Season 07/08 Stagsnet Match Report
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Notts County
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Mansfield Town
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Attendance: 10,027 (3317 from Mansfield)
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Date: 29 March 2008
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Martin Shaw at Meadow Lane
Mansfield dominated the local derby at Notts County roared on 3317 travelling fans, but Nathan Arnold's first half strike against the bar and Matt Hamshaw's last minute volley over the bar from close range were the closest they came, and despite deserving the full three points it was only a draw. The Stags thus remain 7 points away from safety. Louis returned to the starting line-up, with Arnold reverting to the left side of midfield, at the expense of the Wainwright. D’Laryea also returned with Briggs dropping to the bench. Thus recent signings Wainwright, Horlock, Briggs were all on the bench, and none were to come on, with manager Holland seemingly thinking that the passion of a local derby would bring out the best in the longer term players. Wayne Corden played for County, and was to generally have the beating of Matt Hamshaw in the battle of the flair players. At the end of the game, Corden applauded only one set of fans - Mansfield’s. The game started in a strong wind, which was slightly behind the Stags backs, meaning that some of the Notts County goalkicks barely reached the halfway line. The Stags were totally dominant in an impressive opening half hour, kicking towards their own fans. The best chance came on 24 minutes when Boulding played in Arnold into the box. Arnold fizzed a fine shot from 10 yards against the bar. Earlier, Arnold’s free kick on 19 minutes hadn’t got past the wall - a common Stags failing this season. Dawson fired over on 20 minutes after keeper Hoult’s kick had held up in the wind, and Louis’s shot was well saved low down on 23 minutes. Louis had a header saved on 25 minutes, and from Mullins’s cross, Boulding’s good shot was straight at the keeper on 28 minutes, before Boulding shot wide from long range a minute later. On 35 minutes, a great passage of Stags play ended with Jelleyman breaking into the box but Mullins headed wide from his cross. Notts had only one effort on goal in the half, as Butcher’s shot from 20 yards was straight at Muggleton. So another half of football totally dominated by the Stags but with nothing to show for it. Half time 0-0 There were nervous moments in the Stags box, in front of the traveling fans on 53 minutes as a long throw bounced dangerously around the box until Baptiste finally cleared it. But there was a big moment on 54 minutes. It was at the far end of the pitch so difficult for the Stags fans to see, but Boulding appeared to be about to take advantage of a mix-up between Hoult and Johnson and it seemed Boulding could put the ball into an empty net. According to Boulding in the post match interview, Johnson pushed the ball away with his arm as Boulding was about to pounce. Boulding said that the referee thought it was Boulding’s arm. On 56 minutes, a short corner from Arnold put Hamshaw in, but his shot was at the keeper. There was a great run by Boulding on 63 minutes but he lost the ball in the box. On 67 minutes Boulding ran to the edge of the box but his weak right-footed shot was straight at the keeper. There was a rare chance for Notts on 69 minutes as Crow, a former Stags transfer target, made a good run, and a 1-2 with Butcher, before shooting straight at Muggleton. Brown replaced the impressive Louis on 70 minutes, to the surprise of many Stags fans. Corden had an effort from 25 yards which was at Muggleton. On 88 minutes, Brown cut in from the left and shot wide of the left post. But on 91 minutes came the moment that the Stags should have won the game. Brown's long cross from the left went over everyone to find Hamshaw unmarked at the far post and he blazed his volley over the bar. All the Stags players held their heads in their hands. The first good chance of the game for Notts came on 92 minutes, as Weir-Daley’s low shot was deflect a yard wide of the post with Muggleton beaten. The game ended with sinking hearts for Mansfield but a good ovation from the 3317 Stags fans for a fine performance. |
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Report by: Martin Shaw at Meadow Lane
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Line Up:
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Muggleton 6 Very quiet afternoon.
Mullins 7 Got forward well, and defended comfortably. Buxton 7 Defended well. Baptiste 6 Did ok. Jelleyman 6 One great run into the Notts box. Hamshaw 6 Crossing wasn’t the best but worked hard. Missed great chance in injury time. D'Laryea 7 Improved performance. Dawson 6 Hard working as usual. Arnold 6 Unlucky to hit the bar. M.Boulding 7 Involved in most of Mansfield’s best moves. Louis 7 Caused the defenders real problems physically. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Brown (for Louis, 71) 6 Didn’t have the impact that the manager hoped for.
Subs not used: White, Wainwright, Horlock, Briggs. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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Hoult, Tann, Edwards, Johnson, Mayo, Butcher, Smith, Silk, Corden, Crow, Jarvis (Weir-Daley 79). Subs Not Used: Canoville, Lee, Hunt, Sandercombe.
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Referee:
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Mark Haywood (W Yorkshire) 6 Looked good but appears to have made a howler not awarding Stags a penalty
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