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Archived News from March 2020

RESERVES: STAGS 0-2 GRIMSBY
17th March 2020 22:09


Reserves report: Stags 0-2 Grimsby Town
mansfieldtown.net, Tuesday 10th March 2020

Stags’ reserves were sentenced to their first Central League defeat of the season this afternoon as Grimsby Town ran out 2-0 winners at The RH Academy.

Both teams fielded strong sides for the match, but it was the Mariners who emerged on top following goals from Harry Clifton and Brandon McPherson in either half.

Duo Matt Preston and Alex MacDonald returned from injury to gain valuable minutes in the game, alongside other first team names Hayden White and Mal Benning.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2020/march/match-report-for-mansfield-town-vs-grimsby-town-reserves-on-10-mar-20/

In strong winds at The RH Academy, it was the visitors who registered the first shot at goal. Clifton looked to test 16-year-old Maison Campbell early on but right-back James Clarke threw his body in front of the effort.

There was a half-chance for MacDonald who fired over the bar from range, before Jimmy Knowles stabbed an effort wide from inside the area after seeing his initial strike blocked.

The dangerous Jordan Cook looked to race through on goal but was denied by Campbell after the youngster adopted an excellent starting position before darting off his line.

Attacking-midfielder Tyrese Sinclair got himself into a crossing position on the right-hand side, and may well have registered an assist had Knowles’ effort not been diverted behind by the leg of Ludvig Ohman.

Mansfield were then forced into an early change as striker Jordan Graham made way for under-18s’ midfielder Ethan Hill.

The wind was having a huge impact on the game and there were no real chances of note until Grimsby took the lead ten minutes before the break.

The ball broke to Clifton just outside the area, and the forward kept his cool as he advanced into the box to fire over the onrushing Campbell.

Mansfield inadvertently went close to an equaliser just before half-time, as Knowles’ cross-cum-shot cannoned off the leg of a Grimsby man and onto Sam Russell’s near post.

The Stags were much improved at the start of the second-half and almost immediately crafted an opportunity to equalise.

Knowles latched onto a loose ball inside the Grimsby box and after a few neat touches, produced a fine save from Russell with a left-footed drive.

The 18-year-old had another chance moments later, but headed wide after rising highest to meet MacDonald’s cross.

Sinclair was causing problems down the wing and saw his cross cleared onto the shin of midfielder Jack Evans, with the ball subsequently going just past the post.

Despite the Stags’ dominance in the opening stages of the second period, it was the Mariners who found the game’s next goal.

Against the run of play, substitute McPherson met a low cross from the left and finished confidently with a first-time effort.

The wind once again took a grip on proceedings and the clash became a midfield battle, with chances few and far between for either side.

Clarke looked to pull his side back into the game with a solo run but the left-footed strike that followed was well-blocked at the edge of the area.

Grimsby still posed a threat at the other end and it took a fine double-handed save from Campbell to keep out substitute Cameron Painter’s effort.

Frontman Craig Davies sought to halve the deficit with the final kick of the contest, but goalkeeper Russell was equal to the strike and held well.

Stags’ reserves are next scheduled to be back in Central League action at home against Doncaster on Tuesday 24 March (1pm).

STAGS’ XI: Campbell, Clarke, White, Preston, Benning, MacDonald, Evans, Sinclair, Graham (Hill 28’), Davies, Knowles.

UNUSED SUBS: Mason, Cooper, Sketchley, Tomlin.

GRIMSBY XI: Russell, Starbuck, Hope, Ohman, Idehen, Goundry, Buckley, Hessenthaler (Painter 63’), Adlard, Cook (McPherson 46’), Clifton.

UNUSED SUBS: Davies, Banks, Khouri.

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Academy chief reflects on Grimsby clash
mansfieldtown.net, Tuesday 10th March 2020

Academy manager Richard Cooper has offered his thoughts on Tuesday afternoon’s 2-0 defeat to Grimsby reserves in the Central League.

In windy conditions at The RH Academy, Stags slipped to their first defeat of the Central League season following goals in either half from Harry Clifton and Brandon McPherson.

Cooper says that the defeat was down to the visitors capitalising on two Mansfield mistakes.

“I think to be fair to Grimsby, they had one opportunity in the first-half and one in the second-half and they took both of their chances,” he began.

“I think we probably could have defended them [goals] better, if I’m being perfectly honest. So the two errors we’ve made, Grimsby have jumped on them and scored two goals.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2020/march/academy-chief-reflects-on-defeat/

“We had some moments in the second-half where we thought we’d work the ‘keeper, but it just wasn’t to be today.

“Their ‘keeper did make a couple of decent saves and we got into some good wide areas. The ball went across the box but we probably needed some more numbers in there.

“Jimmy [Knowles] had a couple of headers but the ‘keeper has made the saves today.”

Three teenagers who made the bench for the recent league win over Northampton - Jimmy Knowles, Tyrese Sinclair and Maison Campbell - all started the game against Grimsby.

Cooper says that Mansfield’s young players will continue to be given opportunities if they impress in training.

“It [young players involved with first team] is pleasing. The young lads have to earn the right though.

“Some of the performances in the under-18s and the reserves have been very good, but it’s what they do on the training field day-in, day-out.

“That’s the only way they will get into that first team squad.”

The academy chief also spoke of Jordan Graham, who was replaced by midfielder Ethan Hill in the first-half due to injury.

“Not too sure yet [on Jordan Graham], but he was with the medical team after the game.

“Fingers crossed because he deserves a little bit of luck with the knee at the moment.

“We’re just hoping that it’s good news.”

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Reserves Snatch Win As Hessenthaler Makes Comeback
Goals by Harry Clifton and Brandon McPherson gave a strong Town side all three points at Mansfield Town this afternoon.

https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2020/march/strong-town-side-travels-mansfield/

Goals by Harry Clifton and Brandon McPherson gave a strong Town side all three points at Mansfield Town this afternoon.

The game marked returns for Jake Hessenthaler and Jordan Cook after recovering from injury. Hessenthaler, back in action after suffering a punctured lung in a nasty collision with Stevenage’s Simeon Jackson in January, played for an hour before a scheduled substitution.

Cook managed to get 45 minutes under his belt in his comeback game, his first action since January 1st.

Town: Russell, Geondy, Ohman, Idehen, Hope, Starbuck, Hessenthaler, Clifton, Buckley, Cook, Adlard.
Subs: Davis, McPherson, Banks Khori, Painter.

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