Season 04/05 Stagsnet Match Report
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Mansfield Town
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Leyton Orient
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Scott 51
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Attendance: 3,803 (421 from Orient)
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Date: 27th November 2004
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Martin Shaw at Field Mill
STAGS START BRIGHTLY BUT FADE AND BEATEN BY WONDER GOAL The Stags put in a good first half performance and were unfortunate not to be ahead at the break, but Andy Scott's brilliant goal on 51 minutes changed the course of this game and enabled the visitors to start playing with confidence and in the end Orient easily held on for victory. The Stags made four changes to the side beaten in the FA Cup at Colchester: on-loan Jason Talbot returned to the side in place of the suspended John-Baptiste; Wayne Corden returned from injury to replace Callum Lloyd, on-loan Paul Warne replaced Neil MacKenzie, who has joined Macclesfield on loan; and new signing Richie Barker replaced Colin Larkin. Larkin was rushed into hospital overnight with a ruptured appendix and all at the SSA wish Colin well. Tom Curtis was installed as the new captain in the absence of the suspended Alex John-Baptiste. The Stags bench contained four youth-teamers plus young keeper Jason White. Orient were missing leading striker Lee Steele, who was sitting in front of me in the press box, commentating for BBC London. The Stags made a promising start with Warne particularly sharp and looking dangerous. On 8 minutes, Warne’s cross after a fine run, was just too high for Barker who couldn’t any direction on his header. Then Curtis sent a first time left footed shot wide of the right post from a poor headed clearance. On 16 minutes, the Stags had a glorious chance to take the lead. Warne made a great break down the left and played the ball across the edge of the box for Alex Neil who had time to set himself before shooting at goal. Harrison in the Orient goal made a fine save to tip it over the bar but Neil should really have buried the chance. On 25 minutes Pilkington was involved in two pieces of action. First he rushed to the side of his area and in collecting a ball he slid out of the area. The referee was well placed to spot the infringement and awarded Orient a free kick, but the Stags keeper seemed lucky to escape without a booking. From the free kick, Pilkington made a wonderful save tipping a header around the post for a corner. On 33 minutes the Stags were so unlucky not to go ahead. Barker did well to head a ball into the path of Curtis whose shot from the edge of the box was saved by the keeper’s legs and rebounded to Murray who tucked in the rebound. Bbut Murray was immediately flagged offside and hence must have been in an offside position when Curtis shot, though from my position, it must have been close. The Stags were clearly the better side throughout the half. When Orient did have the ball they were wasteful and several times played aimless balls into touch. In fact they looked low on confidence following a shock home defeat to Wycombe. The Stags looked more purposeful and Warne in particular was excellent. Half time 0-0 The game changed course on 51 minutes with a quite brilliant goal. Wayne Carlisle, who had a good game on the right for the O’s, sent a cross to the left side, and former Oxford striker Andy Scott hit it first time. The ball whistled past Pilkington into the far corner of the net. On 56 minutes, Artell headed just over from a Corden free kick. Then 9 minutes later, the Stags had two escapes. First a header by White was blocked on the line and then a follow-up shot was well-saved by Pilkington. The Stags had their second disallowed goal of the game on 76 minutes. Neil had a shot deflected and a Stags player headed in but it was quickly ruled out. On 81 minutes, the Stags had their best chance of the half when Murray’s shot from the edge of the box was well-saved by Harrison after Curtis had pulled a low ball back into his path. On 88 minutes Warne got in behind the defence but his crossed fizzed across the goal with no-one anywhere near it. In the first minute of stoppage time, Orient nearly added a second when Lee Barnard shot into the side netting. And so the Stags alarming run of form continues, amid complete chaos at the club. Now it is one win in 15 league and cup games, one win in ten in the league. The bottom of the table looms, rather closer than the top, and points are desperately needed. With no game next weekend the Stags have a week and a half to re-group. The Stags were poor in the second half and rarely looked like scoring. Orient who themselves were very poor in the first half, gained massive confidence from their goal. Throughout the game many Stags fans called for the resignation of Keith Haslam, and called for Neil MacKenzie, and Keith Curle. It was not a happy afternoon. After the game I stayed behind in the press box, where we had started doing the first 25 minutes of commentary for Stags World, but unfortunately technical errors at PTV meant we could not broadcast. Anyway, Carlton Palmer’s post match interviews were very interesting: don’t miss them: visit the Latest News page. Man of the match: Adam Murray |
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Report by: Martin Shaw at Field Mill
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Line Up:
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Pilkington 7 A brilliant save in the first half and dealt with everything comfortably, but had no chance with the goal.
Buxton 7 Did well at right back, though must have been out of position for the Orient goal as Scott was given too much room to shoot. Artell 7 Solid in defence. Now suspended for 2 games. Dimech 8 Dealt well with the dangerous Ibehre; played very well. Talbot 7 Defended well. Neil 5 Contributed very little in truth. Had one shot in the first half which was brilliantly saved, but he should have given the keeper no chance. Curtis 7 Given the captain’s armband, and seemed to thrive on it, but faded in the second half. Murray 8 His best game since his return to Field Mill. Corden 5 Shackled by two defenders all afternoon but failed to produce the quality crosses that the Stags needed. Warne 7 Excellent first half and created lots of danger, but faded completely in the second half. Barker 6 Won a few good headers. There should be more to come from him, but we did see a lack of pace. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Subs not used: White, McIntosh, Wood, Lloyd, Heron.
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Opposition Line Up:
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Harrison, Lockwood, Donny Barnard, White,Mackie, Scott, Saah, Simpson, Carlisle, Lee Barnard, Ibehre. Subs Not Used: Morris, Wardley, Newey, Zakuani, McMahon.
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Referee:
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Scott Mathieson 6 Did ok. No controversial incidents though probably should have booked Pilkington for catching a ball out of his area.
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