It’s a roller coaster ride of emotions for football fans, at times it can be the best feeling in the world. You’re there screaming at the top of your voice or crying your eyes out that your team has won… But sometimes the exact opposite can happen… It can ruin your whole day/week/month/year! It really can leave you feeling really low. These are the 10 games that left me reeling!
10. Sheffield United Vs Sheffield Wednesday (2018/19)
9th November 2018 and I’ve been looking forward to this game all week!! My first Steel City Derby that I will be watching from the stands since moving to Sheffield. United is the team I have taken more of a liking out of the 2 Sheffield teams and I will be right behind them tonight!!
Work is done! Time to get home, get ready and straight to the bars to sharpen up!! Pubs all around London Road near Bramall Lane are already packed full 4 hours before kick off re-watching the famous 4-2 win of last season at Hillsborough. I will be alone tonight but I would be meeting a friend of the opposition before the match. The Sheffield Tap was the destination and time for me to introduce him to my personal favourite Belgian beers!! But not too many as they are respectively stronger than the usual.
A bottle of Delirium and a pint of Amstel later and to the Showroom Cinema bar to meet one of my then fellow work colleagues for another Amstel and then off to Bramall Lane we went. Me and my Wednesday mate parted ways early to avoid any disorder. I got to Bramall Lane where the action happened between fans in this fixture last season and there was plenty of noise! Wednesday fans marching onto Bramall Lane with some United fans trying to break through the police barrier to get to them… Who doesn’t love a local derby?
£31 to watch this Steel City Derby! Cheers! I decided to get in early to avoid the inevitable later queues, the atmosphere was beginning to build and the United players finished their warm up to a wall of noise from the Blades faithful! United looking to boost their Premier League dream whereas Wednesday looking to end a run of four losses in a row and had also failed to keep a clean sheet all season, not looking good for Wednesday. The teams walked out and the volume was pumped up to the max!! And then turned down to mute as we remember our heroes to the sound of the ‘Last Post’.
Kick Off! “STAND UP IF YOU HATE WEDNESDAY!” Echoing around the ground which looked to motivate the United players and it did. John Fleck finds himself with the ball 30 yards out, “SHOOT!!” Cried the United fans. He did… Good save by Cameron Dawson who tips it behind for a corner. The United fans drowning out any noise coming from the Wednesday fans. “We’re on the march with Wilder’s army! We’re not going to Wembley! And we don’t give a f**k because the Blades are going up! And United are the greatest footbal team!”
Wednesday now with a free kick lofted into the United box, headed away by David McGoldrick to Adam Reach who crossed into the box and put behind for a Wednesday corner. Corner whipped in towards MORGAN FOX… Over the bar and how?? Heart in your mouth moment for United fans there Morgan Fox just 4 yards out should have found the net there.
15 minutes gone and Ollie Norwood with the ball for United who plays it to David McGoldrick on the edge of the Wednesday box gives it to Mark Duffy who charges past the Wednesday defence, down he goes… PENALTY TO UNITED!! Mark Duffy brought down by Morgan Fox and a guilt edge chance for David McGoldrick to give United the lead. McGoldrick steps up… SAVED BY CAMERON DAWSON!! The Wednesday fans behind the goal going crazy at that and the score remains 0-0. United would continue to dominate but would fail to score with half time the score being 0-0.
Second Half! United started exactly as they did the first with wave after wave of attacks on the Wednesday goal. The team who hadn’t kept a clean sheet all season were looking more and more likely to break that stat as the game went on as United couldn’t find the winning formula. David McGoldrick receiving the ball and driving towards the edge of the box and goes for goal 25 yards out… But straight at Dawson. United resorted to shooting from distance unrealistically and trying to score from crosses and trying to charge into the Wednesday box by dummying crosses which created a sense of frustration amongst the United fans.
93 minutes gone and it looks certain to end stalemate as United have their 12th corner of the game. Ball whipped in, IT’S BILLY SHARP!! It’s just wide… So close to what would have been a famous goal in his career and in Steel City Derby history. Last minute of Stoppage time and United have been awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. Is this the moment? Ollie Norwood steps up! On target… Saved by Cameron Dawson and that would be the last kick of the game as the Referee blew for full time.
“How have we not leathered them?” One fan said as he walked out. A poor game I have to say even though I enjoyed the build up and atmosphere at the start I had to say overall for a game I had been looking forward to so much, I was left underwhelmed and disappointed. I hate 0-0 matches!! Especially when the team you want to win dominates in such a way…
FT: Sheffield United 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday
9. Mansfield Town Vs Port Vale (2017/18)
21st April 2018 and Mansfield are at home to Port Vale with only 2 games remaining after this one. David Flitcroft finally getting his first win since taking over from Steve Evans at the start of March and what a day to get it!!! But on a serious note, Mansfield really need to be consistent if they want to reach the play-offs. Port Vale on the other hand are looking to escape any scares of relegation to the National League. I don’t want to jump the gun but surely Mansfield have got this!
£25 later, into the ground and into an upbeat Block Q. “I guess I’ll never know, the reason why, I love you like I do!! Because we’re Amber!! We’re Amber and Blue!!!” Kick-Off, Mansfield the better team so far taking the game to Vale, Danny Rose going for goal from 30 yards! But no trouble for Vale. Vale now with the ball, it’s played to the edge of the box towards Tom Pope… Just over!! A perfect example of the danger that Vale possess on the break, let’s hope that Mansfield don’t let that happen again.
Mansfield really in control now! Alex MacDonald in space and going for goal… Save by the keeper. Long ball played forward and Kane Hemmings is past the last defender…… High, wide and not very handsome unfortunately… Mansfield continued to dominate but would not make the breakthrough in the first half and the score at half-time is 0-0.
Second half, “YELLOW & BLUE ARMY!!”, “We’re on our way, we’re on our way!! To the League One we’re on our way!!” Mansfield fans in great voice and the sore throat drawing ever closer for me… Mansfield continued in the same spirit as the first half had ended, it looked like only a matter of time before they scored. Alex MacDonald with the ball on the right and he plays it to ALFIE POTTER!!! He’s sliced it… Just behind the 6 yard line and he’s missed it… Frustrating but very encouraging of how the half may play out.
Port Vale players starting to play for the draw already as they were starting to time waste much to the frustration of everyone associated with Mansfield in the ground today. Just after the hour mark, and Mal Benning receiving the ball from CJ Hamilton on the left and crossing, DANNY ROSE… Oh so close!! He should have scored… Headed just over, it’s going to finish 0-0 isn’t it?
72 minutes gone and a long ball found Danny Rose on the right, he drives into the box and fires at goal… parried by the keeper, Charlie Raglan with the clearance striking the ball against his own man Kyle Howkins and………IT’S GONE IN!!!!!! NO IT’S NOT GONNA FINISH 0-0!!!! Finally some luck for Mansfield in front of goal and they have a deserved lead, to the League One we were on our way!!
Mansfield continued to pile on the pressure, Mal Benning had the ball on the left again and crossing into the box… And sliced towards his own goal by Kyle Howkins… Tipped away by the keeper but it’s not done yet, played back in towards Hemmings and wide! Could have been 2 there very easily.
89 minutes and Port Vale with the ball now and played over the top has beaten the offside trap, Conrad Logan charging out at Dan Turner who plays the ball beyond him, it’s TOM POPE!! Krystian Pearce with a hand to it, Where is it going to drop?? In the back of the net… 1-1 just like that… Oh Mansfield… The feeling in my stomach is nothing short of hurrendous!! Will Mansfield ever gain promotion to League One I wonder?
There’s 5 minutes of stoppage time but I did not have the energy to believe in Mansfield. Not this time I thought after being let down relentlessly during Flitcroft’s short current spell in charge. 92 minutes gone and Vale had the ball on the left… Don’t you dare Mansfield!! Ball played and fired at goal… Saved by Logan, thankfully… Mansfield failed to score again and the score remained 1-1 and we looked like we were staying down with the Vale as the fans had chanted after their equaliser. Lincoln winning meant that Mansfield were 3 points behind them with 2 games left, it’s not happening is it? I fully expect Lincoln to finish in the play-offs and my possible Wembley dream is snatched away from me for another year. One game I would love to forget about very quickly it’s fair to say…
FT: Mansfield Town 1-1 Port Vale
8. Mansfield Town Vs Grimsby Town (2019/20)
4th January 2020, first time at the Mill in a while and the first time under new manager Graham Coughlan. An underwhelming season for Mansfield with mid-table mediocrity looking very likely this season after the almost certain promotion bid falling apart last season. Grimsby in mid-table as well and looking to make a good start under new manager Ian Holloway. Should be a tasty affair this one!!
Arrival at the ground at around 1:30pm… “IAN!” one of the Mansfield fans shouting at Holloway who was doing an interview for Sky Sports. “I’ll be there in a minute mate” he says. Photo opportunity pending… A few minutes later and over he comes! Photo opportunity taken!!
Thank you Ian Holloway!! The Super Stag wasn’t that jealous… Great start to the day, let’s hope Mansfield don’t spoil it. £25 and in we go!! Block Q and the full capacity of the away end by the Grimsby fans should make for a cracking atmosphere!
Kick Off! Mansfield starting the better of the two teams who were leading the pack with more of the ball. 10 minutes in and Jacob Mellis is chasing the loose ball but here comes Luke Waterfall… OH MY WORD!! Cue Mick Morgan: “GET HIM OFF THE FIELD!! GET HIM WALKING!! THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY DIABOLICAL!” Couldn’t have put it better myself, carnage on the pitch as the players start scrapping after a shocking two footed tackle on Mellis by Waterfall. Referee reaches for his pocket… HE’S OFF!! Red Card! Deservedly so and Grimsby have to play the remaining 80 minutes with 10 men. It’s looking good for Mansfield!
“BLUE & YELLOW BARMY ARMY!” Mansfield fans believed. Not much to report after the red card as both teams enjoyed spells with the ball with no conviction. 25 minutes, flick on from Danny Rose to Nicky Maynard, HE’S IN… He’s missed it… He should have scored easily!! Big chance wasted by Mansfield there. Stopage time in the first half, Neal Bishop loses the ball in midfield and Grimsby come forward with Charles Vernam and he goes for goal outside the box… Save by Conrad Logan and cleared by Krystian Pearce. No goals before the break and the score remained stalemate.
Second half, no real chances in the first 10 minutes of the half. 57 minutes gone and Alex MacDonald with the ball on the right and delivers a cross, it’s Nicky Maynard… sliced it but Danny Rose retrieves it and taken away from him, it rolls back towards the edge of the box to MAL BENNING!!! Straight at the keeper, better from Mansfield!
66 minutes and Grimsby with the ball in the Mansfield half. Liam Gibson on the left crossing the ball into the box… Mal Benning, what have you just done?? A tip for defenders, do not try and clear the ball over your own crossbar!! A shocking own goal by Benning, he didn’t need to do that, there was no danger near him. The Grimsby fans go into hysterics and Ian Holloway jumps for joy on the touchline. “THEY’VE HAD 10 MEN FOR NEARLY AN HOUR!!” This season in a nutshell for Mansfield, but can they respond?
“MARINERS! MARINERS!” Grimsby fans in fine voice now. Mansfield began to dominate looking for the equaliser and the inevitable time wasting from the Grimsby players began. Last 5 minutes and Mansfield continue to press, Andy Cook with the ball on the edge of the box, squares it to Nicky Maynard… Just over! So close!
Last minute of the game and it looks almost certain that Grimsby are going to see this out. A Grimsby throwing headed away by Mansfield to Nicky Maynard 35 yards out and he goes for goal on the volley… What a save!! Tipped over and out for a corner, but the referee blows the final whistle and it’s game over!! Mansfield have just lost to a team with 10 men for 80 minutes… Why did I bother? Meeting Ian Holloway couldn’t improve my mood after that performance…
FT: Mansfield Town 0-1 Grimsby Town
7. Mansfield Town Vs Crewe Alexandra (2017/18)
7th April 2018, Mansfield are home to Crewe who were lingering in mid-table against an out of form Mansfield who were looking good for automatic promotion now fighting for a place in the play-offs and still without a win under new manager David Flitcroft. Mansfield needing to win this one in all fairness but confidence amongst fans was beginning to drop. Me, the Super Stag and Broseph in attendance today!
£25 to watch this tie! The atmosphere in the ground a lot flatter than usual with a place in the play-offs still well within reach for Mansfield despite the poor form. “Yellow and Blue army” shouted by me failed to get the attention of the stags fans and the singing block remained silent… Hopefully not a sign of things to come.
Kick Off, a bright start for Crewe, 7 minutes gone and the ball worked forward to James Jones who races towards goal, shoots… Great start Mansfield… NOT!! 1-0 to Crewe in this must win game for the stags. 3 minutes later and a short corner taken by Crewe, delivered into the box, Mansfield failing to clear and the ball falls to Jordan Bowery… It’s 2-0 to Crewe… Disgraceful defending by Mansfield who’s captain Krystian Pearce left out of the starting lineup today, began to warm up in front of a Mansfield crowd booing around the ground fiercely now.
16 minutes and Mansfield now with the ball in the Crewe half, Kane Hemmings with the cross towards LEE ANGOL… OFF THE POST!! REBOUND!! IN!! 1-2! Game on!! A lot more spirit shown now by Mansfield who started to come into the game. 25 minutes gone and Alfie Potter with the ball for Mansfield, dispossessed by Crewe, it’s Charlie Kirk and he lays it off for Harry Pickering!! It’s 1-3 now!! Just like that!! Boos are getting louder now…
2 minutes later and Crewe are looking for more, a throw-in into the box and Mansfield again can’t clear it and the ball finds it’s way to Charlie Kirk!! 1-4… Some Mansfield fans had seen enough and the stands started to empty. 4-1 down and not even half an hour gone… It’s just like watching Brazil… Of 4 years ago in the World Cup semi-final against Germany, they played in yellow and blue that night too.
My brother Broseph being one of the fans who wanted to leave early but I had somehow convinced him not to and he stayed. Zander Diamond made way for Krystian Pearce after the fourth goal with fans questioning why he wasn’t starting, me included. Thankfully Crewe didn’t score any more goals and the score at half time remained 1-4 and Flitcroft was on the end of abuse from fans as he walked down the touchline.
Second half, A brighter start from Mansfield now who brought on Danny Rose and Ricky Miller. 50 minutes gone and a cross into the Crewe box from Ricky Miller, Kane Hemmings is there… Goal!! 2-4! We’re not going to pull this off are we? Mansfield started to dictate the game but Crewe continued to look dangerous on the breakaway.
72 minutes gone, the ball played to Danny Rose on the edge of the box, flick up and shot towards goal… Oh my word!! What a goal that would have been!! Off the bar in the end to what would have been one of the goals of the season!! 76 minutes and Mansfield come again with CJ Hamilton on the left, he cuts inside and fires at goal!! Blocked but the ball rolls forward, IT’S RICKY MILLER!!! IT’S 3-4!! Plenty of time for an equaliser now, Come on Mansfield!!!
All Mansfield now with wave after wave after wave of attacks on the Crewe goal who were beginning to run down the clock. Mansfield threw the kitchen sink at Crewe but they failed to equalise… A shocking first half performance sealing Mansfield’s fate in the end, sort it out Flitcroft!! It’s Chesterfield away next week!!
FT: Mansfield Town 3-4 Crewe Alexandra
6. Mansfield Town Vs Stevenage (2018/19)
27th April 2019 and Mansfield could get promoted today!!!! I repeat: Mansfield could get promotion today!!!! If Mansfield beat Stevenage and MK Dons lose away at Colchester United, the superior goal difference of Mansfield would be enough to see them in League One for the 2019/20 season!!! Please don’t let me down this time!! The last home game of the season for Mansfield against a Stevenage side who still had hope of the play-offs but only if results elsewhere go in their favour.
£25 to get in and maybe this time, get onto the pitch? I’ll try and get back to reality on that one first. Not many empty seats in the Mill for this one and thankfully Broseph has joined me and the Super Stag this time!! Fair to say, I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve for this one!!!
Kick-Off! Mansfield starting the better of the 2 teams and had a free kick early in the half. Mal Benning in a crossing position… Surprise surprise he’s gone for goal… But saved by Paul Farman in the Stevenage goal. Mansfield continuing to apply pressure but Stevenage then won a free kick on 22 minutes. The ball was delivered and headed in the air, Stevenage won it back and worked it through to Nugent who’s in… Save by Conrad Logan!! Danger from Stevenage!!
Breaking news coming through and a big cheer from the Mansfield fans, that could only mean one thing! “ONE NIL! TO THE COLCHESTER! ONE NIL!” The emotion on my face would have been a very funny meme on the internet had someone taken a picture at this point… Sadly, the noise from the crowd didn’t help Mansfield’s performance and Stevenage started to control the game. A cross whipped in towards Kurtis Guthrie… OFF THE POST! Don’t bottle it Mansfield!! Illias Chair with the ball on the left and he cuts inside, 30 yards out and he goes for goal… What a save by Logan!! The windy conditions nearly blowing the ball into the top corner. Stevenage would not find the net in the first half and neither would Mansfield and the score remained stalemate at half-time.
Second half, Mansfield starting to take the game to Stevenage this time around. More breaking news! “TWO NIL! TO THE COLCHESTER! TWO NIL!” It’s looking very good for Mansfield now!!! This time it looked like it inspired the Mansfield players as they began to dominate the match. 57 minutes gone and a long ball from Conrad Logan was flicked on to Tyler Walker on the edge of the box, he goes for goal… Just wide! Mansfield playing with the wind on their side this time around and taking the game to Stevenage.
70 minutes and Mansfield continuing to dictate play, Stevenage with the ball now from a short corner, and played into the box towards Kurtis Guthrie who chests it down and strikes… Oh guess what… Mansfield have let one in… A Mansfield & MK Dons showdown was looking likely now and that is certainly not what me and the Mansfield fans want… Could Mansfield turn it around?
Mansfield respomded well to going behind and started to throw the kitchen sink at Stevenage but Stevenage possessed danger on the break. 83 minutes gone and Conrad Logan has the ball in his grasp and he launches it forward all the way to Tyler Walker, Paul Farman charging out of his goal. Who will get there first? It’s Walker and the ball is rolling and rolling, will it get there? YES IT WILL!!! 1-1!! IT COULD STILL HAPPEN!!!
Mansfield continued to throw everything forward to win this game and seal promotion today! “I just hope we don’t concede on the break” I said to Clarke and my brother. 93 minutes on the clock and Stevenage had the ball in the Mansfield half and played to Illias Chair 25 yards out and he goes for goal…… OH NO!!! It’s in!!! I have to say what a great goal it was but WHY ARE GIVING HIM THAT MUCH SPACE MANSFIELD?? The game finished 1-2 and Mansfield are not going up today! It’s fair to say that hurt more than being kicked in the wrong place…
FT: Mansfield Town 1-2 Stevenage
5. Mansfield Town Vs Leyton Orient (2019/20)
20th August 2019, my first Mansfield match of the season due to holidays and work commitments and a chance to see the new look Mansfield with John Dempster in charge and the new signings. Mansfield had just won their first game of the season and were unbeaten against the newly promoted Leyton Orient. Me and the Super Stag in attendance tonight.
£25 to watch this one! It’s good to be back in block Q after the summer break. Atmosphere is back and my throat was preparing for a beating.
Kick Off! Leyton Orient enjoying some good spells of possession in the early stages but with no conviction. 12 minutes gone and Otis Khan found himself with the ball in the middle of the park who plays in Danny Rose into the box and down he goes… PENALTY!! Mansfield with a great chance to take the lead now. Danny Rose steps up… SCORES!! 1-0 to Mansfield! “WE’RE ON OUR WAY! WE’RE ON OUR WAY! TO THE LEAGUE ONE! WE’RE ON OUR WAY!” From the Mansfield fans now.
24 minutes gone and Nicky Maynard with the ball now and going for goal! Blocked! Kellan Gordon chasing the loose ball now and he goes down in the box… PENALTY!! Mansfield have their second penalty of the game! A very questionnable one though in my opinion but I was not complaining in the slightest! Danny Rose stepped up again… AND HE SCORES AGAIN!! 2-0 and Mansfield are cruising! No more goals before half time with the score at the break 2-0.
Second half, an even start to the half with both teams having plenty of possession. 60 minutes on the clock and Leyton Orient with the ball on the right and the ball is crossed in, headed away from goal by Mansfield but still not clear, Louis Dennis flicks it towards goal, Conor Wilkinson… It’s in!! 2-1 and game on! Don’t do it Mansfield!!
Leyton Orient very much the better side now and kept up pressure on the Mansfield goal. 78 minutes gone and another chance for Orient. Conor Wilkinson with the ball and he plays in Lee Angol who goes for goal!! Saved by Logan… Wait a monent no he hasn’t it’s rolled in… 2-2 and to rub it in, Angol knee slides in front of the Mansfield faithful in block Q. Shocking goalkeeping by Logan there, straight at him and it rolls in underneath him.
Leyton Orient continuing to dictate the game and looked the more likely now after a fantastic Mansfield first half performance. “They’re going to win this” I said to the Super Stag and he agreed. Last minute of stoppage time and Orient mounted one final charge at the Mansfield goal. Lee Angol had the ball on the left and drove into the Mansfield box, plays the ball across goal, JORDAN MAGUIRE-DREW… Oh would you believe it?? They’ve got it! 2-3! Comeback complete for Orient.
The final whistle was blown! One of the best first half performances I have ever seen followed by one of the worst second half performances I have ever seen… Typical Mansfield in a game they should have gone and won with ease after going 2-0 up. They’ll never get promotion playing like that!!
FT: Mansfield Town 2-3 Leyton Orient
4. Liverpool Vs Stoke City (2012/13)
7th October 2012, my 18th birthday weekend and what better way than to spend it in Liverpool with a ticket for the match and my first time back in Anfield in 6 years. Excited wasn’t the word!! Me and Broseph in attendance for this one wearing this season’s jersey! Not the best of starts this season under new manager Brendan Rodgers, just 1 win in 6… Against a team who specialise in defending, but that wasn’t going to dampen my spirits, COME ON THE REDS!!
A quick ride on the wheel of Liverpool and then off to the ground only 3 hours before kick off, hurry up we might not make it in time… Admiring the views outside of Anfield and a quick look in the club shop to kill time. 1:30pm and the turnstiles open, in we go!! £100 for this one! Happy birthday to me indeed! Plenty of time to soak it all in, what a place! What a ground this is! I wish I had a season ticket! The players came out for their warm ups right in front of us sat in the front row! How about that! “Walk on, with hope in your heart and You’ll Never Walk Alone!” Beautiful song!
Kick Off! A shaky start from Liverpool playing out from the back looking very uncomfortable. The ball played to Nuri Sahin who plays back to Pepe Reina… Oh no he’s given it to Charlie Adam he’s in… Saved by Reina! Thankfully! Sold in the summer by Liverpool after an underwhelming season, would not have been happy if he would have scored. “GET IT FORWARD LIVERPOOL!! COME ON!!” Was the cry from me and many other Liverpool fans.
Pepe Reina with the ball and playing out from the back now… But wait he’s given it to Michael Kightly, Reina’s off his line here… Kightly goes for the chip… Saved again by Reina and out, dangerous play from Liverpool here. “ALL ROUND THE FIELDS OF ANFIELD ROAD WHERE ONCE WE WATCHED, KING KENNY PLAY AND COULD HE PLAY! STEVIE HIGHWAY ON THE WING AND WE HAD DREAMS AND SONGS TO SING! OF THE GLORY AROUND THE FIELDS OF ANFIELD ROAD!” The Anfield Kop in fine voice now, I would love to sit in there one day!
A first half with not many clear cut opportunities apart from the mistakes of the Liverpool defence but Liverpool starting to take the game to Stoke now. Luis Suarez with the ball deep in the Stoke half and he plays it Steven Gerrard 30 yards out, why not? He goes for goal… Save by Begovic!! Liverpool continued to press but would fail to break down the Stoke defence and the score at half time was goalless.
Second half, Liverpool continued as they ended the first half but the score is still 0-0 after 65 minutes. Luis Suarez with the ball and he runs at the Stoke defence, he goes past and he’s in!! He’s missed it… Should have been 1-0!! Chance at the other end for Stoke now with Michael Kightly looking for Charlie Adam… Great block by Daniel Agger! Without that block, Charlie Adam looked certain to score.
Liverpool coming into the box on the left hand side, the ball is played across the middle, no one on the end of it but it will come to Raheem Sterling… OH! HE’S HIT THE POST!! Possibly could have squared it but still no goal for Liverpool.
Wave after wave of Liverpool attacks now, Luis Suarez with the ball and he gets in to the Stoke box, he cuts in and down he goes… One must say that he doesn’t help himself, a very theatrical dive there, that would have been the harshest penalty that I would have seen given, Tony Pulis won’t be too pleased with that…
Stoppage time now and one final charge for Liverpool perhaps, long ball played into the Stoke box, it falls for MARTIN SKRTEL!!! OH HE’S MISSED… He should have scored!! The referee blows for full time… It’s finished goalless and no happy ending to my birthday weekend… We’ll never get top 4 if we keep drawing games at home!! Gutted was an understatement after that one but I guess I should have known better of what to expect from a Tony Pulis team…
FT: Liverpool 0-0 Stoke City
3. Notts County Vs Mansfield Town (2018/19)
16th February 2019, it’s the one that I had been waiting for!!! Notts County away!! County currently bottom of the league against Mansfield who were dreaming of automatic promotion. 2-0 to Mansfield in the reverse fixture earlier in the season and County hadn’t beaten Mansfield in the league since 2005, safe to say I was wondering how many Mansfield would win by!!
9am and I am leaving for Nottingham via Sheffield train station ready to meet Clarke there for some pre match jars. 1 hour later and I have landed in Nottingham and the excitement is starting to rise vigorously!! Half an hour wait and now over to you Super Stag to direct us to where the Mansfield bar is. They say it’s never too early for a beer, but at around 10:30am to see bars are not letting any more in is frustrating so a few quiet ones it shall be.
Like last season, we finish our pre match beers at the waterfront where the sea of yellow and blue is holed up ready to march to Meadow Lane! 12:15pm and off we go!! “THEY’RE GOING DOWN! THEY’RE GOING! COUNTY’S GOING DOWN!” & “DAVID FLITCROFT’S BARMY ARMY! WE ARE GOING UP!” began to echo around the streets of Nottingham as civillians watched on with disgust. Imagine not loving football??? £20 for this one! Exquisite! A massive pile up of Mansfield fans in the breakout area but we did finally get through and into our seats, let the spanking begin!!
Kick-Off! Mansfield with the ball early on with CJ Hamilton who brings it down for Tyler Walker 30 yards out and going for goal… Just over!!! Good start, let’s hope they can keep this up. “YELLOW & BLUE ARMY!!” From the away end now. County now starting to come good in the game, 9 minutes on the clock and a through ball to Craig Mackail-Smith and oh no… Edge of the area and brought down by Ben Turner who was the last man there… Turner’s in trouble here… It’s a yellow card!! Amazingly Turner survives what looked to me like a clear red card leaving the County fans less than happy.
18 minutes gone and County continuing to dominate the match with Mansfield struggling to get out of their own half. A cross into the Mansfield box and only half cleared towards CRAIG MACKAIL-SMITH…… It’s there!! 1-0 to County and no more than they deserve. A sweet volley into the bottom corner and Mansfield need to respond to this!! “I HAD A WHEELBARROW, THE WHEEL FELL OFF! I HAD A WHEELBARROW, THE WHEEL FELL OFF! COUNTY! COUNTY!” County fans in fine voice now!
County still on top here, don’t do this to me Mansfield! Not today! 28 minutes now and 35 year old Craig Mackail-Smith having a great game here, sets up VIRGIL GOMIS…… Wide thanks to a good block by Matt Preston. 34 minutes and still County came at Mansfield, Enzio Boldewijn with the ball on the right, sets up Mitch Rose to measure a cross towards Jon Stead with a looping header… Wait! That could go ANYWHERE… Just wide, thankfully… Jordan Smith there scrambling across his goal had me and 4,299 other Mansfield fans with their hearts in their mouths. County would continue to dominate but the score at half time remained 1-0.
Second half, a big response needed from Mansfield here! A good start to the half by Mansfield, 51 minutes gone and the ball is with Mansfield deep into the County half, Nicky Ajose on the right squaring it to CJ Hamilton on the edge of the box… Over! Better from Mansfield but still no shot on target.
County starting to regain control of the match which was slowly turning into a stop start affair and mostly by Mansfield. 74 minutes gone and Enzio Boldewijn with the ball in the Mansfield box and going for goal… Over! 79 minutes and a throw-in launched into the Mansfield box and headed away towards JIM O’BRIEN!!! Just wide again from County!
Last 10 minutes and County still the dominant force and no response from Mansfield at all, I was dreaming of the grand stand finish of the season before, but there was more chance of the world ending than that happening with this performance… “BLACK & WHITE ARMY!” County fans cheering their team on into stoppage time. Mansfield struggling to get into the final third never mind break down the final third. Alex MacDonald giving the ball away cheaply summed up the performance of the stags today as County ran the ball into the Mansfield corner flag, the final whistle blows and the County fans go into delirium…
“DISGRACEFUL MANSFIELD!!!!” was the call from me in the stands and I hardly ever lose my mind like that but the performance was worthy of that response by any fan who watches their team play like that, not one shot on target against the bottom of the league and the 14 year unbeaten run in the league is all but over… Dare I say, that was the worst performance I have ever seen from a Mansfield team!!
FT: Notts County 1-0 Mansfield Town
2. Darlington Vs Mansfield Town (2010/11)
7th May 2011 and a day I had been waiting for weeks! My first trip to Wembley to watch Darlington Vs Mansfield in the FA Trophy final. Waking up at 6:30am full of excitement to meeting up with the rest of the traveling Mansfield fans making their way from Shirebrook. Both Mansfield and Darlington would be staying in the fifth tier for the season after with Darlington finishing respectively higher of the two teams.
On the bus we go and 2 hours later we were parked up at Wembley and on foot. Down Wembley Way we went in search for the bar that the Mansfield fans would be gathering in. ‘The Blue Check’ is where we were for the next couple of hours. Crystal Palace Vs Nottingham Forest the early kick off and Forest looking for a win to put them in the play-offs. The bar gradually became busier and busier with the fans getting in the mood! “YELLOWS!!” The game was done and we went back down Wembley Way and into the ground. £40 to watch this final! Fair! Plenty of time to kill before kick off so we admired the view and were ecstatic to finally see the ground.
The teams walked out, 15,000 Mansfield fans with yellow balloons and yellow confetti thrown in the air and 9,000 Darlington fans letting off a red pyro, it’s fair to say the players walked out to a cauldron of noise!!
Kick Off! A slow start to the game with no real clear cut chances but Mansfield had the better of possession. Midway through the first half and Adam Smith had the ball on the left hand side, cutting inside he found himself 25 yards out and he struck at goal… Saved by the Darlington keeper. That was as good a chance to score in the first half and the score at half time remained 0-0.
Second half, Darlington looking the better team this time around who started to come at Mansfield but could not quite get a clear sight of goal. On the hour mark and it’s Louis Briscoe on the right for Mansfield, he goes past 2 defenders and charges into the box and fires at goal, IT’S PAUL CONNOR!! It’s over the bar… So close for Mansfield and against the run of play.
As the game went on, me and the travelling Mansfield fans were starting to feel the nerves as Darlington started to take hold of this game winning headers and tackles in good areas and looking a real threat in front of goal. 86 minutes and a free kick for Darlington in a good position. The free kick was taken… IT’S OFF THE POST!!!! How close was that?? Mansfield survive. 92nd minute and one last roll of the dice for Darlington who came forward again and crossed the ball into the box from deep, IT’S TOMMY WRIGHT………… OH MY WORD!! HOW DID HE NOT SCORE??? Heart in your mouths for Mansfield fans there. A free header for Tommy Wright goes just wide of the net and it’s extra time now.
Extra time would be needed to settle this one, would this be more heart ache for the Mansfield fans? Darlington continued where they had left off and had the ball lofted into the Mansfield box, a header at goal had Mansfield keeper Alan Marriott scrambling across…… Just wide!! I don’t know how much more I could take of this… Mansfield’s Ashley Cain had the ball on the right and ran into the box, he goes down! “REFEREE!!!” Nothing given… I certainly thought it was a penalty at the time but the game went on and at half time in extra time the game was still deadlocked.
Second half in extra time, Mansfield with the ball on the right and the cross comes in and misses everyone, BUT NOT PAUL CONNOR!!! Wide… To say the score was 0-0, one thing this game wasn’t was a bore draw! But agonising if supporting one of the 2 teams. Corner for Darlington whipped in and… OFF THE POST!! Headed back at goal and tipped over by Marriott. So close for Darlo again.
120 minutes gone and 1 minute of added time and a Penalty Shootout looking imminent, but Darlington had a throw-in up the Mansfield end. The ball was thrown in all the way into the Mansfield box, Alan Marriott committed but didn’t get there and the ball was headed in the air, this could go anywhere… OFF THE BAR!! Back in the air and where will this land??? It’s a GOAL… Would you believe it? The ball fell to Darlington’s Chris Senior 2 yards out and he headed straight at Alan Marriott who couldn’t keep it out. The Darlington fans going wild and the manager running down the touchline like a prime Jose Mourinho. The Mansfield players sunk to the floor, would they get one last chance?
Straight up field they went and a free kick for Mansfield in a dangerous crossing position. Everyone in the box including goalkeeper Alan Marriott. Could we have another Jimmy Glass moment? The ball was crossed and cleared away… No we couldn’t and the whistle was blown… Darlington had won the FA Trophy and me and 15,000 other Mansfield fans were as all as sick as each other… Maybe next year!
FT: Darlington 1-0 Mansfield Town AET
- Mansfield Town Vs Newport County (2018/19) Play-Off Second Leg
12th May 2019 and it’s the second leg of the League 2 play-offs between Mansfield and Newport County here at Field Mill with the score at 1-1. The winner of tonight’s tie will go into the final at Wembley with a place in League One up for grabs. Excitement in the air here at Mansfield with me and fans dreaming of a big day at Wembley and hopefully redemption of the FA Trophy loss against Darlington in Mansfield’s only ever visit at the new Wembley Stadium 8 years ago.
But first, the Premier League’s final day and as an avid Liverpool fan that I am, it could be a dream day for me personally. A Liverpool win and Manchester City fail to win and Liverpool are the Champions of England for the first time since 1990! Midway through the first half and it’s 1-0 to Liverpool!!!!! AND A GOAL FOR BRIGHTON!!!! Someone pinch me I must be dreaming!!!! But not for long as Man City equalise through Aguero… 10 minutes later and Man City were in front through Laporte… Sadly for me, Man City would go on to win 4-1. We were Champions for about 10 minutes… But never mind maybe next year and hopefully we will make it 6 times European Champions in a few weeks!!
But back to the serious business now!! Hopefully not a sign of things to come and both my favourite teams missing out on the same day. £25 for this play-off second leg! In I go! The teams warming up and the fans becoming lively!!! Newport have brought a big travelling number from Wales, a lot more than what they did on the opening day when we played them. Mansfield’s player of the season Neal Bishop not in the squad today after an injury in the first leg is not going to stop the fans dreaming of Wembley today.
Kick Off!! “BLUE & YELLOW BARMY ARMY!!!” Ringing round Field Mill and no empty seats in sight at the home end! A record attendance this season at home for Mansfield in front of the Sky Sports cameras. An even start to the game but with little clear cut opportunities. 22 minutes gone and Newport bringing the ball to the Mansfield penalty area, the ball is played back to Butler who crosses, and it’s JOSH SHEEHAN……… OH MY WORD!! How has he not scored? And who was marking him Mansfield?? Sheehan volleys the ball just wide of the goal, should have been 1-0 to Newport.
Newport continued to press, Padraig Amond found himself with the ball in the Mansfield box and he goes for goal… OFF THE POST!! I’m not worried I promise… But it’s looking good for Newport here. 39th minute and the half time whistle getting closer for Mansfield thankfully. Long throw in to the Mansfield box, Conrad Logan comes and doesn’t get there, flicked on towards Josh Labadie!! OFF THE BAR!! And Logan claims it. It’s looking like a matter of time before Newport score…
A free kick in a dangerous crossing position for Newport just before half time here, Butler’s cross and IT’S PADRAIG AMOND…… HE’S MISSED! Again what a chance for Newport!! A free header for Amond goes just over and anger in the Mansfield defence as to who was picking up the runner, it could easily be 3 or 4 for Newport who would ultimately fail to score before half time despite all the chances and the score would remain 0-0.
Second half, better from Mansfield who had a good spell of possession at the start of the second half but with no real conviction. On the hour mark now and Newport have the ball in Mansfield’s half, Scot Bennett had the ball in space 30 yards out, why not? OFF THE BAR!! What a goal that would have been!! Minutes later and a long throw is cleared by Mansfield but Newport work the ball back forward, the ball falls to Josh Sheehan ON THE VOLLEY!! WHAT A SAVE!! Conrad Logan at full stretch to deny what would have been a cracker!! My heart now beating faster than an Olympic sprinter here! Can Mansfield create a chance this match? Newport looking like the side who actually want to go to Wembley…
83 minutes gone and Mansfield with the ball now, Alex MacDonald lofting the ball up field to CJ Hamilton who manages to find Tyler Walker SURELY……… OH HE’S MISSED… Tyler Walker’s volley rolls wide of the net and should have won it for Mansfield despite Newport’s dominance. Amazingly, the match would go to extra time making this the most open 0-0 that I have ever witnessed, my life expectancy would continue to decrease for another 30 minutes.
Extra time, Mansfield starting to come good now! 97 minutes gone and a ball played forward down the right hand side by Gethin Jones finds CJ Hamilton who plays the ball into the box towards TYLER WALKER!! Saved by Joe Day but straight to DANNY ROSE!! IT’S OFF THE LINE!! It’s fallen to Will Atkinson who plays it to Mal Benning… shot blocked and out for a corner… What a chance for Mansfield there and the agony for me and every other fan in here continues… “Woke up this morning feeling fine! I’ve got Mansfield on my mind! Flitcroft’s got us playing the way we should! Oh yeah! Somehting tells me I’m in to something good! MTFC!” Mansfield fans in fine voice again! Very little chances came after for the remainder of extra time and the game would go to Penalties and with Mansfield’s Penalty Shootout record very similar to England’s… It’s not looking very good is it? But what a time to break that record hey? I could still dream!
Newport to take first, Butler steps up… Scores! 1-0 to Newport! Nicky Ajose first for Mansfield… 1-1! Fired down the middle! Padraig Amond next for Newport… Logan guesses right! But Amond’s penalty was too good to get and it’s 1-2. CJ Hamilton next for Mansfield! Down the middle again! 2-2! Demetriou for Newport! Sends Logan the wrong way and it’s 2-3 now! Tyler Walker next for Mansfield! The top scorer for Mansfield this season, fair to say I was confident for this one… Saved by Joe Day… Would you believe it?? 2-3 to Newport and if they score next, they are at match point. Regan Poole next… Logan guesses right again… But again it’s pitch perfect and Newport are on the brink…
Mal Benning steps up for Mansfield now and he must score… Off the post, off the back of Joe Day, off the other post and in! Wow! So close there for Newport! Matt Dolan now for Newport, if he scores, Newport go to Wembley, he steps up… Scores! The Newport fans go into delirium as the players and management run to celebrate with them… Devastated is an understatement for me and the Mansfield faithful. “MANSFIELD TILL I DIE!” rung out around me but I didn’t have the energy to join in this time… A season that promised so much and brought Mansfield so close would end like this was heartbreaking.
FT: Mansfield Town 0-0 Newport County AET
Newport wins 3-5 on Penalties