MANSFIELD TOWN

3-2

LEYTON ORIENT

Williamson 15, Disley 33, Greenacre 39   Houghton 21, Watts 70

Friday 5th October - Kick-off 7.45pm

Nationwide League Division 3

Attendance:  5, 168

by Martin Shaw at Field Mill

Mansfield Town’s tremendous home form continued at a buzzing Field Mill last night. Stags produced a scintillating first half performance to earn a 3-1 lead, which in truth deserved to be 5 or 6. Orient pulled a goal back on 70 minutes to leave a nervous final 20 minutes but failed to further threaten the Stags goal. 

Stags took the lead on 15 minutes when Williamson thundered home a terrific drive from 18 yards into the top left hand corner, after good work by Greenacre and Lawrence. It was all Stags in the opening 20 minutes, but Orient produced a shock when with just their second (and last) attack of the first half, they equalised. A cross from the right wing sailed into the 6 yard box and was headed home by Houghton. It appeared to be in an area that Pilkington should have been patrolling, and also caught out full back Hassell who had lost his marker. 

However Stags were not put out of their stride and continued to play great passing, incisive, football. They regained the lead on 33 minutes when, following a great move, culminating in a super low cross from Hassell, Disley side footed home from 6 yards. Amazingly within 6 minutes Stags scored an almost identical goal. Again Hassell crossed low and Greenacre scored from a similar distance, hardly able to believe the space he was afforded in the penalty area. It wad no more than Stags deserved for a terrific display. Scott Barrett in the Orient goal had a magnificent half saving brilliantly on numerous occasions from Greenacre, Disley and others, while Jason White shot horribly wide on two occasions.

The second half began with Stags still in complete control and threatening to run riot. Corden had a chance similar to his winning goal against Lincoln, but this time straight at the keeper, while Greenacre had two excellent efforts. But Orient started to get a grip of midfield and after 70 minutes pulled a goal back when a cross into the 6 yard box was headed home by an unmarked Steve Watts. Again it was poor marking by the defence, and appeared to be a cross that Pilkington should have claimed. 

The final 20 minutes were tense but in truth Orient created just one chance to equalise when Houghton shot wide from 20 yards. Meanwhile Stags had chances to extend their lead, most notably Jason White who shot wide from a good chance, Pemberton, who sent a piledriver just over the bar, and substitute Richard Harris who was unlucky after a good build up with Greenacre.

So another great 3 points which moves the Stags into fourth place. It was a great recovery after a disappointing defeat at Rochdale, and was built on a exhilarating first half showing from the midfield of Lawrence, Disley and Williamson. Orient pulled themselves back into the game in the second half as it seemed Disley and Williamson tired. Nevertheless the entertainment level provided by this young side is remarkable and is surely the reason why the home crowd continues to grow, with about 4,900 Stags fans packed into Field Mill.

Man of the Match: Liam Lawrence. 

Pilkington 5 At fault for both goals when he didn’t come for headers from within the 6 yard box. Had little else to do. 

Hassell 8 Caught out for the first Orient goal when he lost his marker, but otherwise defended well, and did very well going forward, linking well with Lawrence. Great crosses for 2nd & 3rd goals. 

Robinson 7 Solid defensive display.

Reddington 7 Won most of his defensive headers. 

Pemberton 8 Very good going forward and defended adequately 

Lawrence 8 Some superb passing and crossing, and creating danger regularly.

Williamson 7 Terrific first half, but completely lost out in the second half either through tiredness or loss of concentration. Great first goal in league football.

Disley 7 Outstanding first half, but totally lost a grip of midfield in last 25 minutes. Another goal, and very unlucky with a great first half header. 

Corden 6 Lacked inspiration and didn’t get forward enough.

Greenacre 8 Fine all round performance, passing, heading, holding the ball up. Held his performance together when others tired towards the end. 

J.White 6 Battled well, but poor finishing and sometimes poor control let him down. Showed good pace on occasions.

Subs: 

Tankard (for Corden, 70 mins) 7 Steadied the defence a little towards the end.

Harris (for J.White, 81 mins) 6 Showed some nice touches, but should have scored with a good chance.

Subs Not Used: Bingham, Asher, Bacon. 

Report by Martin Shaw