Archived News from October 2020
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COUGHLAN SACKED AS STAGS OUTPLAYED BY BARROW
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English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Mansfield Town 2 - 4 Barrow Perch 35, Charsley 89. O’Driscoll sent off 51. Barry 10, Brough 23, Kay 61, Biggins 89 Attendance: behind closed doors Date: 27 October 2020 Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill Manager Graham Coughlan was sacked last night after Mansfield Town were beaten 4-2 at home by Barrow. Both the Stags and Barrow came into the game without a win in their opening eight games of the season, and the ease with which Barrow swept the Stags aside made it inevitable that the manager would have to go. It was a massive game for both clubs and the Stags were completely outplayed by Barrow, who could easily have had 6 or 7 goals on the night, such was the ease with which they repeatedly cut the through the Stags side. It was Barrow’s first win back in the Football League, and thus their first win in the Football League since 1972. The Stags pulled two consolation goals back, one towards the end of the first half at 2-0 down, through James Perch after the Barrow keeper dropped the ball, and one through Harry Charsley in the last minute of the game at 4-1 down. There was really only one moment of quality from the Stags that threatened to ignite a genuine comeback and that was when Nicky Maynard hit a magnificent shot from 30 yards that was heading for the top left corner of the net and was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by the Barrow keeper with the score at 2-1 after 49 minutes. Within two minutes of that, the Stags had been reduced to ten men as Aaron O’Driscoll, on his league debut was sent off for a second bookable offence, and any chance of a comeback was gone. It was the second miserable home game in succession where a player had been sent off on his Stags league debut, after George Lapslie against Bradford. Barrow repeatedly waltzed through the Stags defence, especially down the left with Josh Kay and Luke James particularly impressive, and the scoreline could have been more humiliating. Barrow were good, but the Stags made them look like Barcelona. I found Graham Coughlan to be very pleasant and respectful and it is very sad to see him sacked. However football is a results business and his results simply weren’t good enough. Nine games this season without a win, and four wins from 15 games last season. CEO David Sharpe will lead the process to find a new manager. There are some managers out of work who would make an excellent replacement, though some of course might not be prepared to take a job at a club currently towards the foot of League Two, the likes of Paul Cook, Danny Cowley, Nigel Clough, Keith Hill, and Graham Alexander. Any of these would be a welcome appointment. As a club, we remain very fortunate to have owners in John and Carolyn Radford who will fund the appointment and continue to look after the finances of the club in such difficult times. Thank you John and Carolyn. Mansfield made two changes to the side that played well in gaining a decent draw at Cheltenham on Saturday. Nicky Maynard came into the side to partner Andy Cook up front, with George Maris dropping to the bench. While Ryan Sweeney missed out after developing COVID-19 symptoms and is awaiting the results of his COVID test. I hope he is going to be ok. In came Aaron O’Driscoll for his league debut. The club have followed the Football League COVID protocol to the letter but in my opinion the protocol should have required that the full squad was tested following the positive test for Mal Benning last week. Should Sweeney’s test come back positive, and hopefully it won’t, then any players who are judged to have been in close contact with him will presumably also have to self-isolate, as Corey O’Keeffe is having to do. Sweeney does arrive for matches on his own so hopefully no other player would fall under that category. Before the game there was a minute’s silence for Chris Wood, the club’s longest serving volunteer, who has passed away. Woody was a member of the groundstaff for 33 years. RIP Woody. FULL REPORT IN THE MATCH CENTRE Coughlan leaves on a sad note, and his win record of 4 wins in 24 games (16.7%) is the worst of any Stags manager. (For the full list see https://stagsnet.net/vintage/reports/manager_records.htm) ----------------------- Barrow Earn Historic Win At Mansfield barrowafc.com Barrow turned on the style to put Mansfield Town to the sword and claim their first Football League win in almost 50 years in impressive fashion on Tuesday night. David Dunn’s men were irresistible at times, knocking the ball around with a swagger that The Stags rarely looked able to cope with as they enjoyed an eye-catching 4-2 triumph at The Once Call Stadium. https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2020/october/271020-match-report-mansfield-town-v-barrow-in-sky-bet-league-two/ Hard work was at the core of the victory but some scintillating football ensured a thumping victory against a Mansfield side who were reduced to ten men during the second half of a largely one-sided affair. Dunn chose to stick with an unchanged side after enjoying what he saw during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Walsall - and the decision proved a good one as his players produced their best performance of the season in Nottinghamshire. The home side attempted to get on the front foot in the early stages but Barrow settled very quickly and began to cause Town some problems going forward. After some excellent work down the left, Patrick Brough was given the room to sling in a cross to the far post which was met by Brad Barry but he couldn’t direct his header and the home side cleared. However, Town didn’t heed the warning and Barrow went in front on 10 minutes. Luke James charged forward to feed Josh Kay and his cross-shot towards the far post was gleefully slid in to the net by Barry. The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Mansfield, allowing Barrow to really get on top - Kay and Biggins both tried their luck at extending the lead from long range as The Stags struggled to clear their heads. Home keeper Marek Stech had to throw himself full length to his left to deny James after excellent work from Biggins, before Biggins himself drilled a free-kick in to the wall after James had been poleaxed as he looked to scamper through on goal. Barrow looked like scoring every time they went forward and the second goal duly arrived midway through the half when Brough was allowed to advance towards the edge of the Mansfield box. When nobody came to close him down, the defender sent a sumptuous low drive in to the bottom corner from 25 yards. The hosts were on the ropes and The Bluebirds continued to come forward; Kay could have made it 3-0 a minute later but his drive was held, before Dior Angus just couldn’t connect at the front post after good interplay with James. However, Mansfield grabbed a lifeline ten minutes from half time when a free-kick was lifted in to the Barrow box and Matty Platt could only slice it skywards; it looped back towards Joel Dixon who attempted to grab it but the ball squirmed loose and James Perch smashed it in to the net from close range. After a slow start to the second half, Nicky Maynard almost pulled Town level in spectacular fashion when he sent a powerful drive on goal from 25 yards which looked to be arrowing in to the top corner until Dixon brilliantly finger-tipped it on to the bar and it cannoned out to safety. A minute later Mansfield’s task in turning the game around got more difficult when Aaron O’Driscoll left a late challenge on James and referee Keith Stroud had no option but to produce a second yellow card for the youngster and Town were down to ten men. Barrow used the advantage to good effect and almost increased their lead when James ran at the Mansfield defence before slipping a ball in to Kay; the wide man got his head up to find Angus but his shot was well saved by Stech. The Town keeper was called in to action again moments later when James was allowed enough room to strike a powerful drive on goal but again Stech was equal to it and parried it away to safety. The pressure told just after the hour mark as The Bluebirds once again stitched together a lovely move to feed Kay just inside the box and he produced a stunning, curling finish in to the top right-hand corner to give Stech no chance. Barrow kept on threatening and they made sure of the win 11 minutes from time after working the ball inside from the right in to the path of Biggins, who stroked home a deserved first goal for the Club. Substitute Chris Taylor could have added a fifth five minutes from time when he arrived twelve yards out to fire on goal but his effort flashed over the bar. Town managed a consolation goal on 88 minutes when a cross from the right found Harry Charsley and he got just enough on his shot to see it roll in to the far corner beyond Dixon to make it 4-2. Full Time: Mansfield Town 2 Barrow 4 Mansfield Town: Stech, Menayese, Rawson, Charsley, Cook, Gordon, Perch (Maris 68), O’Driscoll, McLaughlin, Maynard (Reid 68), Lapslie. Subs not used: Stone, Bowery, Clarke, Sinclair, Smith. Booked: O’Driscoll. Sent-off: O’Driscoll. Barrow: Dixon, Barry, Hird, Platt, Brough, Kay, M Jones, J Taylor (C Taylor 78), Biggins, James, Angus (Reid 81). Subs: Moloney, Brown, Zouma, Gribbin. Booked: Platt, Kay. Referee: Keith Stroud Attendance: Behind Closed Doors ----------------- Barrow Earn Historic Win At Mansfield barrowafc.com Barrow turned on the style to put Mansfield Town to the sword and claim their first Football League win in almost 50 years in impressive fashion on Tuesday night. David Dunn’s men were irresistible at times, knocking the ball around with a swagger that The Stags rarely looked able to cope with as they enjoyed an eye-catching 4-2 triumph at The Once Call Stadium. https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2020/october/271020-match-report-mansfield-town-v-barrow-in-sky-bet-league-two/ Hard work was at the core of the victory but some scintillating football ensured a thumping victory against a Mansfield side who were reduced to ten men during the second half of a largely one-sided affair. Dunn chose to stick with an unchanged side after enjoying what he saw during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Walsall - and the decision proved a good one as his players produced their best performance of the season in Nottinghamshire. The home side attempted to get on the front foot in the early stages but Barrow settled very quickly and began to cause Town some problems going forward. After some excellent work down the left, Patrick Brough was given the room to sling in a cross to the far post which was met by Brad Barry but he couldn’t direct his header and the home side cleared. However, Town didn’t heed the warning and Barrow went in front on 10 minutes. Luke James charged forward to feed Josh Kay and his cross-shot towards the far post was gleefully slid in to the net by Barry. The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Mansfield, allowing Barrow to really get on top - Kay and Biggins both tried their luck at extending the lead from long range as The Stags struggled to clear their heads. Home keeper Marek Stech had to throw himself full length to his left to deny James after excellent work from Biggins, before Biggins himself drilled a free-kick in to the wall after James had been poleaxed as he looked to scamper through on goal. Barrow looked like scoring every time they went forward and the second goal duly arrived midway through the half when Brough was allowed to advance towards the edge of the Mansfield box. When nobody came to close him down, the defender sent a sumptuous low drive in to the bottom corner from 25 yards. The hosts were on the ropes and The Bluebirds continued to come forward; Kay could have made it 3-0 a minute later but his drive was held, before Dior Angus just couldn’t connect at the front post after good interplay with James. However, Mansfield grabbed a lifeline ten minutes from half time when a free-kick was lifted in to the Barrow box and Matty Platt could only slice it skywards; it looped back towards Joel Dixon who attempted to grab it but the ball squirmed loose and James Perch smashed it in to the net from close range. After a slow start to the second half, Nicky Maynard almost pulled Town level in spectacular fashion when he sent a powerful drive on goal from 25 yards which looked to be arrowing in to the top corner until Dixon brilliantly finger-tipped it on to the bar and it cannoned out to safety. A minute later Mansfield’s task in turning the game around got more difficult when Aaron O’Driscoll left a late challenge on James and referee Keith Stroud had no option but to produce a second yellow card for the youngster and Town were down to ten men. Barrow used the advantage to good effect and almost increased their lead when James ran at the Mansfield defence before slipping a ball in to Kay; the wide man got his head up to find Angus but his shot was well saved by Stech. The Town keeper was called in to action again moments later when James was allowed enough room to strike a powerful drive on goal but again Stech was equal to it and parried it away to safety. The pressure told just after the hour mark as The Bluebirds once again stitched together a lovely move to feed Kay just inside the box and he produced a stunning, curling finish in to the top right-hand corner to give Stech no chance. Barrow kept on threatening and they made sure of the win 11 minutes from time after working the ball inside from the right in to the path of Biggins, who stroked home a deserved first goal for the Club. Substitute Chris Taylor could have added a fifth five minutes from time when he arrived twelve yards out to fire on goal but his effort flashed over the bar. Town managed a consolation goal on 88 minutes when a cross from the right found Harry Charsley and he got just enough on his shot to see it roll in to the far corner beyond Dixon to make it 4-2. Full Time: Mansfield Town 2 Barrow 4 Mansfield Town: Stech, Menayese, Rawson, Charsley, Cook, Gordon, Perch (Maris 68), O’Driscoll, McLaughlin, Maynard (Reid 68), Lapslie. Subs not used: Stone, Bowery, Clarke, Sinclair, Smith. Booked: O’Driscoll. Sent-off: O’Driscoll. Barrow: Dixon, Barry, Hird, Platt, Brough, Kay, M Jones, J Taylor (C Taylor 78), Biggins, James, Angus (Reid 81). Subs: Moloney, Brown, Zouma, Gribbin. Booked: Platt, Kay. Referee: Keith Stroud Attendance: Behind Closed Doors ----------------- Ninth time lucky as Barrow AFC claim historic first Football League win since 1972 North Western Mail Barrow, By Stephen Thirkill Barrow’s 48 year wait for a Football League victory is finally over following a comprehensive 4-2 win at Mansfield Town. Brad Barry and Patrick Brough deservedly put the Bluebirds 2-0 up inside 23 minutes following a superb spell of dominance. Barrow gifted the lacklustre hosts a goal back when James Perch rifled home after keeper Joel Dixon fluffed a routine catch ten minutes before the break. But the visitors matched their brilliance in possession with mental composure and refused to be knocked off their stride. https://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/18826539.ninth-time-lucky-barrow-afc-claim-historic-first-football-league-win-since-1972/ Their task was made easier when Aaron O’Driscoll picked up a second yellow card following two poor challenges on Luke James just after the restart. Josh Kay took full advantage of the increased space to curl home a beauty before Harrison Biggins added another. Harry Charsley scored a consolation goal with two minutes to go - but it was not enough to deny Barrow their first EFL win at the ninth time of asking. Barrow had last tasted Football League victory in a 2-0 win over Workington back in April 1972. It was a stadium to forget for those Bluebirds with a long memory after Barrow suffered 7-0 and 8-1 defeats at Mansfield back in 2012 and 2013 respectively. But the new-look Barrow came to rewrite the history books and started in impressive fashion. Barry failed to find the target with a header from Brough’s cross on seven minutes as the visitors got into their stride. But he made no mistake three minutes later when he got on the end of Kay’s low cross to slot home at the back post. Marek Stech beat away a shot by James on 20 minutes after Biggins slipped him in on the edge of the box. O’Driscoll was booked after he brought down James following a bursting run through midfield. Brough deservedly doubled Barrow’s lead on 23 minutes when he smashed home from 25 yards. Kay and Dior Angus both forced Stech into comfortable saves as Barrow sniffed a third. Perch pulled a goal back on 35 minutes after Dixon failed to gather a miscued clearance that went high into the six yard box. But Barrow responded well to the setback and successfully put the lid on any revived Mansfield onslaught. Dixon went some way to making up for his blunder when he tipped Nicky Maynard’s thunderous 30 yard effort on to the bar three minutes after the break. O’Driscoll, who was making his Mansfield debut, picked up a second yellow on 50 minutes following another poor challenge on James. Stech kept out Angus on 58 minutes and James a minute later as Barrow continued to threaten. And the pressure finally told when Kay curled a beauty into the top corner three minutes later as Mansfield were again hit on the break. Rampant Barrow added another with 12 minutes to go when Biggins scored his first goal for the club with a composed finish. An unmarked Charsley pulled a goal back after slotting home from a Mansfield corner late on. Mansfield: Stech, Menayese, Rawson, O'Driscoll, Perch (Maris 67), Gordon, Lapslie, Charsley, McLaughlin, Maynard (Reid 67), Cook. Subs: Bowery, Clarke, Sinclair, Smith, Stone. Barrow: Dixon, Barry, Hird, Platt, Brough, Kay, M. Jones, J. Taylor (C. Taylor 73), Biggins, James, Angus (Reid 80). Subs: Moloney, Brown, Zouma, Gribbin. Ref: Keith Stroud. Barrow MOM: Luke James -------------------------- That Sort Of Result Had Been Coming - Kelly https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2020/october/281020-rob-kelly-post-match-reaction-mansfield-town-2-barrow-4/ Rob Kelly admitted his delight after Barrow celebrated their first league win of the new campaign in style with a 4-2 triumph over Mansfield Town at The One Call Stadium on Tuesday night. The Bluebirds were in scintillating form and were well worth the 2-0 lead given to them by Brad Barry and Patrick Brough inside half an hour in Nottinghamshire. The home side grabbed a goal back before the break but were reduced to ten men early in the second half and Barrow took full advantage, scoring further goals through Josh Kay and Harrison Biggins. The Stags pulled one back near the end but nothing could take the shine of Barrow’s win - their first since returning to the Football League for the first time since 1972. “I feel we have been threatening to do that,” said Kelly when speaking to iFollow after the game. “We still have things to work on and we’re disappointed with the two goals we conceded but we could have scored more, with all respect to Mansfield who were coming off the back of two good results away from home. “We had the chances to have put the game to bed by half-time and then conceded a really unfortunate goal but we showed our character to really push on in the second half. “I think it was a really good performance from everybody. You could see lots of the things we work on coming out on the pitch, it was just a really good 90 minutes. “I am delighted for everyone at the Club really, most of the all the supporters because they have waited since 1972 for that Football League victory, but also the people who have brought us to the Club and supported us, and obviously the players. “It’s only one game so we will enjoy tonight, then dust ourselves down and get ready for another difficult game on Saturday.” ------------------ Barrow AFC manager David Dunn thrilled with first League Two win https://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/18832586.barrow-afc-manager-david-dunn-thrilled-first-league-two-win/ Barrow boss David Dunn paid tribute to his players for their resilience after a 4-2 league win against Mansfield Town - their first since their return to the Football League. The Bluebirds moved up to 18th in League Two after their win at Field Mill and Dunn highlighted how impressive his side were. He said: ”I thought we were excellent. “We took off exactly where we left off against Walsall, so it was really pleasing that everything is coming together. “A little bit of me feels that we could have scored a few more goals and won by a bigger margin. “But, obviously, the flip side is that we have got to polish up a little bit and tidy up on the goals that we did concede. “The good thing for us is that we have got that first win.” After ending the long wait for a Football League win which stretched back to 1972, Dunn is now looking to build on their first victory. “The monkey is off our back now I suppose,” he said. “I feel it was a long time coming and thought we deserved to win much sooner than that. Everyone was so desperate to win that game. “But, obviously, I am very pleased we have got that first win, which should settle everyone down now, not just the players and us, but everybody involved in the club.” Goals from Bradley Barry, Patrick Brough, Josh Kay and Harrison Biggins ensured Dunn’s squad travelled back to Cumbria with all three points. Barry and Brough had put the Bluebirds 2-0 up in the first half, before Mansfield’s James Perch replied for the hosts. However, two goals from Kay and Biggins after Mansfield’s Aaron O’Driscoll was sent off set the side on their way, with Dunn praising his team’s passing. He said:” I thought we were fantastic in the way that we passed the ball. “The way we played through the thirds was really good, which is what we work on a lot. “There were some really good individual performances out there.” In particular, Dunn singled out keeper Joel Dixon for his display. After making an error for Mansfield’s first goal, Dunn believed Dixon bounced back brilliantly. He said: "I was really pleased with Joel Dixon. “He obviously makes a little error, but then the way he showed the resilience to just crack on was fantastic. “A lot of goalkeepers would cave in, but he had the courage to keep going. “He made an unbelievable save, arguably to keep the momentum with us in the second half. “It was a hell of a save.” -------------------- |
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