Archived News from November 2009
|
HOLDSWORTH, WILLIAMS AND FALLON REACTION
|
 |
|
www.cambridge-news.co.uk
Histon manager Steve Fallon said: "We had opportunities to keep it (the ball) near the end and we could actually have scored a second. "We didn't deserve what happened. "But it was a great strike from their lad and I'm happy with our performance. We've got to concentrate on all the positives and learn from it. "We knew Mansfield were strong at home and they'd put us under a lot of pressure, but our two centre-backs dealt with everything. "We got our goal and then got mugged right at the end, but that's what football's all about and sometimes you've got to accept these things." Fallon added: "We're very disappointed not to have won it, but we'd probably have taken a point before the game. We've showed again that we can compete with the best in this league." ------------- Kyle Nix told StagsPlayer commentator Steve Hartshorn that it looks like he will have to have an operation on his ankle and he will find out more about that next week. If he has the operation, he will be out for three months. He added "Obviously I'm a bit down about it". To listen, download the podcast below (news on injury is about 3 minutes in into first half podcast file) ---> podcast of StagsPlayer commentary by Steve Hartshorn and Kyle Nix ---> first half http://www.stagsnet.net/interviews/HistonHStagsPlayer_31Oct2009.mp3 second half http://www.stagsnet.net/interviews/HistonHSECONDHALF_StagsPlayer_31Oct2009.mp3 The Sunday Supplement, as Steve Hartshorn talks to Andy Perry, Tim Morriss and Stuart Eggleshaw ---> http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1843154,00.html video interviews with David Holdsworth and Ryan Williams ---> http://www.mansfieldtown.net David Holdsworth interview with BBC Radio Nottingham ---> http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8317081.stm --------------------- Boss Holdsworth praises Stags battlers Evening Post DAVID Holdsworth saluted his Mansfield Town battlers for never giving in after they salvaged a last-gasp point in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Histon. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Boss-Holdsworth-praises-Stags-battlers/article-1471742-detail/article.html? The Stags looked to have succumbed to their second home defeat of the season when Josh Simpson converted an 83rd minute penalty. But four minutes into stoppage time, Ryan Williams' thunderous volley from 20 yards saw Mansfield draw level. "I have been in football long enough to know you don't always get what you deserve, but if we'd have come out on the end of a defeat it would have been a travesty," said Holdsworth. "We certainly tried hard to win the game but we didn't have that break in the box or bit of quality in the final third. "I couldn't ask for any more effort and the spirit is phenomenal – as you saw when the goal went in. "It was a big point, a good point and hard-earned. But the standards have risen and now everyone expects us to win. "We are never satisfied with a point because we always want to win every game. "When you are a minute away from suffering a defeat, you have a penalty given against you and don't take your chances, you can pay the price. "Our dominance might have paid off on another day, but the boys have shown tremendous spirit." Holdsworth heaped praise on Williams for his second goal of the season, even though the diminutive winger had struggled to make an impact. He said: "You have to admire the technique for Willo's goal, it was a wonderful strike. I probably didn't want it to fall to anyone else in that situation. "He didn't have his best game against a strong right-back but it was a great hit." ------------- Williams: I knew it was in as soon as I hit it Evening Post RYAN Williams knew as soon as he connected with his last-gasp volley it was going to earn Mansfield a share of the spoils against Histon. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Williams-knew-soon-hit/article-1471820-detail/article.html? The left-winger found the net with a brilliant 20-yard strike deep into stoppage time to deny the Stutes all three points. Williams (pictured) was delighted with his second goal of the season but admitted in those situations the ball is just as likely to end up in the stands. "It was just one of those where it dropped nicely and I tried to keep the technique right," he said. "It's all or nothing at that point and if it doesn't go in, then you have lost the game – simple as that. "They can fly anywhere, that's why it's important to keep cool, concentrate on getting a good connection and make sure the keeper has a shot to save. "I couldn't have struck it any better and luckily it was past the keeper before he had any chance. I knew it was in once I hit it. "You expect to get mobbed at that stage, but some of the lads are a lot bigger than me and it's not nice being on the bottom of the pile! "But I was just relieved to get a point." Williams believes that point could prove to be as important as some of the Stags' other wins in the final shake-up. He said: "I thought Histon did well. They were well-organised, followed a plan and nearly got what they came for. But is a massive boost for us to get a draw. It could be massive come the end of the season. "You see teams get 93rd minute equalisers who show character and spirit and that attitude is going to be key." -------------------- Stags hopeful over Heckingbottom Evening Post MANSFIELD Town are hopeful that left-back Paul Heckingbottom will not be sidelined for too long. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-hopeful-Heckingbottom/article-1471576-detail/article.html? The left-back had to be replaced by Craig Armstrong during the second half of yesterday's 1-1 draw with Histon. But boss David Holdsworth insists the injury – a back spasm – is not as serious as the hamstring problem that kept him out at the start of the season. He said: "He was 50-50 to play before the game but when someone of his class wants to play and he thinks he will be okay, then you let him," he said. "But he felt a spasm and at that point we had to make the change. But it is not as bad as before. Holdsworth was very pleased with the way his central defensive pairing coped with Histon's aerial threat. He said: "They recycled the ball very well and we expected that but Luke Jones and Scott Garner were strong and good in the air as they needed to be. "It was a tough game for Gary Silk because their boy (Nat Knight-Percival) is a decent player, but he did a decent job." Holdsworth had mixed feelings about the performance and the result. "You give compliments where they are deserved and constructive criticism when necessary," he said. "At half-time I told them I felt we needed to lift the tempo and we weren't doing enough in wide areas. "I'm happy about some things but not other things. But no-one has a god-given right to three points – you have to go and earn them. "But that point could be crucial at the end of the season." -------------------- Boss Holdsworth praises fighting spirit CHAD.co.uk, 31 October 2009 By Stephen Thirkill MANSFIELD Town boss David Holdsworth was full of praise for his side's fighting qualities after they struck deep into stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw with Histon at Field Mill on Saturday. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Boss-Holdsworth-praises-fighting-spirit.5784148.jp The Cambridgeshire side seemed to be heading for all three points after their defensive doggedness was rewarded when John Kennedy won a penalty on 83 minutes. Stags goalkeeper Alan Marriott felled Kennedy as the striker looked to draw the foul from the goalkeeper as he chased a throughball. But with Stags looking down and out Ryan Williams lashed home a wonder volley from 20 yards three minutes into stoppage time to send the Field Mill fans into raptures. It was a strike which earned the praise of home boss David Holdsworth, who said: "It was a superb goal from Williams and I am delighted the shot fell to him. "Sometimes in football you do not get what you deserved, but if Histon won it would have been a travesity. We fully deserved a point. "We did not take our chances and lacked that extra bit of quality in the box, but we showed tremendous qualities to play right to the death and justice was done." Holdsworth also spoke of his frustration at the award of a penalty which cost Stags dear. "I don't think the referee was in a very good position to see the penalty and we are disappointed that it was given," said. "Marriott said he did not touch him and I will wait with interest to see the match DVD." ------------------- |
Latest | November 2009