Season 0910 Stagsnet Match Report
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Oxford United
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Mansfield Town
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Constable 73, 85.
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Attendance: 5712 (232 from Mansfield)
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Date: 17 April 2010
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MAKESHIFT STAGS BEATEN AT OXFORD
Martin Shaw at the Kassam Stadium Mansfield had to field a defence with two midfielders at full back, and an injured centre half pushed into service, due to injury and unavailability. The Stags held out for 73 minutes under considerable pressure from an impressive Oxford side, but two late goals were the least the home side deserved for their domination, especially in the second half. Oxford started well and created three good chances in the opening five minutes, but then the Stags had a decent spell of about 25 minutes when they more than held their own and Jake Speight had a couple of good chances. Oxford came on strongly in the last 15 minutes of the first half and Marriott made a fabulous save from a curling shot by Chapman. But the second half was one way traffic with substitute Alfie Potter terrorising the Stags defence. The Stags had one chance to take the lead, on 60 minutes, when Speight was free in the box but he didn't pull the trigger and instead tried to tee up Duffy who was crowded out. Oxford finally broke the deadlock when Constable fired into an empty after great play from Potter and Deering, and after that it was just a matter of how many Oxford would score. They added one more through Constable's deflected effort. A disappointing afternoon for the Stags who yet again failed to make it two wins on the trot - something we haven't managed since mid October (save for the expunged home win against Chester). Quite simply, the inconsistency is a huge cause for concern as we approach the final game of the season. On 2 minutes, Green crossed to Constable, whose snapshot was straight at Marriott. Moments later, Marriott got an important touch when he tipped a cross away from Constable. Then on 4 minutes, left back Sandwith's cross to the far post drifted over Stags makeshift left back Burgess, and Green sent a diving header into the side-netting. Poor defending by Burgess. On 6 minutes, a chance for the Stags. Somner slid a ball forward for Speight. Speight looked suspiciously offside but advanced and hooked a shot well wide from a good position. It was a similar opportunity to recent goals against Rushden and Cambridge when he lobbed the ball over the keeper, and a shame he didn’t try a lob here. On 15 minutes, Burgess crossed from the left, and the keeper cleared only as far as Briscoe who couldn’t get a shot on target. The Stags were more than holding their own. On 27 minutes, Speight turned well on the edge of the box from Mills’ ball forward, but his effort was cleared for a corner. Then a minute later at the other end, Sandwith’s cross was flicked well wide by former Histon striker Midson. On 33 minutes, Marriott pulled off a fabulous save as Chapman curled a shot from the left side towards the top right corner but Marriott got his fingertips to it to tip it away for a corner. On 38 minutes, a corner from the left was headed over the bar from 4 yards by an unmarked Sandwith. Poor defending. On 39 minutes, Clist’s snapshot from 6 yards was wide, following a throw-in. On 41 minutes, a good move involving Burgess, to Briscoe and to Williams, but Oxford were able to put it behind for a corner. TO BE COMPLETED Man of the match: Alan Marriott |
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Report by: Martin Shaw at the Kassam Stadium
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Line Up:
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Marriott 8 Made some good saves, including one fabulous one from Chapman. Good handling throughout.
Istead 6 Slotted in ok at right back. Jones 6 Did ok despite not being fully fit. Garner 6 Defended ok. Burgess 5 Difficult afternoon at left back. Looked terrible in the early stages. Then recovered, but Potter ran him ragged towards the end. Briscoe 6 A couple of decent runs in the first half. Mills 6 Created little going forward. One free kick which found Duffy was good, the rest were poor. Somner 6 OK. Williams 5 Too many misplaced passes. Poor. Speight 7 Not at his sharpest in front of goal, but did at least create some danger. Duffy 6 Quiet afternoon. One soft header at the keeper. |
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Sub Line Up:
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Shaw (for Briscoe, 68) -
Perry (for Duffy, 68) - Sturrock (for Speight, 81) - Subs Not Used: Collett, Challinor. |
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Opposition Line Up:
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Clarke, Batt, Creighton (Day 58), Wright, Sandwith, Chapman, Bulman (Deering 62), Clist, Midson, Constable, Matt Green (Potter 53). Subs Not Used: Turley, Francis Green.
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Referee:
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Mark Heywood (Cheshire) 7 Handled the game quietly and efficiently. No controversy.
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