Season 12/13 Stagsnet Match Report
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Grimsby Town
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Mansfield Town
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Artus 34, Greg Pearson 45 (pen), 76, Colbeck 61.
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Rhead 85. Roberts sent off 81.
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Attendance: 3397 (526 from Mansfield)
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Date: 27 August 2012
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STAGS COLLAPSE DEFENSIVELY AGAIN
Martin Shaw at Blundell Park Mansfield Town conceded four goals for the third time in 5 games this season. This time it presented Grimsby with their first win of the season, and was again largely self-inflicted with some awful defending. It was another shocking result to follow the 4-3 defeat to Newport and the 4-1 defeat at Gateshead. After an even opening 34 minutes in which the Stags had a couple of good chances to score from Green and Speight, Daniel allowed a ball to come in from the right, and Artus was not closed down on the edge of the box, and he fired an absolutely brilliant shot into the top left corner giving Marriott no chance. The second goal, right on the stroke of half time, was down to a ridiculous challenge by Jake Speight to concede a penalty. Speight had misjudged a ball cleared from a Grimsby corner, Grimsby defender Aswad Thomas got in front of him and into the penalty area, and Speight dived in from behind to chop him down. It almost happened in slow motion as you knew exactly what Speight was going to do. Greg Pearson sent Marriott the wrong way from the spot. The third goal came on 61 minutes when Beevers, on as sub at left back, was beaten too easily down the wing by Greg Pearson who crossed and Colbeck scored. The Stags then conceded from a set piece, as a corner from the right was back-headed in by Greg Pearson. Gary Roberts was sent off for a second yellow on 81 minutes with a late challenge. The Stags scored a consolation on 86 minutes as sub Briscoe crossed from the right and another sub Rhead headed in from close range. Not good enough defensively from the Stags, and manager Paul Cox vowed to get it right. Cox said : “you can’t defend like we have been defending and expect success.” He confirmed that he is trying to bring Exodus Geohaghon, who was so instrumental in the Stags success from February onwards last season both defensively and offensively, back to the club. Some Stags fans have started to call for Paul Cox to be sacked. This is extremely premature in my opinion. Only 3 defeats and 2 wins ago, Cox steered Mansfield to their record points haul of 89 points (since 3 points for a win was introduced) and a narrow defeat in the play-offs to eventually-promoted York. Cox made 2 changes to the side that beat Hyde, with Chris Clements coming in for his debut for Briscoe, and Speight coming in for Rhead, in a 4-3-3 formation, with Meikle, Green and Speight up front. Grimsby were gifted an early chance when a poor header from Dempster fell straight to a Grimsby player whose shot was deflected well wide. Two minutes later, Jones miscued a clearance but Greg Pearson fluffed his effort in front of goal. A good move from the Stags on 17 minutes as Niven gave the ball away in midfield, Green intercepted and eventually Speight put the ball into the side netting but the offside flag was already up. On 18 minutes, Artus looped a shot on to the roof of the net for Grimsby. A super move from the Stags on 19 minutes with a fine ball from Speight to Green on the left. Green powered into the box but with the outside of his right boot he fired just wide of the left post. Another chance for the Stags on 29 minutes. Clements put Meikle in on the right and Meikle’s cross was flicked goalwards by Speight from a tight angle and blocked by the keeper for a corner. Grimsby were ahead on 34 minutes. Artus was not closed down on the edge of the box, and he fired an absolutely brilliant shot into the top left corner giving Marriott no chance. It was 2-0 to Grimsby on 45 minutes. It was down to a ridiculous challenge by Jake Speight, to concede a penalty. Speight had misjudged a ball cleared from a Grimsby corner, Grimsby defender Aswad Thomas got in front of him and into the penalty area, and Speight dived in from behind to chop him down. It almost happened in slow motion as you knew exactly what Speight was going to do. Greg Pearson sent Marriott the wrong way from the spot. Half time 2-0 On 47 minutes, Roberts’ free kick from 35 yards looped towards the roof of the net and the goalkeeper had to tip it over. From the resulting corner by Roberts, Jones headed well wide. On 49 minutes, Greg Pearson passed inside for Colbeck who fired just over the bar. Rhead replaced Clements on 52 minutes. A minute, later a Roberts’ free kick dropped to Green whose shot was blocked. On 54 minutes some great defending from Meikle after Daniel had slipped. Another change for the Stags on 57 minutes as Beevers came on for Speight. Beevers went to left back, Daniel to the left midfield and Meikle to the right midfield in a 4-4-2 formation. On 58 minutes, a misplaced header from Jones fell to Colbeck who shot over. Straight to the other end and Meikle found Daniel with a good pass but Daniel’s low shot was straight at the keeper. It was 3-0 on 61 minutes. Beevers, on as sub at left back, was beaten too easily down the wing by Greg Pearson who crossed and Colbeck scored. On 66 minutes, a header from Jones from a corner was blocked. The Stags had half hearted claims for a penalty on 73 minutes when a shot from Meikle may have struck the arm of a defender. It was 4-0 on 76 minutes, the Stags conceding from a set piece, as a corner from the right was back-headed in by Greg Pearson. Briscoe replaced Daniel and was straight into the action as his cross was deflected just past the left post. Roberts was sent off for a second yellow card on 81 minutes. The Stags scored a consolation on 86 minutes as Briscoe crossed from the right and Rhead headed in from close range. Man of the Match: Lindon Meikle |
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Report by: Martin Shaw at Blundell Park
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Line Up:
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Marriott 6 Not at fault for any of the goals.
Sutton 6 Blameless in a shoddy defence. Jones 5 Poor. Dempster 4 Dreadful. His worst game in a Stags shirt. Daniel 5 Poor. Clements 5 Didn’t get into the game for a long time, though did end the first half a bit more positively. Roberts 6 Played ok, but stupidly picked up a second yellow with a rash challenge. Howell 6 Never got much of a foothold in the game but was better than he has been in previous matches. Meikle 7 Was involved in most of the good things. Green 6 Looked lively in the first half and could have scored. Speight 5 Conceding the ridiculous penalty was a game-changing moment. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Rhead (for Clements, 52) 7 Did well, and scored his first goal of the season. Managed to upset the locals with his physical approach which was one positive point!
Beevers (for Speight, 57) 4 Terrible at left back. Briscoe (for Daniel, 77) - Cross for the Rhead’s goal. Subs not used: Hand, Wright. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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McKeown, Thomas, Niven, Pearson, Colbeck, Disley, Artus, Cook (Elding 89), Pearson, Wood, Pond. Subs: Hatton, Soares, Southwell, Thanoj.
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Referee:
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Karl Evans (Greater Manchester) 7 Handled the game well, though could have stamped his authority on the game more in the opening stages.
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