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Archived News from January 2018

STAGS BEAT CHELTENHAM IN EXTRAORDINARY GAME
26th January 2018 23:19


English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Mansfield Town 3 - 2 Cheltenham Town
Hamilton 35, 90+4, Hemmings 81. White sent off 67. Pell pen 24, Adebayo 74. Moore sent off 41. Wright sent off 83
Attendance: 3483 (149 from Cheltenham)

Date: 20 January 2018

Martin Shaw and Simon Chamberlain at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill

Mansfield Town came from behind twice to grab all three points with a 95th minute winner from CJ Hamilton sealing a 3-2 win over Cheltenham Town in a truly extraordinary game that also saw 3 straight red cards. Cheltenham were ahead on 24 minutes when Harry Pell converted a penalty after Pearce tripped Mo Eisa in the box. The Stags levelled on 35 minutes when great play from Alfie Potter down the right set up a close range finish for CJ Hamilton. On 41 minutes, Cheltenham defender Taylor Moore was sent off for an arm in the face of Danny Rose. Moore apologised to Rose as he left the field. Cheltenham manager Gary Johnson was also sent to the stands for first of all shouting to Danny Rose that he was a cheat (Rose clearly had done nothing wrong), then pushing Paul Raynor in the chest. It was 10 vs 10 on 67 minutes when Hayden White was sent off for a terrible tackle on Ilias Chatzitheodoridis. Cheltenham regained the lead on 74 minutes when sub Danny Wright broke forward down the left and crossed in to Elijah Adebayo who finished expertly at the near post. Mansfield were level on 81 minutes with a goal for the returning Kane Hemmings who had only been on as sub for 3 minutes. Pearce pulled back from the byline to MacDonald who made for the byline and in turn pulled back to Hemmings who turned and smashed in from close range. Another red card on 83 minutes as sub Danny Wright was sent off for an arm in the face of Potter after Potter had fouled him. 10 vs 9 now. 6 minutes of stoppage time were added and on 90+4 minutes, Mal Benning knocked a ball forward into the area from the edge of the box and the ball fell nicely for CJ Hamilton to smash gleefully into the roof of the net from 6 yards after the ball came off a combination of Hemmings and a defender. Even after that, Conrad Logan had to make a great save from Adebayo to preserve the three points. An incredible game and incredible entertainment, if not the best performance from Mansfield, but great fighting spirit from the Stags to go to the end and win the game. Mansfield are in the play-off zone, and 2 points behind 3rd place, and just 4 points behind 2nd placed Notts County. A week for everyone to catch their breath before we face Kevin Ellison and Morecambe again next Saturday.

FULL REPORT IN THE MATCH CENTRE

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MATCH REPORT: Mansfield Town 3-2 Cheltenham Town
chad.co.uk, by John Lomas, Saturday 20 January 2018

Mansfield Town stole a stoppage time 3-2 victory over Cheltenham Town in a dramatic clash that saw the Robins end the afternoon with nine men and Stags with 10. CJ Hamilton was the late hero with his second goal of a breathtaking game in the fourth added minute to spark wild scenes at the One Call Stadium. In an incredible game Cheltenham also had boss Gary Johnson sent to the stand as Mansfield were twice forced to come from behind with goals by Hamilton and, three minutes after coming on as a sub, Kane Hemmings. They also had Hayden White shown a straight red on 68 minutes while Cheltenham lost Taylor Moore on 41 minutes and then Danny Wright on 83 minutes. Stags looked to be in the driving seat at 1-1 with a whole half ahead against 10 men. But the visitors were able to grind it well and even retook the lead once Stags had lost White, only to see it all slip away at the end. It was the first time Stags had beaten Cheltenham in seven attempts and extended their run to one defeat in 15 League Two games. Mansfield made just one change with Alfie Potter replacing Paul Anderson on the right of midfield. Striker Hemmings has recovered from his hamstring injury and was given a place on the bench from where he made such a dramatic impact. Mansfield were well beaten 3-0 at Whaddon Road earlier in the season. In the second minute a Stags attack broke down and Cheltenham countered swiftly through Eisa down the left, who squared a pass for Graham only to see him slice his finish wide from 20 yards. Morrell tried to dart between two opponents on five minutes and then quickly went down, the referee deciding he’d dived and brandishing an early yellow card. A great crossfield ball by MacDonald on 15 minutes picked out the advancing Hamilton on the left. But, as he controlled on his chest and shaped to shoot, up popped Moore with a great tackle to deny him. White wasn’t too far over with a dipping 25-yard punt on 20 minutes as Mansfield continued to press. Byrom was added to the book for a trip on Winchester two minutes later. However, the visitors took the lead on 24 minutes from the penalty spot. Eisa was taken down by White’s trailing leg as he tried to wriggle past him and the referee immediately gave the spot kick, Pell making no mistake in sending Logan the wrong way. Mansfield suffered another blow as Mellis limped off holding the back of his leg on 27 minutes, striker Angol taking over from him with MacDonald dropping back into central midfield. MacDonald brought down Eisa in full flight on the half-hour to see his name added to the bookings. Winchester was wide of the home goal with a volley from a half-cleared cross on 33 minutes. Stags then created danger of their own as MacDonald got to the right by-line and pulled back a low cross that Rose was just unable to spin on to get a shot away and the moment was gone. But the Stags were deservedly level on 35 minutes. Potter burst into the box on the right from a White pass and drilled the ball hard and low in front of goal. Angol failed to get a touch on it with the goal at his mercy from close range, but Hamilton was behind him and made no mistake. Cheltenham almost regained their advantage on 39 minutes after great work by Eisa saw him release Dawson on the right, but Graham’s finish onto his low cross was poor and skidded wide of goal. However, the visitors found themselves down to 10 men on 41 minutes after Moore had caught Rose across the face with his elbow. After heated exchanges, the red card was eventually shown and Moore went across to help Rose up and apologised before leaving the field, Angry words were also being spoken between the benches and Robins boss and Stags assistant manager Paul Raynor had to be separated and lectured, Johnson shoving the Stags man away. Johnson was eventually told to leave the bench and headed up into the stand. Six minutes were added, but they stretched to 12 minutes after Eisa stayed down after being halted by a great challenge by Pearce. The medical staff eventually sent for a stretcher and the Robins had lost their top scorer. MacDonald sent a tame 18 yard shot at the keeper in the first attack of the second half. Flinders then had to grab an on-target Angol header from a long MacDonald cross. There were further hold-ups for head injuries to first Rose and then Graham as Stags struggled to mount any sustained pressure on the 10 men, Onariase did very well to prevent Angol getting on the end of a low Potter cross on 64 minutes. Chatzitheodoridis then needed lengthy treatment, which frustrated the home side, who were further angered when Graham took an eternity to leave the field when subbed. But Mansfield were also down to 10 men on 68 minutes when, with Potter screaming for a penalty, White went straight through Chatzitheodoridis two footed and suddenly the game had swung again. Stags threw on Diamond for fellow sub Angol in a bis to shore up the defence. But Cheltenham were back ahead on 74 minutes as their two subs combined. Wright made space on the left and slipped a pass to Adebayo who tucked away a superb near post finish over Logan. Desperate Stags threw on striker Hemmings in place of midfielder Byrom for the last 12 minutes. Soon after Benning pulled a low shot wide of goal. Hemmings found the net within three minutes of coming on to level the game up again. MacDonald was the architect as he created space in the six yard box before setting up the sub with a close range finish. There was more drama on 83 minutes as the game was halted and Wright called across to be shown a straight red card for hitting Potter on the back of the head. Keeper Flinders was booked for time-wasting in the first of six added minutes. But in the fourth added minute Stags dramatically grabbed the lead for the first time all afternoon. Benning had a low shot blocked and the ball rolled invitingly for the winger to drive the ball high into the net. Logan still had to make a smart stop to parry an Adebayo shot to preserve the points as we had drama to the very end.

STAGS: Logan; White, Bennett, Pearce, Benning; Potter, Byrom (Hemmings 78), Mellis (Angol 27, Diamond 70), Hamilton; Rose, MacDonald. Subs not used: Olejnic, Anderson, Spencer, Atkinson.

CHELTENHAM: Flinders, Grimes, Pell, Dawson, Winchester, Eisa (Adebayo 45+7), Graham (Atangana 66), Morrell, Moore, Onariasa, Chatzitheodoridis (Wright 70). Subs not used: Lovett, Sellars, Bower, Thomas. REFEREE: Darren Handley of Bolton. ATTENDANCE: 3,483 (149 away). CHAD STAGS MAN OF THE MATCH: Alex MacDonald

Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/match-report-mansfield-town-3-2-cheltenham-town-1-8970355

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REPORT: Mansfield 3-2 Robins
ctfc.com, 20 January 2018

Nine-man Cheltenham Town were beaten at Mansfield Town for the first time since 2003 in an action-packed Sky Bet League Two fixture at the One Call Stadium.

CJ Hamilton netted the winner deep into added time for ten man Mansfield in a match embroiled in controversy, with three red cards in total.

https://www.ctfc.com/news/2018/january/report-mansfield-away/

The Robins started well and Harry Pell put them ahead from the penalty spot with his second goal of the season after Mo Eisa was tripped in the area.

But CJ Hamilton converted at the far post to level the scores up ten minutes later when Alfie Potter’s cross evaded Lee Angol and the Cheltenham defence.

The situation got worse for the visitors five minutes before the break as Taylor Moore was sent off for an elbow on Danny Rose, manager Gary Johnson was then sent to the stands in the aftermath.

But midway through the second half Mansfield were also down to ten men as Hayden White took Ilias Chatzitheodoridis out off the ball.

Substitutes Danny Wright and Elijah Adebayo then combined, with the latter netting his first goal in a Cheltenham shirt, squeezing in a brilliant finish at the near post with 15 minutes to go.

The Stags hit back again though as Kane Hemmings equalised once more from close range before Wright was sent off for an off the ball incident as the Robins were reduced to nine men before Hamilton smashed in a dramatic late winner for the hosts.

Johnson made three changes to the side that started at home to Accrington Stanley last week, including handing a debut to new signing Chatzitheodoridis.

The Greek defender who signed on loan from Brentford started at left wing-back as Jerell Sellars dropped to the bench and Harry Pell returned to the starting line-up, replacing Nigel Atangana in central midfield.

Brian Graham also came back into the side up front for Elijah Adebayo, who was named amongst the substitutes.

After an early Mansfield free-kick evaded everyone in the Cheltenham box, Graham had the first attempt on goal in the second minute, slicing an effort well wide from long range.

Joe Morrell then broke through the midfield but after running into three home defenders he was booked for diving midway into the opposition half.

After a dull ten-minute spell, a fantastic cross-field pass from Alex MacDonald on the right-hand side found CJ Hamilton on the corner of the box but Taylor Moore bravely came across to block his shot.

Hayden White then drilled a shot high over the crossbar for Steve Evans’ side after 20 minutes of very few clear-cut chances at Field Mill.

But after 23 minutes the game burst into life as Cheltenham were awarded a penalty.

A surging run from Captain Carl Winchester got the Robins in behind and the Northern Irishman played a clever ball in to Eisa who was tripped by White inside the penalty area and Pell buried the penalty to put the visitors ahead.

It was a lead that only lasted until the 34th minute as Hamilton tapped in at the far post when Alfie Potter beat debutant Chatzitheodoridis on the left and flashed a cross across the face of goal for the Stags winger to score.

Graham nearly put Johnson’s side back ahead at the other end when Kevin Dawson pulled the ball back for the Scotsman to slide wide, but the visitors would face an uphill task when they were reduced to ten men moments later.

Moore was given a straight red for raising an elbow across the face of Rose just five minutes before half-time, before Eisa was taken off on a stretcher after a nasty collision with two Mansfield defenders deep into first half stoppage time.

The home team had the first attempt of the second half with MacDonald hitting a tame effort straight at Scott Flinders, but the ten men of Cheltenham were competing well and substitute Adebayo was a handful early on.

More stoppages in play prompted another long delay before Morrell was dispossessed in midfield and Potter’s low delivery was shielded behind by Manny Onariase.

The match was threatening to boil over and Mansfield were then reduced to ten men themselves as White crashed into Chatzitheodoridis with a two-footed tackle.

There would then be another twist as Wright crossed the ball into the feet of Adebayo who controlled brilliantly and fired home from a tight angle in the 74th minute to send the travelling supporters wild.

Mansfield sub Kane Hemmings then scrambled home the equaliser in a packed penalty area to level once more before more drama unfolded as Wright was sent off for an incident with Potter.

With a one-man advantage once more, Hamilton slammed in a 94th minute winner to earn a first home victory over Cheltenham in 15 years.

MANSFIELD TOWN: Logan (GK), Bennett, Benning, Pearce (C), MacDonald, Mellis (Angol 27) (Diamond 70), White, Potter, Hamilton, Byrom (Hemmings 77), Rose.

Subs not used: Olejnik (GK), Atkinson, Spencer.

CHELTENHAM TOWN: Flinders (GK), Grimes, Pell, Dawson, Winchester (C), Eisa (Adebayo 45), Graham (Atangana 65), Morrell, Moore, Onariase, Chatzitheodoridis (Wright 71).

Subs not used: Lovett (GK), Sellars, Bower, Thomas.

Referee: Darren Handley

Attendance: 3483 (149 from Cheltenham)

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Five things we learned from Cheltenham Town's 3-2 defeat at Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town 3 Cheltenham Town 2
gloucestershirelive.co.uk, By Jon Palmer, 20 JAN 2018

Gary Johnson deserved to be sent to the stand, but Steve Evans probably should be in every match

Steve Evans may have mastered the art of winding up the whole of football, but Gary Johnson should still have known better.

The Mansfield Town manager left his own technical area and walked towards Johnson wagging his finger in theatrical style after an exchange of words between the Robins boss and Stags striker Danny Rose, who had gone down clutching his face after tangling with Taylor Moore in the 41st minute.

http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/five-things-learned-cheltenham-towns-1095596

Evans knew exactly what he was doing, exacerbating an already highly charged situation and, as ever, he was followed into Cheltenham territory by his assistant Paul Raynor.

While Johnson's actions are wholly understandable, he can have no complaints about being sent to the stand after shoving Raynor, who he managed during his time at Cambridge United.

Evans' antics are so predictable, screaming for every decision and never giving the fourth official a minute's peace.

But Johnson has twice fallen in his trap, having also been asked to leave the touchline when the sides met at Whaddon Road last season.


Mark Yates also used to regularly allow the Glaswegian to get under his skin during Cheltenham's battles with both Crawley Town and Rotherham United.

Evans has an admirable record of results and promotions, so he can use success to justify some of his method, but there does seem to be too much leniency when it comes to his incessant protestations.

Johnson was fully aware of the trap likely to be set at Field Mill and unfortunately he walked into it as Evans won both the dugout duel and the League Two points on the day.

Taylor Moore's red card was harsh, but Danny Wright's dismissal looks to be justified

Moore approached Rose to offer an apology after being given his marching orders by referee Darren Handley, who had set the tone for the afternoon by cautioning Robins midfielder Joe Morrell for diving inside five minutes.

It was the first red card of young Bristol City defender Moore's career and he can feel a little hard done by.

Rose may well have been caught in the face, but there is absolutely no suggestion that Moore deliberately struck him and he looked to be jostling for position and competing with the front man.

It was 1-1 at the time, with Harry Pell putting Cheltenham in front from the penalty spot after Mo Eisa had been tripped by Krystian Pearce in the 24th minute.

Mansfield levelled when CJ Hamilton touched in a low Alfie Potter cross after debutant left wing-back Ilias Chatzitheodoridis had been beaten by the winger.

A man down, Cheltenham frustrated Mansfield early in the second half, slowing the game down at every available opportunity.

That frustration boiled over in the 68th minute when Hayden White lunged towards Chatzitheodoridis for what was by far the worst tackle of the match.

Danny Wright, who went on for the injured Chatzitheodoridis in the 71st minute, set up fellow substitute Elijah Adebayo for his first Football League goal three minutes later and it was an excellent finish at the near post.

Another substitute made an impact nine minutes later as Mansfield's Kane Hemmings made it 2-2 after good work from Alex MacDonald.

Wright was then sent off for the second time this season after appearing to lash out at Potter in the 83rd minute.

That left Cheltenham with nine men and six added minutes to negotiate, but Hamilton's second won it for Mansfield in the 94th minute.

It was a cruel way to lose, but an overall lack of discipline and some more poor defending cost them what would have been a merited point.

Carl Winchester deserved the Cheltenham Town captaincy

For the first time in his professional career, Winchester was asked to wear the armband.

He was also pushed forward into midfield and it was his pass to Eisa which resulted in Cheltenham's first half penalty.

Before half-time he was forced to return to right-back following Moore's early departure, but he performed well in both positions.

He is not particularly loud on the pitch, but he is definitely a leader by example and he has been comfortably Cheltenham's best player this season, starting all 29 League Two games so far.

His appointment as captain also had a positive impact on centre-half Jamie Grimes, who was able to focus solely on his own game and delivered one of his best performances in a Cheltenham shirt.

Johnson said after the game that Winchester is like "three players in one" due to his quality and versatility.

He also said he would continue to build a squad around the Northern Irishman, with his next challenge persuading the 24-year-old to sign a new contract. His current deal is due to expire in the summer.

It was a tough debut for Brentford loanee Ilias Chatzitheodoridis

Chatzitheodoridis showed glimpses of the technical ability you would expect from a product of the Arsenal youth system.

He is clearly attack-minded and looks to be a ready made wing-back if Johnson decides to continue with the 3-5-2 formation used at Field Mill.

There were times when he was exposed defensively however, including in the build up to Mansfield's first goal.

He also went down with cramp midway through the first half, but his match fitness and awareness of what League Two is all about will quickly improve with a run in the side.

It should be remembered that even Marlon Pack struggled during his first appearance for Cheltenham on loan from Portsmouth in 2010.

Both Chatzitheodoridis and Adebayo are accomplished Under-23 level players, who will now sink or swim in the higher intensity senior game and it's down to the staff, players and supporters of Cheltenham to guide them through the early challenges and help them prosper.

Mo Eisa's injury is not as serious as initially feared

It seemed everything was going wrong for Cheltenham when Eisa was carried off on a stretcher in first half stoppage time.

He collided with Pearce and was given lengthy treatment before departing, leaving the 149 travelling fans fearing a spell on the sidelines for their leading scorer.

But after the game it transpired he had suffered a badly cut lip, but nothing more serious.

He is also expected to be back in contention to face Barnet at home next Saturday, a game Cheltenham are now under considerable pressure to win and the chances of that happening will be enhanced by Eisa's inclusion.

Mansfield Town: C Logan; H White, K Pearce, R Bennett, M Benning; A Potter, J Byrom (K Hemmings 78), J Mellis (L Angol 28, Z Diamond 71), C Hamilton; A MacDonald, D Rose. Subs not used: B Olejnik, P Anderson, W Atkinson, J Spencer.

Cheltenham Town: S Flinders; T Moore, E Onariase, J Grimes; K Dawson, J Morrell, C Winchester, H Pell, I Chatzitheodoridis (D Wright 71); B Graham (N Atangana 66), M Eisa (E Adebayo 45). Subs not used: J Thomas, M Bower, J Sellars, R Lovett.

Referee: Darren Handley.

Attendance: 3,483 (149 away).

Star Man: Jamie Grimes.

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