Archived News from March 2019
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STAGS DRAW WITH LEADERS LINCOLN
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English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Mansfield Town 1 - 1 Lincoln City Pearce 3. Akinde pen 75 Attendance: 7177 (1603 from Lincoln) Date: 18 March 2019 Martin Shaw at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill Mansfield Town drew 1-1 with leaders Lincoln City in a top of the table clash in front of the Sky Sports cameras at the One Call Stadium last night. With no other games played on the night, the game certainly took centre stage for the footballing nation. The draw took the Stags back above MK Dons and into third place on goal difference, with just 8 games of the season left now. Mansfield took an early lead when Krystian Pearce headed in from Mal Benning’s corner. A fairly rare Stags goal from a corner in recent times, to add to Pearce’s goal from a corner against Macclesfield last month. The Stags were good value for the lead at half time and could have been further in front as Tyler Walker shot wide from a good position after a great move involving Neal Bishop, Jorge Grant and CJ Hamilton. The Stags could have had a penalty when Jorge Grant went down under a challenge from Michael O’Connor. Grant knocked the ball past O’Connor and went down over his outstretched leg, clipped on the boot. It certainly falls into the category of “seen them given” but Premier League referee Graham Scott decided that Grant had made too much of it, going down theatrically and booked Grant for diving. Mansfield a little unlucky there I think. At the other end, Michael Bostwick’s shot was blocked by his own man Harry Anderson on the line. The Stags were the better side in the first half, but Lincoln were the better side in the second half and picked up a point thanks to a penalty after 75 minutes. Harry Anderson nicked the ball past Conrad Logan who was coming out of his goal and clattered into Logan. It was an obvious penalty, but unnecessary from Mansfield’s point of view, as Logan got his timing all wrong with Anderson going nowhere. A mistake from the Stags keeper. John Akinde stepped up to take the penalty, and as he always does, waited for the keeper to move before rolling the ball into the opposite side of the net. Not many chances for either side in the second half, but Lincoln deserved their point. Really only one chance for Mansfield in the second half as Jorge Grant set CJ Hamilton away with a great ball forward, Hamilton powered forward into the area and forced a one-handed diving save from the keeper. Despite the lack of chances in the second half, it was quite a good game to showcase the Stags and League Two in general. A note on the excellent attendance. The attendance of 7177 was the biggest since the game with Chesterfield last season of 7525. This was the first time Mansfield had been live on Sky Sports since 2005, though Mansfield had of course had plenty of live games on other channels in the intervening period such as BT Sport, ESPN and BBC1; 21 games in fact in total. And it was the first time Mansfield had been live on TV in the Football League since 2000. A great moment at half time as John and Carolyn Radford got a wonderful reception from Stags fans, with news last week that they have made the final payment to Keith Haslam for the ground, with the Stags therefore now fully in control of their own destiny regarding the One Call Stadium. Huge thanks from the Stags fans. John said a few words, noting that he has achieved two of his three major objectives, getting the club back into the Football League from non-league, and getting the ground back, and now wants everyone to get right behind the manager and players to try to get the club into the Championship, via League One. Eight games to go then, and every one is going to be massive. Crewe are the visitors to the One Call Stadium on Saturday. Crewe will be full of confidence having put 6 past Crawley on Saturday. Perhaps the biggest positive from last night’s game was the return to action of Matt Preston and Ryan Sweeney following injury. As a result, the Stags defence looked a lot more assured. Preston, Sweeney and Pearce have of course formed a formidable back three for Mansfield this season, with the fewest goals conceded in League Two. The Stags made two changes to the side that drew at Crawley with Preston and Sweeney coming in, and Turner and MacDonald making way. It was a return to the 3-4-1-2 formation, with Jones and Benning at wing-back, and Grant playing behind the front two of Walker and Hamilton. Dropping out of the 18 were Will Atkinson and Zayn Hakeem. FULL REPORT IN THE MATCH CENTRE ----------------- Lincoln match report by Sweden Stag MANSFIELD-LINCOLN 1-1 (1-0) Goal, Mansfield: Pearce (3). Lincoln: Akinde (75, pen). Yellow cards, Mansfield: Grant, Preston. Lincoln: Akinde. As it became known that the Stags’ home fixture against Lincoln should be televised in Sweden, it could prove a possibility for the Stagsnet previewer to watch game. And the previewer got to do it and therefore comes now a report on a good advert for League Two between two sides well worthy of their positions in the table. The Stags got off to a flyer. With just three minutes gone, the Stags went in front. Jones and Grant won a corner, conceded by Bostwick. The delivery made by Benning was inch-perfect to the head of captain Krystian Pearce. He set an example by getting away from his marker and heading the Stags in front. No chance for Lincoln keeper Gilks on that one. The defence was strengthened by the return of Matt Preston and Ryan Sweeney after injury. Both were rock-solid in defence all game long. Meanwhile, Lincoln had two ex-Stags on their bench, namely Lee Angol and Matt Rhead. Latter came on with just seconds left of added time. A moment of controversy on 17 minutes. Jorge Grant went down under a challenge from Michael O’Connor inside the box. Grant was clipped and it looked like a clear-cut penalty. But Premier League ref Graham Scott, who otherwise had the game under control, meant that Grant was diving and therefore yellow-carded him. In that situation, the Stags were a bit unlucky. What had happened if Mr Scott had pointed to the spot and the Stags had converted the penalty? On 35 minutes, Lincoln had their best chance of the half as Bostwick’s shot following a corner was blocked on the line by team-mate Harry Andersson. Latter should be more crucially involved in the second half. The Stags deserved the half-time lead after being the better side in the first half. Half-time 1-0 The second half had less chances for either side. Ten minutes into that half, Grant was subbed and replaced by MacDonald. Grant didn’t look impressed by being subbed. Maybe one reason for that substitution was that Grant had a yellow. After the subbing of Grant, the Stags’ attacking faded and Lincoln came more into the game. One chance of equalizing came when Logan dropped a cross on the feet of Anderson. But Logan redeemed himself on time. With a quarter left on the clock, Logan made an unnecessary decisive action. Harry Anderson nicked the ball past Logan who came out of his goal and clearly tripped Anderson. A huge mistake and a definite stonewall penalty. John Akinde, well-known to League Two defenders from his time at Barnet, stepped up and coolly converted the spot kick for the Lincoln equalizer. After Grant’s departure, the Stags ran out of ideas going forward and no clear-cut chances appeared. Preston took a booking for the team with ten minutes to go. Minutes before, Lincoln scorer Akinde went into the book after a foul on Pearce. So a good advert for League Two in front of the TV cameras ended deservedly 1-1 as the Stags were the better side in the first half and Lincoln edging the second half. Man of the match: Krystian Pearce / Neal Bishop Report by: Svante Bernhard aka Sweden Stag in front of the TV Cameras in Karlstad, Sweden Line-up with ratings: Logan 5 Got it all wrong when conceding the Lincoln penalty Preston 7 Solid as a rock in defence after returning from injury Pearce 8,5 Scored the early goal. After that, he was commanding and showed captain credentials Sweeney 8 Had a very solid game. Great to see him back after injury Jones 8 Good crosses. His best game. Involved in the build-up to the Stags goal Bishop 8 Very good game, commanding in midfield Mellis 6 Has played better games, but was involved enough Benning 7 Great corner for the goal but should have been more decisive in the Lincoln penalty incident Grant 7 Involved in the goal, could have won a penno but got a yellow card instead. Unhappy with being subbed and after that, the Stags attacking faded Walker 6 Didn’t get enough service and made less impact than expected Hamilton 6,5 Forced a one-handed save from the Lincoln keeper in the second half Sub line-up: MacDonald (for Grant, 59). Made little impact this time Tomlinson (for Mellis, 90+3). Came on to wind down the clock Subs not used: Jordan Smith, Turner, Khan, Alistair Smith, Ajose. Lincoln line-up: Gilks, Eardley, Bostwick, Bolger, Toffolo, O’Connor (Pett 6 7), O’Hara, Anderson, Rowe, Andrade, Akinde (Rhead 90+4). Subs not used: Vickers, Wilson, McCartan, Frecklington, Angol Referee: Graham Scott 6. Correctly awarded the Lincoln penalty but could have awarded the Stags one in the first half when Grant was tripped. Otherwise had full control of the game. Lincoln match report by Sweden Stag MANSFIELD-LINCOLN 1-1 (1-0) Goal, Mansfield: Pearce (3). Lincoln: Akinde (75, pen). Yellow cards, Mansfield: Grant, Preston. Lincoln: Akinde. As it became known that the Stags’ home fixture against Lincoln should be televised in Sweden, it could prove a possibility for the Stagsnet previewer to watch game. And the previewer got to do it and therefore comes now a report on a good advert for League Two between two sides well worthy of their positions in the table. The Stags got off to a flyer. With just three minutes gone, the Stags went in front. Jones and Grant won a corner, conceded by Bostwick. The delivery made by Benning was inch-perfect to the head of captain Krystian Pearce. He set an example by getting away from his marker and heading the Stags in front. No chance for Lincoln keeper Gilks on that one. The defence was strengthened by the return of Matt Preston and Ryan Sweeney after injury. Both were rock-solid in defence all game long. Meanwhile, Lincoln had two ex-Stags on their bench, namely Lee Angol and Matt Rhead. Latter came on with just seconds left of added time. A moment of controversy on 17 minutes. Jorge Grant went down under a challenge from Michael O’Connor inside the box. Grant was clipped and it looked like a clear-cut penalty. But Premier League ref Graham Scott, who otherwise had the game under control, meant that Grant was diving and therefore yellow-carded him. In that situation, the Stags were a bit unlucky. What had happened if Mr Scott had pointed to the spot and the Stags had converted the penalty? On 35 minutes, Lincoln had their best chance of the half as Bostwick’s shot following a corner was blocked on the line by team-mate Harry Andersson. Latter should be more crucially involved in the second half. The Stags deserved the half-time lead after being the better side in the first half. Half-time 1-0 The second half had less chances for either side. Ten minutes into that half, Grant was subbed and replaced by MacDonald. Grant didn’t look impressed by being subbed. Maybe one reason for that substitution was that Grant had a yellow. After the subbing of Grant, the Stags’ attacking faded and Lincoln came more into the game. One chance of equalizing came when Logan dropped a cross on the feet of Anderson. But Logan redeemed himself on time. With a quarter left on the clock, Logan made an unnecessary decisive action. Harry Anderson nicked the ball past Logan who came out of his goal and clearly tripped Anderson. A huge mistake and a definite stonewall penalty. John Akinde, well-known to League Two defenders from his time at Barnet, stepped up and coolly converted the spot kick for the Lincoln equalizer. After Grant’s departure, the Stags ran out of ideas going forward and no clear-cut chances appeared. Preston took a booking for the team with ten minutes to go. Minutes before, Lincoln scorer Akinde went into the book after a foul on Pearce. So a good advert for League Two in front of the TV cameras ended deservedly 1-1 as the Stags were the better side in the first half and Lincoln edging the second half. Man of the match: Krystian Pearce / Neal Bishop Report by: Svante Bernhard aka Sweden Stag in front of the TV Cameras in Karlstad, Sweden Line-up with ratings: Logan 5 Got it all wrong when conceding the Lincoln penalty Preston 7 Solid as a rock in defence after returning from injury Pearce 8,5 Scored the early goal. After that, he was commanding and showed captain credentials Sweeney 8 Had a very solid game. Great to see him back after injury Jones 8 Good crosses. His best game. Involved in the build-up to the Stags goal Bishop 8 Very good game, commanding in midfield Mellis 6 Has played better games, but was involved enough Benning 7 Great corner for the goal but should have been more decisive in the Lincoln penalty incident Grant 7 Involved in the goal, could have won a penno but got a yellow card instead. Unhappy with being subbed and after that, the Stags attacking faded Walker 6 Didn’t get enough service and made less impact than expected Hamilton 6,5 Forced a one-handed save from the Lincoln keeper in the second half Sub line-up: MacDonald (for Grant, 59). Made little impact this time Tomlinson (for Mellis, 90+3). Came on to wind down the clock Subs not used: Jordan Smith, Turner, Khan, Alistair Smith, Ajose. Lincoln line-up: Gilks, Eardley, Bostwick, Bolger, Toffolo, O’Connor (Pett 6 7), O’Hara, Anderson, Rowe, Andrade, Akinde (Rhead 90+4). Subs not used: Vickers, Wilson, McCartan, Frecklington, Angol Referee: Graham Scott 6. Correctly awarded the Lincoln penalty but could have awarded the Stags one in the first half when Grant was tripped. Otherwise had full control of the game. ------------------------------------- MATCH REPORT: Honours even as leaders Lincoln City hold Mansfield Town chad.co.uk, by John Lomas It was honours even in the big promotion showdown as Mansfield Town were held 1-1 by League Two leaders Lincoln City in an enthralling clash tonight. Stags’ first live Sky TV game in 13 years saw them make a superb start when Krystian Pearce headed them in front after just three minutes. Big John Akinde levelled matters from a 75th minute penalty to stretch the Imps’ unbeaten league run to 15 games, but the draw was still enough to edge Stags back into the top three promotion places on goal difference. Both sides struggled to get the ball down and play a lot of football on a night of fire and passion, but the season’s biggest home crowd so far could not take your eyes off the frantic action. Mansfield were boosted by the return of centre half pair Ryan Sweeney and Matt Preston from concussion and injury respectively. Ben Turner and Alex MacDonald both dropped down to the bench to accommodate them. With the away end sold out, the atmosphere was electric before kick-off for the watching TV audience. A minute’s silence was held pre-match for the victims of the New Zealand terrorist massacre. Stags were first to threaten on three minutes as Grant spun and shot against a defender at the near post for a corner. And from that flag kick the Stags were ahead. Grant floated the kick right into the middle of the six yard box where skipper Pearce rose to nod firmly home. On eight minutes Gilks had to be alert to punch away a second home corner just before Pearce could again threaten his goal. Stags were lucky on 13 minutes when they were almost caught on the break, Anderson’s touch too heavy in the end just outside the box. Soon after Pearce had to hook clear amid a scramble as the ball fell dangerously near goal. On 17 minutes Grant went down easily over Eardley’s foot in the box, the referee deciding it was a dive and worth a first yellow card of the evening. Logan was down well to smother Andrade’s low 25 yard effort - Lincoln’s first shot on target on 20 minutes. Walker might have doubled Mansfield’s lead on 23 minutes after a swift break down the middle which Saw Bishop pick out the run of Hamilton to his left. He got to the by-line before pulling the ball back well to Walker, but the striker’s first time finish was sliced wide. Stags won a free kick 25 yards out on 29 minutes but Gilks easily kept out Grant’s low shot. Bishop was too high with a far post header from Mansfield’s sixth corner of the night on 32 minutes. City keeper Gilks then required some treatment which saw both sets of players heading for drinks at the dug-out. But he was able to continue. Bostwick had a shot blocked from Lincoln’s second corner soon after. Logan was back in action on 37 minutes as he back-peddled to grab a looping header from O’Hara. Two minutes were added on, but Stags saw them out expertly to lead at the break. Grant tried to backheel a low cross on target as the second half began, the ball deflected for the first of two home corners. But City then settled well and began to ask questions of their own, also winning two corners in a row. A Stags break saw Grant sent Hamilton into space for a shot that Gilks had to turn round his left post on 53 minutes. In reply, two more Lincoln corners ended with Rowe hooking well wide. There was a let-off on 58 minutes when Logan failed to hold onto a Rowe cross and only just managed to grab at the second attempt before Anderson could profit. On 59 minutes Stags sent on MacDonald for Grant to try to get the midfield back from a Lincoln side growing in confidence. Logan had to get a good punch onto a hooked Akinde effort to the far post to conceded a 70th minute corner as Lincoln pressed hard. The Imps finally levelled the game on 75 minutes from the spot. Logan came out to meet Anderson and, as he poked the ball past him contact was made and the referee had little hesitation in point to the spot. Akinde as cool as a cucumber as he strolled up to send Logan the wrong way. Soon after Mellis was just wide with a thunderbolt at the other end. With 11 minutes to go Akinde was booked for leaving a foot in on Pearce. Then Preston was booked for halting a Lincoln break by pulling back Andrade two minutes later. Andrade’s low shot on 85 minutes saw Logan get down well to grab. The game became stretched at the end with Timlinson sent on for Mellis in the four added minutes, then Rhead was clapped on in place of Akinde at the death as the night ended all square. MANSFIELD: Logan; Sweeney, Pearce, Preston; Jones, Bishop, Mellis (Tomlinson 90+3), Benning; Grant (MacDonald 59), Hamilton, Walker. Subs not used: J. Smith, Khan, Ajose, Turner, A. Smith. LINCOLN: Gilks, O’Connor (Pett 66), O’Hara, Andrade, Toffolo, Bostwick, Rowe, Eardley, Bolger, Anderson, Akinde (Rhead 90+4). Subs not used: Vickers, Frecklington, Angol, Wilson, McCartan. REFEREE: Graham Scott of Oxfordshire. ATTENDANCE: 7,177 (1,603 away). CHAD STAGS MAN OF THE MATCH: Krystian Pearce. Read more at: https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/match-report-honours-even-as-leaders-lincoln-city-hold-mansfield-town-1-9658398 ---------------------- John Akinde is spot on as Lincoln City grab crucial point against Mansfield Town The result kept the Imps 10 points clear of fourth spot LInc Echo, by Mark Whiley, 18 MAR 2019 https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/john-akinde-spot-lincoln-city-2660427 John Akinde’s late penalty saw Lincoln City earn a vital point at promotion rivals Mansfield Town. The Imps fell behind early on to Krystian Pearce’s header and were second-best in the first period. But the visitors improved after the break and earned a deserved draw after Harry Anderson was fouled in the box by home keeper Conrad Logan and Akinde stroked home the penalty with 15 minutes left. The result kept Lincoln 10 points clear of the crucial fourth spot, now held by MK Dons, who have been overtaken on goal difference by the Stags. After a well-observed minute’s silence in memory of victims of the atrocity in New Zealand last week, the game got underway amid a raucous atmosphere. But it got off to the worst possible start for the Imps, who fell behind in only the third minute. After Nottingham Forest loanee Jorge Grant’s cross was diverted behind by Michael Bostwick, the resulting corner, taken by Mal Benning, was nodded home from close range by Pearce. For a side which prides itself on their defending from set-pieces, the manner of the goal will have left the Cowleys furious. After that shaky start, the Imps began to threaten, with Anderson and Bruno Andrade causing problems down the flanks. On 17 minutes, Grant was shown the first yellow card of the game by Premier League referee Graham Scott following a blatant dive in the City box. The Stags wasted a good chance six minutes later when the rapid CJ Hamilton sped to the byline and cut the ball back to Tyler Walker, but he completely miscued his finish with ball looping well wide of the target. Following a stoppage so City keeper Matt Gilks could receive treatment, the Imps improved marginally, with Bostwick seeing a shot blocked following a corner and a cracking move ending with Harry Toffolo’s cross being held by Logan. The Stags had the first effort of the second half when Hamilton used his pace to break away from the Imps defence, but his effort from a tight angle was beaten away by Gilks at his near post. Logan almost gifted Lincoln an equaliser just before the hour mark when the Town keeper spilled a cross from Toffolo. Anderson looked set to score but the ball got stuck under his feet and Logan was able to recover. Anderson and Logan were central to the action again as City drew level with 15 minutes to go. The Imps winger burst into the box before being caught late by the Town keeper, who had come racing off his line. Akinde then kept his cool from 12 yards, sending Logan the wrong way in familiar fashion. The Imps then ended the game well and could have pinched a winner, but they will certainly be satisfied with a point. Match facts Stags: Logan, Preston, Pearce, Sweeney, Jones, Bishop, Mellis (Tomlinson 90+), Benning, Grant (MacDonal 60), Walker, Hamilton. Subs not used: J.Smith, Khan, Ajose, Turner, A.Smith. Goals: Pearce 3. Imps: Gilks; Eardley, Bostwick, Bolger, Toffolo; O’Connor (Pett 67), O’Hara; Anderson, Rowe, Andrade; Akinde (Rhead 90+. Subs not used: Vickers, Wilson, McCartan, Frecklington, Angol. Goals: Akinde (pen) 75. Attendance: 7,177 (1,603 visitors). ------------------------ |
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