clear with a punch and, as the ball dropped, Garner rose through a melee of men to nod home from close range.

Despite a late flurry of pressure the scores remained the same as Stags live to fight another day.

FOREST GREEN: Burton, McDonald, Preece, Stonehouse, Brown, Platt, Smith, Ameobi (Davies 78 mins), Rigg, O'Cearuill, Hodgkiss. Subs not used: Else, Powell, Pugh, Pass, Palmer, King.

STAGS: Marriot, Silk, Jones, Garner, Heckingbottom, Mills, Istead (Williams 52 mins), Brough, Speight (Dobson 52 mins), Perry, Duffy (Sturrock 72 mins). Subs not used: Eley, Hotchkiss, Armstrong, Somner

REFEREE: Brendan Malone (Wiltshire)

ATTENDANCE: 1149 (363 away)

STAGS MAN OF THE MATCH: Alan Marriott

BOOKINGS: Smith (12 mins – foul), Rigg (37 mins – foul)
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Stags' Perry : Gaffer helped me clinch England call
Saturday, November 07, 2009, 07:00Comment on this story

KYLE Perry feels Mansfield Town boss David Holdsworth deserves much of the credit for his England 'C' call-up.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-Perry-Gaffer-helped-clinch-England/article-1491703-detail/article.html?

The 23-year-old has been drafted into Paul Fairclough's 16-strong squad for Tuesday's friendly game with Poland.
Perry is firmly focused on this afternoon's FA Cup first-round proper tie with Forest Green at the New Lawn.
But he is also looking forward to testing his ability on the international stage.
"When I came in all I was trying to do was get my first goal and keep going from there," said Perry.
"But now I am in the England C squad and I have got a lot to thank the gaffer for.
"He has given me the opportunity to prove myself. I told him I wanted to work hard and needed someone to push me – and that's exactly what he has done.
"I think by pushing me he has helped get the best out of me, but I still believe there is more to come."
Perry admits it is likely to be an emotional experience pulling on the Three Lions come Tuesday night.
He said: "I will be very proud – and I wouldn't be surprised if I cried, like a 6ft 4ins Gazza!
"I thought it was a joke when the gaffer called me up, but I was overjoyed by it and I rang around everyone I knew to let them know.
"But first we are going to Forest Green to get the win and I want to get goals and assists to help with that."

 

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