Season 08/09 Stagsnet Match Report
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York City
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Mansfield Town
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Sodje 35
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Blackwood 51
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Attendance: 2520 (368 from Mansfield)
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Date: 2 September 2008
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STAGS EARN GOOD POINT IN SUPERB TV SPECTACLE
by Martin Shaw Mansfield Town put in a fine performance in front of the live TV cameras to earn a good point in a tough game at York on Tuesday night. Both teams played entertaining, attacking football and it made for a superb spectacle for the armchair fans. The Stags are really starting to look like a team now, and not a collection of good players thrown together. Billy McEwan made one change from Saturday with O'Connor replacing the injured Lee. York came into the game unbeaten, but on the back of 4 successive draws. On 5 minutes, a great cross from Arnold, but keeper Ingham grabbed it in front of Stallard. A minute later, Gamble made a great save from Sodje’s shot after a fine York move. On 10 minutes, Arnold played a 1-2 from a short corner and his low shot was easily saved. Moments later O’Connor was nearly through but a great tackle by a York defender. On 21 minutes, a fine move involving Arnold, Blackwood and finally Silk fired over. It was a very good game, with the Stags passing it round very well. On 23 minutes McBreen missed a great chance for York, firing wide. On 28 minutes, Russell had a shot deflected off his own player and wide. Then Sodje shot wide from 18 yards. York took the lead on 35 minutes thanks to a calamitous mix up between Moses and Gamble. A hopeful punt forward from the York full back seemed to present Moses with an easy headed backpass to Gamble, but as he went to head it back, Gamble had moved hopelessly out of position in a communication mess up and Moses' header fell perfectly into the path of Sodje to run the ball into an empty net. It was a horrible and costly mix up but most of the blame has to lie with the keeper. It had been a decent performance from the Stags in the first half, playing some neat football, but it was York who had had the better chances and just about deserved to be ahead. Half time 1-0 On 46 minutes the Stags were so nearly level as O'Connor fired in a great shot left footed, following a free kick, which was excellently saved. But on 51 minutes the Stags were level. Arnold's throw-in found Stallard with his back to goal in the box. Stallard played the ball back to O'Connor on the edge of the box, who fired a terrific right footed shot first time against the post. The ball rebounded and flicked off the back of the keeper and into the path of Blackwood and a defender on the edge of the six yard box. Blackwood reacted quicker and stabbed the ball into the empty net. A period without clearcut chances followed, but on 72 minutes Williamson fired over and then a minute later, Gamble misjudged a cross in a mix up with his defender allowing Brodie a free shot but he missed a sitter. Robinson replaced O’Connor on 75 minutes. Gamble redeemed himself on 78 minutes making a great save at full stretch from Brodie. Then Robinson was straight into the action with great play to beat Bore and play in Blackwood, but Blackwood fired wide from a good position. On 80 minutes, a brilliant late challenge from Silk to deny Farrell. Then Gamble made a tremendous triple save on his goal line, all close range efforts. O’Hare made a fine challenge on 83 minutes, and on 85 minutes York had a goal disallowed as Greaves headed home but was correctly penalised for climbing all over Jeannin. So a breathtaking game. The Stags deserved their point and in the end were relieved to get it as York looked dangerous throughout. Man of the match: Gary Silk |
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Report by: Martin Shaw
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Line Up:
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Gamble 6 Calamitous mix-up for the goal, and another horrible mix up later on, but made some excellent saves to redeem himself.
Silk 9 Defended well and got forward really well with some good interplay with Arnold. Crosses were good too and a brilliant tackle near the end. Moses 6 Involved in the mix up for the goal but less his fault than Gamble's. Defended ok. O'Hare 7 Some great tackles and challenges. Jeannin 5 Poor delivery on numerous occasions. Given a torrid time by Sodje. Arnold 7 Worked tirelessly and some very good runs but continues to have weak finales to his runs. A great cross early on. D'Laryea 7 Did well in midfield. Somner 6 OK. Blackwood 6 Not at his best, but good anticipation for his goal. O'Connor 8 Excellent movement. Great shot against post in lead up to goal, and another great shot a few moments earlier. Stallard 6 Got into good positions but not his night. Did ok. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Robinson (for O'Connor, 75) - Booked within 20 seconds. One great piece of play when he dispossessed Bore and played in Blackwood for a good chance.
Subs not used: Herriott, Shaw, Hurren, Trimmer. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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Ingham, Purkiss, McGurk, Parslow, Robinson, Wilkinson,Greaves, Russell (Farrell 77), Sodje (Bore 56), McBreen, Brodie. Subs Not Used: Kelly, Mimms, Shepherd.
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Referee:
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Jake Collins (Wales) 9 Excellent.
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