Season 14/15 Stagsnet Match Report
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Oxford United
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Mansfield Town
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MacDonald 31, 54, Hylton pen 63
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Attendance: 6,954 (322 from Mansfield)
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Date: 21 February 2015
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ABSYMAL STAGS OUTPLAYED BY OXFORD
Martin Shaw at the Kassam Stadium This was an abysmal performance from Mansfield Town who were outplayed by an out-of-form Oxford side who cantered to a 3-0 victory, albeit assisted by some poor refereeing decisions. On a bobbly pitch shared with London Welsh, it was a scrappy game and the Stags barely put together a decent move in the 90 minutes. At the back, the Stags were nowhere near tight enough, allowing far too many crosses into the box, and then not winning balls when they came into the middle. The Stags weren’t helped by a referee in Andy Woolmer who had an absolute shocker, but the defeat cannot be blamed on that. Oxford took the lead after 31 minutes when Baldock was able to cross from the right, Pidgeley went up for the cross with Danny Hylton and was clearly fouled, allowing Alex MacDonald to roll into the empty net. Pidgeley was furious at the decision to allow the goal. Having said Pidgeley should have got a free-kick, he could also have been stronger in claiming the ball. MacDonald, Oxford’s man of the match, is their big money and big wages signing from Burton and shows Oxford’s intent in pushing up the table, and he led the Stags a merry dance. The Stags created almost nothing going forward though could have gone ahead in bizarre circumstances when Vadaine Oliver’s shot from a tight angle bobbled in front of keeper Ryan Clarke who nearly fumbled it into the net on 5 minutes. The only other time the Stags came close to scoring was a fine volley from Heslop on 42 minutes which took a couple of deflections and went agonisingly a yard the wrong side of the post. The Stags really haven’t had much luck with deflections throughout this season. Indeed MacDonald himself scored against the Stags with a twice-deflected shot earlier in the season for Burton. In the second half, more poor defending from Mansfield allowed MacDonald a second goal on 54 minutes, and Oxford made it 3-0 on 63 minutes when Hylton scored from the penalty spot after another poor refereeing decision when Patrick Hoban dived with no contact from Ryan Tafazolli (confirmed from the match DVD). There were some more incredible refereeing decisions, none more so than when Danny Hylton, already booked for an elbow that could have been a straight red, deliberately flicked the ball over Pidgeley with his hand, the referee saw it and gave a free-kick and didn’t give a second yellow. Astonishing. Oxford, probably embarrassed by the generosity of the decision, immediately substituted Hylton. And another terrible decision when Tafazolli cleanly won the ball, yet was penalised for a foul and booked. But none of that excuses this abysmal performance from Mansfield. No doubt that Mansfield were at a big disadvantage having played such a tough game against Luton in midweek on a heavy surface and would not have been as fresh as Oxford. So a good job then that Mansfield have a free week now to recharge the batteries before a huge game against Dagenham next Saturday, when the Stags need to bounce back. But the Stags lack of consistency is a worry. Not one Stags player played well today. The Stags are four points above the relegation zone. Adam Murray made one change from the side that beat Luton on Tuesday, with new loan signing Jeffrey Monakana replacing Reggie Lambe. There was no starting place for Rakish Bingham after his match-winning goal against Luton. It was a continuation of the 4-1-4-1 formation with Ravenhill sitting in front of the back four, and Oliver on his own up front. Monakana was on the right wing. There was confusion before the game with Marsden named on the bench but then replaced by Beevers. I think it was purely an error (though I didn’t confirm that); Marsden wasn’t injured I don’t think. Brown and Heslop were playing against their former club. Michael Raynes travelled with the squad after his hamstring injury and has been training this week, but Murray said it was too early for him to be back in the 18. Murray confirmed to me after the game that Lenny Pidgeley cannot play in the next away game at Newport. The Stags were playing in the third kit of the red and white hoops with both the amber and black kits clashing with Oxford’s yellow and black kit. Oxford included Johnny Mullins, relegated with the Stags in 2008, in their side. On 2 minutes, a long throw from Elder, and a header from Oliver bounced harmlessly wide. On 4 minutes, Oxford went close with a corner from the right and Long ghosted in, in front of Ravenhill, and fired just wide. It was sloppy defending. On 5 minutes, Monakana robbed Wright, and drove forward, but fired well wide. Moments later, the Stags could have gone ahead in bizarre circumstances when Vadaine Oliver’s shot from a tight angle from the left bobbled in front of keeper Ryan Clarke who nearly fumbled it into the net. On 12 minutes, a cross from MacDonald from the right deflected off Ravenhill and Pidgeley had to palm it over his own bar. Two minutes later, great defending from Tafazolli as Hylton tried to get passed him 35 yards out, but Tafazolli put the ball into touch. On 17 minutes, Oliver nodded down for Thomas, 25 yards out, who miscued wide. More poor defending from the Stags on 18 minutes. A great cross from the right by Baldock, Hoban rose above the defence at the far post and headed wide. Straight to the other end and Heslop shot from 20 yards from a tight angle and it was blocked. Thomas was booked for a late tackle on 19 minutes. From that moment on he was targeted by Oxford trying to get the youngster booked again. On 21 minutes, a great turn by Monakana on the halfway line, a good run forward, but then he lost the ball. It was a scrappy game on a poor pitch, but Oxford had exposed the Mansfield defence twice. On 28 minutes, a good tackle by Tafazolli as O’Dowda was about to shoot. A minute later, Monakana beat three men before from 35 yards out clipping the ball forward towards Oliver, but his ball was cleared by the defence. Oxford took the lead after 31 minutes when Baldock was able to cross from the right, Pidgeley went up for the cross with Danny Hylton and was clearly fouled, allowing Alex MacDonald to roll into the empty net. Pidgeley was furious at the decision to allow the goal. Having said Pidgeley should have got a free-kick, he could also have been stronger in claiming the ball. On 34 minutes, another cross from the right and Hoban sent a soft header straight at Pidgeley. Far too many crosses were coming in. On 39 minutes, a completely unnecessary backpass from Elder to Pidgeley put Pidgeley in trouble and he miscued his clearance into touch on the bobbly pitch. Pidgeley gestured to Elder to play the ball upfield next time. On 40 minutes, a good ball from Elder to Monakana but the pacey winger gave the ball away. The Stags came close to scoring with a fine volley from Heslop on 42 minutes which took a couple of deflections and went agonisingly a yard the wrong side of the right post. On 44 minutes, a great run from Monakana down the right but his cross was too close to the keeper. On 45+1 minutes, an Oxford free-kick from the left, came out to Ruffels whose shot was blocked by Oliver. Oxford deservedly in front at the break. The Stags defending was nowhere near tight enough, far too many crosses were coming in, especially from the right from Baldock and MacDonald, and the defending in the middle when crosses came in was also not tight enough. Going forward the Stags had two chances through Oliver’s shot that was fumbled and Heslop’s shot deflected wide. Monakana showed great pace and skill and went on 5 very good runs, but frustratingly wasted all 5 of them. Half time 1-0 Bingham replaced Thomas at the break. Thomas had been ok in the first half while most others around him had been poor. Ravenhill moved into central midfield. Bingham joined Oliver up front as the formation changed to 4-4-2. On 47 minutes, MacDonald crossed from the right and Hoban headed wide. On 50 minutes, MacDonald shot from 30 yards, it was possibly going wide, but Pidgeley took no chances and pushed it away for a corner. Hylton was booked on 53 minutes for what looked like an elbow on Riley. Stags players were annoyed that it was not a red card. Update - it was a clear elbow from the match DVD. Oxford made it 2-0 on 54 minutes. Hylton got into the box, cut inside Riley and was tackled by Tafazolli, the ball went to O’Dowda who got passed Sutton on the left, cut inside onto his right foot side-stepped Riley, and his close-range shot was saved by Pidgeley. The ball was played to MacDonald who fired into the left corner of the net. The Stags defence was all at sea. Brown won the Stags first corner of the game on 56 minutes. Brown took it, straight to the keeper. Tafazolli was booked for a perfectly timed tackle, clearly getting the ball, on 57 minutes. On 60 minutes, Long drifted in from the left, squared to Hylton, who sliced wide from a good position. Oxford made it 3-0 on 63 minutes. Patrick Hoban dived in the area with no contact from Ryan Tafazolli (confirmed from the match DVD). It was another poor refereeing decision. Hylton scored from the spot, sending Pidgeley the wrong way. Hylton’s second penalty against the Stags this season. The Stags meanwhile have not been awarded a penalty since November 2013. Yes 2013. 15 months ago. Kee replaced Oliver on 72 minutes. Oliver had got no service since the opening minutes of the game. Monakana went on a good run, but then gave the ball away. One of the most incredible incidents of the season on 75 minutes. Danny Hylton, already booked for that possible elbow that could have been a straight red, deliberately flicked the ball over Pidgeley with his hand, the referee saw it and gave a free-kick and didn’t give a second yellow. Astonishing. Oxford, probably embarrassed by the generosity of the decision, immediately substituted Hylton before play restarted. Lambe replaced Brown on 76 minutes. Brown had had a dreadful game against his former club. On 78 minutes, Pidgeley nearly gifted Oxford a 4th goal, as his clearance hit Roberts and went wide, from another Elder backpass. On 79 minutes, a cross from the left by Long, and Roberts volleyed over at the far post. On 89 minutes, a ridiculous throw-in from Elder across his own penalty area, and Pidgeley was only just able to clear. It was so sloppy. On 90 minutes, a good tackle by Riley as Roberts was about to shoot in the box. This was a poor performance. So many poor balls given away. The Stags defence, so solid against Luton, Stevenage and mostly against Northampton, was all over the place here, nowhere near tight enough. And why so many unnecessary back-passes putting Pidgeley in trouble on a bobbly pitch? The Stags desperately need more consistency in defence. Actually the Stags defending in the last 5 away games has been poor. And the Stags need to create more than in this game. Not a single chance in the second half, and only two in the first half. A huge game against Dagenham next week. Come on Mansfield!! Man of the match: Thomas - was average, but no-one played better |
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Report by: Martin Shaw at the Kassam Stadium
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Line Up:
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Pidgeley 5 He should have got a free-kick for the first goal, but he also could also have been stronger in claiming the ball. His kicking was unusually poor albeit on a bobbly pitch and having to deal with too many back-passes.
Sutton 5 Didn’t get close enough to winger O’Dowda. Riley 5 Not tight enough when balls came into the box. Tafazolli 5.5 Some good tackles and unlucky both with the penalty and to be booked earlier. Several poor clearances though. Elder 4 Had a nightmare against Baldock and MacDonald. Several unnecessary backpasses. Ravenhill 5 Didn’t do enough to protect the back four in the first half and disappeared in the second half on central midfield. Monakana 6 Showed tremendous promise with real pace and skill and 6 good runs. But frustratingly he wasted all 6 of them. Heslop 6 At least he got in a couple of shots, and was very unlucky with the one deflected wide. Thomas 6 Had a reasonable first half and was one of the better players. Brown 4 Very poor. In a poor run of form after playing so well when he first joined the club. Oliver 6 Got no service after the opening minutes of the game, when his shot was nearly fumbled in. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Bingham (for Thomas, 46) 6 Chased well. Never got any service
Kee (for Oliver, 72) - Barely received the ball. Lambe (for Brown, 76) - Subs not used: Studer, Beevers, McGuire, Rhead. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(4-4-2): Clarke; Baldock, Mullins, Wright, Long; MacDonald (Roofe 71), Collins (Whing 88), Ruffels, O'Dowda; Hylton (Roberts 76), Hoban. Unused subs: Ashdown, Dunkley, Rose, Rasulo.
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Referee:
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Andy Woolmer 4 Had an absolute shocker. Missed the foul on Pidgeley for the first goal, missed the dive for the penalty, failed to give Hylton a second yellow card for deliberate handball.
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