Season 20/21 Stagsnet Match Report
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Mansfield Town
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Grimsby Town
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Maris 20, Law 67.
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John-Lewis 62, Williams 90+1
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Attendance: behind closed doors
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Date: 20 March 2021
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STAGS DRAW 2-2 WITH BOTTOM CLUB GRIMSBY
Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill Mansfield Town drew 2-2 with bottom club Grimsby Town at the One Call Stadium this afternoon after twice taking the lead. Grimsby’s second equaliser came after 90+1 minutes with a brilliant free-kick from George Williams, who then could have won it for the visitors when he headed against the post after 90+4 minutes as the Stags ended up hanging on for a point. This was not a good performance from the Stags but in terms of the objective of avoiding relegation it was nevertheless important not to lose. And with the other team in the relegation zone, Southend United, also drawing, having conceded an equaliser in the final minute, the gap to the bottom two was maintained. The Stags remain in 16th place, 11 points above Southend and 14 points above Grimsby, with 10 games left (11 games left for Grimsby). With Barrow picking up their 4th consecutive win, thanks to a stoppage time winner, to open up a 7 point gap above the bottom two, the bottom two are going to have to start winning very soon to have any chance of escaping. Mansfield, still without the influential George Lapslie and Ollie Clarke, did at least welcome back George Maris from injury. And he was back with a bang, firing in a magnificent 25 yard shot to put the Stags in front after 20 minutes. The goal came after good play by Jason Law on the left, turning away from two players to feed Stephen McLaughlin just outside the area. McLaughlin squared for Maris who fired first time into the left corner of the net giving keeper James McKeown no chance. It was an absolute cracker, and his first goal for the club. Surprising that he’s had to wait so long for his first Stags goal as he was a regular scorer for his previous club Cambridge, quite often from long range like today. Mansfield were the better side in the first half, with Grimsby looking very poor. But the Stags had few other chances. After 26 minutes, Mal Benning’s free kick from the left was glanced by McLaughlin wide of the far post with James Perch not far from getting on the end of it. And after 9 minutes, good play by Jordan Bowery, and Harry Charsley got past his defender into a great position in the box but he didn’t make the most of it with Bowery unmarked inside him. The only scare for the Stags came when Aidan Stone’s very poor clearance only reached Stefan Payne but Farrend Rawson, who had a very good game, got back really well to get Stone out of jail. At half time, Grimsby brought on George Williams. He has impressed me previously for Forest Green Rovers and is well-known for his free kicks. Grimsby were a different side in the second half and were certainly the better side. After 50 minutes, a sighter for Williams as he sent a 32 yard free kick well over the bar. Grimsby’s first shot of the game. The opening 15 minutes of the second half was mostly played in the Stags’ half with the Stags unable to get a foothold in the game. But there was a chance for Bowery after 60 minutes when his right foot shot from 16 yards was on target but blocked. Grimsby equalised after 62 minutes. Lenell John-Lewis got away from his marker James Perch from Williams’ corner from the right to head into the net unmarked from 6 yards. The Stags took the lead again after 67 minutes, following a good move, Mansfield’s first of the second half. Benning to Reid to Bowery to McLaughlin. McLaughlin found Benning again on the left touchline and his low ball into the middle was towards Law. Law couldn’t control it, it reached Reid who was tackled by Luke Waterfall but the loose ball fell kindly for Law who fired right-footed into the right corner of the net from 9 yards. A tidy finish from Law. It was also Law’s first goal for Mansfield, coming in his 9th league game. After 70 minutes, Elliott Hewitt headed over from another Williams free kick. In a bizarre substitution, Nigel Clough brought on Ryan Sweeney and put him up front with 10 minutes left. Clough explained that he wanted more height in the team, but he didn’t want to disrupt the Rawson/Perch partnership. It certainly highlighted Mansfield lack of attacking options. Striker Oli Sarkic had already come on as substitute but later limped off, having been on for just 14 minutes, with another injury, this time a hamstring injury. And it was Sweeney who conceded the crucial free kick which led to the equaliser after 90+1 minutes with a reckless late challenge 26 yards from goal which also earned him a yellow card. Williams stepped up and sent a brilliant shot into the top left corner. Two great goals into the same corner of the same net had cancelled each other out. It could have been so much worse for Mansfield after 90+4 minutes. Luke Spokes, who also came on as a half-time substitute for the Mariners and who also played well, crossed from the left to Williams who was completely unmarked beyond the far post. Williams headed it down and against the right post. Nigel Clough told me afterwards that Aidan Stone said he got his boot on it to turn it against the post, in which case it was a fine and important save. John-Lewis fired the rebound wide from a tight angle. And with Stags now on the ropes, John-Lewis headed wide a minute later with the Stags desperate for the final whistle. The Stags were thankful for a point in the end, but the second half performance was very poor. Mansfield will need a much better performance against third placed Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday (6pm kickoff) in order to get anything. But you wouldn’t be surprised if the Stags put on a good display to pick up a win or draw. DETAILED REPORT: Mansfield made one change from the side that drew with Carlisle. Maris returned from injury in place of the rested Quinn. Ollie Clarke was also rested with Nigel Clough saying afterwards “It [Clarke rest] was because of an accumulation of the knocks and things that he’s had. He trained a little on Wednesday and yesterday morning, but he doesn’t feel anywhere near at the moment.” Lapslie remained out through injury though Clough had said on Friday that he might be back for Tuesday or next Saturday. The Stags squad is looking stretched. It was a 4-4-2 formation with a diamond in midfield (Maris as the defensive midfielder, Law behind the strikers). Grimsby were beset by more injuries than Mansfield though. They were also not allowed to play Rollin Menayese, as the terms of his loan from Mansfield precluded him playing in this game. He was replaced by another former Stag in central defence Luke Waterfall. Giles Coke, who played for the Stags around 15 years ago, started in central midfield for the Mariners and was anonymous before being replaced at half time. Another former Stag, Matt Green, came on as substitute for Grimsby after 70 minutes. Grimsby had won just one of their previous 16 games, but were at least showing some resilience, drawing their previous 3 games before this one, including against Tranmere and Carlisle. It was a dull day, with the sun occasionally peeking through. There was a light wind. The pitch was muddy in front of the West Stand, but overall not too bad again. After 9 minutes, good play by Bowery, and Charsley got past his defender into a great position in the box but he didn’t make the most of it with Bowery unmarked inside him. Two minutes later, a terrible pass from Giles Coke was intercepted by Gordon who made a fine run forward but his cross was put behind by Luke Waterfall for a corner. From the resulting corner by Law, Rawson headed back across goal, Perch controlled, turned and shot all in one movement. The ball bounced up and hit Waterfall on the arm. Perch claimed for a penalty. The referee turned it down, it would have been very harsh. Maris fired in a magnificent 25 yard shot to put the Stags in front after 20 minutes. The goal came after good play by Jason Law on the left, turning away from two players to feed McLaughlin just outside the area. McLaughlin squared for Maris who fired first time into the left corner of the net giving keeper James McKeown no chance. It was an absolute cracker, and his first goal for the club. After 26 minutes, Benning’s free kick from the left was glanced by McLaughlin wide of the far post with James Perch not far from getting on the end of it. The only scare for the Stags came when Stone’s very poor clearance after 45+1 minutes only reached Stefan Payne but Rawson, who had a very good game, got back really well to get Stone out of jail. Mansfield were the better side in the first half, with Grimsby looking very poor. The Stags were deservedly in front. Half time 1-0 At half time, Grimsby brought on George Williams and Luke Spokes in midfield. Giles Coke went off, having been anonymous. Williams has impressed me previously for Forest Green Rovers and is well-known for his free kicks. Grimsby were a different side in the second half and were certainly the better side. After 50 minutes, a sighter for Williams as he sent a 32 yard free kick well over the bar. Grimsby’s first shot of the game. The opening 15 minutes of the second half was mostly played in the Stags’ half with the Stags unable to get a foothold in the game. But there was a chance for Bowery after 60 minutes when his right foot shot from 16 yards was on target but blocked. Grimsby equalised after 62 minutes. Lenell John-Lewis got away from his marker James Perch from Williams’ corner from the right to head into the net unmarked from 6 yards. The Stags took the lead again after 67 minutes, following a good move, Mansfield’s first of the second half. Benning to Reid to Bowery to McLaughlin. McLaughlin found Benning again on the left touchline and his low ball into the middle was towards Law. Law couldn’t control it, it reached Reid who was tackled by Waterfall but the loose ball fell kindly for Law who fired right-footed into the right corner of the net from 9 yards. A tidy finish from Law. It was also Law’s first goal for Mansfield, coming in his 9th league game. McLaughlin was booked for a deliberate foul on Matete after 69 minutes. Matt Green came on for Grimsby after 70 minutes. After 70 minutes, Elliott Hewitt headed over from another Williams free kick. Nigel Clough made his first substitutions after 74 minutes bringing on Sarkic and Quinn for Reid and McLaughlin. Clough said afterwards that Reid was “on his knees today and that was the reason he came off.” Another double change for Mansfield with 10 minutes left bringing on Sweeney and Keaton Ward for Maris and Law. It was a bizarre substitution putting Sweeney up front. Clough explained that he wanted more height in the team, but he didn’t want to disrupt the Rawson/Perch partnership. It certainly highlighted Mansfield lack of attacking options. After 82 minutes Rawson put in a fine tackle on Harry Clifton, and was fouled in the process winning a free kick. Sarkic limped off after 88 minutes, having been on for just 14 minutes, with another injury, this time a hamstring injury. Such a disappointment for Sarkic and for Mansfield. His season might be over after he has hardly played. He was replaced by Jake Wright for Mansfield’s 5th and final change. Wright went into midfield. So we had a centre half up front and another in midfield. And it was Sweeney who conceded the crucial free kick which led to the equaliser after 90+1 minutes with a reckless late challenge on Williams 26 yards from goal which also earned him a yellow card. Williams stepped up and sent a brilliant shot into the top left corner. Two great goals into the same corner of the same net had cancelled each other out. Clough was critical of Sweeney after the game saying “As a defender, it doesn’t matter where you come onto the pitch, you don’t want to be giving those free-kicks away.” It could have been so much worse for Mansfield after 90+4 minutes. Luke Spokes, the second half-time substitute for the Mariners, crossed from the left to Williams who was completely unmarked beyond the far post. Williams headed it down and against the right post. Nigel Clough told me afterwards that Aidan Stone said he got his boot on it to turn it against the post, in which case it was a fine and important save. John-Lewis fired the rebound wide from a tight angle. And with Stags now on the ropes, John-Lewis headed wide a minute later with the Stags desperate for the final whistle. Jake Wright was booked for a foul on Clifton after 90+6 minutes. This was a terrible finish to the game for Mansfield. The free kick was 35 yards out and Williams lined it up again. Thankfully for Mansfield he put it over the bar. It was an appalling end to the game for Mansfield, looking very ragged. But very importantly the Stags did not lose. Credit to Grimsby for a very good second half recovery. And especially to George Williams, who was excellent. The Stags are looking tired and don’t have the depth of squad to cope with that. Putting on Sweeney and Wright, two centre halves, into attack and midfield, is not a strategy compatible with getting success in my opinion. The game against Forest Green on Tuesday will be Mansfield’s 7th consecutive midweek with a game. Hopefully there will be just enough freshness within the squad to muster a good performance. Man of the match: Farrend Rawson Footnote: with 11 games left this season (PRIOR TO the Grimsby game), these are my average player ratings based on the 42 league+cup games so far this season (prior to the Grimsby game) for the players who have started at least 5 games and are still at the club (top 12 players): Lapslie 7.02, O.Clarke 6.98, Quinn 6.95, Law 6.94, Maris 6.85, Bowery 6.80, O’Keeffe 6.73, Charsley 6.68, Perch 6.65, Benning 6.61, Sweeney 6.61, Gordon 6.60. Note: only ratings for players starting a game are included - ie. sub appearances not included. Thanks to Pete Wright for his spreadsheet. |
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Report by: Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill
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Line Up:
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(4-4-2, diamond in midfield)
Stone 7 Great save to turn Williams’ header against the post right at the death. Not at fault for the goals. One very poor clearance, rescued by Rawson. Gordon 7 Some good runs forward in the first half. Rawson 8 Very good game in central defence. Perch 6 Mostly did well, but allowed John-Lewis to get from him for the first goal. Benning 6.5 Decent game. Maris 7.5 Back from injury with a bang with a magnificent goal. Charsley 5.5 Not at his best. McLaughlin 6 OK. An assist for Maris’ goal. Law 7 A wonderful moment to score his first goal for the club. Good work in the build-up to the first goal too Reid 5.5 “On his knees” according to Clough after the game. Bowery 6 Just one chance when his right foot shot was blocked. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Sarkic (for Reid, 74 mins) - Limped off, having been on for just 14 minutes, with another injury, this time a hamstring injury.
Quinn (for McLaughlin, 74 mins) - Sweeney (for Maris, 80 mins) - Bizarrely put on up front. Conceded the crucial free kick with a reckless challenge. Ward (for Law, 80 mins) - Wright (for Sarkic, 88 mins) - Subs not used: Stech, Sinclair. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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(4-4-2): McKeown; Hendrie, Hewitt, Waterfall, Clifton; Lamy (Williams 46), Matete (Adams 83), Coke (Spokes 46), Jackson Jr (Green 70); John-Lewis, Payne; Subs not used: Battersby, Starbuck, Rose.
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Referee:
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John Busby 6.5 Got the major decisions right I think.
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