MANSFIELD TOWN

4-2

HULL CITY

Disley 34, Hassell 35, Reddington 40, Greenacre 58   Alexander 56, Reddy 85

Tuesday 25th September 2001

Nationwide League Division 3

Attendance:  5, 702

Stags were without striker Shayne Bradley but Danny Bacon was fit enough to take his place on the bench.  On loan striker Jason White continued in attack with leading scorer Chris Greenacre though Monday's on loan signing Richard Harris did not, as expected,  feature.  Second placed Tigers had the highly rated Theo Whitmore in midfield and potent strike duo Alexander and Dudfield in attack.

The game started at a frantic pace and the Stags were first to test the City defence, a neat through ball by Hassell put Lawrence clear on the right and though the winger mis-hit his cross it almost looped over Glennon but the Hull keeper just managed to tip the ball over.  Immediately Hull struck back and a rare Pemberton error gifted the ball to Alexander whose low shot was easily handled by Pilkington.  Jason White was proving a real handful and on 4 minutes his bustling in the area saw the ball break for Corden but his side foot shot was comfortable for Glennon.  The Stags were pouring forward, Greenacre chased a Pilkington goal kick and Glennon sliced his clearance behind for a corner, Corden's corner was headed just wide by Reddington.  The Stags were dominant but Hull looked lively on the break and after Reddington's pass to Hassell was intercepted Dudfield saw his 20 yard shot brilliantly tipped over by Pilkington.  However, Glennon was by far the busier and he could only stand helpless as Lawrence found Corden and the wingers shot flashed just past the post.  On 16 minutes came the best move of the match, Greenacre volleyed a superb cross field pass to Williamson who ran 20 yards with the ball before releasing Lawrence, his cross was perfect but White headed over from 6 yards.  A few minutes later Greenacre was put through by Reddington but his lob over the advancing Glennon was over-hit and flew over.  A minute later Greenacre was denied again, after a weak punch by Glennon, Lawrence hooked the ball back to Greenacre whose shot was cleared on the line by Edwards.  As it seemed the Stags dominance was to go without reward they hit the Tigers with a double whammy.  First a superb Lawrence cross from the right was powerfully headed home by Disley and then just a minute later Hassell popped up to fire in a shot which the keeper saved but then saw the ball fly back to Hassell who brilliantly blasted his volley home.  The Stags fans were in ecstasy and just five minutes later it got even better, Lawrence again providing a great cross from a right wing corner which Reddington powerfully headed home for his first goal for the club.  A standing ovation greeted the half time whistle and an outstanding performance by the Stags.

Half Time:  3-0

The Stags were again first to test the visitors defence when White was put clean through by the excellent Reddington but the big striker was thwarted by Glennon who narrowed the angle and saved well.  Indeed Glennon was the only barrier to an absolute avalanche of goals.  However, the Stags were rocked on 56 minutes when Alexander tapped home after Johnsson's header had hit the post and fallen to his feet.  Just when Greenacre scores the Stags 4th you thought this would signal a Hull comeback within 4 minutes the Stags had restored the three goal advantage.  Williamson chased a seemingly lost cause as Beresford tried to shepherd the ball out, he neatly won the ball at the byline and put in an inch perfect cross for Greenacre who finished clinically.  White then powered through the Hull defence only to be stopped by a last ditch challenge and then more mayhem in the Hull area when Greenacre's header was palmed away by Glennon but only to Williamson who pulled the ball back to Greenacre who saw his shot cleared off the line again.  More terrific work from Williamson saw Pemberton fire in a great cross but as White was about to head home Whittle managed to head over his own bar.  On 77 minutes the industrious Pemberton almost marked another fine performance with a great goal, but unfortunately his shot hit the inside of the post flew across the goal and was cleared to safety.  With five minutes remaining City pulled a goal back to give them a rather flattering scoreline, Johnsson's cross was deflected towards his own goal by Reddington, Pilkington saved well but on loan Sunderland striker Michael Reddy was on hand to tap home.

One of the best performances for many seasons by this exciting young Stags side.  Midfield duo Disley and Williamson totally dominated the game and Reddington was immense at the back.  Lawrence and Corden provided the ammunition and both strikers caused the Hull defence problems all night.  Whilst the result was great the performance was even better and had the Stags won by a greater margin it would not have been unjust.  Man of the match is tough, Williamson and Reddington were outstanding, but the sponsors gave it to Reddington and that is just about right.

Man of the Match:  Stuart Reddington

Report by Rob Wheldon  

STAGS RATINGS
Pilkington 7 Handling was good and made a good save in 1st half when it was 0-0
Hassell  8 Given another tough ride by Beresford but won the battle
Pemberton 8 Terrific going forward
Robinson  8 Totally dependable and some great challenges inside his own area
Reddington 9 Powerhouse at the back, won almost everything and scored
Disley 8 Great headed goal and a typical all action Dis performance
Corden 8 Rather harshly subbed but was excellent and a real threat
Lawrence 8 His crossing was outstanding and really relished the extra space he was given
Williamson 9 An outstanding talent, did every aspect of his job to perfection
White (J) 8 Excellent home debut despite a few missed chances - a real threat
Greenacre  8 Missed chances but scored again and his hold up play was tremendous
Subs:
Tankard  6 (For Corden, 67) Did the job asked of him at the end
White  6 (For White (J), 89)
Subs Not Used:  Asher, Bacon, Bingham

Tigers:  Glennon, Edwards, Whittle, Mohan (Bloomer 70), Holt, Petty, Whitmore (Reddy 70), Johnsson, Beresford (Matthews 82), Dudfield, Alexander.  Subs Not Used:  Musselwhite, Lee.

Bookings:  None

Referee:  J J Ross (London) - 9 - The best referee at Field Mill for many years

Your Choice of Man of the Match Reddington 46%  Williamson 16%  Pemberton 12%