Archived News from August 2010
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HUCKNALL 1 - 6 MANSFIELD
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Monday 2 August 2010
Hucknall Town 1 - 6 Mansfield Town Thomas 23. Sandwith 5, Connor 34, 41, Stonehouse 48, A.Smith 67, Medley 68. Att: 505 STAGS: Collett; Silk (Naylor 75), Preece (Fairclough (trialist) 79), C.Smith, Sandwith; Cain (Briscoe 46), Mills (Luke Medley (trialist) 65), Istead (Thompson 46), Stonehouse (Somner 54), A.Smith (Nix 77); Connor (Parker 46). -------------- Stagsnet player ratings by Dan Worthington: Neil Collett 7 Again another good performance. Big mistake for their goal. Mind you, it was clear that he shouted for Preece to leave it, but apart from that good game, no other mistakes. Gary Silk 8 Gary Silk is really coming into his own this pre-season. A very good performance, some great runs forward in both halves and a very committed performance. Mark Preece 7 A better performance from him, he won quite a lot of headers today, still looked a bit slow, but he definitely showed a more commanding performance today. Chris Smith 8 A solid performance from Smith and in my opinion he should start at centre back with Steve Foster when the season starts. A very commanding and whole hearted display by Chris, well played. Kevin Sandwith 8 He has had his doubters this pre season but for me again he was terrific. A fantastic free-kick early on, which was about 25 yards out from goal. A really good defensive and attacking performance from him. Ashley Cain 8 A good first half, showed some terrific dribbling ability again and played a big part in goals 2 and 3 with his counter attacking ability. Still room for improvement in his final ball though, but all in all a very good performance. Gary Mills 7 A strong performance. Got stuck in and played the simple ball well. We played 4-5-1 today and it seemed to work pretty well and maybe that could be our plan b on hard away games. Anyway a good performance, well played. Steven Istead 7 Another bright performance from Stevie. He got stuck in well and set Connor's second goal up with a great ball across the 6 yard box after a great run by Cain. Did well. Paul Stonehouse 8 For me, showed everybody why he should play centre midfield. He played very well, got stuck in, picked some really good passes out and joined in the attack well and was sound defensively. Scored a brilliant goal with his weaker foot, a really good performance from him. Adam Smith 8 Again all praise for him, worked hard, defended when had to very well, and attacked superbly. Scored a screamer with his right foot right into the top corner towards the back post. Great dribbling ability and again I think if he carries on playing like this, like he has done pre season, he will be a big player for us this season. Paul Connor 9 Again for me brilliant. Held nearly everything up, won almost every header, and brought others into play. He uses his experience very effectively and is a very clever player. He's had a brilliant pre-season for us so far with 4 in 3 and hopefully he can carry that on into next season. Subs Tom Naylor 7 Came on for the last 10, did well and played some good balls. Jordan Fairclough 7 Did not get long on the pitch but he looked bright and looks like he has some pace about him. Louis Briscoe 8 Again another bright performance from Louis, he showed some brilliant pace and great dribbling ability. He's had a very good pre-season and has gone about his buisness quietly but he's been terrific for most of the games in my view. Kyle Nix 7 He did not get long on the pitch but he used the ball well and was a good outlet. Well played. Tyrone Thompson 9 Again did very well, got stuck in and also showed he can not just defend but attack as well. He got pushed up and joined in with the attacks. He hit the post with his weaker foot from the edge of the box which led to Medley following in. Well played. Matt Somner 7 Again another battling performance. Read play well and did ok. Well played. Keigan Parker 6 For me he wasn't that bright and looked a bit sluggish, maybe just tired, but he tried to do too much on his own. I think he and Connor will be a very good partnership and they will both score goals this season although today he didn't really get into positions to score but all in all played well. Luke Medley 8 In the warm up, he did not look great at all, but when he eventually came on, he was awesome. Held a lot of things up with good upper body strength, brought the midfield into play well and looked determined. When he had a chance to score, he did. He clearly tried to impress when he ran almost the length of the pitch to force the keeper into a good save. Well played and certainly worth another look at, although his trial is only for a week. David Holdsworth should keep a close eye on him in training. ------------ Stags show six appeal at Hucknall CHAD.co.uk, 2 August 2010, By John Lomas STAGS showed six appeal tonight at Hucknall Town with a powerful 6-1 pre-season friendly victory over their Evo-Stick neighbours. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Stags-show-six-appeal-at.6453112.jp New signing Paul Connor bagged another brace to make it four in two games, Kevin Sandwith netted a fabulous free kick, Adam Smith and Paul Stonehouse scored a pair of stunners and stocky striker trialist Luke Medley notched the other in an eyecatchinADVERTISEMENT g late cameo. The former Spurs youngster (21), who has also played for Braford City and Barnet before drifting into non-League, could, on this thrilling 25-minute showing, give Mansfield an exciting option if funds will stretch enough to sign him. Stags lined up with one central striker in Connor with Cain and Smith providing width in a 4-3-3. Both sides won early corners. But Stags struck after just five minutes when Holmes conceded a free kick 25 yards from goal and Sandwith crashed home the perfect free kick over the wall and under the bar almost into the centre of goal. Griffths Junior almost levelled immediately with a curling effort that dipped over the far angle. But home keeper Whalin had work to do as Stonehouse almost tucked away a long Sandwith cross at close range, the keeper blocking well. Harris and Holmes then worked the ball in from the left to Thomas who spun well to fire at goal and see the ball deflect just wide for a corner from which Holmes glanced a header across the face of goal. But Hucknall were level on 23 minutes after Stags switched off the back, a long forward ball from the right bouncing towards Collett down the centre only to see Thomas rush in, nick it past the advancing keeper with his head, and watch it bounce into the open net. However, new boy Connor restored Mansfield's lead with the easiest of finishes on 34 minutes after a move down the right saw Cain receive the keeper's throw and feed Istead who curled a superb ball across goal and away from the keeper offering Connor the simplest of close range finishes. Connor doubled his tally with a superb far post header on 41 minutes after great work by Smith on the right to get past the attentive Fletcher and get the ball over. Then, with Stags firmly on top, Smith turned superbly and lashed a shot over the bar with home defenders looking at the linesman. But a minute from the break Collett did superbly well to get a hand to Harris' attempted chip and tip it for a corner to maintain Mansfield's 3-1 lead at the interval. Both sides rang the changes at the break, Stags withdrawing Istead, Connor and Cain and sending on Thompson, Parker and Briscoe. And within three minutes of the restart Stonehouse made it 4-1 to the visitors with an absolute pearler of a goal. Cutting inside from the left he looked up and bent a stunning finish just inside the far angle from 15 yards, leaving sub keeper Overton helpless. Collett made a good near post save to keep out Thomas' powerful attempt while Thomas was also too high with a 20 yard free kick soon after. Thomas continued to cause problems and lashed a great ball in front of goal but too hard for anyone to reach it as it bounced to safety. Hucknall continued to push and Griffith Junior did well to bring down a high ball forward and get away a shot which Collett blocked and then bravely got in the way of the close range lunged follow-up, needing treatment. But he was all right to continue and Stags celebrated with two more quickfire goals. First Smith twisted and turned on the left before drilling home a fantastic finish low inside the far post on 67 minutes. And a minute later trialist Medley, who had only been on the pitch for three minutes, coolly slotted the ball home from close range after Thompson's low effort had come back off the foot of the right hand post. Fletcher then just managed to get his head there first at the far post as Briscoe looked set head home number seven from Sandwith's exquisite far post chip after the full back had cleverly reached the by-line. Stags continued to hunt for number seven and won three corners on a row. Then Medley went on a memorable, powerful run from his own half, accelerating past opponents before letting fly from the edge of the box, forcing Overton to tip the shot over. It would have been goal of the season already had it flown in and his short display gave much food for thought for the Stags boss and directors. Stags have now added another friendly at Nuneaton tomorrow night (Tuesday) in which players rested tonight plus others will get a full work out. HUCKNALL: Whalin (Overton ht), Boafo (Holmes ht), Fletcher, Diuk, Ball, Chambers (F. Smith 73), Griffith Junior, Smith (Gent ht), Harris (Walters ht), Thomas, J. Holmes. STAGS: Collett, Silk (Naylor 75), Preece (Fairclough 79), C. Smith, Sandwith, Mills (Medley 65), Stonehouse (Somner 54), Istead (Thompson ht), Connor (Parker ht), A. Smith (Nix 77), Cain (Briscoe ht). REFEREE: Mick Leslie. ------------------ Evening Post Match report: Hucknall Town 1 Mansfield Town 6 PAUL Connor took his tally to four goals in two friendly games as Mansfield Town ran out emphatic winners over Hucknall Town at Watnall Road tonight. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Match-report-Hucknall-Town-1-Mansfield-Town-6/article-2483144-detail/article.html? The big striker played just the first 45 minutes before he made way for fellow front man Keigan Parker. But that was all he needed to once again impress with his razor sharp finishing and classy hold-up play. Connor netted Mansfield's second and third goals after Hucknall's Darryl Thomas had cancelled out Kevin Sandwith's opener. And in the second half, goals from Paul Stonehouse, Adam Smith and trialist Luke Medley capped another hugely encouraging display from the Stags. Despite the result, there were positives for Hucknall, not least the outstanding display of the livewire Thomas, who never gave his opponents a moment's peace and might have ended with more than just one goal to his name. Mansfield set out in a 4-3-3 formation with Adam Smith and Ashley Cain playing ether side of central striker Paul Connor. Hucknall played a more traditional 4-4-2. It was the visitors took the lead in the fifth minute – and what a fine strike it was too. Kevin Sandwith stepped up to take a 25-yard free-kick and curled it past Ross Whalin off the underside of the bar. It was almost 2-0 to the Stags soon after when Sandwith provided an inch-perfect centre for Paul Stonehouse, only for Whalin to get down well to block the resulting downward header. Hucknall hit back in the 22nd minute when Joe Harris and Jared Holmes combined to tee up Darryl Thomas, whose shot was deflected over the top. From the resulting corner, Holmes was not too far away with a glancing header from Anthony Griffiths jnr's left-wing delivery. But the reprieve did not last long as Thomas latched onto a long, diagonal ball forward to nick the ball past the advancing Neil Collett with his head and shepherd into an empty net. Mansfield were back in front in the 34th minute as they swept the length of the field on the break. Collett threw out to Cain, who advanced into Hucknall's half before laying off to Steven Istead. The midfielder kept his composure and put over an inviting cross that gave Connor the simplest of tasks to stroke home at the far post. As the hosts responded, Griffiths jnr tried his luck from distance but dragged his effort well off target. Four minutes from the break it was 3-1 to the Stags as Connor was celebrating again. Adam Smith did superbly to whip in a deep cross from the right and Connor rose at the back stick to plant a header back across Whalin and into the right-hand corner. It should have been four for Mansfield moments later when a slip let in Adam Smith, but he blazed well over the top with only Whalin to beat. But Hucknall were not finished and Collett had to be alert to tip a measured chip from Harris over the bar on the stroke of half-time. Mansfield took just three minutes of the second period to make it 4-1 with a wonderful strike from Stonehouse. He picked his spot in the top right-hand corner and curled his shot precisely from 20 yards, giving substitute keeper Leigh Overton no hope. Thomas went close to pulling a goal back for Hucknall when he slipped past Chris Smith before drilling in a powerful shot that Collett did well to turn around his near post. But Mansfield's finishing was proving clinical and it was 5-1 thanks to another top-class strike from Adam Smith. He jinked past his marker before thumping an unstoppable angled drive into the right-hand corner. A minute later came number six when Tyrone Thompson slid a shot against the right-hand post and former Bradofrd City player Medley tucked home the rebound with ease. As Mansfield went in search of a seventh, Parker rasped over the top from a half cleared corner. Medley then ran from inside his own half to bring the best out of Overton, who flicked his attempted finish over the top. Mansfield: Collett, Silk (Naylor 75), Preece (Fairclough 79), C. Smith, Sandwith, Istead (Thompson 46), Mills (Medley 46), Stonehouse (Somner 54), A. Smith (Nix 77), Connor (Parker 46), Cain (Briscoe 46). Subs not used: Williams, Foster, Duffy, Marriott. Hucknall: Whalin (Overton 46), Baofo (R. Holmes 46), Diuk, Ball, Fletcher, Griffith jnr, Chambers (F. Smith 73), F. Smith (Gent 46), J. Holmes, Harris (Walters 46), Thomas. Subs not used: Simmons. Referee: Mick Leslie. Attendance: ---------------------- Hucknall 1-6 Stags mansfieldtown.net, Mon 02 Aug 2010 Rampant Mansfield Town hit Hucknall for six by totally outclassing their hosts at Watnall Road this evening. http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2109223,00.html? Merciless Mansfield continued their encouraging pre-season form by producing a devastating display of attacking football, including two second half goals which were worthy of the admission fee alone, courtesy of Paul Stonehouse and Adam Smith. Further goals from Kevin Sandwith, a brace from Paul Connor, and a solitary strike from new trialist Luke Medley, completed the victory. Stags were ahead after just four minutes following a foul from Jarrad Holmes on Gary Mills midway inside the home half.Kevin Sandwith, renowned for his abilities as a dead ball specialist, stepped up to curl the ball over the wall and into the top corner of the net. It was a spectacular goal to start a first half which saw four goals, but otherwise few chances. Sandwith turned provider three minutes later, delivering perfectly from the left towards the head of Paul Stonehouse who forced a save from Hucknall's Ross Whalin. Hucknall's first effort on goal came on 22 minutes. Jarrad Holmes, cousin of former Stags' first team coach Gareth, laid the ball to Daryl Thomas, whose shot on the turn deflected wide for a corner. Stags were caught out a minute later and they paid the price. Thomas was first to a long ball from the right-back position and headed it past Collett, who had committed from off his goal line. Mansfield, however, were back in front on 34 minutes. Pacy winger Ashley Cain fed Istead on the right and his low and dangerous cross flashed past the face of goal for Paul Connor, who was left with the simple task of placing the ball in the back of the net. Connor bagged his second seven minutes later. Adam Smith, receiving from Cain, ran at goal before delivering a pin point cross from the rising Connor, who headed home at the back post. A minute later, Smith almost grabbed one himself, but blazed his effort over the bar from outside the area. Hucknall tried to reduce the areas a minute before half time. Neil Collett was forced to back pedal towards is line to prevent being lobbed from 18 yards by Joe Harris. At the break, Louis Briscoe, Tyrone Thompson and Keigan Parker came on for Ashley Cain, Steven Istead and Paul Connor. Within three minutes of the second period, Paul Stonehouse netted a superb goal, with a dazzling curling effort from 20 yards, leaving substitute goalkeeper Leigh Overton with no chance. Then Collett had to parry behind a Daryl Thomas strike, before Matt Somner replaced Paul Stonehouse. It was Hucknall's Thomas, clearly the pick of the home players by a country mile, who Stags had to watch carefully.In the second half. He smashed a free kick over the bar and subsequently got past Chris Smith to whip in a dangerous ball across the face of goal. Collett was called upon after an hour played, denying Anthony Griffith-Junior at his near post with a low, brave block. Then burly forward Luke Medley, once of Bradford City, came on for Gary Mills. Stags hit five on 67 minutes through Adam Smith. The ex York winger, who has impressed during pre-season, twisted and turned before sending a crashing effort past the home keeper. It was six a minute late. Tyrone Thompson hit the post before the ball came out to Luke Medley who slid home after being on the field for just three minutes. Louis Briscoe almost added a seventh after Kevin Sandwith expertly crossed from the left. Daniel Fletcher, the Hucknall defender, did just enough to divert the effort wide. Gary Silk left the field on 75 minutes, being replaced by Tom Naylor. Three minutes later, Kyle Nix came on for Adam Smith. Trialist defender Jordan Fairclough was then given another run out, on for Mark Preece. Near the end of the contest 21-year-old Medley, who looked eager to impress, bursted towards goal from inside his own half, gliding past the Hucknall defence before forcing the goalkeeper to parry over, stopping what would have been an unbelievable solo effort. Stags now head to Alfreton on Saturday in their final first team pre-season friendly before taking on Forest Green in the Blue Square Bet Premier curtain raiser at Field Mill a week later. Line up: Collett, Silk, Preece, C. Smith, Sandwith, A. Smith, Cain, Mills, Istead, Stonehouse, Connor ----------------------- |
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