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Archived News from January 2020

RELENTLESS MANSFIELD ROUT BRADFORD
29th January 2020 22:14


English Football League - Sky Bet League Two
Mansfield Town 3 - 0 Bradford City
Rose 7, Maynard 43, Cook 77
Attendance: 5537 (1467 from Bradford)

Date: 25 January 2020

Martin Shaw and Jeff Barnes at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill

Mansfield Town produced a magnificent performance to beat fifth-placed Bradford City by 3-0 at a rocking One Call Stadium this afternoon. Bradford had conceded only 7 goals in their previous 11 games, but were routed by a relentless performance from the Stags which could have seen the margin for victory even greater. Indeed Bradford manager Gary Bowyer admitted after the game that his side were “second best all over” and it was “the first time (this season) we can say for 90 minutes we were second best”.
Stags manager Graham Coughlan wants his team to play a high pressing game and for the first time since he took over, his players were able to carry it out for the full 90 minutes, showing the reward for extra training that has been done over recent weeks.
The Stags’ goals came from Danny Rose, with a towering header from a pinpoint Alex MacDonald cross, from Nicky Maynard with a close range header from a Mal Benning corner, and from substitute Andy Cook, who turned and beat the keeper with a quick shot following a throw-in. It was the third time in eight games that Cook has received a throw-in and scored with an instant shot which caught the keeper out.
But the Stags went very close on several other occasions, while Bradford really only threatened once as Mal Benning did really well to block an early shot from Dylan Connolly.
So many outstanding performances throughout the Mansfield side with Alex MacDonald fantastic in midfield with a non-stop display, Nicky Maynard and Danny Rose continually chasing down the Bradford back line, Neal Bishop and Harry Charsley (on his home debut) continually getting a foot in to win the ball and break up Bradford’s play, CJ Hamilton looking dangerous on the left wing despite being double-marked, Joe Riley producing an excellent and composed debut at right back, Mal Benning superb at left back, and Ryan Sweeney and Krystian Pearce brilliant at centre half, winning everything. And keeper Bobby Olejnik caught or punched just every cross into the box while not having a save to make.

The Stags had only won one game since October which had seen them drop to within five points of the single relegation place before this game. There is no doubt that this victory lifts some of the pressure that had been building because of the league position, but of course, as manager Coughlan said after the game “one swallow does not make a summer” and this needs to be the building block for a good run of results.
The Stags go to Oldham on Tuesday night. If you can’t get to the game, you can watch it with us on iFollow Stags by buying a match pass.

Mansfield made two changes to the side that played well but lost at Plymouth. Joe Riley, who was announced as a new signing a couple of hours before kick off, came in at right back, for the injured Hayden White. And Harry Charsley, who signed a week ago, made his first start, with Matt Preston dropping to the bench.
Riley is a 28 year old, who left Plymouth a couple of days ago after being there for 18 months, and he had previously been promoted with Bury. His career has been punctuated by a series of injuries and it is a sensible decision by Mansfield to give him a contract until the end of the season with a view to extending it if he stays injury-free. Manager Coughlan explained pre-match that he wanted Riley to bring some defensive stability, and get up and down the pitch.
Preston has been out of form, and it was a sensible decision to drop him to the bench. Manager Coughlan gave an endorsement to Preston in his pre-match interview saying that he will get his form back, and that form is temporary .. class is permanent.
The Stags switched to 4-4-2.
Coughlan also mentioned pre-match that he had not played Preston and Sweeney together as a pairing in a back four as he was scratching his head trying to find a partnership.
Charsley was in central midfield, alongside Bishop.
Tomlinson returned to the bench after injury, in place of Smith, and Knowles was on the bench in place of Davies.

Bradford were without the suspended James Vaughan, who scored both goals in the game at Valley Parade at the end of the December. They included League Two top scorer Eoin Doyle, though all of Doyle’s goals this season have come for Swindon on loan, and none for Bradford.

It was a cold but dry day in Mansfield, with no wind.

FULL REPORT FROM THE MATCH CENTRE

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MATCH REPORT: Magnificent Mansfield Town demolish promotion-chasing Bradford City to end dire home run
chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Saturday 25th January 2020

At long last it was the perfect afternoon for struggling Mansfield Town as they demolished Bradford City 3-0 to record their first home league win since 12th October and only the third all season.

It ended a barren run of one win in the previous 13 and was new boss Graham Coughlan's first clean sheet at the eight attempt.

Promotion-chasing Bradford had beaten Stags 2-0 at home last month but were second best today from the moment Danny Rose headed Mansfield in front on seven minutes.

Nicky Maynard deservedly made it 2-0 just before the break to crown a fine half for the home side and sub Andy Cook wrapped it up on 77 minutes.

With two new faces in the side, Stags pressed superbly and looked full of energy and hunger that had been missing for much of the campaign.

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/match-report-magnificent-mansfield-town-demolish-promotion-chasing-bradford-city-end-dire-home-run-1375676

Skipper Krystian Pearce also looked back to his best at the heart of defence after his recent dropping.

Mansfield announced the pre-match signing of former Plymouth right-back Joe Riley, 28, and he was then named in the team.

There was also another full debut with former Everton midfielder Harry Charsley starting the game after his late cameo last weekend.

Riley replaced the injured Hayden White at right back while Charsley came in to replace defender Matt Preston as Stags reverted to a 4-4-2.

On three minutes Pearce nodded down a long Riley free kick, but Maynard could get no power or direction on his shot on the turn.

But Stags had a scare on five minutes as Wood crossed low from the left and Stags failed to cut it out, the ball reaching an unmarked Connolly at the far post where Benning did well to block.

Stags broke quickly from that and Benning picked out Rose, whose cheeky flick looped over the bar.

However, Stags were ahead on seven minutes. A neat move saw MacDonald eventually float over a cross from the right which saw Rose rise to perfectly nod beyond the reach of McGee.

It was almost 2-0 on 11 minutes from a short Stags corner, Charsley crossed to the near post, Bishop helped it on and Sweeney, from point blank range, was a whisker wide.

Soon after Charsley had a shot blocked before teeing up MacDonald for a low shot wide as Mansfield continued to look menacing.

Reeves was booked for a shove on MacDonald on 22 minutes and two minutes later, from a half-cleared corner, MacDonald's cross was headed straight at McGee by Sweeney.

Stags were in total dominance for the first half hour.

McCartan did shoot wide on 33 minutes but from all of 30 yards for the frustrated Bantams.

McCartan was added to the book for a foul and an argument over the decision on 40 minutes.

A sliced clearance seconds later saw Sweeney beat Mcgee to the high ball as it dropped but it deflected inches wide.

On 42 minutes McGee made a great save as Benning's back post cross was headed back by Rose towards Pearce whose close range header was tipped away.

But the home side's dominance was finally rewarded with a second goal two minutes from the break.

Benning swung in Stags' seventh first half corner from the right and Maynard nodded in from inside the six yard box - his 13th goal of the season.

The home side went off to warm applause and cheers after one of their best 45 minutes of the season.

Mansfield again began the second half on the front foot with the home fans firmly behind them and the away fans starting to direct their upset at the away bench.

Bradford quickly made a double change to try to lift the side on 57 minutes.

And they were handed a great chance to claw a goal back on 63 minutes when Olejnik inexplicably picked up Pearce's header back to him to give Bradford a direct free kick seven yards from goal. But Doyle's fierce shot was blocked.

A great Stags break, led by Benning, saw him send Hamilton into space for a low cross that Maynard was unable to turn home.

Mansfield weathered some Bradford pressure before freshening the front line on 73 minutes by sending on Cook and Knowles for scorers Maynard and Rose.

Cook immediately made his mark as within five minutes he picked up a throw from Benning and, from 16 yards, found the net inside the right post a perfect low finish to make it 3-0.

Alex MacDonald fired straight at McGee and Hamilton blazed another chance over as the home side enjoyed their afternoon with the pressure off.

Benning was booked for wasting time a minute from the end.

STAGS:Olejnik (GK), Riley, Pearce (C), Sweeney, Benning, MacDonald, Bishop, Charsley (Tomlinson 83), Hamilton, Rose (Knowles 73), Maynard (Cook 73). SUBS NOT USED: Stone, Preston, Khan, Cook, Clarke.

BRADFORD: McGee, Richards-Everton, O'Connor, Pritchard (Mellor 57), Reeves (Devitt 57), Doyle, McCartan, Connolly, Henley, Wood, Taylor. SUBS NOT USED: Sykes-Kenworthy, O'Connor, Donaldson, Cooke, Oteh.REFEREE: Will Finnie of Luton.

ATTENDANCE: 5,537 (1,467 away).

CHAD STAGS MAN OF THE MATCH: Krystian Pearce.

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Bradford City fans voice their displeasure with Bantams chief Gary Bowyer after 3-0 defeat at Mansfield Town
yorkshirepost.co.uk, by BEN MCKENNA, Saturday 25 January 2020

Bradford City fans voiced their anger at manager Gary Bowyer as they suffered a frustrating 3-0 defeat at Mansfield Town.

The Bantams' away woes continued as they were beaten by the club with the worst home record in the Football League.

Mansfield had picked up just 10 points from their 14 games at the One Call Stadium before kick-off but first-half goals from Danny Rose and Nicky Maynard, both headers, laid the platform for Mansfield to claim their first victory since January 1.

With 12 minutes to go Mansfield sealed the points as substitute Andy Cook fired home from outside the area.

Sections of the travelling support chanted their displeasure at Bowyer, with the pressure increasing on the Bantams chief.

City have not won a match since New Year's Day and are without an away success since October 12, when they won 2-1 at current bottom-side Morecombe.

That victory coincided with the Stags' last win on home soil - a 6-1 victory over Oldham - in one of only two home wins this campaign, prior to today's triumph over Bradford.

The result means that the Bantams are left with just three wins away from home this campaign, a record that is seriously threatening their hopes of an immediate return to League One.

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/bradford-city-fans-voice-their-displeasure-with-bantams-chief-gary-bowyer-after-3-0-defeat-at-mansfield-town-1-10221113

James Vaughan scored a penalty in each half when the sides met at Valley Parade at the end of December but he missed the clash as he served the final game of a two-match suspension.

Eoin Doyle led the line for Bantams but was starved of service as his wait for a first goal since returning to West Yorkshire goes on.

The 31-year-old scored 23 goals in 22 league outings for Swindon Town prior to his recall but was given little to work with as he was forced to battle on his own against the Stags' centre-half pairing of Krystian Pearce and Ryan Sweeney.

The Bantams were behind inside seven minutes when Joe Riley's cross was brilliantly headed back across goal by Rose as Luke McGee stood rooted to the spot.

City were barely in the game from that point, they had enjoyed a bright start which saw Dylan Connolly's shot well blocked by Mal Benning in the fourth minute.

The Bantams were sloppy in possession and second to almost every ball as the Stags went in search of a second.

The hosts should've doubled their lead minutes later when a throw-in was flicked on to Sweeney but his close-range volley went just wide of the post.

Bradford looked like they were settling into the contest as the clock crept past the half-hour mark but they failed to build any sustained period of pressure as Mansfield doubled their lead before the break.

McGee made a fine diving save to deny Pearce but from the resulting corner it was 2-0 to the hosts. The ball was whipped in from the right and Maynard, Mansfield's top scorer, was left with a free header which he nodded into the bottom corner.

The visitors had a chance to pull a goal back early in the second half, the ball was rolled to Doyle from an indirect free-kick inside the box but a host of Mansfield defenders threw themselves in front of the shot.

Bradford were starting to push Mansfield deeper but failed to create any notable chances.

The result was sealed in the 78th minute when Cook allowed the ball to run across his body before lashing home from outside the box.

Mansfield Town: Olejnik; Riley, Pearce, Sweeney, Benning; MacDonald, Bishop, Charsley (Tomlinson 83), Hamilton; Rose (Knowles 74), Maynard (Cook 74). Unused substitutes: Stone, Preston, Khan, Clarke.

Bradford City: McGee; Wood, Richards-Everton, O'Connor, Henley (Donaldson 76); Pritchard (Mellor 57), Taylor, Reeves (Devitt 57), Connolly; McCartan, Doyle. Unused substitutes: Sykes-Kenworthy, O'Connor, Oteh, Cooke.

Referee: Will Finnie.

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MANSFIELD v BANTAMS: Match stats and player ratings
By Simon Parker
https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/18187414.mansfield-v-bantams-match-stats-player-ratings/

CITY were booed off after a wretched display in their 3-0 loss at Mansfield.

T&A chief sports writer SIMON PARKER provides the match stats and player ratings from an afternoon to forget.

MAN OF THE MATCH

He conceded three but without keeper Luke McGee City’s humiliation would have been far heavier.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Dylan Connolly had a huge chance very early on - put that away and the afternoon may have unfolded in a very different manner.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

City’s lack of any response from the moment that Mansfield took the lead. There was no hint of a fightback.

TACTICS

Gary Bowyer made one change from Colchester as Harry Pritchard started for the first time since December 21. Connor Wood reverted to left back with Adam Henley switching to the right. Clayton Donaldson was back on the bench.

REFEREE: Will Finnie

BOOKINGS: Benning (Mansfield); Reeves, McCartan (City)

ATTENDANCE: 5,537

SHOTS ON TARGET: Mansfield 7, City 0

SHOTS OFF TARGET: Mansfield 7, City 5

CORNERS: Mansfield 8, City 4

FOULS COMMITTED: Mansfield 11, City 11

PLAYER RATINGS

MANSFIELD: Olejnik 6, Riley 7, Pearce 7, Sweeney 7, Benning 7, MacDonald 7, Bishop 7, Charsley 7 (Tomlinson 84min), Hamilton 7, Rose 8 (Cook 73min), Maynard 7 (Knowles 73min). Subs (not used): Preston, Khan, Clarke, Stone.

CITY: McGee 6, Henley 4 (Donaldson 77min), A O’Connor 4, Richards-Everton 4, Wood 5, Connolly 4, Reeves 4 (Devitt 57min, 4), Taylor 4, Pritchard 4 (Mellor 57min, 4), McCartan 5, Doyle 5. Subs (not used): P O’Connor, Oteh, Cooke, Sykes-Kenworthy.

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