Archived News from March 2021
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KEATON WARD SIGNS/CLARKE RED RESCINDED/MARIS INJUR
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Preview: Barrow vs Stags
mansfieldtown.net, Friday 5th March 2021 Next up for the Stags is a trip north to face Barrow AFC in Sky Bet League Two this Saturday (3pm). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the match… Midfielder George Maris will miss out with a groin injury, which is expected to sideline him for around three weeks. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2021/march/match-preview-for-barrow-vs-mansfield-town-on-06-mar-21/ Mansfield will be without midfielder George Lapslie, who is continuing his recovery from a hamstring injury. Full-back Stephen McLaughlin and forward Oli Sarkic remain a few days away from full recoveries. Defender Joe Riley is a long-term absentee and will miss Saturday’s clash. The Stags were, however, given a boost on Friday, when it was announced that skipper Ollie Clarke’s red card - received during Tuesday’s match at Bradford - has been overturned. ------------------ Young midfielder re-joins Stags mansfieldtown.net, Friday 5th March 2021 Mansfield Town is delighted to announce the re-signing of midfielder Keaton Ward on a contract which runs until the end of the season. The 20-year-old, a product of the club’s academy, signed for Barnsley in July 2019 before becoming a free agent last month. He will bolster the midfield options available to manager Nigel Clough, who said: “Keaton will provide cover in the midfield area. He knows the setup here well and we're delighted to have him on board. “He's been training with the academy and the first team. He looks a neat and tidy player, good technically and doesn't look out of place training with the first team.” https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2021/march/young-midfielder-re-joins-stags/ -------------------- Nigel Clough told Notts TV, video available on iFollow Stags: "He (Keaton Ward) said 'I just want to have an opportunity to play. I'll play for nothing'. It's not something we're allowed to do though, we have to pay him." "Mainly it's cover for now. He's fit enough and he joins the squad for Barrow." ------------------------ twitter Keaton Ward @Keatonward10 Buzzing to be back facebook Steven Hymas Good luck to Keaton ward who has signed and offered to play for free . I hope he gets some minutes and pulls on the amber jersey . ----------------- mansfieldtown.net, Friday 5th March 2021 https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2021/march/young-midfielder-re-joins-stags/ Meanwhile, Stags have been boosted by the news that captain Ollie Clarke’s three match suspension has been removed following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal from Tuesday night’s match at Bradford City. ------------------- chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Friday 5th March 2021 Mansfield have been boosted by the news that Ollie Clarke’s red-card at Bradford City has been overturned. “We were always confident it would be overturned, but it's a relief to have the confirmation,” said Clough. “We are short in midfield and it's good to see it overturned. We knew at the time there was nothing in it, luckily it didn't change the game for us. “He was very unlucky and It is good to see that common sense has prevailed.” https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/nigel-clough-knows-importance-of-first-goal-for-mansfield-town-3155979 --------------------- Nigel Clough knows importance of first goal for Mansfield Town chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Friday 5th March 2021 Stags boss Nigel Clough knows the first goal could be crucial to his side’s hopes at Barrow. Mansfield face the relegation-threatened Bluebirds on the back of just one win in five and without an away win in their last four. They have lost the last two away games 1-0 with Clough knowing the importance of his side getting ahead. “We put a great emphasis on getting the first goal,” he said. “The longer we stay at 0-0 as an away side the more it benefits. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/nigel-clough-knows-importance-of-first-goal-for-mansfield-town-3155979 “Getting the first goal can make a massive difference. We defended a 1-0 lead against Morecambe relatively comfortably. “It's a pattern in football at the moment. Teams are not carving us open, it is just mistakes that are costing us. “The last two away games we lost are easy to see why we lost. We don't need to analyse them. We have made mistakes and it has cost us. “The performances have been good but it's fine margins. We are losing by one goal due to errors “We just need to find a way to swing it in our favour. Teams are not giving us goals, we are having to work for them and very hard. We want to return that favour to the opposition.” But Clough knows his side will face a real battle against a Barrow side fighting for their League Two survival. “We had them watched on Tuesday and they were unlucky against Harrogate,” added Clough. “They threw everything at them but Harrogate didn't cave in. We expect them to have a go at us and we have got to be ready to defend that. “It was always going to be a tough season for them. They are fighting for their lives and will be tough on Saturday.” Mansfield have been boosted by the news that Ollie Clarke’s red-card at Bradford City has been overturned. “We were always confident it would be overturned, but it's a relief to have the confirmation,” said Clough. “We are short in midfield and it's good to see it overturned. We knew at the time there was nothing in it, luckily it didn't change the game for us. “He was very unlucky and It is good to see that common sense has prevailed.” Stags will be without George Maris (groin) and George Lapslie (hamstring) and Stephen McLaughlin (hamstring). ------------------------ Nigel Clough happy with performance levels despite poor run for Mansfield Town chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Friday 5th March 2021 Nigel Clough remains encouraged by the level of Mansfield Town’s performances despite recent results not going their way. Stags have lost four of their last five games, which included two frustrating 1-0 defeats at Harrogate Town and Bradford City. But the Mansfield manager believes there is plenty to be encouraged about and that cutting out mistakes will bring plenty of points. “The pleasing thing has been the level of performance,” said Clough. “Apart from maybe the first half at home to Southend and the second half at Harrogate the level of performance has been good enough to get results in most games. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/nigel-clough-happy-with-performance-levels-despite-poor-run-for-mansfield-town-3155942 “We are building on that. If you’re getting battered every week and not playing well it is different. “That is not the case with us. We just need to defend a little better, as we showed we could do against Morecambe. “Let's defend like that in every game and we will be in with more than a chance of winning the game. “To play that well at Bradford and get nothing because we didn’t deal with a long ball into the box is frustrating. “Against Morecambe we didn't make a mistake and defended well. In the other two games (Harrogate and Bradford) we have made a mistake and it has cost us. “We have just tried to address the hows and whys of the two goals and what players shouldn't be doing. “We defended a similar free-kick ten mins before the goal (at Bradford) and were in the right position. They are not robots, they make mistakes unfortunately.” Clough believes a big key to success is the first goal, with this season throwing up a much higher percentage of 1-0 wins. Seven of the 12 midweek League Two fixtures were settled by just one goal, while all three of the Premier League’s Thursday night matches all finished 1-0. “When you go 1-0 down it is hard to get back into it,” said Clough. “It is easy to defend on pitches like this, but much harder to create. “Big strong organised defenders dont give a lot away and it is hard to break them down. “Teams are defending well. Harrogate have won their last three games 1-0, they thrive on defending that lead. “At this level there are not too many players with something different to unlock a defence. “I think teams are happier to sit on 1-0 when there is no home crowd roaring them forward to score again. “Surfaces are playing a big part. This time of year is when they are the most difficult to play on. “It takes players that little bit longer to get the ball down and that's why we are getting less goals and chances. “When we get to the end of March and the surfaces are better we will see more goals.” Mansfield travel to Barrow this weekend and you can get full report and post-match reaction on our website straight after the game. ---------------------- EARLIER STORY: KEATON WARD DEPARTS OAKWELL 2 February 2021 https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/2021/february/keaton-ward/?fbclid=IwAR38sRFey39j9AjctVTuk4LvSFH55tYMaril9NZXIq7YG_8nans9YQKM4MU Barnsley Football Club can confirm that Keaton Ward has had his contract terminated by mutual consent. The 20-year-old midfielder joined the Reds’ U23 set-up in July 2019 following a successful trial period and has since had loan spells with FC United of Manchester, Gainsborough Trinity and Ilkeston Town. Everyone at Oakwell would like to wish Keaton the very best of luck for the future. ---------------------- |
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