Lincoln match report by Sweden Stag

[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.

[lancer]

Cant you watch all the Stags games on Ifollow out there Svente?

[stagshead]

I assume that the game was on free to air on Swedish TV and not pay per view.