Season 06/07 Stagsnet Match Report
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Mansfield Town
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Portsmouth
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Reet 81
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Fernandes 5, Taylor 33
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Attendance: 6,646 (1,249 from Portsmouth)
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Date: 19 September 2006
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For the visit of Premiership leaders Portsmouth, the Stags made three changes from the side disappointingly beaten at Torquay at the weekend. In came Beardsley, Dawson and Jelleyman for Boulding, Reet and Sheehan. For the visitors, although they made wholesale changes from the side which won at Charlton at the weekend, they still included the likes of LuaLua, Andy Cole, Andy O'Brien and Matt Taylor in their starting line-up. With queues still outside, the game kicked off in front of the biggest home gate of the season.
Many of the queueing supporters would have missed the opening goal within the first 5 minutes, Fernandes hitting a swerving shot from 25 yards which flashed past the helpless White. Given the Stags poor recent run it would have been easy for this to have turned into a bit of a rout, but the home side fought back well and produced a succession of corners, one fell to Barker but he couldn't get his header on target. Probably the home sides best chance of the half fell to Hamshaw who although fouled on his way into the Pompey area, managed to keep his balance but just couldn't keep his shot down as his shot flew over the bar. Sadly, just moments later the visitors were two up. This time the home side could only have themselves to blame. Kranjcar took a short corner, rolled the ball to Taylor who rifled home from the edge of the area - the Stags defence failed to stop the short corner in what can only be described as a schoolboy error!! Again you were left with the thought that Pompey could easily add to their total, but again the Stags bounced back, Beardsley almost pulling a goal back on the stroke of half time before seeing his shot blocked by a defender. Half Time 0-2 The Stags began the second half with real purpose and took the game straight to their more illustrious opponents. Barker appeared to be hauled back just a couple of minutes into the half and moments later D'Laryea tried his luck from the edge of the area but his shot flew over. The Stags then thought they had pulled a goal back, from a Hamshaw corner Barker flicked on to Beardsley, his low header looked like it had crossed the line before Keily grabbed the ball, but the Assistant didn't flag. Hamshaw, having a splendid night on the right, then should have scored when put clean through by Dawson, however, his shot lacked conviction and drifted wide of the far post. Just past the hour Pompey should have been reduced to ten men when Kranjcar, already booked, blatantly tripped Hamshaw, despite a long chat disgracefully no card was issued by referee Thorpe, who was clearly starstruck. Redknapp replaced Kranjcar just moments later. Coke tried his luck from 25 yards but Keily saved with ease. Lloyd and Reet were brought on for Dawson and Beardsley as the Stags looked to add more impetus in a half they had dominated. Pompey introduced Benjani and Douala whilst on 78 minutes Coke was replaced by Boulding. A defensive mistake on 82 minutes gave the Stags the goal they thoroughly deserved, a weak back pass from Duffy was intercepted by Stags sub Reet who calmly slotted the ball under Keiley and set up a grandstand finish. Sadly, despite continued pressure the Stags didn't manage to create any more clear cut chances and so fell to defeat. Overall this was an excellent performance from the Stags, a far cry from the last two away performances, with Baptiste back to his magnificent best. Hamshaw, Buxton and Jelleyman, the latter making a fine return to the side, put in excellent displays too. Hopefully the players can take confidence from this performance and transfer it into points as 16th is clearly not good enough at this stage of the season. Man of the Match: Alex John Baptiste |
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Report by: Rob Wheldon
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Line Up:
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White 7 Little chance with either goal, one bad kick, otherwise did well
Mullins 7 Excellent on the right combining well with Hamshaw, though was caught out for the first goal Baptiste 9 Superb, despite carrying an injury Buxton 8 Another terrific game from Jake, also proved a threat in the Pompey area Jelleyman 8 Excellent return from Gareth, very good going forward Hamshaw 8 A livewire on the right, if only he could do this every week D'Laryea 6 A little lost, particularly in the 1st half, but better in the 2nd Dawson 7 Very surprisingly taken off, can only assume to save him for Saturday Coke 7 One decent shot, did OK, but very bizarrely given sponsors MoM Barker 7 Tireless performance without reward Beardsley 7 Like Barker, worked very hard |
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Sub Line Up:
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Lloyd (for Dawson, 71) 6 Almost booked within seconds of coming on, but added bite to the midfield
Reet (for Beardsley, 72) 7 Took his goal very well Boulding (for Coke, 78) 6 Did OK when he came on Subs not used: Muggleton, Birchall. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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Kiely, Duffy, Pamarot, O'Brien, Taylor, Koroman (Douala 77), Fernandes, Kranjcar (Thompson 62), Hughes, Cole, LuaLua (Mwaruwari 73).
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Songo'o. |
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Referee:
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M Thorpe 5 Couple of crucial decisions went the Premierships sides way
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