|
Tuesday 21st August 2001 |
Worthington Cup, Round One |
Attendance: 4, 533 |
Martin
Shaw at Field Mill
This
was truly an extraordinary game that almost had everything … except of
course
the right result! A hat-trick, a goal from a
goalkeeper, a sending off, and these were all just for Notts County. Stags
took the lead on 18 minutes, but within another 16 crazy minutes were 4-1
down. But a spirited fightback which saw Stags on top for the entire second
half was not quite enough in the end to reap the reward it deserved.
After
Greenacre had scored a good first goal, firing under the County keeper via a
very slight deflection, following an incisive through-ball from Bobby Hassell,
there followed some of the worst defending seen by Mansfield for a long time.
County’s first 2 goals, by Danny Allsop, both had a suspicion of offside, (a
fact which later seemed to be confirmed by the video evidence) but
nevertheless the defending was awful on each occasion. But this was nothing
compared to what happened next. First, Les Robinson, who had been guilty of
giving the ball away in dangerous areas on Saturday, did not learn his lesson
and was caught in possession trying the dribble the ball in his own half, to
concede a pathetic goal, again scored by Allsop. Then it got even worse, as
Mildenhall, the County keeper, took a free kick from fully 85 yards out from
the Stags goal. The ball flew straight into the Stags area, but defenders,
attackers and Pilkington all went up for the ball and all missed it, with the
ball sailing into the open net. Slapstick from Pilkington which simply cannot
continue. After Stags fans were treated to a season of solid goalkeeping from
Bobby Mimms last year, following the regular howlers by Ian Bowling, and
others, we need better from the former Manchester United keeper.
Stags
were soon back in the game as Greenacre flicked in a super header after a
classic cross from deep by Lawrence.
The
second half belonged completely to the home side, and it was 4-3 on the hour, with more goalkeeping clangers. Andy White
seemed to be in with a chance of shooting on the edge of the box, but allowed
the ball to slip to the County keeper Mildenhall. Mildenhall tried to bowl the
ball out, and threw it straight at White’s leg, about 2 feet away! White
collected the loose ball dribbled a few yards to his right and slammed the
ball into the empty net. The goal lifted the Stags and wave after wave of
pressure brought numerous chances but frustratingly none were converted. The
best chance fell to Corden in the final minute of stoppage time, but his shot
was saved with his legs by Mildenhall, and the rebound agonisingly fell just
wide of the onrushing Bacon and Lawrence.
A
hugely encouraging performance by the Stags going forward against a powerful
Division II side, but the defending will have to be a lot more solid than this
if more games are not to be thrown away.
Man
of the Match: Chris Greenacre.
Pilkington
5 Disastrous misjudgement for the fourth goal. Otherwise couldn’t be
blamed
for the other goals, and had a very quiet second half.
Hassell
6 Solid at right back. Provided a telling pass for Greenacre’s first goal.
Robinson
5 Disastrous error for the third goal, and nearly gave the ball away on other
occasions too.
Reddington
6 Generally solid, and didn’t make errors unlike his more experienced
partners in defence.
Tankard
5 Also gave the ball away on occasions and generally looked all at sea.
Lawrence
7 Started slowly, as on Saturday, but gradually got better and was excellent
in the second half. Also provided a great cross for Greenacre’s second goal.
Williamson
7 Fine performance in midfield.
Disley
8 Excellent going forward, and was more positive than Saturday. Surprisingly
substituted.
Corden
7 Another good performance from a player in a rich vein of form at the moment.
Greenacre
9 Two good goals, and his all round play was, as usual, terrific.
White
7 His goal will have done his confidence a tremendous amount of good.
Generally played well, but needs to get a shot in more often when close to
goal.
Subs:
Bacon
(for Disley, 79) .
Subs
Not Used: Bingham, Asher, Pemberton, Williams. |