{ the forum }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC

Stags-Northampton playoff Stagsnet report by Sweden Stag

Discuss all things Stags and Football League Two, and share stuff using our BBCodes.
Forum rules
Please read the Posting Rules before participating. Posting on the forums is subject to adhering to these.
Also, see the Guidelines for Posting. Moderators may sometimes tidy posts which do not follow these customs.

Stags-Northampton playoff Stagsnet report by Sweden Stag

Postby Sweden Stag » Tue May 17, 2022 5:13 pm

Mansfield-Northampton 2-1 (2-0)

Goals, Mansfield: Oates (13), Bowery (32). Northampton: Koiki (61).

Attendance: 7469 (1221 from Northampton)

STAGS HAVE ADVANTAGE AFTER BEATING COBBLERS 2-1 IN PLAYOFF SEMI FIRST LEG

Svante Bernhard aka Sweden Stag having watched the game in Sweden

Mansfield Town beat Northampton to a 2-1 scoreline after deservedly being 2-0 up at half-time with goals from Rhys Oates and Jordan Bowery. Early on in the second half, Oates had a golden opportunity to put the Stags three up and maybe the first leg beyond doubt, but the Cobblers’ reserve keeper Maxted made a crucial save. From then on, Northampton grew into the game and pulled one back on the hour mark. In the latter stages, Northampton dominated putting the Stags u under severe pressure with aerial bombardment, but the Stags defence held out for a narrow 2-1 victory to take to Sixfields on Wednesday night. All to play for. Come on Mansfield!

KEY MOMENTS

Mansfield fielded the same side who crucially drew 2-2 against Forest Green on the final day of the regular campaign, while Northampton were forced into a GK change as their first-choice goalie Roberts was red-carded at Barrow in the dying moments there. In came Maxted, who kept Exeter goal in the League Two playoff final against the Cobblers in 2020. The Stags fielded ex-Cobbler O’Toole, while the Cobblers had ex-Stag Danny Rose on the bench. He was to come on midway through the second half.

After 5 minutes, McLaughlin put in a superb cross which just evaded Oates. At the other end a few minutes later, Nathan Bishop pushed away a long-range shot from Appére.

On 13 minutes, the Stags took the lead. McLaughlin intercepted a stray ball from Mills inside the own half, slid the ball inside to Bowery, who laid a textbook pass for Oates to run on to and smashed the ball into the net via the legs of Maxted. A fine goal by Oates.

On 21 minutes, Oates fell victim to a nasty challenge from McWilliams, who was rightly booked. One of a few things the officials got right on the night.

On 32 minutes, the Stags went 2-0 up. Great tackles by Hawkins and ex-Cobbler O’Toole in the early build-up. Good hold-up by the Stags before Longstaff played a great cross to Murphy on the left. Murphy created space across the box, and after a deflection, Bowery was in the right place at the right time at the far post smashing the ball into the net giving Maxted no chance.

The Stags had a deserved 2-0 lead at half time.

On 49 minutes, the Stags were nearly 3-0 up. Perch played the ball forward to Oates, who from the halfway line showed brilliant skill to get past his defender and surged into the area. Just as Oates pulled the trigger with a powerful shot, defender Horsfall slid in made a deflection, which was enough for Maxted to parry. An important and crucial save.

From then on, Northampton improved vastly and put the Stags under enormous aerial pressure for the remainder of the game.

On 61 minutes, Northampton reduced the deficit. Quinn gave the ball away and the Cobblers were ready for the counter. Pinnock played the ball out on the left, being fouled by Perch, who was yellow-carded. Appére cut in, past O’Toole, and laid the ball on to Koiki. After a few touches, Koiki fired low into net giving Bishop no chance. On that occasion, a rare piece of good refereeing by the official by playing advantage.
Northampton were on top now. And the closest the Cobblers came to equalizing was on 78 minutes. A long throw from Pinnock was headed on by Horsfall and came to Hoskins. Shot blocked by O’Toole, then Eppiah tried his luck. His rebound hit the knee of McLaughlin and landed over the net. A huge let-off for the Stags.

In stoppage time, the Stags had a couple of half opportunities. Oates was fouled outside the area but the referee failed to award a blatant free-kick. Rating 5 refereeing.

Many good performances by the Stags. A superb back four under aerial bombardment with Hawkins as man of the match. The midfield could have done better. Up front, Oates and Bowery had a good game, and capped their performances with crucial goals.

On to Sixfields on Wednesday night. Expect a tight and close game.

Man of the match: Oli Hawkins

Report by: Svante Bernhard aka Sweden Stag having watched the game on Telly in Sweden

Stags line-up with ratings:

Bishop 7 Had a good game. No chance with the goal
Perch 7 Played well, solid in defence
O’Toole 8 Very good in the air under pressure from one of his former clubs
Hawkins 9 Superb in the second half, winning crucial headers and tackles. Was everywhere
McLaughlin 8 Very good in the first half
Maris 6 Booked and not at his best
Longstaff 6 Had a quiet game
Quinn 6 Involved in the build-up to the Northampton goal. Later subbed.
Murphy 6 Superb assist for Bowery’s goal but much involved aside from the assist
Bowery 8 Very good game capped with a goal and the assist for the Stags’ first
Oates 8 Dynamic going forward, caused loads of trouble for the Northampton defence. Crucial goal

Subs:
Wallace (for Longstaff, 59) Did ok
Stirk (for Quinn, 77)
Akins (for Murphy, 86)

Subs not used: Štěch, Hewitt, O Clarke, Lapslie.

Northampton line-up: Maxted; Mills, Horsfall, Guthrie, Koiki; McWilliams, Sowerby; Pinnock, Hoskins, Kanu (Eppiah 56); Appére (Rose 66). Subs not used: Woods, Harriman, Dyche, Pollock, Zimba.

Referee: Anthony Backhouse 5 Disappointing. Had a poor game overall and missed a blatant foul on Oates in second-half added time.
Stockholm, July 4, 2008, 15.00 GMT. Good news came, K.H. gone. March 1, 2012. Ground purchased.
Sweden Stag
Assistant Manager
Assistant Manager
 
Posts: 1156
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2009 2:21 pm
Location: Karlstad, Sweden

Return to Stagsnet Main Discussion Forum

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot], Bradders, jr senior, northern stag, Sandy Pate Best Stag, Stagsfan11, Sweden Stag, Zaphod, zod and 109 guests