|
Rob Wheldon at Causeway Lane Stags fielded a
mainly young side sprinkled with a few more experienced first teamers for the trip to the
picturesque town of Matlock and their Causeway Lane ground. Stags had former Man Utd keeper Kevin Stags were first to put pressure as Andy White fired narrowly wide after neat work by Bacon on the Stags left. Soon after though Pilkington was brought into action making an excellent save from 20 yards on 18 minutes. Jervis then headed a long cross by the impressive Disley straight at the keeper as the game ebbed and flowed, both sides spreading the ball around neatly and both causing each other problems though the more experienced Stags defensive trio handled the very pacey Matlock strikers well. White again came close for the Stags, firing just wide and Willis volleyed another excellent ball by Jervis wide from just 7 yards, though the young Stags midfielder was stretching for the ball. Half-Time 0-0 The Stags
replaced Blake with Andrews as second half continued very much in the same vein
as the All in all a good work-out for the Stags against a side who only recently beat a strong Chesterfield side 3-1. Matlock had three very quick strikers who would not be out of place in the third division and defended well against some strong Stags pressure in the 2nd half. With several first teamers rested this was a good opportunity for those trying to get in the first team, one which was not wasted by either Craig Disley or Danny Bacon, who were both excellent all evening. Les Robinson would also have enjoyed his 25 minutes, and looked extremely comfortable in possession as all the play revolved around him in the latter stages. Man of the Match: Craig Disley
|
Pilkington in goal with the experienced Blake
and Hicks partnered at the back by Asher. The five across the middle are
all youngsters aiming to break into the first team this season, and the young
strikeforce of Bacon and White is a highly promising one. In probably the
most scenic spot to watch a football match the only thing that could have spoilt
the evening was the pitch, which had bare patches and long grass which made the
Stags usual passing game quite difficult. However, both sides overcame the
indifferent pitch to produce an excellent game of football.
first. However, the Stags began to dominate possession with Disley
and Bacon very conspicuous. Indeed Bacon
nearly scored the opening goal of the game when he ghosted past his marker with
a deft back-heel only to be denied by the Matlock keeper. From the corner
Williamson then repeated Bacon's trick only to see his cross cleared by a
Matlock defender. Les Robinson replaced Stuart Hicks on 65 minutes and
slotted into the defensive three. Moments later Liam Lawrence replaced Lee
Williamson in the centre of midfield. The Stags finally, and deservedly,
broke the deadlock on 75 minutes when a superb White pass was slotted home by
Jamie Lomas, his third goal of the pre-season. Just minutes later Danny
Bacon broke free of the Matlock defence but turned away in frustration as his
calm finish hit the foot of the post and ran free. Lawrence then broke
free but saw his effort flash well wide. Gibson replaced Pilkington for
the final 10 minutes and Bacon
was replaced by Williamson (his second appearance
of the game) when Bacon took a slight knock
on the left hand side.
