Mansfield Town 2 Torquay United 0

Greenacre 75, Corden 87

Tuesday 23rd October - Kick-off 7.45pm

Nationwide League Division 3

Attendance:  4, 059 (186 from Torquay)

Martin Shaw at Field Mill

Stags picked up a much needed victory at Field Mill with a hard-earned victory over Torquay United.

Stags made one change from the team that had lost its unbeaten home record on Saturday, with Bradley replacing the injured Jason White.

Stags made a positive start but the first half was short on clearcut chances. Lawrence shot just wide across the face of the goal, Disley headed just wide, Greenacre volleyed high and wide, and Bradley had one chance parried by the keeper. Torquay came close on a couple of occasions, especially when a Torquay player shot over when he seemed to have too much time. The closest they came was a 50 yard shot that sailed a yard over the bar from Nicholls, after a poor clearance.

At half time Torquay were forced to change from their yellow and blue kit, which caused a remarkable colour clash, and played the second half in Mansfield’s purple away kit from a couple of seasons ago.

Stags didn’t really get going in the second half until, when Greenacre broke clear, he was brought down 35 yards from goal by Sean Hankin, who as the last defender, was shown the red card. From the free kick Lawrence shot just wide. This signalled a period of Stags pressure and it finally paid off on 75 minutes. Pemberton’s free kick from 22 yards hit the inside of the right hand post, and this time luck went Stags way, as the ball fell to Greenacre who stabbed it in from 3 yards to send waves of relief around the ground. I say this time luck went Stags way as twice this season, at crucial moments, Stags have hit the inside of the post and not had the luck go their way : away to Rochdale and home to Plymouth.

Stags were now on top but were nearly caught out when Pilkington made a great save low down to his left. Indeed there had been a suspicion of a penalty seconds before the save as a Torquay player went down in the box.

Then at the other end, a fabulous Lawrence cross was met by a bullet header from Disley that was brilliantly saved by Kevin Dearden who tipped it onto the insode of the post and away from danger.
Three minutes from time, Corden eased Stags nerves with a tremendous goal. Cutting in from the right, he curled a beautiful shot from 25 yards into the right hand corner of the net for another trademark late goal.

Overall Stags deserved the 3 points and played well in patches. Torquay will feel aggrieved to have had their man (making his debut) sent off but could not realistically claim to have deserved a point.

Man of the Match: Kevin Pilkington.

Pilkington 7 Match winning save when it was 1-0. Made other good saves, although had little to do. Also a good punch from a rare cross.

Hassell 7 Had a good game at right back, especially with a couple of of good tackles.

Robinson 6 Steady and a calm head.

Reddington 6 Strong in the air and rarely troubled.

Pemberton 6 Decent performance, especially pushing forward in the second half.

Lawrence 7 Dangerous down the right wing, and linked well with Hassell.

Williamson 6 Didn’t quite click, though worked hard.

Disley 6 Didn’t make his usual forward runs, often too deep. Very unlucky with one great header

Corden 7 Quiet until the last 15 minutes, then looked good and scored a great goal.

Greenacre 6 Very quiet again, but a typical Greenacre poacher’s goal.

Bradley 6 Chased well but not match sharp. Unnecessarily caught offside too often.

Subs:

Barrett (for Robinson, 83 mins) 6 Very little to do. Good to have him back.

Harris (for Greenacre, 87 mins) 6 Little time to make a difference, one shot pushed wide.

Subs Not Used: Bingham, Tankard, Asher.

Gulls:  Dearden, Hankin, McNeil, Woods, Canoville, Brabin, Hill, Hockley, Richardson (Benefield 70), Nicholls (Law 84), Graham (Roach 90).

Cautions:  Gulls:  Nicholls 74 - Stags:  Greenacre 25, Bradley 49 

Sending Off:  Hankin 64

Referee:  Mr K D Hill