AFC Mansfield

Thursday, July 31, 2014

THE BULLS HOLD THE DERBYSHIRE LIONS!!



AFC Mansfield pulled off a great comeback when 3 minutes from time Ash Kitchen smashed the ball into the roof of the net to earn a creditable draw against a very good Mickleover Sports side.

Sports went in front on just 5 minutes Simeon Oshoboke pounced on a loose ball in the home sides box and curled a low drive into Gav Saxby's right hand corner.  The Bulls keeper managed to get a hand to the well placed shot but could not deny Oshoboke.

Mickleover looked sharp in the 1st half and had AFC on the back foot for most of the first period.  Manager Micky Taylor tweaked his line up and 'The Bulls' finished stronger in the final 10 minutes.

The 2nd half was a much more even affair and both sides missed chances to score.  AFC Mansfield's best efforts came from Danny Claridge who sliced his effort wide when presented with an open net on 70 minutes and forced a good save from Chris Martin with a 25 yard free kick.  Declan Brewin, who gave the visitors a torrid time with his pace, just failed to get on the end of a Callum Green cross sliding into the six yard box inches away from scoring.

Just when they thought all the effort would be for nothing a Claridge corner from the right was met by Kitchen on the far post and the hard work in the 2nd half paid off.

The Bulls play their final pre-season friendly on Saturday when they travel to KImberley Miners Welfare for a 3pm kick-off.

AFC Mansfield: Saxby, Fearon, Claridge, Ludlow, Kitchen, Sargent, Robinson, Buxton, Green, Haslam, Naylor D.  Subs all used: Plumbe, Brewin, Timons & Naylor J.

MickleoverSports: Martin, Bryant, Espiroto, Lloyd, Wiley, Degirolamo, Griffiths, Grocott (c), Oshoboke, Ashton, Smyth.  Subs all used: Villums, Hatfield, Hurst, Lovett.

Referee: Mr Tim Walker
Assistants: Mr Kev Marchant & Mr Gary Davis

Man of the Match: Kyle Ludlow


Attendance: 47