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Saturday 8th December 2001 - Kick-off 3pm |
FA Cup Round 2 |
Attendance: 6, 836 (1,739 from Huddersfield) |
The Stags were without on-loan striker Matthew Piper after Leicester boss Dave Bassett refused permission for the Stags to cup tie the young striker. However, the Stags did welcome back striker Shayne Bradley who replaced Piper alongside Chris Greenacre. Stuart Reddington failed a late fitness test so Adam Barrett stepped in to reclaim his place in the side. The Stags were looking to progress to the 3rd round for the first time since 1994/95 season when the side lost 3-2 to Graham Taylor's Wolves. The Terriers included former Stags central defender Kevin Gray who played over 150 games for the Stags before moving north. The Stags were first to threaten on 3 minutes when central defender Adam Barrett broke through the midfield area and let fly with his left foot from 25 yards but though the ball beat Margetson it was just off target. The Terriers then enjoyed a spell of pressure but never threatened to get behind the strong Stags defence and on the counter Bradley laid the ball back to Williamson who hit a shot well over. Another Stags counter saw Bradley elbowed just above his left eye and though the free kick was given no further action was taken against the Huddersfield defender. Bradley had to leave the field to have a cut over his eye stitched. On 15 minutes the Terriers had their first attempt on goal, a low 20 yard drive from Schofield which Pilkington saved comfortably. Indeed the visitors were having a good spell against ten-man Stags, though the Stags defence remained extremely solid and Pilkington helped his defence, punching clear a couple of dangerous crosses. Bradley returned but was clearly still bothered by the cut, he bravely continued. On 22 minutes Jenkins picked the ball up on the left, cut inside but fired his right foot shot high and wide. Bradley was still suffering from the eye injury and was replaced by Andy White on 24 minutes. The big striker almost scored with his firs touch, just as he was about to let fly ex-Stag Kevin Gray cleared. However, three minutes later the Stags were ahead. Hassell picked the ball up on the edge of the area, broke into the box and found Greenacre who drilled the ball home. Huddersfield almost replied immediately as Schofield broke clear of the Stags defence only to have his low shot easily saved by Pilkington. A Lawrence cross from the right was headed back by White to Williamson but the young midfielders shot was easy for Margetson. The Stags were dominant and a second goal looked more and more likely as the half drew to a close. On 45 minutes the Stags got the 2nd goal their dominance had deserved. Lawrence cut in from the right, found Corden free inside the area and the Stags winger calmly passed the ball past Margetson. Half Time: 2-0 The next goal was always going to be crucial and in the early stages of the 2nd half it was the visitors who tried to take the game to the home side. However, constantly in their way was the Stags skipper Les Robinson, who was in awesome form at the centre of the Stags defence. Time and time again he thwarted Knight and despite persistent theatrics from the on-loan Chelsea striker, Robinson won the battle hands down. Meanwhile the Stags were getting in behind the Terriers defence far more regularly. ON 55 minutes a superb cross field ball from Lawrence found Corden free on the left, his dangerous cross just cleared before Greenacre could pounce. Disley then swept forward and was brought down by Dyson on the edge of the area, Lawrence struck the free kick well but Margetson was able to save low to his left. White then controlled the ball well inside the area before turning well and firing in a left foot shot which Margetson was again equal to. However, the Stags were not to be denied for long. A long ball from the back caught out Dyson whose back header was too weak, Greenacre pounced and as Margetson came to narrow the angle the prolific striker simply side-footed the ball past him with his left foot signalling a quite staggering mass exodus from the Quarry Lane End. The Stags were on fire and a minute later Lawrence should have made it four when Williamson's ball found him free on the far post, however the young Stags winger volleyed wide. A rare attack at the other end saw Booth fire wide from a right wing corner but the home side were totally dominant. The final goal was what the Stags have been about this season, quick passing saw Corden gain possession on the left, he struck a stunning right foot ball to Lawrence who in one move crossed the ball for Greenacre to fire a stunning finish past a shell-shocked Margetson. This was to be Corden's last action as he was replaced by Pemberton, a couple of minutes later Asher replaced the magnificent Greenacre. So the Stags progress to Round 3 in emphatic style. We have seen some fantastic football at Field Mill this season, but this was probably the best given the higher division opposition. Robinson was superb in defence and the midfield quartet dominated their more illustrious opponents. However, Chris Greenacre now has 20 goals this season and a new match ball, he had three chances in the game and scored all three, he was even applauded off by those Huddersfield fans that remained when he was substituted. Man of the Match: Chris Greenacre Report by Rob Wheldon |
STAGS RATINGS | ||
Pilkington | 7 | Another solid display |
Hassell | 9 | Excellent again in partnership with Lawrence on the right |
Tankard | 7 | Very solid and rarely wasted possession |
Barrett | 8 | Another fine display |
Robinson | 9 | Magnificent - marked Knight out of the game |
Lawrence | 8 | Continuing his massive improvement of late |
Corden | 7 | Quiet at times but scored and set one up |
Disley | 9 | He and Williamson complement each other perfectly - a powerful display from Dis |
Williamson | 9 | Won every loose ball and distributed possession expertly |
Greenacre | 10 | Three chances and a hat-trick from surely the best striker in the lower divisions |
Bradley | 6 | More bad luck through injury |
Sub | ||
White | 7 | for Bradley (20) - struggled in the 1st half but much better 2nd half |
Pemberton | 6 | for Corden (81) |
Asher | 6 | for Greenacre (84) |
Subs Not Used: Jervis, Bingham |
Terriers:
Margetson, Jenkins, Gray, Moses, Heary, Schofield,
Holland, Irons, Mattis, Knight, Booth
Referee: M S Pike 5 Cautions: Stags: Williamson (24) Huddersfield: Dyson (26), Knight (70) |
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Your Man of the Match (228 votes) |
Greenacre 35%, Robinson 23%, Lawrence 13% |