Saturday 16th February 2002 - Kick-off 3pm

Nationwide League Division 3

Attendance:  5, 107 (Darlo supporters 313)

The Stags were rocked by the absence of right back Bobby Hassell through injury, but such is the quality of the present Stags squad is that club skipper Les Robinson was able to step straight in to replace the youngster.  As expected Chris Greenacre's return from suspension meant that Andy White found himself on the bench, alongside fit again Craig Disley and Shayne Bradley, also back from suspension.  Darlo had several injury worries ahead of the game and started with just one recognised defender, Heckinbottom, with Maddison and Clark asked to play in unfamiliar full back roles.

As so often has been the case this season the Stags began in dominant fashion and took a very early lead.  Just two minutes had gone when Lee Williamson burst into the Darlo area, he cut across to his right but was tackled, however, the ball fell to Kelly who calmly side-footed home for his first ever Stags goal.  On ten minutes Corden almost added a second for the Stags after a mazy run he cut inside then back on to his left foot before drilling a low shot which Darlo keeper Finch palmed past the post.  A minute later Corden was again testing Finch, this time the keeper managed to hold the Stags wingers shot.  On 15 minutes for almost the first time Darlo forced a little pressure and Reed headed over a right wing corner.  Moments later the referee awarded a very harsh free kick against Reddington but the kick from 25 yards floated softly into the arms of Pilkington.  In fact the referee then became the star of the show for a few minutes.  Just past the 20 minute mark Pemberton broke into the Darlo area, his shot was well saved by Finch but as Kelly got to the rebound the keeper managed to clip Kelly's heel and the referee pointed immediately to the spot.  Corden calmly converted the kick.  More drama was to follow moments later when Conlon's through ball found Mellanby who tipped the ball past Pilkington and fell to the floor - what contact there was must have been slight, but the referee pointed to the spot.  One Darlo player tried to persuade the referee to send Pilkington off, however, Mellanby's touch which took the ball past Pilkington was very heavy and he would not have reached the ball before crossing the bye-line therefore no goal scoring opportunity was prevented.  Clark scored from the spot kick.  Darlo should then have equalised just before the half hour after missing a glorious chance.  Corden gave the ball away on the Stags left and the ball was fed across to Mellanby who somehow side-footed the ball at Pilkington when it appeared easier to score.  Relieved from that let off the Stags increased their lead on 32 minutes.  Barrett's excellent long ball found Greenacre and the striker finished superbly for his 25th of the season. 

Half Time:  3-1  

The Stags began the 2nd half on the attack, Lawrence getting to the bye-line and crossing deep where Reed calmly chested the ball back to Finch.  Lawrence was again involved on 50 minutes when he found Williamson inside the area, the youngster twisted and turned but his final shot was weak and easy for Finch.  Reddington was almost caught out when his weak header was met by Conlon, he cut the ball back to the edge of the box for Wainright who shot wide.  Rundle then tried to test Pilkington from distance but his powerful shot was saved easily by Pilkington.  Les Robinson then brilliantly won the ball in midfield and fed Corden on the left, the winger got to the bye-line and his deep cross was met by Lawrence on the volley who saw Clark block his effort.  The home sides lead should have been extended on 68 minutes when Greenacre was put clean through, he had Kelly unmarked to his left but over-hit his pass and the chance was lost.  A minute later and Kelly should have made the game safe, put clean through the striker saw Finch get his body in the way to deflect his shot wide - incredibly both linesman and referee signalled goal kick.  This was to prove crucial as in the next attack resulting from the goal kick Darlo scored.  Clark neatly put Sheeran through who beat Pilkington with his low effort off the keepers left hand post.  Just two minutes later the Stags regained their two goal advantage.  Greenacre put Corden clean through but the wingers shot was saved by the keepers legs and flew wide for a corner.  Corden's left wing corner was nodded goalwards by Kelly but appeared to be chested home on the line by Williamson.  There is no doubt that the ball was going in from Kelly's header, but there is doubt whether Williamson touched it before it went in - at the game the goal was given to Kelly and Williamson did seem to indicate it was Kelly's goal.  The Stags could have added more goals towards the end, Kelly again missing out after being found by Lawrence and then the striker saw his shot deflected wide as it looked destined for the back of the net.

A decent enough display from the Stags which did lack a little consistency and was at times a little scrappy.  Nevertheless, it was entertaining for the 5,000 plus crowd and there is no doubt the Stags had the better against their depleted opponents.  Wayne Corden dazzled on the left wing but all too often he just tried one trick too many, however, it was very exciting to watch as he had the skinning of the Darlo left back throughout the game.  Greenacre took his chance well and Williamson gave another tidy display in the middle.  Man of the match is a close call between Adam Barrett and David Kelly.  Barrett defended superbly and carried the ball out of defence numerous times.  Kelly showed that touch of class you expect from a player of his experience, some of his passing was excellent and I suspect most would give him the award.  However, when things weren't going as well Barrett could be relied upon to get the Stags out of sticky situations and is therefore my Man of the Match.  

Man of the Match:  Adam Barrett

Report by Rob Wheldon

Click here for Martin's report