by Tippy Tappy Football » Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:53 pm
Half Time Thoughts
A very scrappy game with a lot of the play down Newport's right in front of the stand. Newport are hitting a lot of long balls to the enthusiastic farmer Will Evans but Lewis Brunt is dealing with them well so far.
The Stags have had the best two chances. DKD was clean through on goal but shot straight at the keeper Nick Townsend from 30 yards. Ollie Clarke should have scored with his left foot in the area but again shot straight at Townsend. Tom Nichols has played well up front with his link play. DKD and Nichols could have done with a bit better service. Final ball let us down at times.
I'm chuckling at the Newport fans going mental over Baily Cargill stealing a few feet at throw ins. I was here last April when every Micky Demetriou long throw was taken 10-15 yards further up the pitch from where the ball went out and the ref and linesman did nothing. I've never known a set of fans who expect every decision to go their way. They were screaming for a free kick and a yellow card when Ollie Clarke tickled Adam Lewis on the far side and Lewis threw himself on the floor and started rolling around. They were also shouting for penalties when Brunt, Cargill and Flint made good tackles. Completely deluded.
Full Time Thoughts
A great three three bags of coal for the Super Stags. It was a scrappy game at times but Mansfield should have won by more. Newport County did not have a shot on goal.
DKD could have had a hat-trick and should have had a penalty when he was clearly clipped as he dribbled into the area before George Maris scored. DKD played well up front with Tom Nichols with George Maris in behind. Maris scored his 9th league goal of the season. Ollie Clarke had a good chance in the 1st half. Hiram Boateng headed over the bar after a lovely cross from George Williams. Baily Cargill had a good shot saved and provided the assist for George Maris. Lucas Akins was great up front when he came on as a 2nd half sub. Lucas Akins, DKD and Tom Nichols all demonstrated some lovely ball control at times.
Lewis Brunt was brilliant at the back. Will Evans never got a sniff. He was my MOM along with Aden Flint. Baily Cargill also had a very good game after getting an early ticking off from Nigel Clough for missing a tackle. George Williams also played really well. Adam Lewis got no joy out of him.
Louis Reed and Ollie Clarke were very quick to the ball and hoovered up a lot of second balls. I was not surprised to see Stephen Quinn replace Hiram Boateng who had a hit and miss game. Stephen Quinn was very lively down the left and was furious with himself for not setting up Aaron Lewis for a tap in for a second goal although Aaron might have blasted it over the bar! I was surprised when Tom Nichols and Ollie Clarke came off as we were well in control and they were playing well. George Maris had to move to the right side of midfield to accomodate Lucas Akins and Jordan Bowery going up front with DKD behind. We then lost a bit of our fluency and resorted to more long balls out of defence to Lucas Akins who did a great job holding the ball up and setting up counter attacks. It was also good to see him turn and shoot a few times as he does not do this enough being very unselfish.
Aaron Lewis came on as a sub to chants of "scab" from the Newport fans. I don't know if he felt a bit intimidated but he did not play well when he came on and put a shot over the top of the away end. His shooting has been weak this season apart from his 40 yard first time volley over the keeper's head at Accrington. He should have won us the game away at Swindon where he had three good chances to score. He's probably struggling to get back to his early season form due to not having a run of games. The competition is tough.
Newport sponsors gave MOM to right back Lewis Payne who was subbed on 74 minutes. I would have given it to Will Evans. He did not do a great deal mainly down to the excellent Lewis Brunt but you had to admire his enthusiasm and 100% effort and you always thought he was a threat.