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Season 05/06 Stagsnet Match Report
Friendly
Mansfield Town  
0 - 1
 Derby County
 
 Tudgay 34
Attendance: 4,000 (1,402 from Derby)
 
Date: 16 Jul 05

The Stags put in an impressive display in their first pre-season fixture of the season and can consider themselves unfortunate to lose the game by a single goal which came from a keeping error from the otherwise solid Jason White. The Stags played effectively two sides, with only White playing both halves and in both halves played a 4-3-3 formation.

The Stags began with what may be almost the first starting eleven when the side play Stockport in three weeks time. In front of Jason White was a back four which did not include skipper Alex John-Baptiste who is suspended for the opening three games of the season. Alongside Rhys Day was Jake Buxton with Peers and Talbot at full back. Carlton Palmer played just in front of the back four with Uhlenbeek and Dawson just in front and a striker trio of Barker, Tipton and Birchall. Whilst Derby enjoyed good possession in the opening half hour, Stags keeper White was untroubled and it was the Stags who created the best two chances - the first a header just wide from Tipton, the second a shot on the turn from Birchall after an excellent passing move involving Palmer, Dawson and Uhlenbeek. However, just after the half hour disaster struck for the Stags and Jason White when the keeper failed to collect a cross and Tudgay prodded the ball home despite White's best efforts to claw the ball back. The Stags had a penalty appeal turned down when it appeared Dawson had a shot blocked by a Rams hand, whilst at the other end Tommy Smith, the best player Derby had on the day, failed to win a spot kick of his own when falling theatrically under a challenge from Peers.

Half time 0-1

As expected, at half time the Stags changed all ten outfield players. On trial Nicholas Priet joined Baptiste at centre half, with Jelleyman and McIntosh at full back. McLachlan, Lloyd and Coke provided the midfield trio whilst Rundle and Brown supported returning striker Chris Beardsley up front. The Stags were rarely troubled in a rather tame second half, indeed I cannot recall one save White had to make whilst at the other end the Stags were restricted to a few long distance strikes from Rundle and one chance when Brown found space inside the Derby area but failed to find a team-mate with his pass.

All in all this was an encouraging display by both Stags sides. In the first half Adam Birchall caught the eye with an all-action display, Palmer was a steadying influence just ahead of the back four and Stephen Dawson had a very tidy match in midfield. In the 2nd half the plaudits go to Coke and McIntosh, both youngsters proving they are very close to first team football, whilst Baptiste once again proved why many higher division clubs continue to monitor his progress. Overall, the Stags best player on the day was Adam Birchall, pace, strength and a great attitude will make him very popular with the Field Mill faithful.

Man of the Match: Adam Birchall

Report by: Rob Wheldon



Line Up:
White 6 Bad error spoiled an otherwise good display
Peers 6 Given a tough half by Smith but did OK
Talbot 7 Defensively sound
Day 7 Strong and competent
Buxton 7 Looks much leaner and fitter and did well with Day
Uhlenbeek 7 Did well in the centre of midfield
Palmer 8 Excellent, did the simple things well, talked to his younger team mates throughout.
Dawson 8 Extremely promising, some fine runs and can certainly tackle
Barker 7 Like Buxton much leaner this season and held the line up well
Tipton 6 Looks a little shorter on match fitness than the others, but showed some good touches
Birchall 8 Pick of the front three, quick, strong and a real handful for the Derby defence
Sub Line Up:
McIntosh 8 Hugely impressive, looks ready to challenge for a first team place
Baptiste 8 Class display as usual
Priet 7 Impressive debut for the trialist
Jelleyman 7 Did well, will be a tough choice between him and Talbot
McLachlan 6 Looks fitter but still not confident in possession
Lloyd 6 Fairly quiet half for Callum
Coke 8 Pick of the 2nd half players, quick and used the ball well
Rundle 7 Looked sharp, not everything he tried came off but was involved in the Stags best 2nd half moves
Brown 7 Used his pace well, also provided a threat
Beardsley 6 Fairly quiet return for Chris
Sub not used: Pressman
Opposition Line Up:
Camp, Kenna (Jackson 52), Edworthy (Vincent HT), Davies (Mills 62), Konjic, Idiakez (Gemmill HT), Bolder (Doyle 70), Jaime (Sakiri HT), Tudgay (Rasiak HT), Bisgaard (Ainsworth 74), Smith (Peschisolido 62).
Referee:
Russell Booth 7 Good, applied the advantage rule well


Season 05/06 Reports