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Archived News from December 2020

STAGS DRAW 3-3 WITH CRAWLEY IN EXTRAORDINARY GAME
11th December 2020 11:27


English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Mansfield Town 3 - 3 Crawley Town
Sweeney 4, Lapslie 72, Cook 90+3. Watters 49, 59, Dallison 54
Attendance: behind closed doors

Date: 5 December 2020

Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill

Mansfield Town drew 3-3 with Crawley Town in an extraordinary game at the One Call Stadium this afternoon. It leaves the Stags still looking for the first home league win of the season.
The Stags were excellent in the first half and led 1-0 at the break thanks to a Ryan Sweeney goal from a corner after 4 minutes. But the Stags should have been further ahead and the Crawley assistant head coach Lee Bradbury admitted in post match interview that Crawley were lucky to be only 1-0 down and it could have been 3-0 at half time.
Midway through the half, George Lapslie had a triple chance as first his shot, set up by Jamie Reid, was saved low down by keeper Glenn Morris, then his follow-up shot was blocked after Harry Charsley recycled the ball, and finally Lapslie headed over the bar from Kellan Gordon’s cross. From that second Lapslie effort, the Stags claimed a penalty for handball, and Nigel Clough was adamant after the game that it should have been but I couldn’t tell from my position in the press box and the video is inconclusive. George Maris also had a golden chance, after 31 minutes, as Reid set him up for a shot which was well-saved by the keeper.
The Stags had 8 chances in that first half, 6 on target, with none for Crawley, and it was a very good performance, perhaps the best 45 minutes of the season.
I said at half time that the problem was that Crawley would be buoyed by being only 1-0 down at the break, and within 15 minutes of the start of the second half they were 3-1 up in an incredible turnaround.
Crawley brought on striker Max Watters at half time. In his first full season in professional football, he had already scored 10 goals before today and it was a big surprise to me that he didn’t start the game. And after 49 minutes Watters equalised. Ashley Nadesan backflicked the ball up and volleyed the ball forward with a wonderful pass for Watters to run on to, get in behind and outpace Kellan Gordon, and fire through Marek Stech’s legs from the edge of the area as Stech came out to narrow the angle. After the game, Nigel Clough said “I'm not sure whether Marek should have come for it again, similar to Colchester."
The Stags should have been back in front after 51 minutes, with brilliant play along the byline on the left from Jordan Bowery muscling his way past a defender to give Lapslie an open goal from 2 yards. It was fractionally behind Lapslie but he somehow put it over the bar. As Nigel Clough described it after the game, it was a sitter.
And on 54 minutes, the Stags were behind. A corner from the left was partially cleared up in the air by George Maris. As it came down, it bounced off Sweeney’s knee and fell kindly for Dallison to literally just swing a boot at it and somehow it flew into the left corner of the net. Nigel Clough described the goal as a fluke.
Worse was to follow as Crawley made it 3-1 after 59 minutes but this time it was a brilliant finish. Jake Hessenthaler lifted a long ball forward into the Stags half from his own half, and Watters ran on to it before lifting a shot over Stech on the volley from 23 yards. Stech wasn’t badly positioned, just outside his six yard box, and I would simply credit a wonderful finish from Watters. What a player he looks.
Astonishingly Crawley had turned it around and the Stags were shell-shocked.
Slowly the Stags began to get a foothold again and made it 2-3 after 72 minutes. Mal Benning’s cross from the left was headed back by Reid, and Lapslie volleyed into the net from 17 yards. A great finish from Lapslie.
The Stags were right back on top now and pushed for an equaliser. There was a great chance for Reid after 77 minutes as the keeper didn’t hold Ollie Clarke’s high cross, it fell for Reid and he knocked it over the bar. On 81 minutes, good play from Reid to find Gordon, Gordon crossed back in to Reid who shot into the side netting.
The Stags went even closer on 90+1 minutes as Lapslie’s goalbound shot was blocked and substitute Andy Cook fired the rebound wide of the left post when he looked likely to score.
The Stags kept going and did get the equaliser on 90+3 minutes when Lapslie headed Sweeney’s long ball forward into the path of Cook, who chested it down and on the volley from 22 yards lifted a great shot over the keeper who was only just off his line, with the aid of the slightest of deflections off defender Tony Craig. Whether it would have gone in without the deflection is impossible to say, but it was classic Cook getting a goal out of nothing as he did several times last season.
Incidentally, Cook spoke to club photographer Chris Holloway during half time. Chris said to him when you come on and score, make sure you do a slide towards me! Cook duly obliged and you’ll see the photo on the club’s social media and website!
Even after that goal, there was one last chance for Mansfield on 90+4 minutes as Cook headed wide of the right post from Benning’s cross.
So a draw, which was the least Mansfield deserved. In truth, the Stags deserved to win it comfortably in my opinion. 22 shots with 10 on target for the Stags, compared to 5 shots with 4 on target for Crawley tells its own story.
Nevertheless to come back from 3-1 down shows some bottle and fighting spirit, and whereas all season long the Stags have been plagued by conceding late goals, in the last 6 days at home they have scored a late winner against Dagenham in the cup, and a late equaliser today, which is altogether more enjoyable!
The draw does at least take the Stags up to 19th. No midweek game this week. The next game is at Grimsby next Saturday. Grimsby are level on points with the Stags but have two games in hand, one of which is at home to Newport on Tuesday.

The Stags made one change to the side that won at Cambridge. Farrend Rawson came back into the side at the expense of Rollin Menayese. Menayese was very unlucky in my opinion after a very good performance at Cambridge. Rawson hadn’t been available to start as per Clough’s post match interview at Cambridge, though an injury or other reason wasn’t stated. Menayese dropped to the bench.

Crawley arrived in 13th place, 5 points ahead of the Stags, but not having won in their previous 5 league games, though they did win away to AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup last weekend. They made one change from the last game, a draw at Colchester on Tuesday, and it was a surprise as Max Watters, leading scorer with 10 goals and just named as PFA Player of the Month in League Two, dropped to the bench with Dannie Bulman replacing him.

It was a pleasant sunny day in Mansfield. However rain and snow on Friday hadn’t helped the pitch which was already described as boggy by Nigel Clough after recent home games. When the Crawley players first looked at the pitch as they arrived, one of them threw a ball up and it only bounced up a few inches.

FULL REPORT IN THE MATCH CENTRE

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Report supplied by PA Media, by John Lomas

Mansfield Town 3 Crawley Town 3
Sweeney (4'minutes), Lapslie (72'minutes), Cook (90'+3minutes)
Watters (49'minutes, 59'minutes), Dallison-Lisbon (54'minutes)
Assists: Maris (4'minutes)
Nadesan (49'minutes), Hessenthaler (59'minutes)

Late substitute Andy Cook rescued a point for Mansfield with a stoppage-time equaliser as they fought out a 3-3 home thriller with Crawley.

Crawley trailed at the break but three goals in 11 minutes, two from half-time sub Max Watters, had them in charge only for Nigel Clough's men to fight back.

Ryan Sweeney bundled home George Maris' corner from close range on four minutes and Stags dominated the first half.

But busy Crawley keeper Glenn Morris twice denied George Lapslie and saved from Jordan Bowery and Maris, while Lapslie also headed a good chance over.

However, Crawley were level on 49 minutes as Watters was sent through by Ashley Nadesan and slotted calmly home.

After Lapslie missed a close-range sitter, Crawley were ahead on 54 minutes as a half clearance reached Tom Dallison on the edge of the box and he hopefully lobbed the ball forwards and saw it sail in just under the angle.

Watters made it 12 for the season on 59 minutes as he was found by Jake Hessenthaler's through-ball and, with Marek Stech advancing, he smashed a superb dipping finish home over the keeper.

Lapslie pulled one back on 72 minutes as Jamie Reid nodded the ball into his path and he volleyed into the top right corner from 10 yards.

Cook then had the last say in the third added minute as he saw his deflected shot fly in from Sweeney's nod-down.

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match stats
Mansfield Crawley
Possession Home 50% Away 50%
Shots Home 22 Away 5
Shots on Target Home 10 Away 4
Corners Home 10 Away 7
Fouls Home 8 Away 15

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Andy Cook's stoppage time strike earns point for Mansfield Town against Crawley
chad.co.uk, Saturday 5th December 2020

Andy Cook's stoppage-time leveller earned Mansfield Town a 3-3 draw against Crawley Town.

The Stags couldn't quite make it three wins in seven days, but a fightback from 3-1 down should allow Nigel Clough to take some delight from the contest.

It took just four minutes for Ryan Sweeney to put the hosts ahead, prodding home George Maris' corner.

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/andy-cooks-stoppage-time-strike-earns-point-mansfield-town-against-crawley-3058896

As the Stags looked to turn the screw Jordan Bowery brought a save from Glenn Morris, who also twice denied George Lapslie.

Morris also kep out a Maris effort while the Mansfield man was involved at the other end, blocking Dannie Bulman's low effort.

The second half began with Marek Stech tipping Bulman's effort over, but he couldn't prevent Max Watters levelling four minutes after the re-start.

Watters calmly levelled after being put through by Ashley Nadesan.

As the Stags looked to regain the lead, George Lapslie somehow forced Bowery's cross over - before two goals in five minutes turned the game on its head.

Tom Dallison's volley and then Watters' looping effort from the edge of the box made it 3-1 with 59 minutes gone.

In between those goals, Morris denied Jamie Reid's low drive.

Lapslie's 72nd minute volley brought the hosts back into the contest while, into the six minutes of time added, Cook dragged an effort wide.

But moments later he levelled as his volley deflected beyond Morris.

t the hosts back into the contest while, into the six minutes of time added, Cook dragged an effort wide.

But moments later he levelled as his volley deflected beyond Morris.

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Crawley have to settle for point at Mansfield after leading 3-1
westsussextoday.co.uk

Crawley Town picked up a 3-3 draw at Mansfield after trailing 1-0 then leading 3-1.

With just under three minutes played Mansfield had the lead, Ryan Sweeny turning in from a corner as the centre back stuck out a leg to poke the ball past Glenn Morris.

That was how it stayed until half-time but John Yems' men came flying out of the blocks in the second half and just four minutes after the restart Max Watters - who'd come on after the interval - sloyyed in after Ashley Nadesan's ball over the Mansfield defence allowed him a clear run at goal.

Moments later the Reds found themselves ahead. When a corner was only half-cleared by the Mansfield defence, the ball fell to Tom Dallison who scooped home a volley.

https://www.westsussextoday.co.uk/sport/football/crawley-have-settle-point-mansfield-after-leading-3-1-3058992

Crawley had a two-goal advantage as Watters netted his second of the game. Jake Hessenthaler launched a ball forward which cleared both Mansfield defenders and fell kindly at the feet of Watters, who curled the ball over the goalkeeper.

The hosts pulled one back as Lapslie cushioned a volley into the top corner after the ball bounced free in the Reds penalty area with 17 minutes to play.

Three minutes into the added time the hosts equalised through Andy Cook. A long ball fell loose around 25 yards from goal as Cook looped an effort towards goal it took an unfortunate nick on the way through which put it past the reach of Morris.

Reds: Morris; Sesay, Tunnicliffe, Craig, Dallison, Tsaroulla (Watters 46’); Bulman (Matthews 74’), Hessenthaler, Powell; Nadesan (Frost 74’), Nichols (McNerney 90+2’)

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REPORT - MANSFIELD 3-3 CRAWLEY TOWN
crawleytownfc.com, by Sam Gadsdon

The Reds picked up a draw today in Mansfield after a crazy game in which Crawley fell behind, but also led 3-1.

The hosts started brightly and with just under three minutes played they had the lead. Ryan Sweeny turning in from a corner, the centre back stuck out a leg to poke past Glenn Morris, giving the Reds a mountain to climb early on.

https://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/2020/december/report--mansfield-3-3-crawley-town/

Mansfield almost doubled their lead just minutes later, Harry Charsley found Jordan Bowery inside the Reds penalty area as the number nine fired at Glenn Morris who was on hand to parry away to safety.

The Reds began to settle into the game as they started putting some nice sequences together, Dannie Bulman may have put the Reds level, not for the courageous block of Mal Benning. The veteran midfielders shot looked destined to fly past Marek Stech.

Glenn Morris was then quickly forced back into action, George Lapsile had only the keeper to beat after linking up with Charsley, Glenn somehow was able to get down and avert the shot which fell to the feet of Charsley but Morris was quick to his feet to make a double save.

Morris was again called into action after Tunnicliffe was clearly fouled by two Mansfield men while jumping for a header, Christopher Sarginson waved play on as Glenn was forced to save from Lapslie again.

David Sesay looked lively on the right flank as he won the Reds a freekick in a dangerous crossing position, Powell’s cross diverted behind for a corner. The corner was only half-cleared as the ball fell back to Powell whose resulting shot flashed across the face of goal.

The Reds came flying out of the blocks in the second half immediately winning a corner courtesy of David Sesay. After Dallison’s header was blocked the ball fell to the feet of Dannie Bulman, a lunging effort from Bulman was excellently blocked and cleared for another corner.

The Reds electric start was rewarded just four minutes into the second half, Max Watters was introduced at the interval as he made an instant impact. Nadesan lofted a ball over the Mansfield defence which allowed Watters a clear run at goal. Watters took a hold of the ball and slotted under an on-rushing Stech to level the scoring.

Just moments later the Reds found themselves ahead, once again a corner was only half-cleared by the Mansfield defence, the ball fell to Tom Dallison who scooped a volley past a helpless Stech to put Crawley ahead. An incredible opening ten minutes of the second half.

Crawley did not stop there and unbelievably found themselves with a two-goal advantage as Max Watters netted his second of the game. Hessenthaler launched a ball forward which cleared both Mansfield defenders and fell kindly at the feet of Max Watters. Stech was caught in two minds on whether to come out or stay put in his box, Watters cleverly sensed this as the striker proceeded to curl over the goalkeeper to give the Reds a two-goal cushion.

The Reds almost had a fourth after a brilliant counter-attack, Nichols played a delightful side-footed volley to the wing where Watters lied in wait, Nadesan had made a surging run through the middle and had a clear sight of goal but Kellan Gordon intercepted at the last moment.

Less than a minute later the hosts pulled one back, Lapslie cushioned a volley into the top corner after the ball bounced free in the Reds penalty area, cutting the Reds advantage by half with 17 minutes to play.

The hosts looked inspired as they began to put real pressure on the Reds defence, on several occasions David Sesay and the rest of the Reds defence were required to but their bodies on the line to block or clear a cross.

Jordan Tunnicliffe was on hand to clear a cross which was destined to find Bowery at the back post. The resulting corner was cleared to the edge of the Crawley penalty area where Andy Cook lied in wait as he thumped an effort towards goal which drifted just wide of the post.

Three minutes into the additional added time the hosts equalised through Andy Cook. A long ball fell loose around 25 yards from goal as Cook looped an effort towards goal it took an unfortunate nick on the way through which put it past the reach of Glenn Morris.

A breathtaking encounter in Mansfield ended in a draw as the Reds saw out the final three minutes of extra-time to claim a point on the road after victory was snatched at the death.

Reds XI: Morris; Sesay, Tunnicliffe, Craig, Dallison, Tsaroulla (Watters 46’); Bulman (Matthews 74’), Hessenthaler, Powell; Nadesan (Frost 74’), Nichols (McNerney 90+2’)

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