Field Mill, home of Mansfield Town based in Mansfield Town Centre, Nottinghamshire. The Oldest ground in the Football League, hosting football matches since 1861 and has also been used as a Cricket ground. Mansfield Town are a team I hold in high regard, attending school and growing up a few miles out of town and I have been to numerous home and away matches over the years. 20th January 2018 and Cheltenham Town were the visitors to the Mill and this will be the subject of this blog.
The “Stags” were dreaming of promotion and looking to get into the play offs with a win today. My brother Broseph and I were in attendance today and at the ground met my brothers friend the Super Stag. We made our way into Block Q of the home end, the passionate end. £25 to watch this League 2 match! Hmmm…….. Not sure about that one.
Kick Off! “Woke up this morning feeling fine, I’ve got Mansfield on my mind” echoed around Block Q for the first 8 minutes of the match and the drum was banging. A poor start to the game with little creativity from both sides but on 24 minutes, Cheltenham’s Mohamed Eisa drove into the Mansfield box and was bundled over by Mansfield’s Hayden White, a clear 10/10 penalty for me and the Referee who pointed to the spot. Harry Pell to take it and straight down the middle, if only Conrad Logan had stood still… 0-1 the score. “YELLOW & BLUE ARMY!!!” The Mansfield fans spirits haven’t been dampened yet!
Mansfield responded well and started to take the game to Cheltenham and 11 minutes after going behind Alfie Potter made a run down the right channel, he drove into the box played it across goal and on a plate for CJ Hamilton who made no mistake, 1-1! 41 minutes gone and a long ball played by Mal Benning towards Danny Rose saw Cheltenham’s Taylor Moore hack Rose down with what looked like the use of an elbow… oh dear! The Referee without hesitation issued Moore with a Red Card! “Cheerio Cheerio Cheerio!” from me and the Mansfield fans but it wasn’t finished yet, tension in the dugout as the Cheltenham boss Gary Johnson was being restrained after an altercation with the Mansfield boss Steve Evans and assistant Paul Raynor which saw Johnson sent to the stands.
The tension from the dugouts began to show on the pitch as Mohamed Eisa was brought off after a challenge from Mansfield skipper Krystian Pearce which resulted in 12 minutes of stoppage time, no more goals in the first half with the score remaining 1 all at the break.
Second Half, tempers were beginning to show now as on 68 minutes a penalty appeal for Mansfield was waved away by the Referee, Hayden White went flying in two-footed off the ground which angered multiple Cheltenham players and saw him given a straight red! He could have no arguments in my opinion. 10 against 10 now and the game began to open up and on 74 minutes Elijah Adebayo received the ball in the Mansfield area from Danny Wright’s cross, touch and finish… 1-2 and he rubbed it in by shushing the Mansfield faithful.
10 minutes to go and a throwing deep in the Cheltenham half given to Krystian Pearce who carried the ball into the Cheltenham box and squared to Alex MacDonald finding Kane Hemmings with the keeper committed… SUPER SUB! 2-2 and game on now! Mansfield went in search for the winning goal, 83 minutes gone and a good battle for the ball between Mansfield’s Alfie Potter and Cheltenham’s Danny Wright saw Potter get the better and then saw Wright lash out striking Potter in the head! Straight Red Card for Wright, that’s 3 Red Cards! Yes, 3 Red Cards in one match! Unreal!
Into 4 minutes of stoppage time and Mal Benning drove forward toward the Cheltenham box and went for Glory… Blocked and the ball fell from the Cheltenham defences grasp towards CJ HAMILTON…. GET IN!!!! HE’S DONE IT!!!! 3-2!!!! 90+4 on the clock! WOULD YOU CREDIT IT!!! Limbs in the Mansfield end what a way to win a game of football! Cheltenham had one minute to save themselves and had given the ball away and a goal kick for Mansfield, the Cheltenham fans then started to argue with the Mansfield ball boy behind the goal, allegedly gave the ball back too late, but in the stands we weren’t complaining. Conrad Logan took the goal kick and the Referee blew for Full Time and a huge Roar from the Mansfield fans!!
FT: Mansfield Town 3-2 Cheltenham Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 9/10 – Plenty of noise from the Mansfield faithful and the drum was banging throughout!
- The Ground: 6/10 – It’s a nice little ground with plenty of History and it’s Old School which I am personally a big fan of, unfortunately though, only 3 stands.
- Expense: 10/10 – £25 for a League 2 match I think is a big overpriced in my opinion but with 3 red cards, 5 goals, manager sent to the stands, fans arguing with ball boys, a penalty and a last gasp winner, what more can you get at a football match?
- Overall Experience: 10/10 – One of the best matches I have ever witnessed live if not the best so far, the match had simply everything!
35/40