Archived News from December 2012
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LINCOLN PREVIEWS / 1200 TICKETS SOLD
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update Friday evening;
More than 1200 Stags fans have bought tickets for tomorrow's eagerly anticipated FA Cup with Budweiser Second Round tie at Lincoln City. The match will kick off at 1pm and Stags fans without a ticket are advised not to travel. ------------- Duo in contention for imps clash 29th November 2012 Manager Paul Cox looks set to make changes to his team for Saturday's highly-anticipated FA Cup with Budweiser Second Round clash at Lincoln City. video interview with Paul Cox ---> http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/duo-in-contention-for-imps-clash-516213.aspx?pageView=full#anchored The Stags boss confirmed in today's pre-match press conference, that goalkeeper Alan Marriott and skipper Adam Murray are both in contention for a place in the squad. Marriott saved a penalty and registered a clean-sheet on his return to action for our reserve team at Hull City last night, whilst Murray also came through the 90 minutes. Cox said: “It's all to do with Alan [Marriott]. He's one of the best goalkeeper's in non-league football, but he's got to be right mentally. He got a bang after about 10 minutes last night, which he got up from, and it probably did him the world of good to be honest. “Adam Murray also did well and played the full 90 minutes, so both of them have got to be in my plans [for the next game].” Added Cox: “But one of the most pleasing parts was we had a lot of kids in there, who did really well. There were lots of positives to take from the game.” Defender Lee Beevers may also be part of the 18-man squad that travel to Sincil Bank this weekend, having missed our FA Trophy defeat at Matlock Town in midweek. Massiah McDonald's stoppage-time strike condemned us to a surprise defeat at Causeway Lane, and our boss has admitted that he should have made changes sooner. “In hindsight, I should have made changes on the Saturday, but the team I put out at Matlock should still have been capable of winning a football match” said Cox. “One or two players, who came in to stake their place, let themselves down. It was a disappointing night and we have to take it on the chin.” -------------------- Sutton ready for Imps test 29th November 2012 Ritchie Sutton & Louis Briscoe video interview with Jason Harrison (Mansfield 103.2) ---> http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/sutton-ready-for-imps-test-516437.aspx Defender Ritchie Sutton is in positive mood ahead of our FA Cup with Budweiser Second Round clash at Sincil Bank against Lincoln City this weekend. The 26-year-old, who has made 58 league appearances since he joined us from Port Vale in June 2011, believes that we can progress to the Third Round stage for the first time since the 2007/08 campaign. “It's going to be a massive tie on Saturday,” said Sutton. “We've already played them here and it was a tight game, so we know what they're all about. Even if we don't beat them on Saturday, it'll still be nice to be in the hat for the Third Round draw. "It was a good atmosphere last year and we got a late equaliser. Results since have proved there's not much between us, so it should be a good game.” Meanwhile, winger Louis Briscoe, who could return to the side after missing our midweek FA Trophy defeat at Matlock Town, has admitted he feels refreshed. He added: “Although I was naturally disappointed not to be in the side on Tuesday, having a rest probably did me the world of good. “We've got to go out and enjoy it on Saturday, first and foremost, but cup competitions are special and anything can happen. I'm looking forward to it.” --------------------- Over 1,000 tickets sold for cup tie mansfieldtown.net, 12:50pm 29th November 2012 We are pleased to announce that we have now sold over 1,000 tickets for Saturday's eagerly-anticipated FA Cup with Budweiser Second Round clash at Lincoln City. http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/over-1000-tickets-sold-for-cup-tie-516168.aspx The current total, which stands at 1,024, will see our side backed by the largest travelling contingent of Stags supporters to an away game this season. Please note that Saturday's game is an all-ticket affair, with the Imps having informed us that no tickets will be on sale to away supporters on matchday. The One Call Stadium ticket-office is open until 8.00pm tonight for any supporters who still need to purchase a ticket for a clash from which the Stags could progress into the Third Round. The box office will close for business at 5pm tomorrow (Friday). The match kicks off at 1pm. Prices are: £15 Adults, £10 Concessions £5 Under 16's --------------- Keeper Marriott set for shock return to Stags side for Lincoln FA Cup tie? chad.co.uk, Thursday 29 November 2012 KEEPER Alan Marriott could make a shock return to the first team almost a month ahead of schedule for Saturday's FA Cup second round tie at neighbours Lincoln City (1pm). http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/keeper-marriott-set-for-shock-return-to-stags-side-for-lincoln-fa-cup-tie-1-5181246 Marriott dislocated his shoulder in late September and was expected to be back around Christmas time. But he came through yesterday's Mansfield Town reserves 0-0 draw at Hull City unscathed and is now a serious contender to face his former club on Saturday. Manager Paul Cox said: “The good thing is that Alan wanted to play against Hull to improve his fitness levels and is champing at the bit. “He took a good bang after about 10 minutes and was fine, so that will have done him the world of good. He did really well and it was nice to see him back. “Alan is one of the best keepers at this level of football and we know what he can do. “I need to sit down and talk to him and see if he is mentally ready. I have some big decisions to make for Saturday. “Nick Wright also did well again and Adam Murray also played, so they are all in contention now.” Stags must quickly get Tuesday's 2-1 FA Trophy replay exit at Matlock out of their system as they pit their wits against ex-Mansfield boss David Holdsworth's Imps on Saturday and Cox said: “We just have to take Tuesday on the chin. “I made a lot of changes to give other players the chance to stake their claim and they let themselves down. “We now have a big game ahead on Saturday. And, being positive, we are only seven points off top spot with a game in hand, so we are actually in a better position than we were this time last season. “It is the first time we've reached the second round in four or five years and what is at stake is huge, not just the chance of pitting yourself against a Premier League club if you are lucky but also the prize money at stake.” John Dempster is back in the squad after being given time off this week following the death of one of his close friends. Stags will take over 1,000 fans to Lincoln. The game is all-ticket to away fans and these must be bought by 5pm on Friday with the One Call stadium ticket office open until 8pm tonight ------------------ Mansfield Town keeper Alan Marriott lined up for recall in FA Cup clash with Lincoln City Friday, November 30, 2012 Nottingham Post GOALKEEPER Alan Marriott is set to make a shock return for Mansfield Town against his former club Lincoln City in the FA Cup tomorrow. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-17467044-detail/story.html The 34-year-old last played in the 2-2 draw at Telford on September 22 before dislocating his shoulder in a freak training ground accident. But he played 90 minutes for the reserves in the 0-0 draw at Hull on Wednesday and is now in the frame to face Lincoln in a huge second round game at Sincil Bank (1pm). The Stags will be backed by more than 1,000 travelling supporters knowing they are a victory away from a potential money-spinning third round tie against one of the Premier League big guns. And Cox said if Marriott feels ready, he could make his comeback against the club where he is worshipped, after making 396 appearances during almost a decade. The Stags boss said: "Alan did really well. He is a very good player and he did not just come through the reserve game, it was against a big club. "He is in my plans and Alan is going back to his old club. He is one of the best goalkeepers at this level and he has to be mentally ready. "We know what he can do. It is nice to have two goalkeepers vying for one place. "He got a knock at Hull after about ten minutes which he got up from. That bang would have done him the world of good and he's done everything in training, so we'll have to see." ----------------- Cox Mulls Marriott Return For FA Cup mansfield103.co.uk, Thursday 29th November, 2012 Mansfield Town keeper Alan Marriott could be in line for a shock return to the side for Saturday's FA Cup trip to Lincoln City. http://www.mansfield103.co.uk/sport.php?n=2118 Since he dislocated his shoulder in training two months ago, Marriott has been out of action until last night when he played in the reserves' 0-0 draw at Hull City and saved a penalty. Captain Adam Murray and striker Nick Wright also played in the game alongside a number of youth team players but it was Marriott's return that gave boss Paul Cox the biggest delight. And, he's admitted that Marriott, Murray and Wright could all take part in the weekend clash at Sincil Bank. He said: "Alan's one of the better keepers at this level of football. I've got to sit down and talk to him but he did really well. "Murray wanted to play, have a run out and improve his fitness and he is chomping at the bit at the minute." Meanwhile, Mansfield Town have now sold over 1,000 tickets for the game. The current total, which stands at 1,024, will see Paul Cox's side backed by the largest travelling contingent of Stags supporters to an away game this season. Saturday's game is an all-ticket affair for Stags' fans, with the Imps having informed the club that no tickets will be on sale to away supporters on matchday. The One Call Stadium ticket-office is open until 8.00pm tonight for any supporters who still need to purchase a ticket for a clash from which the Stags could progress into the Third Round. The box office will close for business at 5pm tomorrow. The match kicks off at 1pm. Prices are: £15 Adults, £10 Concessions, £5 Under 16 --------------- Spotlight on Lincoln City v Mansfield Town Friday, November 30, 2012 Nottingham Post Lincoln: Farman, Gilbert, Boyce, Miller, Fofana, Sheridan, Power, Oliver, Gray, Mills, Smith, Bassele, Taylor, Larkin. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-17466944-detail/story.html Team news: Lincoln are expected to revert to the starting 11 which won four successive games before changes influenced the 3-1 defeat at Tamworth last Saturday. It will mean recalls for ex-Stags man and captain Gary Mills, top scorer Jamie Taylor, midfielder Jake Sheridan and defenders Andrew Boyce and Dan Gray. Mansfield: Marriott, Redmond, Thompson, Sutton, Geohaghon, Jones, Briscoe, Clements, Murray, Meikle, Wright, Hutchinson, Rhead, Green, Speight, Howell, Daniel, Beevers, Todd. Team news: Goalkeeper Alan Marriott is back in contention to face his former club after coming through a reserve game in midweek following a shoulder injury. Paul Cox is set to make changes after the FA Trophy exit to Matlock on Tuesday. He made six changes for that replay, resting some players and Adam Murray, Ben Hutchinson, Louis Briscoe, Chris Clements and Lindon Meikle are all expected to come in. Lee Beevers, who was not risked because he is on four yellow cards, also comes back into the reckoning. But Gary Roberts is suspended, following his red card in midweek. Danger man: Adam Smith. Mansfield fans will know all about the winger, who left the Stags in the summer. He is quick, dangerous and will be a threat throughout ----------------- Mansfield Town winger Briscoe planning to shoot down his 'career savior' Holdsworth in Lincoln FA Cup tie. chad.co.uk, Friday 30 November 2012 THIS weekend Stags winger Louis Briscoe is planning to shave off his 'Movember' moustache before putting one over on the man who relaunched his career. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/mansfield-town-winger-briscoe-planning-to-shoot-down-his-career-savior-holdsworth-in-lincoln-fa-cup-tie-1-5181261 Briscoe has been raising charity money by joining the trend of keeping a hairy upper lip for November, but, after being rested in midweek, he is now setting his sights on Saturday's FA Cup second round tie at Lincoln, the Imps now managed by ex-Stags boss David Holdsworth. “It will be nice to see David Holdsworth again and, if selected, hopefully show him how far I have come far,” he said. “I was playing part-time non-League football, sometimes not even playing, when he came along and gave me my chance at Mansfield, so I will always be thankful for that, “Some find him charming, some think him a bit arrogant. But I have always got on well with him and am thankful for what he has done for my career. “I travel to University with Rob Duffy so I see what is going on at Lincoln week to week and he said David has done really well there with the budget he has had to work with. I won't speak to him before the game but hope to see him afterwards.” He added: “This is a good draw for both clubs and both sets of fans. It will be a great atmosphere and there is never much between the teams. “It is a great chance to reach the third round and possibly meet a Champions League team and make it up to the fans we have upset the last couple of games. “I didn't want to be left out in midweek, but maybe it was a good time for a breather as I had just played eight games in a row for the first time for a couple of years.” And Briscoe will be fractionally lighter for Saturday after shaving his moustache off on Saturday morning. “It has to go,” he said. “It is getting very itchy and my girlfriend wants it trimmed off. Some of the lads like Ben Hutchinson and Lee Stevenson have grown some good ones this month.” ------------------ Boss Cox takes it on chin as he plots FA Cup glory Friday, November 30, 2012 Nottingham Post PAUL Cox is not one to hide away from the criticism. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-17466991-detail/story.html After the last-gasp 2-1 defeat to Matlock in the FA Trophy replay on Tuesday night, one Stags fan was banging on the away dugout, venting his fury at the Mansfield Town manager. It was an ugly scene, as stewards and then the police intervened. But rather than condemn the criticism, he took it on the chin, saying he was just as upset at the poor second-half performance and lack of fight that saw them crash out. However, rather than continuing in sombre mood, he is keen to draw a line under it and look at the bigger picture. After all, Mansfield are seventh in the Blue Square Bet Premier, and were seven games unbeaten before Tuesday. He is set to bring back six players he rested, number one goalkeeper Alan Marriott is now fit after two months out and they are 90 minutes away from reaching the third round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2007/08, when they lost at home to then Premier League Middlesbrough. Add to that selling more than a thousand tickets for the away end at tomorrow's game at Lincoln City, he believes it could be all smiles by tomorrow night, the fans dreaming of drawing a Premier League giant. Cox said: "I expected the flak. It is football management. It is part and parcel of the job. We did not play well – that happens. "We have to take it on the chin. I made a number of changes and asked people to come in and stake a claim and some of them didn't. "You can prepare teams and we wanted to show resolve but we didn't. "But there are a lot of positives as we build up to a massive game. "We are seven points off top with a game in hand in the league and close to the third round of the FA Cup. "We let ourselves down on Tuesday but we have a massive game now and a hell of a lot to play for. "Some of the things that happened the other night, we expect. You expect the fans to be upset but the bigger picture is we are better off than this time last year and we finished third last season. "What is at stake tomorrow is huge. The chance to get a big Premier League club in the next round and also the prize money at stake which is important to any football club. "If anybody doesn't think this is a big game they want their head examining." The likes of Ben Hutchinson, Lindon Meikle and skipper Adam Murray are all set to return to face Lincoln, who are managed by former Stags boss David Holdsworth. And Cox added: "We have to stay as a tight-knit group, the rest will have freshened a few of them up and they will be mentally fresh too. "Between now and end of the season, it could be a great one. We need to stay mentally strong and see where the season takes us." ---------------------- Stags defender Sutton hoping for a change in cup fortunes at Lincoln chad.co.uk Friday 30 November 2012 RITCHIE Sutton is hoping Stags can see off Lincoln City in Saturday's FA Cup second round tie at Sincil Bank to quickly erase the bad memories of the tame midweek FA Trophy replay exit at minnows Matlock Town. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/stags-defender-sutton-hoping-for-a-change-in-cup-fortunes-at-lincoln-1-5181287 “We are very disappointed as in both games we have gone ahead but taken our foot off the gas in the second half and paid the price,” he said. “Now we have to put it right and do it for ourselves on Saturday. We must make sure we don't disappoint. “It is classed as a derby and is going to be tough. But we have more than enough in our team to beat them. “Even if we don't win on Saturday, it would be nice to be in the hat as it may give us some extra inspiration for a replay from who we've got in the next round.” -------------- http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20474582 TEAM NEWS Lincoln City welcome back striker Jamie Taylor, midfielder Jake Sheridan and defender Andrew Boyce, who sat out the FA Trophy loss to Tamworth because they were one caution away from a ban. Defender Dan Gray is also available after serving a suspension. Mansfield Town could welcome back experienced goalkeeper Alan Marriott and skipper Adam Murray, who played in the reserves against Hull on Wednesday. Defender Lee Beevers is also likely to return to the squad. VIEWS FROM THE TRAINING GROUND Lincoln City manager David Holdsworth told BBC Lincolnshire: "Discipline is key. When you are playing big games - and this is a big game for our players - you have to manage your emotions. "It will be feisty affair but we want to be passionate and roll up our sleeves because we will need to. "I am aware of a lot of their players and am knowledgeable of the squad Paul Cox has put together - and it's a big squad, so he will have a lot of numbers." Mansfield Town manager Paul Cox told BBC Nottingham: "This is a massive game, I want people to roll their sleeves up and fight. "This is the first time we have been in the second round in four or five years. It doesn't matter who we are playing, what is at stake is huge. "We could play a Premier League team in the the third round, but what is more important is the prize money. "If anyone does not see this as a big game, then they want their head examining." ------------------ Ex-Lincoln City goalkeeper Alan Marriott 'in win-win position over FA Cup clash' Thursday, November 29, 2012 Lincolnshire Echo http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Ex-Lincoln-City-goalkeeper-Alan-Marriott-win-win/story-17448672-detail/story.html Mansfield goalkeeper and Lincoln City legend Alan Marriott says he cannot lose whatever the outcome of their FA Cup clash this weekend. The Stags stopper will miss the much-anticipated first round clash at Sincil Bank as he is still recovering from injury. But whatever happens, Marriott says he is not going to suffer – especially as some of his wife's family are Lincoln supporters. "I am in a bit of a win-win situation," he said. "If Mansfield go through then that's great because we'll be in the next round and we would have the chance of being given a really big FA Cup tie. "If we don't then Lincoln will be through to the next round and I would be happy for them given some of my wife's family are fans of the club. "I know they are really up for this game. But I think it will be a terrific occasion no matter who you support. "It will be a fantastic atmosphere because the Mansfield fans travel well and they will create a lot of noise. "But then again I know from spending nine years at Lincoln that they can also make a huge racket so it really is going to be extremely noisy. "There is a real buzz around the game and I know the lads are looking forward to it. "There are a few players who played for both clubs and that always creates a bit of spice because you always want to do well. "The thing is, it's not just league points at stake, it's a chance to make it through to the third round of the FA Cup and the possibility of a big game against a top club." Despite a long career, unbelievably former Spurs trainee Marriott has never reached the third round of the FA Cup. But the 34-year-old says should he reach the next phase of the competition, he would love a glamour tie against one of football's superpowers. "I would love Liverpool or Manchester United away," he said. "I've never been to the third round before so it would be a new experience for me if we did it. "People say 'well wouldn't you like Tottenham', but I've played at White Hart Lane so it would be nice to go and pull out one of the other big guns. "But I don't want to look too far ahead. "We have this game to play first and it will be hard because when we played each other earlier in the season there was not much between us, so I suspect it will be tight again." Meanwhile, Marriott said his comeback from a dislocated shoulder has only just begun. He is still some weeks away from a first-team return but is glad to be off the treatement table "Saturday's game has just come too soon for me. I've not dived on my shoulder yet so I've still got lots of work to do." ---------------- Lincoln City's Gary Mills desperate to settle score with 'vicious' Mansfield Town fans Friday, November 30, 2012 Lincolnshire Echo http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Lincoln-City-s-Gary-Mills-desperate-settle-score/story-17455379-detail/story.html In a world of anodyne personalities and stock cliches, players who are not afraid to speak their mind are becoming an increasingly rare breed. But Lincoln's Gary Mills is not one for hiding behind predictable narrative because as he succinctly puts it "if I have something to say, I'll say it". Honesty is the best policy for David Holdsworth's trusted lieutenant who dives into the subject of his old club Mansfield like one of his challenges. He is eager to leave them nursing the pain of missing out on a FA Cup third round tie in particular the five per cent of fans who "disrespected him and his family". The treatment he received leading up to his exit last January, when he rejoined Rushden, has clearly left a nasty and indelible impression. "Ninety-five per cent of the supporters at Mansfield were terrific, but the rest of them I would not waste my breath on," he admits. "The abuse they gave me and my family during a game at Rushden was horrific. I was a Mansfield player, yet they were hammering me which summed up their mentality. "I can take stick like the best of them, but this was different level. It was vicious, it was horrible, the kind which has no place in football. "I knew then my time was up, but I have not forgotten what they did. "Football has this habit of giving you a chance to settle a score and there's nothing I would like more than to make them suffer this weekend." That desire will no doubt be shared by Lincoln manager David Holdsworth, who also experienced the caustic criticism during his reign at Field Mill. He left the club in November 2010, three months prior to Mills, but has spoken candidly of the of the battles he faced behind the scenes. Yet it is not just exclusive to those two. The current manager Paul Cox was booed in the recent Blue Square Bet Premier game between the sides which ended goalless. Mills explained trying to understand the behaviour was difficult, but believes it runs much deeper than the win, lose or draw column. "It's a strange, strange, club," he said. "I cannot get my head around them at all. "There are a lot of issues there, but I think they run much deeper than what goes on the pitch and more to do with behind the scenes. "But I don't think it matters who you are. You could be flavour of the month and still get it in the neck. "Maybe they think they should still be in the Football League, but they have to remember they are at this level of football for a reason." In the previous meeting between these two sides there was nothing between them and there's not much difference in their league position either. Mansfield are above Lincoln in the table on 29 points, three ahead of their rivals. A fiercely contested encounter is expected again this weekend in front of what will be a big crowd. But Mills, who watched Lincoln surrender their 10-game unbeaten run at Tamworth last weekend, says the pressure is all on the visitors. "It has been well publicised that they have a lot of money and one of the biggest budgets in the league," he said. "If you have the kind of capital they have then you can go out and buy the better players which means you should win more games. "Compared to us and our wages they are on a lot more so we are very much the underdogs. "The pressure is all on them to perform and perform well. We can just go out and savour the occasion. I am sure our fans will make as much noise as they possibly can. "They've been terrific and I'm sure they will make it very intimidating for them." Lincoln are expected to make several changes to their team and revert to the starting 11 which, prior to the Tamworth game, won four games in succession. Mills was among several players rested for the FA Trophy defeat, but he will take his place in the heart of midfield alongside Mo Fofana ------------------ |
Latest | December 2012