Field Mill, the One Call Stadium, the setting for tonight’s first leg of the League 2 Play-Offs between Mansfield Town and Northampton Town! Come on you Stags!! Northampton beat Mansfield 2-0 at Sixfields back in October but Mansfield came out the victors here 1-0 at Field Mill back in April… Anyone’s game!
The journey now back up the M1 from Brackley after York’s win in their play-off game so that’s 1/3 so far for me today as Liverpool are drawing 0-0 with Chelsea as the journey goes on. It’s 7pm and here we are at the Super bowl in Mansfield. Goodbye to Gary and Co. until next time! Now for the walk to Field Mill.
The gate is shut so we all go around Quarry Lane. A sea of fans here already… Sean Dyche has just pulled up! What’s he doing here!? Max Dyche on the bench for Northampton today who is Sean’s son.
Bars and food stalls outside the turnstiles again today… But I’m not waiting in line that long! I’m going in! A big thanks to Chris for sorting this ticket out for me at the last minute! £18 to him for this game! Thank you Chris!
It’s hotting up once again in Block Q as I wait for the Super Stag, Tom & Jack! They’re finally here along with Lewis HC and Owen! Liverpool and Chelsea have gone to Penalties… Sadio Mane to win it… Saved! Oh no! Diogo Jota must score now… He does! Mason Mount now… SAVED! It’s Tsimikas to step up… LIVERPOOL HAVE WON THE FA CUP!!! It’s 2/3 for me!! Only Mansfield can let me down now!! The atmosphere really is bouncing already here!!
Out come the players!! The Yellow balloons and beach balls are flying high now!! Live on Sky Sports!! The world will be watching!! Come on!!
Kick Off! “Yellow & Blue Army!” 5 minutes in and Mansfield have it down the left with Stephen McLaughlin, he plays it across for Oates sliding in… He doesn’t get there and it rolls away… 13 minutes now and Mansfield play forward again, a through ball is played to Rhys Oates in the box and he shoots… AND HE SCORES!!!!! COME ON!!!!! Great finish by Oates and Mansfield lead here in the first leg!! 1-0!!
“Oates Oates Rhysy Rhysy Oates! He gets the ball and scores a goal! Rhysy Rhysy Oates!” Even for Block Q standards this is SPECTACULAR!! “We’re on our way we’re on our way! To the League One we’re on our way!” Shirts are coming off now!
Mansfield are passing it around like Barcelona here! They’re almost playing like a different team who play in Yellow & Blue! No not Wimbledon… 32 minutes now and Mansfield pass it around the midfield, Longstaff plays a brilliant ball out to Murphy on the left, he gets into the box and he plays it across, it comes to the back post and here’s BOWERY!!! OHHHHHHHH!!!!! IT’S ANOTHER ONE!!!!! THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!!!! MANSFIELD SCORE AGAIN!! It’s 2-0!!! The Wembley arch is getting ever closer!!
“Que sera sera! Whatever will be will be! We’re going to Wembley! Que sera sera!” Mansfield fans believe! It’s becoming one of the great Mansfield performances as they pass the ball around magnificently here! It really is just like watching Brazil! Mansfield chase the third but they can’t quite get in behind and it stays 2-0 at half time! I’d have snapped anyone’s hand off for that before the game!
Second half, 47th minute and Mansfield come forward, Rhys Oates gets onto it and he drives into the box, he shoots… Good save by the Northampton keeper!
Northampton starting to show signs of coming back into this you have to say. 60th minute and Mansfield come forward down the left, Stephen Quinn plays it back to Jamie Murphy… But it’s a poor pass and Northampton break, Louis George Appere has it on the left for Northampton and he cuts inside on the edge of the box, he plays it to Ali Koiki, he makes space and he shoots from the edge of the box… It’s there… Northampton are back in it! 2-1!
Northampton looking the better side now and taking the game to Mansfield… And Mansfield can’t seem to string 2 passes together after the passes they did in the first half now… Don’t blow it! 66th minute and a change for Northampton… It’s one of our old favourites! Danny Rose coming on for Northampton… Do NOT let him score Mansfield!
77th minute and Northampton have a throw in on the right, it’s a long one, headed away, it comes to Sam Hoskins in the box on the left to strike… Blocked! It comes to Josh Eppiah… Deflected over for a corner, in it comes… It’s just wide! A header there from Northampton from close range…
Northampton continue to press for the equaliser but Mansfield continue to defend with their lives! Into stoppage time now and Lucas Akins has the ball on the right for Mansfield, he plays a ball forward for Rhys Oates to chase, he battles with the defender… He gets the better of him and he’s through… Oh no! The Referee blows for a foul! Damn! Play goes on… That’s it! Advantage Mansfield! That’s 3/3 for me today!! Bring on Wednesday night!
FT: Mansfield Town 2-1 Northampton Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 10/10 – One of the best I have been amongst in Block Q! Fantastic!! That’s it!
- Build Up: 8/10 – Very good before the game with the crowds outside and even better from the fans inside!
- Expense: 10/10 – Worth it for sure!! A game of 2 halves but a good game!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – Really enjoyed the game! Would’ve loved Mansfield to kick on in the second half but I can’t complain with the result!
37/40
Love how you get into it pal!! Up the Stags!!!