The Forest Town Stadium, based in Forest Town, believe it or not, just outside of… you guessed it! Mansfield! 3rd January 2015 and the new year hangover is all gone and Shirebrook were the visitors in this local derby against AFC Mansfield.
We arrived at the ground and into the clubhouse as always. £4 to get in! Yay! At first glimpse, not a fan of grounds with running tracks around them but nevertheless a great vantage point to watch the game. 311 fans in for this one, let’s hope for a Shirebrook victory!
Kick Off! Bright start for Shirebrook who had the better of the ball and they made AFC pay when Kieran Watson gave Shirebrook the lead after 12 minutes!! AFC now a goal down had to get a foothold and they started to get back into the game slowly but were reduced to 10 men after 2 yellow cards for Liam Pride who used to play for Shirebrook which made the Shirebrook fans laugh in hysterics. Shirebrook still edged the game but the game would stay 0-1 going into the break.
Second Half! Shirebrook again continued to press and with 50 minutes played, Jamie York found himself with the ball just inside the AFC box, he went for goal… deflection! The keeper scrambled but he couldn’t get there! 0-2 to Shirebrook! AFC wouldn’t back down and started to come again but lacked conviction in the last third. Shirebrook were looking dangerous and Kieran Watson found himself through on goal… wide… should have been 3 for Shirebrook. Shirebrook won a corner with 15 minutes left and was delivered, pinball in the box followed until it fell to Matthew Plant who at point blank put it in the onion bag! 0-3 Game Over!
Not just yet though, A free kick in a crossing position for AFC was delivered and met by Ryan Williams to make it 1-3 with 13 minutes to play. The AFC fans got behind their team and prayed for a fight back but minutes later Kieran Watson was through again… saved! The keeper got a hand to it and put it behind for a corner, another chance goes begging for Watson. AFC continued to press and with 3 minutes left they were awarded a corner. Corner whipped in and Joe Naylor’s head made it 2-3… nervous much? If you’re Shirebrook yes!
AFC believed now but Watson was through again for Shirebrook… surely… he’s missed it! Yet again Watson fails to capitalise and the score stays 2-3. Into Stoppage time and AFC threw the kitchen sink at Shirebrook, A long ball delivered into the box, half cleared and the ball fell to the Shirebrook born Declan Brewin, first time shot… GOAL… They’ve done it!! 3-0 with 10 men and the score now 3-3 which sent the AFC players, management and fans into delirium! The game finished 3-3 and Shirebrook were left to rue their missed chances.
FT: AFC Mansfield 3-3 Shirebrook Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 5/10 – Plenty of noise from the AFC Mansfield fans today, down the middle for this one.
- The Ground: 2/10 – Nice clubhouse but not a fan of running tracks around the pitch and with one side of the pitch inaccessible, not going to be a high scorer from me unfortunately.
- Expense: 7/10 – £4 to watch 6 goals, a fantastic comeback and a red card, entertainment value is at a high but not when you’re on the receiving end…
- Overall Experience: 5/10 – A great game I had just witnessed but not happy with the result. Not a good day supporting Shirebrook Town.
19/40