Archived News from December 2020
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STAGS WIN AT HIGH-FLYING CAMBRIDGE
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English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Cambridge United 0 - 1 Mansfield Town Reid 64 Attendance: 1917 (home supporters only, capacity set at 2000 according to COVID-19 guidelines) Date: 2 December 2020 Martin Shaw at the Abbey Stadium Mansfield Town won 1-0 at high-flying Cambridge United last night to jump out of the bottom two in League Two. The only goal of the game came after 64 minutes when Jamie Reid, who started the game in preference to Nicky Maynard and Andy Cook, received the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the six-yard box from a Harry Charsley header forward, took one touch and on the turn took his shot quickly to fire past the keeper into the net. A very tidy finish with quick feet. It was Reid’s first league goal for Mansfield. Reid had other chances too: early in the game, he showed great control to collect a Kellan Gordon cross from the right, and on the turn he fired over the bar from 12 yards. Then early in the second half, Reid received the ball 15 yards from goal in 5 yards of space after a great pull-back from Ollie Clarke who had made a fine run down the right. Reid took a touch to steady himself and fired a low shot wide of the left post when he should have done better. Harry Charsley also had two good chances to score. After 62 minutes, Reid did well again to control on the edge of the area, he fed a great ball forward and Charsley’s stab goalwards with just the keeper to beat from 8 yards was well-blocked by the keeper. Then after 81 minutes, Charsley shot over the bar with a wasteful finish after great play by Reid and George Lapslie. At the other end, keeper Marek Stech made two outstanding saves. After 34 minutes, he tipped Robbie Cundy’s volley from 12 yards over the bar when it was heading for the roof of the net. And an even better save after 80 minutes, when Paul Mullin, who already has 14 goals this season, fired in a brilliant shot from 25 yards that was heading for the top left corner of the net until Stech tipped it over the bar one-handed in sensational style. It truly was a match-winning save. That was the last chance for Cambridge as the Stags defence, with Rollin Menayese, in his first league game since Graham Coughlan was sacked, and Ryan Sweeney, both strong in central defence despite both picking up bookings in the first half. The Stags’ fine record in recent seasons at Cambridge continues, that’s three wins and three draws in the last six visits. And this victory was deserved, with the Stags having the better chances in the game. Plenty of national attention on the Abbey Stadium as Cambridge was one of just six grounds to let the fans in for the first time since pilots at the very start of the season were stopped before they really got going. Just under 2000 fans were allowed in, each wearing a face mask at all times, with one way systems to get into their seats. In the seats, each fan, or group of fans in the same household, had two empty seats and one empty row behind and in front to enable social distancing. In the seating areas, the systems seemed to work very well as far as I could see. Whether it worked so well on the terraces is another matter. Cambridge is in Tier 2 of restrictions, Mansfield is in Tier 3. Hopefully Mansfield will move into Tier 2 sometime soon and the Stags’ season ticket holders can at long last get back in to the ground to see their side. So, just the second league win of the season for Mansfield and another big confidence boost. But in all competitions since Nigel Clough was appointed, the Stags have played 7, won 5, drawn 1, lost 1 (including the Sunderland game which was under Richard Cooper’s impressive stewardship, and including the Dagenham game as a victory, albeit in extra time). Attention now turns to Saturday and the visit of Crawley Town to the One Call Stadium as the Stags again go in search of that first home league win of the season. FULL REPORT IN THE MATCH CENTRE -------------------------- Mansfield Town win to ruin homecoming of Cambridge United fans chad.co.uk, 02 December 2020 Jamie Reid bagged his first league goal for the club as Mansfield ruined Cambridge United’s long-awaited fans’ homecoming. Two thousand home fans roared on the U’s as a ban on supporters in stadiums was lifted - tier permitting. But it was the visitors who gave the fans their first live goal since March as Nigel Clough’s Stags moved two points clear of the League Two relegation zone. Reid grabbed the only goal of the game before Marek Stech produced a string of fine saves to cling on for all three points and spoil the hosts' party. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-win-ruin-homecoming-cambridge-united-fans-3055836 New boss Clough said his side would need to defend well to get anything out of the game in his pre-match press conference. And they did just that to keep the promotion-chasing U’s at bay to secure a second successive league win of the road. Clough made three changes to the side which produced a dramatic 120th-minute FA Cup win against Dagenham and Redbridge on Sunday. Trio Rollin Menayese, Reid and George Maris, a former Cambridge player, replaced Farrend Rawson, Stephen McLaughlin - injured - and Andy Cook. Northern Irishman Reid almost repaired the faith shown in him straightaway as he blasted over the bar with the first effort of the game. Stech produced a super save to tip Robbie Cundy’s ferocious strike over the bar. Down the other end, Jordan Bowery’s long-range effort barely troubled hosts’ goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov. The Stags stormed out of the blocks with Reid squandering an early chance after Ollie Clarke’s powerful run. Just before the hour Reid’s audacious lob landed wide of the mark. Dangerous Reid turned provider as he slid Harry Charsley in but his effort was superbly kept out by a good reaction stop by Mitov. But the U’s ‘keeper could do nothing as Reid got his rewards for a potent performance. Forward Reid finished with aplomb after Charsley’s knock down inside the box. And the Stags showed great intensity to defend their deserved lead. Bodies were put on the line as the visitors tried desperately to hold on. Stech played his part too with late saves to keep out prolific strikers Joe, seven goals this term, Ironside and Paul Mullin - who had an impressive 14 goals to his name. The former Luton stopper got down low to keep Ironside out before a super stop to tip Mullin’s effort over. Cambridge: Mitov, Knoyle, Taylor, Dunk (Knibbs, 75), Cundy, Digby, Hannant (Iredale, 75), Hoolahan, Boateng (May 28), Mullen, Ironside. Subs not used: Burton, Iredale, Darling, El Mizouni, Davies. Stags: Stech, Benning, Menayese, Sweeney, Gordon, Charsley (Cook, 90+4), Clarke, Maris (O'Keefe, 89), Lapslie, Bowery, Reid (Maynard, 82). Subs not used: Stone, Rawson. O'Driscoll, Sinclair. Referee: Robert Lewis (Shrewsbury) --------------------- Cambridge United 0-1 Mansfield Town Reid (64'minutes) Assists: Charsley (64'minutes) Match report supplied by PA Media https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55067549 Cambridge suffered their first home league defeat of the season, losing to Nigel Clough's Mansfield on the night they welcomed fans back to the Abbey Stadium. Jamie Reid's goal on 64 minutes, his first in the league for the club, and goalkeeper Marek Stech's heroics lifted the Stags out of the bottom two. Reid had missed big chances at the start of each half, firing over on the turn in the second minute and shooting off target when he'd been left unmarked in the box in the opening moments of the second period. But moments after Dimi Mitov had saved well from Harry Charsley, the midfielder nodded on for Reid to fire beyond Mitov. Cambridge's best chance had come on 39 minutes when Joe Ironside's knock-down found Robbie Cundy, whose effort drew an excellent tip over from Stech. The U's pressed hard for an equaliser, with Rollin Menayese blocking from Paul Mullin and Stech denying Ironside. Stech ensured Mansfield's win with a magnificent save to tip over Paul Mullin's blasted effort 10 minutes from time. --------------------- No winning homecoming for Cambridge United fans as Mansfield Town earn victory at the Abbey in Sky Bet League Two cambridgeindependent.co.uk, By Mark Taylor, 02 December 2020 https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/sport/no-winning-homecoming-for-cambridge-united-fans-as-mansfield-town-earn-victory-at-the-abbey-in-sky-bet-league-two-9143721/ Cambridge United supporters were unable to leave the Abbey Stadium to the sound of Coconuts after a 1-0 defeat to Mansfield Town in Sky Bet League Two. For the first league game since February, the U's fans were allowed back through the gates but Jamie Reid struck in the second half to the thwart the warm homecoming. It was a great sight to U's faithful back on all sides of the ground, but it was Mansfield that were quickest out of the traps, with Reid turning on Kellan Gordon’s ball into the box to fire a shot just over the bar in the second minute. Luke Hannant fired optimistically wide in the fourth minute for the U's, but there was a big blow for United in the 24th minute. Hiram Boateng, who had been controlling the midfield, went for a 50-50 ball with Mansfield defender Rollin Menayese. But the U’s man came off far worse, leaving the pitch with a shoulder injury while his opponent received a yellow card. The best chance of the half went United’s way, with Joe Ironside heading back to Robbie Cundy just inside the area, and the centre-back controlled on his chest before hitting a volley that required Mansfield keeper to acrobatically push over the bar. In the 36th minute, Jordan Bowery cut in off the left wing to fire a shot that was easy for U’s keeper Dimi Mitov, and the final chance of the half went to the hosts, with Stech saving Ironside’s header. Just like the first half, Mansfield had a good chance at the start of the second period. A good cut back found Reid unmarked in the area, but fired wide when he should have at least hit the target. United were carrying the greater threat, but they were unable to test Stech. Hannant had a well-struck shot blocked, and Ironside then hit an effort from the edge of the area that dipped just over the bar. The breakthrough then came in the 65th minute. Mansfield had been growing in confidence and Harry Charsley headed down to Reid in the six-yard box, and the striker made no mistake this time, giving Mitov no chance. United had appeals for a handball in the box waved away in the 71st minute as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser. They had a good opportunity in the 79th minute, with substitute Harvey Knibbs squaring a ball across the area to the advancing Ironside and he took a touch to set himself, but the shot was easy for Stech. However, the Mansfield keeper had to work a lot harder in the 80th minute. Paul Mullin hit a superb curling half volley from 25 yards that looked to be dipping in, but Stech somehow got a fingertip to the effort to guide it over the bar. But despite all their efforts, the U's were just unable to find the equaliser and ended up suffering their first home league defeat of the campaign. Cambridge United: Mitov, Knoyle, Taylor, Cundy, Dunk, Hannant, Boateng, Digby, Hoolahan, Mullin, Ironside. Substitutes: May (Boateng, 24), Knibbs (Hannant, 75), Iredale (Dunk, 75). Not used: Burton, Darling, Davies, El Mizouni. Mansfield Town: Stech, Benning, Menayese, Sweeney, Charsley, Clarke, Bowery, Maris, Gordon, Reid, Lapslie. Substitutes: Maynard (Reid, 82), O'Keefe (Maris, 89), Cook (Charsley, 90+4). Not used: Stone, Rawson, O’Driscoll, Sinclair. Bookings: Mansfield - Menayese (foul, 24), Sweeney (foul, 34). Referee: Robert Lewis. Attendance: 1,917. ------------------------ MATCH REPORT - CAMBRIDGE UNITED 0-1 MANSFIELD TOWN cambridge-united.co.uk, by Owen Mizon, 2 December 2020 https://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/2020/december/report-mansfield-h/ Cambridge United’s unbeaten home start to the Sky Bet League Two season came to an end as they were edged out 0-1 by Mansfield Town. On a special evening at the Abbey Stadium, where the Club successfully hosted their first League match with fans since February, a neat finish from Jamie Reid during the second half proved to be the difference between the sides. Mark Bonner made just the solitary change to the side that valiantly salvaged a last-gasp draw at Cheltenham Town last Tuesday, with Joe Ironside coming into the fold in the place of Jack Iredale as the U’s reverted to a 4/4/2 system. The Stags started on the front foot. Reid cannoned an attempt whiskers wide of Dimitar Mitov’s crossbar before Paul Digby denied Mal Benning from unleashing a fierce shot from inside the box within the opening minutes. Nonetheless, the U’s held firm defensively and carved out a good attempt on the quarter of an hour mark. A strong interception from Hiram Boateng allowed an industrious run forward, concluding in a Luke Hannant attempt from 20 yards deflected out of play which formed the start of an entertaining spell of one-way traffic for the hosts. Fierce pressure from Paul Mullin on 20 forced a misplaced pass to Boateng, who once again marauded towards the penalty area before being caught by a high challenge from Rollin Menayese. Showing severe discomfort to his shoulder, the midfielder was forced off and replaced by Adam May. The resulting free kick from Mullin had the power but not enough accuracy as it dipped wide. A goalmouth scramble in Mansfield’s area fell to the path of Robbie Cundy who showed striker instincts with a light touch to set up a clean volley that forced Marek Stech into a superb reflex save on the 33rd minute. On the stroke of added time, an exquisite cross from Wes Hoolahan down the left flank was met by the head of Ironside, who in typical fashion diverted a dangerous attempt goal bound but it was dealt with well by Stech. Two minutes into the second half, United received a let off. A mazy run from Ollie Clarke cut open their backline as he teed up an unmarked Reid who couldn’t get his angles right from 15 yards. On 50, Mullin put his physical traits to the test by outmuscling Sweeney inside the box and unleashing a cunning attempt into the side netting. Greg Taylor engineered a clear cut chance for the hosts four minutes later, skipping past two players before Ironside set an attempt up on a plate for Hannant whose shot was dealt with a no-nonsense clearance from Sweeney before it could nestle into the net. Good alertness from Mitov on 63 thwarted Harry Charsley from latching home a one-on-one position in a spell of sheer pressure from the Stags. The visitors capitalised on that just one minute later, as Charsley cushioned a header into the path of Reid who converted past Mitov with a neat finish to send Nigel Clough’s men in front. Determined to conjure up an equaliser, Bonner brought on fresh legs in Iredale and Harvey Knibbs with 15 minutes left on the clock. Knibbs soon carved out an opportunity for United, closing down a defender and finding the feet of Ironside who had the space to direct a shot towards the corner which was kept out well by Stech. The hosts went even closer on the 80th minute, when a venomous 25-yard effort from Mullin looked destined to be flying in before Stech once again expertly tipped the shot over. The U’s were unable to conjure any late drama this time round though and succumbed to a first loss at home in the league this season. Cambridge United: Mitov, Knoyle, Taylor, Cundy, Dunk (Iredale, 75), Hannant (Knibbs, 75), Digby, Boateng (May, 27), Hoolahan, Ironside, Mullin Bookings: Mansfield Town: Stech, Gordon, Menayese, Sweeney, Benning, Charsley (Cook, 90+3), Lapslie, Clarke, Maris (O’Keefe, 89), Bowery, Reid (Maynard, 82) Bookings: Menayese, Sweeney Attendance: 1917 --------------------- |
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