With so much talk during the week about providing bodies in support of Matt Green, he showed he was not averse to ploughing a lone furrow as he lashed in a powerful solo effort to give the Stags all three points against York at Bootham Crescent. Having not had his best afternoon last weekend against Oxford, Green had said in midweek that he was raring to go and backed that up with his first goals for Mansfield Town since his much celebrated summer return.
Adam Murray was gushing in his praise for his young team during his press conference this week, as he insisted he was now loving his role as Manager following last season's baptism of fire. He displayed his confidence and satisfaction at the hard fought draw with Oxford by naming an unchanged side. He also confirmed that loanee James Caton, who barely featured for the Stags, had returned to parent club Shrewsbury. York started with Vadaine Oliver up front, whose goals contributed towards the Stags survival.
The Stags started slowly, akin to how they fared for much of the second half away at Accrington. York were not producing anything spectacular but were managing to work the ball into wide areas. On 8 minutes, the home side took the lead in the easiest of fashion. Reece Thompson was fouled on the right hand side of the Stags area by Krystian Pearce. With Mansfield's defence seemingly disorganised, the ball was whipped in by Summerfield, over the head of Hunt. Chapman was marking the zone on the edge of the box but had let Thompson run unmarked to toe end the ball home for the easiest goal he will ever score. Pearce led the enquiries into how the striker had been allowed so much space. A terrible start for the Stags.
The goal seemed to shake the Stags into life as the visitors began to control possession, patiently probing down both flanks. Following a good passage of play, Mitch Rose dribbled in from the left and struck a shot goalwards from long range, which deflected for a corner on the Stags right. From the corner, the Stags were level.
Reggie Lambe was entrusted with delivering the set piece. Instead of the customary floated delivery, the ball was rolled towards the edge of the box where Adam Chapman was arriving to sweep the ball goalwards. Whether it was a shot or a pass only he will know, but the ball travelled to the six yard box right in the centre of the goal, where it looked like Green was stretching to control the ball. With York keeper Flinders already diving to his right to save Chapman's effort, Green's touch was enough to changed the direction of the ball and despite a heavy touch off Flinders left boot he was unable to deny Green his first goal of the season. It was clearly a routine which had been devised on the training ground and there were two pieces of subtle movement by Tafazolli and Rose which were vital to the goal. Firstly, Rose was standing outside the area and ran toward Lambe and the corner of the penalty area. As a result, his marker followed him, which vacated the space for Lambe to deliver the ball and Chapman to run into. Secondly, Chapman's marker, who had been outfoxed by his opposite numbers movement, was breaking his neck to try and match the run but was cleverly blocked off by Tafazolli. Arguably a foul could have been awarded for Tafazolli's contribution, certainly York defender Keith Lowe thought so, but the referee was looking straight at the incident and decided against it.
Mansfield were now in charge and playing with confidence. On 16 minutes, a good run down the left by Benning ended with a cross come shot which evaded everyone and went wide of the far post. Moments later, Westcarr delivered from the right just too far in front of Matt Green. Green was looking hungry and his movement was causing all sorts of problems. On 24 minutes, Flinders committed a handball outside of his area which the referee saw and awarded a free kick. Bizarrely, he omitted to show Flinders a yellow card.
The Stags fine first half was rewarded on the half hour mark as Green grabbed his second. Great tracking back initially by Reggie Lambe to win the ball from Penn and the loose ball ran to Nicky Hunt in the right back spot. Hunt calmly stroked the ball through the opposition and into Westcarr in the centre circle. Westcarr turned and threaded the ball into the left channel for the ever willing run of Green. Green drove towards goal with two defenders backing off in front of him, cut inside Winfield and fired the ball low to the keepers right and into the net. Vintage play from Matt Green, exactly the type of goal you expect to see from him.
The home side began to come forward again following Mansfield taking the lead. Tutonda did well down the left to get away from Hunt and the cross found Vadaine Oliver who could only direct his finish over the bar. Hunt could have done better in stopping the cross in my opinion, the Stags looking particularly vulnerable when the ball was delivered into the box. At the other end, Lambe was sent away into the left channel, cut inside and fired well over the bar.
Another cross caused Stags problems on 39 minutes. McCoys whipped delivery found Penn unmarked, only for the York skipper to head wide when he really should have hit the target. Penn was Chapman's man and both Pearce and Hunt immediately let Chapman know. Chapman appeared to be protesting his innocence, but as we keep seeing he is prone to lapses defensively .
Just before half time, Green should have had the opportunity for his hat-trick. Clements slid the ball through and Green perhaps will be disappointed he could not control the ball. Yet again, York came forward with Tutonda on the left but his cross ran through the area and out the other side.
A great first half to watch as both sides looked to attack. After a sluggish start, the Stags had imposed themselves on the game, keeping the ball well. Matt Green looked back to his best as he ran Winfield and Lowe ragged, neither of whom had been particularly impressive.
The sides emerged unchanged for the second period, with Mansfield keen to avoid coming under the cosh as they had in the opening exchanges off the first. They were immediately on the front foot as Westcarr won a free-kick on the right. Benning's delivery was cleared but ended up back with the full back. He cut in from the right and shot tamely from 30 yard straight at Flinders. The keeper however made a complete hash of saving the shot and fumbled the ball wide for a corner. Had Flinders made the error a few steps to the right, the ball would have ended up in the bottom corner.
On 48 minutes, a good switch of play by Chapman found Westcarr on the right. Westcarr delivered an excellent pass into the path of Green but the striker had just strayed offside. On 53 minutes, Mitchell Rose put the York left back under pressure on the left touchline, poking the ball past him and driving into the box. Unfortunately, Rose was off balance and went to ground appealing for a penalty. He was lucky not to be booked for diving in my opinion.
York were beginning to apply pressure to the Stags defence without creating clear cut chances, still looking dangerous down the left. The away side were now struggling a little to make the ball stick up top. On the hour mark, Rose was replaced by Jack Thomas. Another energetic display by Rose.
On 63 minutes, Tutonda again caused Hunt problems and delivered a cross onto the head of Oliver. His effort was on target but blocked by the towering Tafazolli. Two minutes later an inexplicable back pass by Chapman put his team in trouble as Berrett raced onto the ball, but his slashed shot was well wide of the target.
The home side continued to build momentum. A corner from the right was headed wide of the target by Ilesanmi after he rose above Jack Thomas. It is not the first time I have noticed Jack Thomas marking a big threat from a set piece, as last week he was entrusted with shackling Danny Hylton, a bit of a mismatch in my opinion.
On 77 minutes, the Stags made their second change as Lee Collins replaced Reggie Lambe. Collins went to right back with Hunt moving to right midfield. The change was clearly made to combat the threat of Tutonda on the left. On 80 minutes, a cross from the left drew Jensen off his line. The big man did not quite reach the ball but again Ilesanmi could not hit the target.
With ten minutes to go York looked to have run out of ideas, the introduction of Collins shoring up the Mansfield defence. The Stags almost extended their lead on 86 minutes. Benning drove forward down the left and into the area. He overran the ball but it broke to Green. Green curled the ball over to Clements, outside the area right of centre. Clements took one touch and cracked a shot from 25 yards. The keeper was well beaten but the ball flicked off the outside of Flinders right hand post. A brilliant effort from Clements.
The York defence, particularly Dave Winfield, had been terrible. This was underlined on 87 minutes as in trying to play out from the back, Winfield let a square pass run under his foot. Thomas pounced on the mistake and managed to nick the ball past Winfield, only for the defender to throw himself to the ground and be awarded a free kick. Pathetic play-acting by Winfield, who probably has a three stone weight advantage over Thomas.
With one minute of normal time remaining, Chris Beardsley came on for Craig Westcarr. Praise must go to Westcarr who despite not being considered first choice by Murray in the first few games has provided a goal and an assist in his two league starts. He is also adept at keeping the ball. Seven minutes of added on time were indicated by the fourth official, two minutes too many in my opinion.
Despite the game being prolonged all in all by eight minutes, the Stags came through stoppage time unscathed and registered their second win of the season. Great celebrations at the final whistle by Adam Murray, with numerous fist pumps directed at the travelling supporters. A good, solid victory during which the Stags were vigorously tested by deliveries into the box.
Mansfield's next game will be at Meadow Lane on Tuesday night in the Johnstones Paint Trophy, a competition which is seldom taken too seriously by League Two clubs. It will be a return to the scene of Adam Murray's most famous night as Mansfield Town manager, but is likely to be treated as a chance for the current fringe players to get minutes under their belt. I would have thought we will see starts for Liam Marsden, Lee Collins, Jack Thomas, Nathan Thomas and Chris Beardsley. Yussuf, McGuire and Shires will also be looking to feature in the managers plans.
Whether or not a full strength side is played, a local derby should never have its importance dampened by the status of the competition within which the fixture takes place. The fringe players will be looking to make their mark and will certainly be remembered should they contribute positively towards two successive wins over Notts County in their own backyard.
Player Ratings :
Jensen - 7 - Little to do throughout. One missed punch but luckily came to nothing
Hunt - 6.5 - Given a tough afternoon by Tutonda but generally defended well. Should have worked harder to stop crosses after seeing the trouble they were causing.
Pearce - 7.5 - Gave away the free-kick which led to the goal but generally solid.
Tafazolli - 8.5 - Another stellar performance. Won every header without making any mistakes.
Benning - 7.5 - No troubles defensively and a threat going forward. Perhaps could brush up on his set piece delivery.
Chapman - 6.5 - Some good passing but switched off for the opening goal and when allowing Penn a free header. Needs to improve defensively or be pushed further up the pitch.
Clements - 7.5 - So composed on the ball, kept things ticking over. A few excellent defensive challenges and unlucky with long range effort against the post. Has stepped up to the plate so far.
Rose - 7 - Energetic, all action display.
Westcarr - 7.5 - Very good game. Involved in most of the pass and move passages of play and set up goal for Green.
Lambe 7 - Did well defensively and some neat play but needs to have more confidence in his ability going forward.
Green - 9 - Brilliant performance. A bit of luck with the first but superb second. Was a threat all afternoon and had his touch been a bit better on a few occasions could of had a third.
Subs -
J Thomas (Rose 60) - Worked hard to support Green. Not involved as much as he would like.
Collins (Lambe 77) - Shored up the defence and nullified Tutonda.
Beardsley (Westcarr 89) - Did well in his short time on the pitch, drawing fouls and running down the clock.
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