Wednesday 25th July 2001

Pre-Season Friendly

Stags fielded a stronger side than they had a night earlier at Matlock, though a couple of players were getting their second successive match, John Andrews and Jamie Clarke both having played 90 minutes a day earlier started the game.  The match was played on an excellent surface in front of around 300 supporters.

In an even opening ten minutes it was the home side who carved out the first opportunity when Kingsley Paul made Michael Bingham in the Stags goal move quickly to block his point blank effort.  Chris Greenacre then gave the Stags their best moment when latching on to a Williamson pass he volleyed just over the bar.  A minute later and Reddington appeared to have been fouled in the area, though the referee gave nothing.  Worryingly for the Stags though Reddington continued to hobble and was replaced almost immediately by David Jervis, who had also played at Matlock 24 hours earlier.  Danny Bacon, looking very lively in attack, tested Park Avenue keeper Kelly after a neat move by Williamson and Disley and just a minute later Greenacre saw his shot deflected wide after a good early Williamson cross.  From the corner Disley should have scored but his free header from Williamson's pinpoint corner was tipped over by Kelly.  The pressure was still on the home side and from the next Williamson corner Lomas half volleyed over the bar.  Stags took a deserved lead just before the half hour when Lawrence, released by Bacon, saw his shot well saved by Kelly but Bacon had continued his run and calmly slotted in the rebound.  Moments later Lawrence again broke free on the left, this time he rounded Kelly but hit his shot from an acute angle on to the top of the bar.  As the half ended the home side created a couple of decent chances, Bingham saving the first well from Lindley.  Just before half time a mix-up between Andrews and Pemberton gave a chance to Paul but his shot was again well saved by Bingham and the resultant corner saw Gill head a decent chance wide

Half Time:  0-1

The second half started as the first had ended, with a great save from young keeper Michael Bingham, this time the keeper made a point blank save and saw the follow up headed off the line by Williamson.  With 20 minutes remaining Chris Greenacre was rested, replaced by Rew from the youth team.  Danny Bacon was still proving a handful in the Bradford half and after superbly controlling a good pass from Lomas he shot narrowly over.  At the other end a Bradford free kick was flicked on at the near post and volleyed over the bar by Maxwell.  With ten minutes remaining the Stags sealed the victory.  Lawrence was put through by Williamson on the right, he then squared the ball neatly to Disley who, as the keeper approached released Bacon to slot the ball home - a simple but very well worked goal.  For the last ten minutes Lazarus and Holyoak replaced John Andrews and Jamie Lomas.

Overall a very good test for the Stags, with many good performances, notably from the midfield duo of Williamson and Disley, and Danny Bacon in attack.  Indeed, as was the case at Matlock, Danny looked very sharp, took both goals well and perhaps could have had even more.  There was also an excellent performance from young keeper Michael Bingham who needed to do well against a good Bradford Park Avenue side.   

Stagsnet Man of the Match:  Danny Bacon