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Stags fielded an extremely young Reserve team for the away tie at Northern Counties East Premier Division side Staveley. All four former Youth Team players who signed as professionals in the summer featured as did Scott Willis and Craig Disley. The game came just hours after an even younger Stags Youth Team, fielding many first year youth teamers were beaten by local rivals Chesterfield on the very same pitch at Staveley. A picturesque and tidy ground, the grass on the playing surface was a little on the long side, probably to preserve the pitch for the long season ahead. Stags began
brightly but fell behind on ten minutes when a scuffed shot from outside the
penalty area Half-Time 1-1 Stags made just
one change at half time, Chris Gibson being replaced in goal. The new
keeper was soon busy as Staveley caught the Stags on the counter and the home
side struck twice within the Criag Disley impressed immensely in the second half whilst Lee Williamson took the honours in the opening 45 minutes. There were also solid performances from Scott Willis on the right and David Jervis at left back. Man of the Match: Craig Disley
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Stags:
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found a Staveley striker unmarked in the box who rifled the ball past
Gibson. Moments later Andy White hit the bar with a header after a fine
cross by Scott Willis, playing wide on the right. Stags continued to press
and equalised on 20 minutes when Lee Williamson picked the ball up on the left
wing, cut inside and struck a superb curling right foot shot from 20 yards which
flew past the home keeper. Staveley were more than holding their own and
Gibson made a good save to his left. White was frustrated on a number of
occasions as he was caught off-side on several occasions.
opening
15 minutes of the half. Stags still dominated possession, with Craig
Disley a growing influence in central midfield. Stags pulled one back on
75 minutes when Jamie Lomas struck an unstoppable low drive from the edge of the
box past the home keeper. Stags continued to press and desperate defending
prevented White and Elliott grabbing equalisers. However,the Stags were
not to be denied when Elliott nodded past the home keeper to give the Stags a
much deserved draw in front of Stags boss Billy Dearden and coaches Mark Kearney
and Stuart Watkiss.