Archived News from July 2010
|
FRICKLEY 1 - 1 STAGS
|
 |
|
17 July 2010
Frickley Athletic 1 - 1 Mansfield Town Henry 30. Adam Smith 57. Attendance : 244 Stags: First half: Neil Collett; Tom Naylor (right back), Mark Preece, Chris Smith, Ben Turner (left back); Adam Smith, Matt Somner, Gary Mills, Stonehouse; Stevie Istead, Niall O'Rafferty. Second half : Neil Collett; Gary Silk, Steve Foster, Chris Smith, Kevin Sandwith; Ashley Cain, John Leonard, Stevie Istead, Ryan Williams; Adam Smith, Niall O'Rafferty. Second half subs: Conor Higginson for O'Rafferty (61) Steffen Oakes for Adam Smith (68) -------------------- Stagsnet report by Darren Shaw: Mansfield have made a promising start to their 2010-2011 campaign with wins against Championship sides, Sheffield United and Barnsley. However, they knew they would be in for a tough battle at the Tech5 Stadium against Frickey Athletic from the Evo-stik Premier League. Frickley is never an easy place to play football as a defeated Huddersfield team discovered on Thursday evening. The pitch slopes away from the Main Stand and also slopes towards the goal at the Clubhouse end. The team kicking down the slope also normally has the advantage of a following wind. Throw in the fact that Frickley manager, Billy Heath, likes to shout instructions to his team from the Main Stand without the need of a megaphone and had a group of trialists looking to impress and you knew Frickley would give the Stags a good test. This proved to be the case as it was a tight game with few chances for either side. The Stags were struggling for forwards with Rob Duffy and Lee Gregory sat in the stand. Out of contract youngster, Niall O'Rafferty played up front on his own with Steven Istead playing in the hole behind him. We had our first glimpse of Mark Preece at centre half alongside Chris Smith with youngsters, Tom Naylor and Ben Turner playing at right and left back. Adam Smith, Gary Mills, Matt Somner and Paul Stonehouse were in midfield and Neil Collett had a full game in goal. Mansfield kicked up the slope and against the wind in the first half. It was pleasing to see that they were looking to pass the ball throughout the game with David Holdsworth frequently shouting “Pass and Move”. Adam Smith looked lively on the right hand side of midfield but could not find anybody with his crosses. On 10 minutes, Tom Naylor played a lovely long ball over the top to Niall O'Rafferty but the youngster just could not bring the ball under control. After around 20 minutes, Mark Preece made a good clearance from defence. The ball was hooked on by Steven Istead to Niall O'Rafferty who had a good chance to lob the keeper or go to his right to get in a shot. Unfortunately, he chose to go to the left towards a couple of Frickley defenders who snuffed out the chance. Frickley took the lead against the run of play on 29 minutes when [Ben Turner/Chris Smith?] missed a tackle on the left hand side. This allowed Adam Lee to square the ball to an unmarked Leon Henry who smashed the ball into the back of the net. Niall O'Rafferty made an excellent run forward on 40 minutes and played a lovely ball through to Steven Istead but Istead's left foot shot was well saved by the Frickley keeper. The general view in the stand around me was that Istead should have scored. Adam Smith then had a shot from the edge of the area which skimmed the crossbar. David Holdsworth made six changes to the team at half time with Gary Silk, Steve Foster, Kevin Sandwith, Ashley Caines, John Leonard and Ryan Williams replacing Tom Naylor, Mark Preece, Ben Turner, Gary Mills, Matt Somner and Paul Stonehouse. Adam Smith moved up front with O'Rafferty. Steven Istead dropped back into centre midfield with John Leonard. Frickley came out on the attack and Neil Collett had to push a cross shot over the bar. Some good passing between John Leonard, Niall O'Rafferty, Ryan Williams and Kevin Sandwith gave Williams the chance to put in a few dangerous crosses. The Stags won a corner and Chris Smith, running into the area, nearly scored but he seemed taken by surprise that the ball had reached him and the ball ran away from him as he tried to get a shot in on goal. The Stags equalised after 57 minutes with some excellent passing. John Leonard played a ball through to Steven Istead who played Adam Smith through on goal. Adam Smith kept his cool and slotted the ball to the keeper's right from the edge of the area for an excellent finish. Niall O'Rafferty was immediately replaced by Conor Higginson and Adam Smith was shortly after replaced by former County and Lincoln City player, Stefan Oakes. Good passing between Stefan Oakes and Kevin Sandwith gave Sandwith the chance to play a great ball through to Conor Higginson. Conor tried to curl it into the top corner but a defender got a toe on it to take the power out of the shot and the ball was easily caught by the Frickley keeper. Leonard and Williams then combined to release Higginson again down the left but the youngster could not find a man as he tried to pull the ball back. The Stags still had to stay alert at the back and Steve Foster made a couple of vital interceptions. Conor Higginson blasted a shot over the bar before the reliable Gary Silk, as the last defender, gave the ball away to a Frickley attacker. However, he recovered well to win the ball back. Steven Istead nearly pinched a goal at the end of the game when he charged down the keeper's clearance but the ball just went wide. I had a quick chat with David Holdsworth after the game. He was pleased with the performance and said he knew Frickley would get in the players' faces and give them a good game. Overall, a lot more positives than negatives. Bring on Forest! First Half Neil Collett – Useful match experience and could not be blamed for the goal. Did not have a great deal to do. Tom Naylor (Right Back) – This lad's a proper football player. Looks very comfortable on the ball and could do a job at right back if he had to cover for Gary Silk. Mark Preece – Solid debut although looked a little rusty. Had to defend against the wind and the slope. Chris Smith – Looks a good signing and likes to talk to his fellow defenders and organise the defence. A possible candidate for the captain's position. Ben Turner (Left Back) – Another steady performance. Prepared to go forward if necessary. Adam Smith – Looked lively in the first half playing in front of the Main Stand. Took his goal very well. Gary Mills – Struggled with Somner to get a grip of the midfield in the first half although. Made a few good tackles. Had the worst of the conditions. Matt Somner – See above. Did not really get into the game. Paul Stonehouse – Quiet game. I would like to see him at left back. Steven Istead – Lively performance and a strong candidate for the Stags' man of the match. Looked better dropping back to centre midfield in the second half. Seems to have the edge over Mills and Somner at the moment. Niall O'Rafferty – Plenty of effort and made one great run forward to create the chance for Istead. However, generally well marshalled by the Frickley defence including the Frickley manager's brother, Steve Heath. If we have the cash, I would like to keep him on for another season. May benefit from playing regular men's football like Naylor and Turner last season. Second Half Gary Silk – The usual solid performance but nearly dropped a clanger near the end. Steve Foster – Looked good playing alongside Chris Smith. Made a few vital interceptions. Also likes to shout instructions and reminded the midfield a few times to get back and mark up. Kevin Sandwith – Combined well on the left with Ryan Williams and John Leonard. Sometimes played a long ball down the line instead of an easier short pass. Ashley Caines – Well marked by the Frickley defence. Did not get much chance to shine. Worth another look. John Leonard – A very promising performance. Combined well with Istead and Williams. Could be a bit of a find. Ryan Williams – A good performance. Passed the ball well and linked up play on the left hand side. Second Half Substitutes Conor Higginson – very enthusiastic and prepared to get stuck in. Not scared to have a shot. Stefan Oakes – Did not look fit but likes to get his head up and pass the ball. Worth looking at in a few more games. -------------------- Report from Frickley official site: Frickley Athletic 1-1 Mansfield Town 17th Jul 10 Report by Steve Pennock http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/frickleyathletic/?primary=senior&secondary=matchreports&team_id=1696&report_id=70816 Frickley went close to dehorning the Stags in this friendly with a positive performance but had to settle for a draw. While Adam Smith lashed a 25 yard drive inches wide in the eighth minute and Niall O'Rafferty was foiled by a fine save from Adam Nicklin after 20 minutes, the Blues defence never seemed to be stretched, Lee Booth, Steve Heath, Simon Sturdy and Matt Bird, looking solid. Danny Walsh had a shot blocked in the 24th minute as the home side started to press, while Dan Broadbent saw his effort diverted behind a minute later. The pace of Adam Lee saw him dispossess Gary Mills on the half hour and knock a pass inside to an unmarked Leon Henry, who hit the target from 15 yards to put the home side in front. Danny Clarke robbed a Town defender four minutes later before unleashing a 25 yard blockbuster which Neil Collet held at full stretch. Mansfield tried to get on terms, Adam Smith having a shot saved at point blank range by Nicklin after 40 minutes before skimming the bar with another strong effort. Four minutes after the interval, Andy Catton got down the right, cutting inside to strike an angled shot which Alan Marriott turned over the bar, and Broadbent had a drive diverted behind in the 52nd minute as the Blues continued to press. A probing pass from Steven Istead was snapped up by Adam Smith who beat Nicklin from 15 yards to put Town level after 57 minutes. Both teams lost their pattern a little as substitutions were made although the Blue Square Premier side had a chance when Stefan Oakes broke clear in the 84th minute, only to shoot straight at Nicklin. Four minutes later, Andy Lee, seeing the visiting keeper off his line, tried a 40 yard lob which dropped just wide. Frickley: Adam Nicklin, Lee Booth, Matt Bird, Danny Walsh (Chris Davies 78min), Steve Heath (Jack Nodder 80min), Simon Sturdy (Dean Jones 60min), Danny Clarke (Grant Normington 84min), Richard Dunning (Patrick McGuire 60min), Adam Lee (Andy Catton 46min), Dan Broadbent (Luke Malcher 65min), Leon Henry (Andy Lee 46min). Mansfield: Neil Collet (Alan Marriott 46min), Gary Silk, Ben Turner, Gary Mills, Kevin Sandwith, Mark Preece, Chris Smith (Steve Foster 46min), Paul Stonehouse (Ryan Williams 46min), Niall O'Refferty (Tom Naylor 61min), Adam Smith (Stefan Oakes 68min), Steven Istead. Referee: Mr Adam McIntyre Attendance : 244 -------------------- |
Latest | July 2010