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Season 21/22 Stagsnet Match Report
English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Swindon Town  
1 - 0
 Mansfield Town
Simpson 59
 
 
Attendance: 8,631 (approx 300 from Mansfield)
 
Date: 28 August 2021

STAGS BEATEN AT SWINDON AMID CONTROVERSY

Martin Shaw at the County Ground

Mansfield Town were beaten 1-0 by Swindon Town at the County Ground this afternoon despite being the better side for most of the game and having 17 shots to the home side’s 8.

Swindon took the lead after 59 minutes when current Welsh international Jonny Williams, only on as a substitute for a minute, played a superb one-two with Jack Payne on the half way line to leave Farrend Rawson, George Maris and Ollie Clarke trailing after him as he surged forward into the area on the left and crossed perfectly across the edge of the six-yard box for Tyreece Simpson to get in between Elliott Hewitt and Stephen McLaughlin and fire into the net from 5 yards. Hewitt stretched to attempt to clear and just missed the cross while McLaughlin could have done better and was beaten to the ball by the striker. It was a first career goal for Simpson, on loan from Ipswich.

The controversy came after 75 minutes. McLaughlin was fouled two yards outside the area on the left, about 8 yards from the byline. Stags sub Tyrese Sinclair took the free kick and went for the far top corner. It hit the underside of the bar and inside of the post, hit defender Romoney Crichlow’s arm, sending it over the line, and then hit the backside of Elliott Hewitt who was standing well over the line before coming out and being cleared by Crichlow into the keeper’s arms. I had a great unimpeded view of the incident from the press box and it was in my opinion it was clearly over the line. The linesman didn’t signal the goal, with his view probably impeded by Crichlow. Referee Bobby Madley went with his linesman’s decision.

Here’s how the home media described it:

Swindon Advertiser as-it-happens report:
Wow, wow, wow. I have no idea how Mansfield are not level here. Sinclair took the free-kick and whipped it under Wollacott's cross bar. A goalmouth scramble ensued, and the ball appeared to cross the line. But the linesman remained unmoved and Swindon scrambled it away. Swindon have certainly got away with one. "One of the great injustices" according to the Mansfield iFollow commentary team.

Swindon iFollow commentator (quite a lot further to the left of me in the next box): "that should be 1-1".
Swindon iFollow co-commentator: "that looked a goal to me".

Swindon official website: "free-kick from Tyrese Sinclair looked to have crossed the line"

And the pundits on the “EFL on Quest” TV highlights show: “Swindon have rode their luck, they’ve got away with one there, that looks as though it’s over the line.”

Meanwhile, the Swindon manager Ben Garner was asked by BBC Wiltshire: "did you think they'd scored when it hit the crossbar and came down?"
Ben Garner: "it wasn't a great angle for me because they were a lot of bodies in the way. I've not seen it back. I don't know whether it did or didn't."

And Nigel Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham:
"We think we have actually scored a goal that was over the line, the officials didn't give it. We had two subs warming up (in line with it), and they thought it was in. The last two away games, there's a penalty at Colchester in the 93rd minute, then we're denied an equaliser when we think it's over the line. We're not quite getting the breaks.”

It was a huge moment in the game and a real injustice as I described on commentary.

But the Stags had plenty of other chances to win the game, and the finishing needs to be better.

In the first half, Ollie Clarke had a couple of shots at goal before having a great chance after 34 minutes as Stephen Quinn put in a fine cross from the left which reached Clarke 11 yards out, Clarke took aim and his goalbound shot was well-blocked by Louis Reed. After 43 minutes, McLaughlin’s corner to the far post was met firmly by Oli Hawkins who headed just over the bar.

There was a rare chance for Swindon after 50 minutes as Anthony Grant put in a great cross from the right to the far post where Rob Hunt turned it goalwards from 3 yards and Nathan Bishop made a superb point blank save. It was just about the only thing Bishop had to do all game.

But the Stags missed a golden opportunity to make it 1-0 after 53 minutes. Hawkins did brilliantly to get past both Dion Conroy and Crichlow into the box. With just the keeper to beat, he chose to lay it off to Danny Johnson but his pass to Johnson was overhit by a yard. Had it not been overhit, Johnson could have tapped into an empty net. Johnson had an opportunity to shoot right footed, but elected to get it onto his left foot, and by then there were three defenders and the goalkeeper between him and the net and his shot was blocked. Hawkins certainly should have done better, Johnson also could have done better but by then it was a difficult chance and I think the main fault lay with Hawkins. Nigel Clough was not impressed after the game saying: "Oli Hawkins made the decision to square it to Danny Johnson. I've got no problems with not shooting, just do it better. Once he's turned the shot down and squared it, then Danny has to get a shot off. He just overhit the pass by a yard, and what should have been a tap in to an empty net turned into a quarter chance. A golden opportunity at 0-0.”

After Swindon had taken the lead, a low shot from Hawkins following a low Kellan Gordon cross, was blocked for a corner after 61 minutes.

Then came the goal that never was.

Sinclair had two more opportunities from free kicks but sent them both over the bar. Nigel Clough said afterwards that Sinclair should be getting 2 out of 3 free kicks on target, not 1 out of 3.

In stoppage time, McLaughlin got to the byline on the left and his low cross was knocked over the bar at the near post by sub Jordan Bowery. Then, an impressively long throw from Sinclair was flicked just wide of the far post. I’d like to see the Stags make more use of Sinclair’s long throw, as it is far enough into the box to create real danger unlike the long throw of Hewitt which is too short to create danger.

Swindon almost made it 2-0 after 90+6 minutes as Louis Reed fired a free kick against the outside of the right post.

So the Stags fell to defeat. As Nigel Clough said, the Stags not getting the rub of the green. A wrongly-awarded penalty at Colchester in stoppage time robbed the Stags of two points. And the goal not awarded here when it crossed the line, robbed the Stags of another point.

But the Stags need to be better. The finishing needs to be better. And the Stags have not kept a clean sheet in 6 league and cup games this season so it will be important for Nigel Clough to bring in a high quality defender before the transfer deadline shuts on Tuesday, and possibly two, as he said after the game today. He told BBC Radio Nottingham: "We're pretty close to bringing two defenders in. We've agreed with one player, we're just waiting for the club. And the other one, we're close to as well.”
Jake Garner then asked: “what will those defenders offer you?”, to which Clough replied: "A clean sheet. We haven't had one."

There are loads of positives though. The Stags are playing really good football. They were very much better than Swindon today and should have won the game in truth. I haven't changed my prediction of top 7 from what we've seen so far this season, though we do need a quality addition in defence.

The defeat means that Mansfield have not won in the last 13 visits to the County Ground. The last win at Swindon was all the way back in 1977, the season we were promoted to the second tier of England football, with a single goal from Colin Foster.


The next game is on Tuesday, a Papa Johns Trophy game at Harrogate. It will be an important opportunity for the likes of Tyrese Sinclair, Harry Charsley, Ryan Burke, George Shelvey etc to get game time and stake a claim for a starting position. The game will be available to watch on iFollow Stags with a match pass. To clarify again, as I keep getting asked, midweek league and Papa Johns Trophy games (home and away) are available to watch with a match pass. Saturday games (home or away) are not, for UK viewers. Though note that Saturday games on international weekends will be available to watch with a match pass, and we have three of these before Christmas: Mansfield vs Harrogate next Saturday; Mansfield vs Oldham on Sat Oct 9; Stevenage vs Mansfield on Sat Nov 13.


DETAILED REPORT:

Mansfield made two changes from the side that lost to Bradford. James Perch got a whack in training in midweek. He was replaced by Gordon. Hewitt switched from right back to the central defence (on the left, with Rawson on the right). And George Lapslie was preferred in an attacking midfield role to Oates. James Clarke and Harry Charsley came into the 18. Maris was able to play having recovered from the whack that he took in the first half against Bradford.

Swindon have been buoyed this season by a takeover after a dark period, and they have hastily put together a squad having had very few players in July. Credit to them for putting together a competitive squad in such a short space of time. Jonny Williams, current Welsh international, is an incredible signing at this level, and his class showed for the only goal of the game. Meanwhile Kaine Kesler-Hayden, the right wing-back, was yesterday called up to the England under 20 squad.

The Stags got off to a positive start. After 4 minutes, Quinn crossed in, the ball came out to Clarke and he fired over from 12 yards. Four minutes later, Clarke pushed forward and sent a left footed shot wide from 20 yards. And on 12 minutes, Clarke’s left footed cross deflected just over the bar.

Clarke was very bright for Mansfield. There were groans of discontent from home fans.

After 20 minutes, good play by Quinn on the left, to win a free kick, level with the penalty spot. McLaughlin took the free kick short to Maris, whose shot was blocked.

Swindon were knocking the ball around a lot in their own half, thus having a pot of possession but doing nothing of note in the Stags half.

After 27 minutes, Rob Hunt was fouled by Gordon for a free kick. The free kick was cleared, but it was the first attacking intent from Swindon.

Good battling from Lapslie after 31 minutes to win a free kick, 30 yards out, right of centre. Gordon took the free kick which was headed behind for a corner. Gordon was to take several free kicks, which would normally be taken by Maris or McLaughlin.

Ollie Clarke had a great chance after 34 minutes as Quinn put in a fine cross from the left which reached Clarke 11 yards out, Clarke took aim and his goalbound shot was well-blocked by Louis Reed.

Ollie Clarke was booked for a challenge after 37 minutes, with both players going down with head injuries.

Poor play from Rawson after 40 minutes. A long ball forward from Swindon, he let it bounce, then tried to head it back to Bishop, but left it well short. Hewitt was there though to clear the danger.

Good combination between Quinn and McLaughlin on the left after 41 minutes, but Quinn got caught offside.

A good chance for the Stags after 43 minutes. McLaughlin’s corner to the far post was met firmly by Oli Hawkins who headed just over the bar.

A great cross after 44 minutes just evaded Danny Johnson.

A minute later at the other end, a good clearance from Rawson. Then a good interception by McLaughlin as Gladwin broke forward.

The Stags much the better side in the first half but unable to make the breakthrough.

Half time 0-0

There was a rare chance for Swindon after 50 minutes as Anthony Grant put in a great cross from the right to the far post where Rob Hunt turned it goalwards from 3 yards and Nathan Bishop made a superb point blank save. It was just about the only thing Bishop had to do all game. It brought the home crowd to life.

But the Stags missed a golden opportunity to make it 1-0 after 53 minutes. Hawkins did brilliantly to get past both Dion Conroy and Crichlow into the box. With just the keeper to beat, he chose to lay it off to Danny Johnson but his pass to Johnson was overhit by a yard. Had it not been overhit, Johnson could have tapped into an empty net. Johnson had an opportunity to shoot right footed, but elected to get it onto his left foot, and by then there were three defenders and the goalkeeper between him and the net and his shot was blocked. Hawkins certainly should have done better, Johnson also could have done better but by then it was a difficult chance and I think the main fault lay with Hawkins. Nigel Clough was not impressed after the game saying: "Oli Hawkins made the decision to square it to Danny Johnson. I've got no problems with not shooting, just do it better. Once he's turned the shot down and squared it, then Danny has to get a shot off. He just overhit the pass by a yard, and what should have been a tap in to an empty net turned into a quarter chance. A golden opportunity at 0-0.”

A good clearance from Hewitt after 54 minutes.

Swindon took the lead after 59 minutes when current Welsh international Jonny Williams, only on as a substitute for a minute, played a superb one-two with Jack Payne on the half way line to leave Farrend Rawson, George Maris and Ollie Clarke trailing after him as he surged forward into the area on the left and crossed perfectly across the edge of the six-yard box for Tyreece Simpson to get in between Elliott Hewitt and Stephen McLaughlin and fire into the net from 5 yards. Hewitt stretched to attempt to clear and just missed the cross while McLaughlin could have done better and was beaten to the ball by the striker. It was a first career goal for Simpson, on loan from Ipswich.

After 60 minutes, from McLaughlin’s free kick, Hewitt looped a header high over the bar.

Then a low shot from Hawkins following a low Kellan Gordon cross, was blocked for a corner after 61 minutes.

More good play from Jonny Williams after 63 minutes but his cross was cleared this time.

Rhys Oates replaced Danny Johnson after 64 minutes.

On 68 minutes, a low shot from Williams was straight at Bishop.

Tyrese Sinclair replaced Ollie Clarke after 72 minutes. Clarke had been quite dynamic. I thought it was surprising that Lapslie was not the player replaced as he seemed to be struggling for fitness.

Sinclair was straight into the action on 74 minutes, with a great ball to Hawkins in the area, but Hawkins couldn’t find Oates.

The big controversy came after 75 minutes. McLaughlin was fouled two yards outside the area on the left, about 8 yards from the byline. Stags sub Tyrese Sinclair took the free kick and went for the far top corner. It hit the underside of the bar and inside of the post, hit defender Romoney Crichlow’s arm, sending it over the line, and then hit the backside of Elliott Hewitt who was standing well over the line before coming out and being cleared by Crichlow into the keeper’s arms. I had a great unimpeded view of the incident from the press box and it was in my opinion it was clearly over the line. The linesman didn’t signal the goal, with his view probably impeded by Crichlow. Referee Bobby Madley went with his linesman’s decision.

A shot from Payne was blocked after 79 minutes.

Sinclair had another opportunity from a free kick after 81 minutes after he won the free kick himself, on the left, not far from the corner flag, but he sent it over the bar.

Sinclair won a corner after 85 minutes. But the keeper caught McLaughlin’s corner.

Moments later at the other end, Sinclair lost the ball to Payne, who got into the area and shot over the bar.

Jordan Bowery replaced Lapslie after 86 minutes.

Oates did well to win a free kick after 88 minutes. It was 27 yards out, in a central position. Sinclair sent it over the bar. Nigel Clough said afterwards that Sinclair should be getting 2 out of 3 free kicks on target, not 1 out of 3. Probably a bit harsh in my opinion given the quality of the first.

On 90+1 minutes, Oates flicked nicely to Maris who met it on the volley and his shot was saved on the line by the keeper.

Then McLaughlin got to the byline on the left and his low cross was knocked over the bar at the near post by sub Jordan Bowery. After that, an impressively long throw from Sinclair was flicked just wide of the far post. I’d like to see the Stags make more use of Sinclair’s long throw, as it is far enough into the box to create real danger unlike the long throw of Hewitt which is too short to create danger.

Swindon almost made it 2-0 after 90+6 minutes as Louis Reed fired a free kick against the outside of the right post.

And finally on 90+7 minutes, a shot from Maris was blocked on the edge of the area.

Real frustration for Mansfield. The Stags have played very well in the two away games so far, and were very unlucky not to have four points, arguably six points. I haven't changed my prediction of a top 7 finish from what we've seen so far, though we do need a quality addition in defence.

Man of the match: Ollie Clarke


Report by: Martin Shaw at the County Ground



Line Up:
(4-4-2, diamond in midfield)
Bishop 6.5 One superb point blank save. It was just about the only thing he had to do all game. No chance with the goal.
Gordon 6.5 Did ok against his former club. Unusually took several free kicks.
Rawson 5.5 Allowed the ball to bounce in 2 or 3 incidents, which would not have impressed the manager who has commented on this before. Could have done better for the goal.
Hewitt 7 Good game switching into central defence.
McLaughlin 6.5 Could have done better for the goal as he was beaten to the ball by the Simpson. Some good play going forward on the left.
Maris 6.5 A couple of shots blocked.
O.Clarke 7.5 Very bright, especially in a dynamic all-action first half display.
Quinn 7 Several good pieces of play on the left.
Lapslie 5 Disappointing. And looked to be leggy in the second half. Surprisingly not subbed.
Hawkins 6 Great play to set up a chance early in the second half but then played a terrible pass to Johnson. First half header wide from a corner.
Johnson 5.5 Not in the game enough. Could have done better with the early second half chance but by then it was a difficult chance and I think the main fault lay with Hawkins.
Sub Line Up:
Oates (for Johnson, 64 mins) - Did well to win a late free kick, and set up a chance for Maris.
Sinclair (for O.Clarke, 72 mins) - Denied a goal by an incorrect decision from the officials.
Bowery (for Lapslie, 86 mins) -
Subs not used: Shelvey, J.Clarke, Burke, Charsley.
Opposition Line Up:
(3-4-2-1): Wollacott; Odimayo, Conroy, Crichlow; Kesler-Hayden, Grant (Jonny Williams 56), Reed, Hunt, Gladwin (Ellis Iandolo 76), Payne; Simpson (Harry McKirdy 83). Subs not used: Ward, Mitchell-Lawson, East, Parsons.
Referee:
Bobby Madley 6 Unfortunately the big decision was messed up by the officials. Otherwise Bobby Madley had a good game.


Season 21/22 Reports