Reports from various sources - all sources acknowledged.
Page cobbled together by Martin Shaw.
If you have a comment, please e-mail me at
martin-shaw@thestags.freeserve.co.uk

Games:
Notts County 2 Mansfield 1      Monday 12 July
Walsall 2 Mansfield 0              Saturday 17 July
Hucknall 2 Mansfield Youth 1  Tuesday 20 July
Chesterfield 1 Mansfield 0       Wednesday 21 July
Worksop 0 Mansfield 2            Monday 26 July
Rushden 2 Mansfield 0             Wednesday 28 July
 
 
 

Notts County 2 Mansfield 1      Monday 12 July

Evening Post
Magpies and Stags are sharpening up

By Paul Taylor
Clayton Blackmore today set his sights on securing a long- term future with Notts County after making his debut for the Magpies in a 2-1 win over Mansfield Town.
The former Manchester United star showed some neat touches during the behind-closed-doors friendly at Grove Farm yesterday.
The 34-year-old says he felt as fit as ever after the game, which also saw the return of striker Duane Darby, who has been out for 12 months with an Achilles tendon injury.
Blackmore has pledged to show his worth during Notts' pre-season friendlies — and persuade Sam Allardyce to offer him a deal.
"I am settling in nicely at Notts, they are a great bunch of lads, with a lot of talent," he said. "It was a good run out yesterday and I am feeling sharp. My aim over the next few weeks is to persuade the club I am worth a contract.
"We play Ilkeston tomorrow and we have one or two more friendlies over the next few weeks, so I will be doing my best in those, if I get a chance."
Mansfield Town, who looked sharp in their first pre-season friendly, gave a trial to former Rotherham defender Neil Richardson, 31, who has made more than 180 appearances for the Millers,
Boss Billy Dearden said: "Neil has a lot of experience and we will be taking a close look at him."
Dearden has refused to be rushed into adding to his squad but promised the fans some news over the next few days.
The home side took the lead on the hour mark through a goal from Francis Tierney, but Mansfield equalised through a Darrell Clarke cross that deflected into the net off a defender. Richard Holmes scored County's winner.
Former Stags player Jason Sedlan, released at the end of last season, performed well on the wing for Notts after joining them on trial over the summer.
Notts County's board were today due to meet to discuss the permanent appointment of Gary Brazil as assistant manager.
Meanwhile, Allardyce is in talks with a mystery player.
 

CHAD online

Mansfield played a friendly fixture against Notts County behind closed doors
on Monday, with Notts running out 2-1 winners.
Said Dearden: "We gave away two sloppy goals but I was quite happy with the
performance."
Stags' goal was netted by a County defender just in front of an onrushing
Lee Peacock.
 

E-mail from Mark Watson
Apparently we got beat 2-1, our goal was an own goal but it was
an equaliser at the time.  Not sure of the County scorers.  Neil Richardson
and Ryan Ludlam played and looked good, Clarke and Peacock played for the
second half and looked especially sharp, Gary Tallon was putting his bid in for the captaincy by shouting at everything and everyone.
 
 
 
 
 

Walsall 2 Mansfield 0              Saturday 17 July

CHAD online
Stags played Walsall over three 35-minute periods, changing players on a
regular basis with the First Division outfit eventually winning 2-0.

E-mail from Craig Kerry
After a bit of digging I've found out that when Mansfield played Walsall at Lilleshall on Saturday it was split in to 3 half hour matches. We lost the first 2 games 1-0 and drew the 3rd game 0-0.
 
 
 
 

Hucknall 2 Mansfield Youth 1  Tuesday 20 July

CHAD online
Orton shoots down young Stags
HUCKNALL Town sharpshooter Rob Orton shot down a young Mansfield Town side
with two goals in as many minutes on Tuesday night.
Stags substitute Dean Mitchell grabbed the visitors the lead on the hour.
But Orton levelled on 75 and struck again two minutes later for victory.
The Mansfield side comprised Tye, Asher, Jervis, Hassall, Ludlam, Disley,
Gibbons, Siddall, Lawrence, Overton and Sisson with Archibold, Mitchell
 

E-mail from Rob Wheldon, SSIB

tonight's match was a bit of a let down.  None of the regular first team played - indeed they weren't even there.  Three players you will have heard of played - Bobby Hassell at centre half, Michael Sisson in midfield and the extremely impressive Alister Asher at right back.  Asher could walk into the Stags first team tomorrow - he looked comfortable in possession and was head and shoulders above all the others except one notable exception.  Liam Lawrence is the striker that Lee Simpson mentioned after Paddy Atkinson had been on trial at the Stags.  He is a bit of a Hadley look-alike, and is quick, strong and skillfull.  Sadly he didn't have any chances to show what he can do in front of goal, but I'm pretty sure that both Asher and Lawrence will feature strongly this season.
It was very disappointing not to see the trialists Richardson and Ludlam, not to mention new signing Lee Cowling.  Many made the journey to see them and were annoyed that this had not been billed as Stags Youth Team v Huckanll (a bloke stood next to me did say it was Hucknall's first team).  Stags were winning 1-0 when I left, 15 mins from the end, and they were dominating the game (eventualy lost 2-1).  There are pics on the site, but no match report as there was nothing much to report except what I have covered here.
 
 
 
 
 

Chesterfield 1 Mansfield 0       Wednesday 21 July

E-mail from Richard Stacey
The Stags lost to the Spireites 1-0 in a behind closed doors game held at Staveley this morning 3 * 30 minute practice matches

E-mail from Darren Shaw to Stagschat mailing list
From: Morroco Mole [SMTP:morrocom@hotmail.com]
To: Multiple recipients of list (Chesterfield mailing list??)
Subject: Stags Game
This wont please John much but from my vantage point the Mole hill to the
right.Sorry i didnt find Kwiks chain either.
I saw an interesting line up we started
Mercer played full game 90
Beaumount 30 Hewitt 30  Beaumount 30 again
Woods
Willis then Curtis 60
Payne 30 Lee 30 Payne 30
Breckin 90
Howard 30 right wing up front with Pearson then Danzye and Bettney ?
Holland 90 minutes
Reeves 30 then Pearson - Danzye
Lee 30 minutes up front then 30 minutesat the  back then disappeared
Carrs 90 minutes
We dominated.TC missed a relative sitter the Stags looked very poor even
Tony Lormor. However Woods ,and Payne didnt look to clever and boy do we
have problems at right back !!.
Ebdon ran around but pitch but didnt feature at all and we seem to have
problems with Jason ? !.
Its a long way back from Staveley back home some people didnt get lifts back
from the management.
bye for now
morroco
 
 
 
 
 
 

Worksop 0 Mansfield 2            Monday 26 July
Amalgamated E-mailed reports by Dan Westwell, Mick Ibbotson of SSIB

The first goal was a Peacock free kick, which kept low and the keeper lost it through a clump of players. The second was a Lormor half volley close to the end.
Keith Haslam  was there in a suit with another bloke. Steve Parkin and Tony Ford turned up. Parkin got a good reception with all Stags fans shaking his hand. Bowling was there in a tee-shirt, with no plaster on his arm, so that looks promising.
Barry Richardson played in goal for us. He's not a bad 'keeper. We had a mad Greek bloke at number 8 (Sakis Terzis).  He played ok, but was subbed midway through the 2nd half. He likes to slide in on people and get stuck in anyway but needs to control his tackling/kicking. Peacock looked really sharp.
As you can see, it was possibly the strongest team he could put out, and my mail the other day (about Hassell playing right back instead of Ali Asher) was true tonight at least, with Hassell right back, Richardson and Linighan centre backs and Cowling left back. They looked ok considering it's their first time together. Worksop weren't a bad looking side coming forward, but the real challenge is Wednesday night against Rushden. Just one final point, there was this lad called Mick Balding, he came on for Peacock and partnered Lormor up front. He looks VERY promising and he was the talk as everyone left. He also interested the
connections there from QPR and Fulham. He had 4 or 5 very good snapshots which only just cleared the target and he deserved at least a goal for his efforts. This one is a dead cert for this season I think.
1. Richardson - 6 nothing to do in the net for the entire match
2. Hassell - 7 played well and linked up with attack to provide a wide
option. Needs a little more height maybe
3. Cowling - 7 steady, controlled and looks to have a turn of foot when
needed
4. Kerr 6 - played ok after dodgy start
5. Richardson 6 - not as tall as I expected for a centre half - covered well
6. Linighan 5 - not great on the ground and nearly gifted Worksop a
equaliser with a dangerous clearing header in second half
7. Williams 6 - steady
8. Terzis 7 - battling performance in midfield, perhaps the bite is
back in the middle
9. Lormer 6 - scored a goal, missed other chances including first half
sitter, looked woefully short of pace
10. Peacock  8 - chased around for 45 mins, looked up for it, substituted at half time, looked knackered as he left changing room
11. Tallon 7 - vocal, smiling looked to enjoy himself and why not. Played
well.
Subs used:
12 Gibbons 5 - came on in second half for Hassell. Looks ropey at centre back
13 Disley  6 - came on in second half and provided a clearing passing talent as he attempted to thread balls to the Stags front pair.
14 Balding (Trialist) 8 - replaced Peacock and showed pace, ability and
eagerness to entertain.
 

CHAD
Peacock sparkles at Worksop

LEE Peacock was in sparkling form as Mansfield Town continued their
pre-season preparations with a 2-0 friendly win at UniBond Premier
neighbours Worksop Town.
Peacock could have had a hat-trick by the time he rammed home a low free
kick from the edge of the box on 29 minutes.
And Tony Lormor wrapped things up on 78 after good work from lively teenage
trialist Michael Balding.
Experienced Lincoln goalkeeper Barry Richardson agreed to play in this week'
s friendlies as manager Billy Dearden searches for cover for the injured Ian
Bowling and enjoyed a clean sheet on his debut.
Also making a steady debut was Greek trialist Sakis Terzis who played for an
hour in the centre of midfield.
He has played in the Greek Second Division and is over here via one of
Dearden's contacts.
Lee Hobson had an effort deflected just wide on the half-hour which could
have brought Worksop level.
But it took another good tackle from the alert Dave McNicolas to stop Lormor
bursting the net minutes later after more fine play from Peacock.
The Tigers caused more problems either side of the break as Richard Mason
curled just wide and then Dave Linighan almost headed Ryan Ludlam's cross
into his own net.
Stags stepped up the tempo and Balding blasted over from a good position
while David Kerr pulled off a spectacular one-handed save from John Wilson
with a shot from 25 yards.
Richardson, Hassall, Cowling, Kerr, Richardson, Linighan, Williams, Terzis,
Peacock, Lormor, Tallon. Subs: Gibbons, Balding, Allardyce, Sisson, Tye.
 

Evening Post
Terzis flies high

Greek midfield man Sakis Terzis made his first plane journey yesterday - to
play in Mansfield Town's friendly at Worksop last night
The 24-year-old was introduced to Stags boss Billy Dearden by Steve Foster,
a sports journalist in Greece. He has been playing in the Greek Third
Division with Doxadrama while studying to be a PE teacher but wants to make
it as a professional footballer.
Terzis played the first half and never let Worksop settle with some
tenacious tackling as Mansfield ran out 2-0 winners.
Strikers Lee Peacock and Tony Lormor found the net for Stags. Peacock took a
knock and was substituted after an outstanding first half. But boss Dearden
expects him to be fit for Wednesday's match at Conference giants Rushden and
Diamonds.
An added boost for boss Dearden was that his efforts to fill the
goalkeeper's shirt may have been solved by the appearance of the experienced
Barry Richardson on trial. Richardson, 29, who has amassed around 250 league
games at four clubs, including Lincoln City, had a steady game.
 

Taken from The Worksop Guardian On-line (Worksop's version of The Chad)
Stags are too strong

Striker Lee Peacock proved to be a handful for Worksop’s defence at Sandy
Lane on Monday night.
Mansfield Town had many of their first team squad on duty for the pre-season
friendly and considering this Worksop did well to restrict them to just the
one goal in each half.
Peacock, the Stags biggest asset, being the club’s record purchase from
Carlisle United, was certainly the player who caught the eye.
Jamie Holmshaw twice denied Peacock a goal in the opening 20 minutes, but he
eventually netted direct from a free-kick to give Mansfield the lead on 29
minutes.
Worksop never really tested the on-loan Lincoln City goalkeeper Barry
Richardson, and it was defender Lee Hobson who went the closest in the first
half, drilling a shot inches wide from outside the penalty area.
New signing Richard Mason also had a good chance for Tigers minutes from the
interval, but after taking a return pass from Phil Stafford his curling shot
just failed to find the net.
The game was typical of pre-season friendlies, with the usual crop of
changes making it difficult to get a true picture of how the finished
Worksop side may fair.
However, overall the signs are very promising, with Hobson, Dave McNicholas
and Martin Hardy looking strong in defence.
Former Sheffield Wednesday player, Ryan Ludlam also looked a good prospect
in the right-back berth, while goalkeeper triallist John Wilson
distinguished himself with a brilliant one-handed second half save.
In attack Mick Goddard is taking the transition from the Northern Counties
East League – where he was a top marksman – in his stride, and his
pre-season form suggests he will continue to trouble UniBond League
defences.
Worksop – Jamie Holmshaw, Ryan Ludlam, Richard Mason, Dave McNicholas,
Martin Hardy, Lee Hobson, Darren Field, Colin Cockrill, Phil Stafford, Mick
Goddard, Steve Carter. Subs Kenny Clark, Paul Allen, Martin Francis, Adam
Nixon, Kirk Jackson, Ryan Jones, Andy Womble.
Attendance – 425.
© North Notts Newspapers
 
 
 
 
 

Rushden 2 Mansfield 0             Wednesday 28 July

CHAD online
Stags fall to Diamonds aces

IT really was a case of seeing how the other half lives for Stags on
Wednesday night.
But their destination was not Old Trafford or Anfield but Football
Conference club Rushden and Diamonds.
The afluence and ambition of the Diamonds was there for all to see in the
finery of the sparkling new Nene Park Stadium and the quality of their side.
With work finally starting on Mansfield's new stadium this week, at least
Stags can try to keep up with the Jones' on the ground front.
But the more worrying gulf was on the playing field where a Diamonds side
rich in League experience and hotly tipped to win the Conference could have
won by a more convincing margin than the 2-0 scoreline.
Stags boss Billy Dearden played a 4-4-2 formation with three trialists in
keeper Barry Richardson, Greek midfielder Sakis Terzis and Walsall
midfielder Wayne Thomas.
They couldn't have made a worse start as Rushden stormed into a fifth minute
lead when former Fulham man Michael Mison netted from Mark Sale's flick-on.
Sale was the only ex-Stag on the pitch after Diamonds decided to rest Mark
Peters who turned an ankle on tour in Dublin last week.
Mansfield's best moments came in the first half.
They looked at their best down the right where right-back Bobby Hassall
linked well with Lee Williams and Lee Peacock got through plenty of hard
work up front.
Also, Terzis caught the eye with some neat passing when given the time and
an enthusiasm for getting stuck in when things became more frenetic in the
middle.
Otherwise, there was little to cheer Dearden.
Terzis blasted one effort wide while Peacock had two shots charged down and
Tony Lormor forced a save with his hanging header.
Also, Dave Linighan flicked another effort over the top after Thomas had
curled the ball in low.
But most of the questions were being asked by Rushden as Richardson saved
from Michael McElhatton and Darren Collins.
Richardson was fortunate to see an offside flag when he charged out his box
and fluffed his headed clearance near half-time.
The home side finished the half very strongly, forcing two successive
corners and having penalty appeals ignored after a huge cry for handball
during a scramble.
Then a superb pass from Mison put Collins in space and his cool chip had
Richardson stretching to save.
Few clear-cut chances were created in the second half with the
much-travelled Mark Cooper denying Peacock with a fine tackle and then
coming close himself at the other end when left in too much space.
A Williams through ball on 68 found Lormor on the right of the box but he
could only steer his effort wide of the post.
Diamonds finally came up with the killer blow on 79 as Mansfield failed to
deal with a low ball in from the right and substitute David Town steered the
ball inside Richardson's right hand post.
Young Michael Boulding tested keeper Billy Turley within two minutes of
coming on as both managers threw on substititutes on a regular basis.
But Rushden were firmly in control and only Richardson's legs prevented
McElhatton helping himself to a third on 83.
RUSHDEN: Turley (Smith 78), Hamsher (Lonnergan 85), Challinor (Rodwell 62),
McElhatton, Wooding, Cranman, Mison (West 80), Cooper, Sale (Mills 62),
Collins (Town 62), Underwood (Brady 78).
STAGS: B. Richardson, Williams, Cowling, Hassall (Asher 90), Linighan,
Allardyce, Terzis (Disley 68), Thomas (Boulding 79), Lormor, Peacock, Tallon
(Sisson 68). Subs not used: N. Richardson Tye, Gibbons.
 

Evening Post
Dearden's men fall to Rushden

Last night's performance against the big spending Rushden and Diamonds side
failed to inspire
Rushden and Diamonds could well join Mansfield Town in Nationwide League
Division Three next year. And one of the hot favourites for the Nationwide
Conference title showed Mansfield what to expect with a 2-0 victory last
night.
It was not a good show from Billy Dearden's men but it will certainly
prepare them for the league season. High spots were striker Lee Peacock
again looking sharp and a good display from wing-back Lee Williams.
But it was former Fulham midfielder Michael Mison put Rushden ahead after
only four minutes, while trialist keeper Barry Richardson impressed with a
one-on-one save from Darren Collins before half-time.
Peacock missed Stags' best chance on 48 minutes when he shot tamely from a
good position. And there was a worrying moment when key midfielder Gary
Tallon, later substituted, was hurt after a crunching tackle.
The fresh legs of Neil Richardson and Michael Sisson could not change things
as Rushden scored a controversial second, with David Town looking offside as
he slotted home.
 

Rushden Website (From http://www.thediamondsfc.com)

Diamonds had returned back from Ireland disappointed with their performance
against Shelbourne on Sunday, but keen to get back in winning ways. This
was going to be a stern test as mansfield had just missed out on the 3rd
Division Playoffs last season, and are a very good team. Mark Peters was
unable to play against his old team and Brian Talbot was forced into
changing his team again as the injury situation worsened - Butterworth,
Bradshaw, Warburton, Peters all missing tonight from the squad.
Diamonds started brightly and it only took four minutes for them to take
the lead. A corner, headed on by Collins, headed on again by Mark Sale to
the feet of Mison who lashed the ball in to the net. Diamonds totally
dominated the first half, in fact Mansfield had just one shot, on seven
minutes, that caused the Diamonds defence any concern - the shot deflected
for a corner. Diamonds had enough chances to go in at half-time with more
than a one goal lead. Macca had two good chances on 9 and 13 minutes, and
Collins the same on 13 minutes but although close, were squandered. Young
Challinor had a great first half, and impresses more and more with each
game he is involved in. He also made some crucial blocks in his own area.
Diamonds were very quick and lively, breaking out of defence to attack with
great speed and no shortage of skill. It was Mansfield who were struggling
to find any rhythm although Lee Peacock looked quite lively. Diamonds
finished the half strongly, and had chances from Mison on 35 minutes and
Collins on 44 minutes but Richardson, the Mansfield keeper made good saves.
The second half Mansfield came back much more in to the game. Some slack
defending from Cooper assisted by Sale nearly gave Mansfield a chance to
equalize, but the forward shot high and wide. Any good mansfield strikes
were instantle blocked and charged down. The second half both teams brought
on their full quota of substitutes which made the game very stop/start and
ruined the flow of the game compared to the first half. Diamonds created a
few chances but all were squandered. However on 79 minutes, after a bitof a
scramble in front of the goal the ball fell on the 6 yard box to David
Town, who drilled the ball into the back of the net. Jon Brady had come on
two minutes earlier, and seemed determined to put the substitution in
Ireland behind him, and he worked very hard to impress Brain Talbot who was
sitting up in the stand again tonight. The game finished with Diamonds
still pressing forward, and this turned out to be a great result against
good league opposition.
Individual performances of note came from Paul Underwood who looked very
sharp, tackled back well, and put in some great crosses, and Michael Mison
who scored again and turned in another great performance. In goal Billy
Turley had little to do, but what he did have to deal with he dealt with
competently. Kenny and Tim also had god games, Coops was a little too
aggressive at times which will give him problems when the season gets
underway if he carries on, and it was only Macca who had a bit of a lack
lustre performance against his usual high standard. Upfront Collins and
Sale looked sharp, though both seemed to tire, especially Mark Sale who is
still not match fit yet. Another special note must go to John Hamsher who
worked tirelessly throughout the game, and put in some great crosses.
Now its just a matter of seeing how we do against the Cobblers on Saturday
- I reckon with a strong team, and the spirit we have in the team at the
moment we could see the lads winning their first trophy of the season on
Saturday!
Attendance 1269
Final Score: 2-0
Rushden Team : Turley, Hamsher, Challinor, McElhatton, Wooding, Cramman,
Mison, Cooper, Sale, Collins, Underwood. Subs: Town, Smith, Rodwell, Brady,
Mills, West, Lonnergan.
Mansfield Team : Richardson, Williams, Cowling, Hassell, Linnigan,
Allardyce, Terris, Thomas, Lormor, Peacock, Tallon
Scorers: Diamonds: Mison 4 mins, Town 79 mins
Webmasters MoM: Underwood