The Forest Town Arena, home of AFC Mansfield based in Nottinghamshire and play their trade in Step 5 of the Non League Pyramid in the United Counties Premier Division North. Nicknamed the “Bulls” after a Bull features on the club crest.
Disaster has struck…… My car is out of action for the time being and it’s the news no car owner wants to hear and if you look at the thumbnail, I’m sure you can guess what’s happened… So today’s planned double with Hyde United and Altrincham for the late kick off is gone… Time for Plan B!
On a lighter note, I’m now insure for the week to drive my Dad’s car! Off to Wisewood I go… Anyway that game’s over and now it’s a race to get the 1pm train from Shirebrook to Hucknall… It’s 12:05pm and… Hillsborough Traffic… Wednesday aren’t even at home! 12:25 and I’ve only just got on to the M1… Basford United may have to wait! 12:55pm and I am back in Shirebrook and my Dad can breathe a huge sigh of relief! Too late for Basford so AFC Mansfield it is.
It will be my second visit to the Forest Town Arena in 7 years with the first one being in January 2015 when Shirebrook Town blew a 3-0 lead to 10 men in the 90th minute… I’ve been kicked in the nuts that didn’t hurt as much as that equaliser did that day!
My dad will be giving me a lift when he finishes work at 2pm so it’s Man City vs Brentford in the early kick off for the time being. It’s 1-1 with 10 minutes to play but I think we all know where this is headed so off to Forest Town it is. 2:35pm and here I am! Wait what? Brentford have won!!?? Ivan Toney you legend!! Any space on that plane Gareth?
£6 to watch this United Counties League tie! Steal! Out come the teams on this Remembrance weekend. For those who fought for us, we will remember them! The last post echoes around the ground in a beautiful rendition. The Referee blows and it’s time for the game. It’s AFC Mansfield vs Sleaford Town, and it’s LIVE!! Say that in your best Martin Tyler voice!!
Kick Off! Scrappy start to the game… “REF… Ref… Reeeeeeef!” A lot of appealing especially from the Sleaford players, I was told that it would never be pretty watching Sleaford… 11 minutes in and Mansfield come forward, it’s played into the box on the left and it’s played across to Sean Devlin to shoot on the side volley… Good save but it falls to Brontae Wint… And he puts it away!! Mansfield lead! 1-0! Could it have been saved?
17th minute and Mansfield have the ball in their own half… Oh dear that was a bit wild there from Akeel Francis, he could be in trouble here… Straight red! He’s off! Sleaford are down to 10 men already here… You can’t dive in like that though.
24th minute and Sleaford come forward, ball played through to Ryan Rushen in the box on the right, tight angle and he shoots… Keeper saves!
4 minutes later and Mansfield have it on the left, it’s worked across to Kahlid Sulieman and he shoots from 20 yards…… Good save! Corner for Mansfield, in it comes… Sleaford clear.
Half an hour gone now and Sleaford bomb down the right, it’s played across to Ryan Rushen who controls and shoots… And he’ll score!!!! Good finish!! The 10 men are level! 1-1!
43rd minute now and Sleaford have a free kick in a shooting position from around 25 yards, Griffiths takes… Straight at the keeper. At half time the score remains 1-1.
Second half… Nothing to report so far but the more it goes on, the more end to end it is becoming. 63 minutes now and Mansfield play down the left, it’s played across to Kahlid Sulieman and he’ll shoot from 25 yards… Straight at the keeper!
77th minute… Yeah it’s been that long since something happened but Mansfield have a free kick on the half way line, it’s lumped into the box, Tom Ward gets there for Sleaford and he’s sliced it… It’s wide for a corner for Mansfield, it’s played short and it’s crossed in… Side netting… Poor cross!
84 minutes now and Mansfield bomb down the left with number 12 and he gets into the box and he shoot… Wide!
2 minutes later and Mansfield come again, it’s played through to Sean Devlin who gets into the box on the right and he shoots… Keeper parries but here’s Kamani WILSON… MANSFIELD LEAD AGAIN!!! He taps in the rebound! 2-1!
We’re into stoppage time and can Sleaford find a goal here? They play down the left and it’s crossed in, it comes for Ryan Rushen who puts it on a plate for SAM WRIGHT… OH HE’S MISSED… That was the chance there for Sleaford… Sam Wright hits it over from 15 yards and she should have at least hit the target! The game goes on… That’s it! It’s 3 points for Mansfield!!
FT: AFC Mansfield 2-1 Sleaford Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 1/10 – Dead unfortunately…
- The Ground: 3.5/10 – Not my time of ground unfortunately… 2 decent little stands but there is nothing else here sadly… I’d love for them to do something on the far side if possible. There is a good elevated view of the game from the top stand but you are still a way away from the pitch.
- Expense: 10/10 – £6 for a decent game, I’ll have that!!
- Overall Experience: 6/10 – It was ok here today and I’m glad I revisited.
20.5/40