Archived News from January 2003
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MORE ON CHRISTIE CONTRACT
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MANSFIELD SIGN UP STRIKE ACE
BY IAN WILKERSON, Evening Post, 29 January 2003 Mansfield Town hot-shot Iyseden Christie today signed a new 18-month contract to stay at Field Mill. Christie, who bagged his 16th goal of the season in last night's 2-1 defeat against league leaders Wigan, has been a revelation in his second spell at the club. And manager Keith Curle is delighted to have kept the striker at the club. "It's signed, sealed and delivered and I'm glad it has been sorted out," said Curle. "Iyseden has scored goals, I really like his attitude and he likes being at the club." Christie was signed by Stuart Watkiss after he left Leyton Orient at the end of last season and following an unsuccessful trial at Rushden and Diamonds. But since signing for the second time, he is only two goals short of the total he netted between 1997 and 1999. "He has done particularly well to score 16 goals in a team that has only been out of the bottom four for one week," added Curle. "That's very good and I believe there is more to come from him. "He wasn't on the best of contracts and I know that in the summer he had the chance to play at a lower level for more money but he took a gamble and has been rewarded." Christie was taken off with 20 minutes left last night after suffering a knee injury, which could threaten his place for Saturday's trip to Plymouth. Curle added: "We are going to let it settle down and then look at him tomorrow." Defender Rhys Day was today adamant that Nathan Ellington was offside when he put Wigan on their way to victory at Field Mill. But the Welsh centre-back admitted assistant referee Craig Barker's decision not to raise his flag was just one of those things - and he believes Stags have an excellent chance of getting a good result at Plymouth. Ellington appeared to be in an offside position when Lee McCulloch sent him through on goal in the 39th minute. Andy Liddell put the visitors two ahead three minutes later and, despite Christie's reply, Stags were unable to force an equaliser against Paul Jewell's side, who increased their lead at the top of the table to 12 points. Mansfield also had a penalty appeal turned down after Liam Lawrence fell under a challenge from former Notts man Peter Kennedy. Day said: "I will have to have a look at the video but myself, Bobby Hassell and Matt Gadsby were in a line and I was convinced Ben Doane was in front of us so I am sure it was offside. "But that is just the way football is sometimes. The same linesman could have made it up to us by giving us a penalty when Liam went down late on but it wasn't to be." Assistant manager John Gannon said: "I didn't have the best of views. Their centre-forwards made some good runs and Ellington got through a couple of times before that so I couldn't say whether it was bad play on our part or a linesman's mistake. |
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