Season 16/17 Stagsnet Match Report
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Mansfield Town
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Doncaster Rovers
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Green 59.
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Mandeville pen 77
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Attendance: 5042 (1618 from Doncaster)
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Date: 31 December 2016
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STAGS DRAW WITH LEAGUE LEADERS DONCASTER
Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill Mansfield Town drew 1-1 with league leaders Doncaster Rovers in the lunchtime kick-off today. This was a hugely improved performance by Mansfield from the dire display on Monday and the Stags fully deserved the point. The first half was competitive but with no good chances for either side and the Stags ended 2016 with no goal in the first half of the 16 home league and cup games. Mansfield got on top early in the second half with CJ Hamilton forcing a save from the Doncaster keeper and then the impressive Danny Rose flicking on to Matt Green whose shot was deflected just wide of the left post. Mansfield were deservedly in front on 59 minutes when Mal Benning’s long range shot was diverted into the bottom left corner of the net by Green, for his 10th goal of the season. Review of the video shows it was a really clever back-heel from Green. The Stags had chances to extend the lead and went close on 70 minutes when Danny Rose played a one-two with Clements before dragging a shot wide of the left. Disaster struck for Mansfield on 77 minutes conceding a penalty. Scott Shearer was out quickly to save very well at the feet of Liam Mandeville, but the loose ball fell to Tommy Rowe, and Shearer dived at his feet also, allowing Rowe to dive over him. These are almost always given as a penalty and it was here. A mistake from Shearer who conceded a similar penalty against Grimsby earlier in the season. Mandeville sent Shearer the wrong way from the spot. Doncaster now looked the more likely winners and were unlucky not to do so on 89 minutes when from Middleton’s corner from the left, Houghton headed against the inside of the left post and the ball somehow ended up in the grateful Shearer’s arms. A competitive game with a good display from the Stags appreciated by the home fans, and in the end, given Doncaster’s header against the inside of the post on 89 minutes, it was in my opinion a fair result. The transfer window opens tomorrow with several players coming in and going out announced after the game. The Stags are back in action in 48 hours at Blackpool. Mansfield made 4 changes from the defeat to Morecambe. Benning returned from suspension. Collins switched from left back to midfield, McGuire dropped out. Steve Evans hinted that McGuire is not able to play two games in 48 hours and Blackpool away on Monday is a Jamie McGuire type of match. Hamilton came in to replace Hemmings. Danny Rose came in for the departing Henderson. Baxendale came in for Hoban. Danny Rose partnered Green up front. The midfield was in a diamond formation, with Collins behind Baxendale (right) and Hamilton (left), and Clements in an attacking midfield position. Howkins continued in central defence. His current loan period is up after the Blackpool game and Evans will talk to Tony Pulis about his loan. Previously Evans had said that as Pulis rates him that’s good enough for him. Doncaster arrived top of League Two and with 6 wins from the past 7 games. They included Matty Blair, his second game back at Field Mill this season after the Checkatrade Trophy game. And John Marquis, a player who Adam Murray was keen to sign last season. James Coppinger was suspended for Doncaster. An encouraging start for Mansfield in the opening 15 minutes, after Monday’s terrible showing, but no chances at either end. On 15 minutes, a free kick from Clements from the left, slid to Benning whose shot was blocked. Then Baxendale crossed from the right behind for a goal-kick. On 20 minutes, Hamilton crossed in from the left, and there was a clear push in the back of Danny Rose in the box. The referee gestured that there was no foul, but the linesman’s offside flag was up anyway. At the other end 2 minutes later a good tackle from Benning on the edge of his own area. On 32 minutes, Doncaster’s first corner, taken by Mandeville from the right to short of the near post where Williams headed well wide of the near post. On 38 minutes, Green did well to charge down the goalkeeper’s clearance, Green fed the ball back to Baxendale but his cross saw Danny Rose crowded out in the middle. Then Bennett got in a couple of crosses that were cleared. On 39 minutes, Mandeville crossed from the left and Williams floated a header well over. Marquis should have been booked on 40 minutes but just received a lecture from a lenient referee. On 44 minutes, a Doncaster ball in from the left, and a good clearance away by Benning ahead of Blair. Then a ball back in which the Stags didn’t clear well (including a poor Howkins clearance) but the Stags won a free kick. Good applause for the Stags at half time, more for the spirit of the performance than the quality. The Stags had given as good as they’d got against the league leaders, and despite the almost complete lack of chances, it was reasonable entertaining. The Stags ended 2016 with no goal in the first half of the 16 home league and cup games this season. A poor statistic. Half time 0-0 Pearce was the first player booked, on 47 minutes, for pulling down Marquis. That was harsh compared to what he let go in the first half. A chance for Mansfield on 49 minutes. Green set Hamilton away down the left, Hamilton worked a yard of space for himself and fired a left footed shot that was heading just inside the left post, where keeper Marosi pushed it away for a corner. Good effort from Hamilton. The corner from Clements didn’t beat the first man. On 52 minutes, Green burst down the left, crossed to the edge of the box where Clements was setting himself for a volley, but instead Bennett headed it and headed it well wide. On 54 minutes, Green caught Butler in his stomach with his arm. The referee lectured them both shortly afterwards. Green put his hand out to shake Butler's hand. Butler snubbed him. Not seen by me, and not caught on camera, some fans say they saw Green head-butt Butler between catching him in the stomach and both players being lectured by the referee. After the game, Doncaster boss Darren Ferguson said “The boy Green shouldn’t be on the pitch. He has head-butted Andy Butler. It is an absolute disgrace what he has done. The linesman has seen it and still not sent him (Green) off.” On 55 minutes, another chance for Mansfield. Danny Rose flicked on to Green who did well to hold off Baudry, and his shot was deflected just wide of the left post by Baudry’s outstretched leg. Mansfield were deservedly in front on 59 minutes. Baxendale was now taking corners because the ones from Clements had been very poor. His corner came out to Benning whose long range shot from 30 yards was diverted into the bottom left corner of the net by a superb back-heel from Green. His 10th goal of the season. On 62 minutes, Hamilton slid a good cross across the box, then Green crossed back and Danny Rose attempted an overhead kick but the ball was cleared, then Baxendale fed Hamilton on the left, he cut inside onto his right foot, and his low shot was saved by the keeper. On 65 minutes, Baxendale’s corner to the far post was headed up in the air, and eventually caught under his own bar by the keeper. On 69 minutes, Hamilton got to the byline and his low cross was dangerous but cleared. Then a high ball forward from Doncaster, Howkins didn’t fully deal with it, Williams found Marquis, who shot just wide of the right post. The Stags went close on 70 minutes when Danny Rose played a one-two with Clements before dragging a shot wide of the left. Danny Rose was booked for berating the linesman on 71 minutes after a throw-in was awarded to Doncaster. A chance for Doncaster on 72 minutes. Middleton crossed from the right, Blair headed down, Baxendale had a perfect opportunity to clear but only gifted the ball straight to Mandeville who curled wide of the right post from the edge of the box. Terrible from Baxendale. Two minutes later, panic in the Stags box but the Stags just cleared. Disaster struck for Mansfield on 77 minutes conceding a penalty. Marquis fed a ball forward into the area. Howkins, instead of clearing, left it for Shearer, but Mandeville got there first, Shearer was out quickly to save very well at the feet of Mandeville, but the loose ball fell to Tommy Rowe, and Shearer dived at his feet also, allowing Rowe to dive over him. These are almost always given as a penalty and it was here. A mistake from Shearer who conceded a similar penalty against Grimsby earlier in the season. Mandeville sent Shearer the wrong way from the spot. Hoban replaced Danny Rose on 78 minutes before play restarted. On 84 minutes, a Doncaster corner from the right found Williams with a free header, but it was cleared away. Mitch Rose replaced Clements, and Hurst replaced Baxendale, on 86 minutes. Doncaster looked the more likely winners and were unlucky not to do so on 89 minutes when from Middleton’s corner from the left, Tommy Rowe headed against the inside of the left post and the ball somehow ended up in the grateful Shearer’s arms. Full time and a good reception for the Stags players. After the game, it was confirmed that Henderson, Gobern, Iacovitti and Yussuf are heading out. And Yoann Arquin, Joel Byrom, keeper Jake Kean, and Ben Whiteman are coming in. And there will be more coming in during January. Man of the match: Danny Rose |
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Report by: Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill
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Line Up:
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(4-4-2, diamond formation in midfield)
Shearer 5 Mistake for the penalty, although Howkins could also have done better. Otherwise didn’t have a save to make. Bennett 7 Solid game at right back. Howkins 6 Made one or two mistakes, and could have done better for the penalty. But also some good defending. Pearce 7 Solid game. Benning 7 Gets an assist for the goal as his long range shot was turned in by Green. Some good crosses. Defended well. Collins 6.5 Solid game in front of the back four. Baxendale 6.5 Good corners after taking over from Clements. Some creative moments going forward. One dreadful moment when he failed to clear properly inside his own area. Hamilton 7.5 Some good runs down the left, and end product was better, with a couple of shots on target and crosses. Clements 5.5 Poor corners. Set up a chance for Danny Rose. Otherwise didn’t do enough in attacking midfield role. Green 7 Clever back-heel for his 10th goal of the season. One other decent effort and set up a chance for Bennett. D.Rose 7.5 Lively and gave the defence plenty of problems. Pulled one shot wide. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Hoban (for D.Rose, 78 mins) -
M.Rose (for Clements, 86 mins) - Hurst (for Baxendale, 86 mins) - Subs not used: Jensen, J.Thomas, Hemmings, McGuire. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(4-4-2) Marosi; Alcock (Middleton 63), Baudry, Butler, Mason; Blair, Houghton, Rowe, Mandeville (Keegan 85); Marquis, Williams. Subs not used: Jones, Wright, Calder, Beestin, Longbottom.
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Referee:
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Stephen Martin 6 Got the penalty right. Lenient not producing his card in the first half.
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