Archived News from March 2022
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WHAT A NIGHT AS STAGS BEAT EXETER
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English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Mansfield Town 2 - 1 Exeter City Rawson 34, Longstaff 67. Jay 90+5 Attendance: 6,702 (392 from Exeter) Date: 4 March 2022 Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill What a night it was at the One Call Stadium last night as Mansfield Town beat Exeter City to march into the top 3 in League Two. This was the Stags’ 10th home win on the trot in the league equalling the club record in the Football League (set in 1949). When Mansfield lost at Exeter in October, the Stags dropped into the bottom two in the table. Exeter were 4th in the table at the time, and were still in the same position yesterday before the Stags leapfrogged them after the game. Since that day in October, Mansfield have played 18 games in the league, losing just one, winning 14 and drawing 3. The Stags are unbeaten for 14 league games. We have also won at Sunderland and Doncaster in the FA Cup before bowing out to Middlesbrough in a brilliant game. It is an incredible run, after going 14 league and cup games without a win. All this against an Exeter side that have not lost at Mansfield in the last 11 games: 7 wins for Exeter and 4 draws. It was in March 1998 that the Stags last beat Exeter here, 3-2. And you have to go back to 1985 for Mansfield’s previous win before that. And all this in front of Mansfield’s biggest attendance in the league this season at home of 6,702. It was the highest attendance in the home stands (6,310) since we were promoted back from the Conference. The atmosphere was again pulsating, and it vindicated the decision to move the game, as a one-off, to a Friday night. David Sharpe had explained at the recent fans forum: “One of the reasons behind switching the Exeter game (to a Friday night), we both believe this place under lights is a special place to play football (in an unbelievable atmosphere). Exeter weren't going to bring many (supporters) on a Saturday anyway. But I personally felt, the less (supporters) they (Exeter) bring, the better for us. Any advantage we can get is great.” And Nigel Clough had added: “It is different at night matches (the atmosphere), the floodlights and everything, I don't know what it is.” The game itself was a great advert for League Two. Two sides playing very good football. Exeter themselves were on a fantastic run, they had won 6 and drawn 2 of their previous 8 league games. The first half was tight, but the Stags were deservedly ahead at the break. The goal that separated the sides came after 34 minutes from the unlikeliest of sources as Farrend Rawson scored his first goal in a Stags shirt in his 76th game. Matty Longstaff, in his first game at the One Call Stadium, cut in from the left, and chipped in a cross from just inside the area towards Rhys Oates. The ball was missed by Oates and defender Sam Stubbs, leaving Rawson unmarked in the six yard box to stab the ball past the keeper. The Stags had other efforts at goal as Stephen McLaughlin had a shot blocked and sent another from 28 yards just over the bar, while Longstaff sent a crisp shot from 20 yards straight at the keeper. Plenty of good moves from the Stags as well, especially down the left. However Exeter had gone closest to scoring apart from the goal when Nathan Bishop made a fine save palming over a shot from 8 yards from Kieran Phillips after Phillips had weaved his way past Hewitt, Stirk and Longstaff. Into the second half, and Mansfield could have increased the lead as Jamie Murphy crossed from the left and Oates headed over the bar unmarked. But after 59 minutes, two brilliant saves from Bishop kept Mansfield in front. Bishop got down to his left to save one-handed from Josh Coley’s shot from 8 yards, Coley retrieved the loose ball and fired goalwards again, Bishop this time saving with his legs. That proved crucial as the Stags opened up a two goal lead after 67 minutes. McLaughlin fired in a low cross from the left, level with the edge of the six yard box, and Longstaff was left unmarked ten yards out to fire into the net left footed. Longstaff’s second goal in consecutive games, and a goal on his home debut to add to his earlier assist. It was nearly 3-0 after 79 minutes. Bowery got into the area on the right, played across to Oates, with his back to goal near the penalty spot. Oates knocked the ball up, turned and in one movement volleyed just wide of the right post. Exeter put the Stags under pressure in the closing minutes. Jake Caprice, who had an excellent game at left wing-back, cut inside and fired a low shot straight at Bishop from 30 yards. Then on 90 minutes, a corner from the right by Exeter sub Jack Sparkes was turned just wide at the far post by another sub Sam Nombe. Exeter went even closer after 90+2 minutes. Nombe lifted the ball goalwards from an angle on the left, 6 yards out, over Bishop, Hewitt and sub Wallace, the ball hit the inside of the right post, bounced along the line, was missed by another Exeter sub Ozzy Zanzala who only had to touch it to turn it in, and into the grateful arms of Bishop on the line. An extraordinary escape for the Stags. Exeter did pull a goal back that their play deserved after 90+5 minutes, with 20 seconds of stoppage time remaining. Josh Key curled a high ball from the right into the area, Bishop made a mess of dealing with it on his line, and could only push the ball out to Matt Jay who had an empty net to fire into from 4 yards. A bad mistake from Bishop. A rare mistake from him though and his earlier excellent saves and had kept the Stags in front. It was a great win for the Stags and just about deserved against a very good Exeter City side. The Stags are in the top 3, possibly only for 24 hours, but still have games in hand over other sides around them. No game in midweek, but then another huge game next Friday night, away to Tranmere Rovers, who are level on points with the Stags before Saturday’s games. If you can’t get to the game, you will again be able to watch it with us on iFollow Stags. DETAILED REPORT IN THE MATCH CENTRE ------------------------ FRI 04 MAR 2022, LEAGUE TWO Mansfield Town 2-1 Exeter City Rawson (34'minutes), M Longstaff (67'minutes) Jay (90'+5minutes) Assists: none (*) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60518670 Report supplied by PA Media. Mansfield climbed into the top three after a narrow League Two victory at home to Exeter. Farrend Rawson and Matty Longstaff bagged the goals as the Stags extended their unbeaten league run to 14 matches. But they had goalkeeper Nathan Bishop to thank after his brilliant double save kept them ahead when leading 1-0. Longstaff was unable to beat Cam Dawson from distance after 15 minutes, before Bishop kept out Kieran Phillips with a good reaction save. Josh Coley failed to find the target for the Grecians, before Ryan Stirk fluffed a first-time volley. Rawson put Mansfield ahead after 34 minutes with a close-range finish from Longstaff's cross. Bishop tipped away a dangerous Jake Caprice shot before Coley drilled the ball wide of the post. The Stags goalkeeper produced a stunning low reflex save from Coley before keeping out the rebound with his feet. Longstaff wrapped up the win with a cool finish from Stephen McLaughlin's cross after 67 minutes. Matt Jay pulled a consolation goal back in the fifth minute of stoppage time but the hosts held on for maximum points. Match Stats Home Team Mansfield Away Team Exeter Possession Home 51% Away 49% Shots Home 9 Away 16 Shots on Target Home 3 Away 10 Corners Home 4 Away 4 Fouls Home 6 Away 9 (*) comment by Martin. Initially an assist for Oates 34 mins. This was later removed. This must be because they concluded the ball came off the back of Stubbs. Similarly they have not given an assist to McLaughlin because the cross deflected off Stubbs. --------------------- Mansfield Town move into automatic promotion places after beating Exeter City chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Friday 4th March 2022 Mansfield Town climbed into the top three after a 2-1 win at home to Exeter City. Farrend Rawson and Matty Longstaff bagged the goals as Stags extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches. But they had keeper Nathan Bishop to thank after a brilliant double save kept them ahead when leading 1-0. Matt Jay pulled a goal back in stoppage time after Bishop failed to deal with a cross. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/stags-move-into-automatic-promotion-places-after-beating-exeter-3598042 Although Stags will drop out of the top three by 5pm Saturday it was another impressive display which will add further belief that Mansfield will occupy an automatic promotion spot at the final whistle on matchday 46. Exeter had occupied fourth spot and entertained hopes of a top three spot ahead of the game. But they were unable to live with Mansfield’s tempo and energy levels as Stags continued to show they have nothing to fear from their promotion rivals. Mansfield were blacked by a bumber crowd of over 6,700 with it being the largest home support of the season. It was Mansfield’s 10th home win in a row - breaking a club record which has stood since 1949. Stags went into the game with one change to the starting line-up, with Jordan Bowery coming in at the expense of George Maris. Matty Longstaff fired straight at Cam Dawson on 15 minutes with the first shot of the game. Nathan Bishop pulled off a good reaction save to deny Kieran Phillips a minute later. Josh Coley failed to find the target for the Grecians as the game began to open up. Ryan Stirk fluffed a first-time volley after Dawson failed to clear his lines. A minute's applause rang out around the stadium on 30 minutes as both sets of players and fans showed their solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Stags hit the front on 34 minutes when Farrend Rawson poked home from close range after Exeter failed to deal with Longstaff’s cross. Bishop tipped away a dangerous dipping shop by Jake Caprice two minutes before half-time. Caprice failed to get any power behind another attempt on 54 minutes, before Coley fired wide. Bishop produced a stunning low reflex save from Coley before saving the rebound with his feet just before the hour mark. Longstaff wrapped up the win with a cool finish from Stephen McLaughlin’s cross on 67 minutes. Longstaff drilled another effort just wide on 76 minutes as Mansfield began to enjoy themselves in the closing stages. Mansfield Town: Bishop, Akins, Rawson, Hewitt, McLaughlin, Longstaff (Lapslie 79) Stirk, Quinn (Wallace 83), Bowery, Oates (Perch 90), Murphy. Subs: Clarke, Maris, Johnson, Stech. Exeter City: Dawson, Sweeney, Stubbs, Grounds (Sparkes 74), Key, Collins, Dieng, Caprice, Coley, Jay, Phillips (Nombe 63). Subs: Atangana, Taylor, Zanzala, Hartridge, Brown. Ref: Ollie Yates Att: (6,702) ----------------- Mansfield Town 2 Exeter City 1 - Grecians unbeaten run ends with loss to impressive Stags devonlive.com, By Daniel Clark, Friday 4th March 2022 Goals from Farrend Rawson and Matty Longstaff saw the Stags continue their hot streak and inflict Exeter's first defeat in two months, despite Matt Jay's late consolation Exeter City’s long unbeaten run came to an end after a 2-1 loss at impressive Mansfield Town side who rose into the top three of League Two. Kieran Phillips saw an effort well saved before Farrend Rawson’s first goal for the Stags gave them the lead after 34 minutes when the defender poked home from close range to break the deadlock of a tight and even encounter. Josh Coley was twice thwarted by the impressive Nathan Bishop as the Grecians searched for an equaliser, but Matty Longstaff made it two midway through the second half when he swept home from inside the penalty box. City tried to come back, and Matt Jay did pull one back with his 15th goal of the season, but it was with pretty much the last kick of the game. Mansfield, in extending their unbeaten run to 15, inflicted a first defeat on City in two months, which ended their nine game unbeaten run. It saw City drop down to fifth in the League Two as Mansfield leapfrogged them, and was their first defeat at Field Mill since 1988, ending a run of 13 without a loss. Mansfield are up to third with the win - an 11th in a row at home - but City, with games in hand, remain in the play-off places and with promotion in their own hands still. https://www.devonlive.com/sport/football/match-reports/mansfield-town-2-exeter-city-6757180 Matt Taylor three changes from the eleven who drew 1-1 at Bristol Rovers last weekend - two of them enforced due to injury. Neither Cheick Diabate after being stretched off, nor Jevani Brown with a hamstring injury, were fit enough to be involved in the squad, while Sam Nombe, still returning to full fitness, was named among the subs. Jonathan Grounds came in to start in the back three, while Coley and Phillips made up the attacking duo with Matt Jay in behind, while Alex Hartridge was in a matchday squad for the first time in ten weeks after his knee injury, as was Offrande Zanzala, returning earlier than expected after his knee surgery. Mansfield Town meanwhile made just the one change from the side who beat Bradford City 2-0 last Saturday, with Nigel Clough recalling Jordan Bowery in place of George Maris. The Stags side included Matty Longstaff, on loan from Newcastle United. There was a lively atmosphere, and it was City who started the quickest and nearly went ahead inside the opening minute when Grounds’ long ball forward nearly bounced over Bishop, before Elliot Hewitt had to be at full stretch with a tackle and timed it perfectly to stop Phillips as he drove into the box. Despite the frantic start, it took 15 minutes for either side to have an effort on goal, and it was Town who had the first chance when a free-kick was only half-cleared, but Longstaff’s volley went straight into the arms of Cameron Dawson. City themselves then created a better chance shortly after. Matt Jay and Coley linked up nicely, the latter fed Phillips, and the Huddersfield loanee wriggled past two defenders, but his poked effort was well saved by the sprawling Bishop. Get the best stories about the things you love most curated by us and delivered to your inbox every day. Choose what you love here Both sides were looking to attack and Stephen McLaughlin swung in several dangerous balls that Dawson had to be brave to claim, while the game was paused on the 30 minute mark when there was a standing ovation and applause to show support for Ukraine after the invasion by Russia. On 34 minutes though, the Stags took the lead. A corner was only half-cleared by the Grecians and kept alive by Longstaff. The loanee had plenty of time and space to pick out a cross, which was flicked on by Rhys Oates, and Rawson was left unmarked inside the six yard box for the centre back to poke home for his first goal in more than two years. McLaughlin then fired narrowly over from distance as Clough’s men looked to extend their advantage, as City were struggling to keep possession, although on the stroke of half-time, Jake Caprice forced Bishop to palm away a stinging effort from 25 yards. Neither manager made a change at the break, and it was the hosts who started the half the better, with Bowery driving into the box and only being denied by Grounds just as he looked to pull the trigger, while Oates was left unmarked six yards out but couldn’t direct his header under the crossbar. At the other end, Caprice tested Bishop again with a low strike, while after a quick counter-attack, Coley worked a shooting opportunity but fired the wrong side of the post, but the winger came even closer to levelling it up just on the hour mark as City were re-finding their feet. Pierce Sweeney drove forward and picked out Coley with a teasing cross, and his first effort was brilliantly saved by Bishop. The ball came back out to the attacker, and he got to the rebound ahead of the Mansfield defence, but the goalkeeper was equal to the task and saved the low shot with his legs. Nombe replaced Phillips on 62 minutes, as City continued to threaten, and Jay was next to come close, again being denied by the on-loan Manchester United man, and City’s profligacy was to be costly when Longstaff did double the advantage. McLoughlin found space on the left hand side and he fizzed in a low cross, which took a slight deflection, and landed perfectly in the past of the midfielder, who from ten yards out, had time to pick his spot and smash home his second goal in successive games. The goal sucked the wind out of the City challenge, and Taylor threw on Jack Sparkes for Grounds as a throw of the dice and switched to a back four, but Mansfield could have a third had Longstaff managed to put a close range strike on target, while Oates volleyed wide as well. Zanzala came on for a first appearance in over a month late on for Coley, who appeared to have picked up a knock, but to no avail, as despite late pressure, but when Nombe's looping effort hit the post and the on-loan Barrow man couldn't get a touch on the line to force it over, City had to settle for defeat. Jay did pull back deep into stoppage time when a cross was pushed into his path, the skipper scoring for the first time in the league since November, but it was too little, too late, to affect the result, as the final whistle blew as soon as the game restarted. Exeter were perhaps unfortunate not to come away with anything, but the Stags are looking as if they will be joining Forest Green Rovers in claiming two of the three automatic promotion places. City dropped down to fifth with the defeat, and could even end the weekend outside the top seven if results go against them, but with games in hand on their rivals, Exeter would go third if they won them. And the first of those will be at St James Park on Tuesday night against Swindon Town as Taylor’s men will look to bounce back and ensure the boss’ 200th game in charge of City is a successful one. Mansfield Town: (4-3-3) - Nathan Bishop, Lucas Akins, Elliott Hewitt, Farrend Rawson, Stephen McLaughlin, Ryan Stirk, Stephen Quinn (Kieran Wallace, 83), Matty Longstaff (George Lapslie, 78), Jordan Bowery, Jamie Murphy, Rhys Oates (James Perch, 90). Subs: Marek Stech, , Ollie Clarke, George Maris, Danny Johnson. Exeter City: (3-4-3) - Cameron Dawson, Pierce Sweeney, Sam Stubbs, Jonathan Grounds (Jack Sparkes, 72), Josh Key, Archie Collins, Tim Dieng, Jake Caprice, Josh Coley ( Offrande Zanzala, 78), Matt Jay, Kieran Phillips (Sam Nombe, 62) Subs: Scott Brown, Alex Hartridge, Nigel Atangana, Kyle Taylor ----------------- |
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