Sunday 4th May 2014
The Windsor Food Services Central Midlands League
League Challenge Cup Final
Thorne Colliery 1 – 2 AFC Mansfield
On a day when the result mattered more than the performance AFC Mansfield won by the odd goal in 3 in a less than inspiring League Challenge Cup Final. The two teams had met twice before in the league this season and ‘The Bulls’ had come out on top in both keenly contested games.
As it was the game was decided in the first half when Mark Carter hit the back of the net with two headers, either side of a Kirk Frost equaliser.
Both teams had players missing but Thorne probably suffered more with influential midfielder Brett Thomas out through injury.
Danny Naylor had the first real attempt on goal for AFC when his 20 yard drive nestled on top of the net and Carl Haslam saw his first effort blocked by keeper Elliott Redmile and then the second scrambled away for a corner by Robbie Spence a couple of minutes later. The resulting corner was curled over to the far post and Mark Carter rose to head home to open the scoring.
Adam Atkinson saw his effort fly over the bar on 21 minutes and at the other end Haslam saw his effort hit the side netting.
Thorne got themselves level on 28 minutes, indecision at the back for AFC and when the ball fell to the feet of Kirk Frost the striker made no mistake from just inside the box despite Dale Sheppard getting a hand to the drive.
‘The Bulls’ continued to push forward and took the lead again on 36 minutes. The cross came in from the right flank and Carter was in the right place to guide his header back across goal and into the corner for his 40th goal of the season, not bad for a midfield player.
Redmile bravely saved at the feet of Haslam on 40 minutes and Phil Buxton saw his shot hit the side netting. At the other end Darren Fell bought a fine save out of Dale Sheppard as the half came to an end.
Most people would have thought the game was set up for an exciting 2nd half, most people would have been wrong. The game never really got out of 2nd gear and Thorne offered very few ideas on how to get back into the game and AFC Mansfield seemed content to sit on their lead.
Luke Rafferty saw his effort go high and wide on 72 minutes and apart from a couple of hefty challenges to wake the crowd up and a clash of heads which left both players needing bandages there was very little to report on in the second half.
Two final chances for each side, Dean Rick going close and a Kirk Frost drive in the final minutes that flew over the bar and that was it. AFC Mansfield had done the double, League and League Cup.
Thorne Colliery: Redmile, Sneap, Spence, Rafferty, Rodgers (Ebbage 80), Hindson (Lugton 62), Rafferty G, Rhodes (Tiffany 73), Fell (c), Frost, Atkinson. Subs not used: Hookway.
 |
| CENTRAL MIDLANDS MAN OF THE MATCH |
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Wilson, Tighe (Capuano 60), Draper, Holmes, Naylor D, Buxton, Naylor J, Rick, Haslam, Carter. Subs not used: Birch, Brewin, Timons& Fletcher.
Referee: Mr James Shipley
Assistants: Mr Adie Seward & Mr Jordan Bancroft.
Attendance: 145
Man of the Match: Mark Carter
__________________________
Wednesday 30th April 2014
The Windsor Food
Services Central Midlands League
League Challenge
Cup Semi-Final
Belper United 2 –
7 AFC Mansfield
Despite going behind after just 2 minutes to an Ashley
Dhindsa strike AFC Mansfield cruised into the Final of the League Challenge Cup
with a powerful show of attacking football.
‘The Bulls’ had the ball in the back of the net on 16
minutes courtesy of a Dean Rick strike but the assistant’s flag indicated that
an AFC player had strayed offside.
The Mansfield side got back on level terms after 23 minutes,
a half-hearted clearance found Joe Naylor just outside the box and after
controlling the ball with his chest he slammed the ball past Lewis Bamford in
the Belper goal.
Carl Haslam went close on 31 minutes with a header from 10
yards and then a minute later a surging 40 yard run by the same player set up
Rick who drilled the ball under the advancing Bamford to put AFC Mansfield into
the lead.
Rick went close again 5 minutes later after a great run down
the left flank from Joe Meehan. But the
scored remained 2-1 at the break.
The second half was less than 2 minutes old when ‘The Bulls’
increased their lead. Joe Naylor picking
another loose ball up just outside the box and hitting a stinging drive that
Bamford got a hand to but could not keep out of the net.
Rick was upended in the box on 57 minutes and duly
dispatched the spot kick to make it 4-1.
2 minutes later the same happened at the other end Dale Sheppard
flooring Sam Vickers with the striker driving the ball home from the spot to
make it 4-2.
Unfortunately for Belper, AFC Mansfield were in full flight
and on 61 minutes after having his first effort blocked by a defender Rockie
White made no mistake from 10 yards for ‘The Bulls’ 5th goal.
It was 6-2 on 65 minutes, Mark Carter getting on the end of
a Phil Buxton free-kick to finish confidently.
Carter finished the scoring on 78 minutes with a superb
curling shot from just outside the box.
AFC Mansfield now face Thorne Colliery in the Final of The
league Challenge Cup at Alfreton Town’s ground on Sunday 4th May,
kick-off 3pm.
Belper Utd: Bamford, Salt D, Moss, Walker, Slater
(c), Sparkes, Wright, Dhindsa, Griffin (Curtis 86), Perry (Bradley 70), Vickers
(Salt R 83). Subs not used: Rathbone
& Sparham.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe (Wilson 63),
Meehan, Draper (c), Holmes, Buxton, Haslam (Naylor D 75), Naylor J, Rick, White
(Brewin 72), Carter. Subs not used:
Fletcher & Wiltshire.
 |
| Man of the Match |
Referee: Mr David Webb
Assistants: Mr Mark McGill & Mr Kevin Tietjen
Attendance: 68
Man of the Match: Joe Naylor
--------------------
Saturday 26th April 2014
The Windsor Food
Services Central Midlands League
Black Dragon Badges
North Division
Clay Cross Town 3
– 7 AFC Mansfield
Another high scoring game between these two sides following the 8-3 win AFC Mansfield had had earlier in the season. AFC Mansfield started the game with 4 of their U19 squad starting the game, an indication of the excellent work being done by U19 Managers Jason Truscott and Alex Weston.
Two goals each from Toby Birch, Declan Brewin and Mark Carter was rounded up with a 35 yard strike from Phil Buxton did the damage with the home side replying through Barry Alberry, Luke Hollis and Ritchie Matthews.
Clay Cross is always a friendly place to visit and as usual AFC Mansfield got a warm welcome and the hospitality was second to none.
There was a relaxed atmosphere about the game with both sets of players chatting and generally getting on well. This mood continued despite the referee and the dugout side assistant continually upsetting the applecart.
‘The Bulls’ were denied an opening goal from keeper Ryan Fletcher when a long kick upfield which bounced once in front of the opposition keeper and then into the net was pulled back for offside, with the referee saying that despite no AFC player being within 10 yards of the keeper that somebody had interfered with him. This had the Clay Cross bench having a chuckle at the visitors expense.
‘The Bulls’ however put this behind them and soon went in front. Toby Birch outstripped the pedestrian home defence on 7 minutes before firing against the post. Fortunately Declan Brewin was on hand to follow up and stroke the ball home from 10 yards.
Brewin turned provider on 16 minutes, crossing from the right for Mark Carter to head home his 25th league goal of the season.
It was 3-0 on 20 minutes, the impressive Birch hitting the bar with a stinging drive and Carter was on hand for number 26.
Another contentious decision came on 36 minutes, a fifty-fifty ball between Brewin and keeper Matt Bradwell saw the striker just get a touch first with the keeper clattering into him. The referee immediately blew for a foul, meanwhile the ball ended in the net. But instead of pulling the play back for the foul he then changed his mind gave the goal but booked the keeper for the foul. Neither bench could believe what was happening and relations with the two officials mentioned were getting worse.
Phil Buxton added the fifth just inside time added on with a 35 yard low drive that had Bradwell at full stretch and the sixth followed a couple of minutes later when Birch finally got the goal he so richly deserved, beating the offside trap before firing confidently past the advancing Bradwell.
The home side pulled a goal back after just 5 minutes into the restart. A corner from the left headed home by Barry Alberry.
A second came a few minutes later and almost a carbon copy. This time Luke Hollis getting on the end of a good corner.
More comedic antics on the hour mark as Brewin was clearly offside as he collected Danny Naylor’s through ball. The referee had no choice but to play on as his assistant had his back to play having a running argument with the Home bench. Luckily the danger was cleared but the displeasure of the Clay Cross defence was clearly passed on to the assistant.
The referee tried to remove the home sides physio from the dugout asking if the AFC physio could take on his duties. A refusal left the referee having to eat humble pie and leave the said person in place.
Carter missed his hat-trick on 85 minutes when his effort came back off the post but Man of the match Toby Birch fired home from 10 yards for his second and AFC Mansfield’s seventh.
There was still time for the home side to get another, an unfortunate fumble from keeper Ryan Fletcher in an otherwise excellent performance let in Ritchie Matthews who bundled the ball home from inside the six yard box.
Fantastic entertainment for the 101 watching, played with good spirit and friendliness but not the best performance for the officials today.
AFC Mansfield now move onto Wednesday and the Semi-Final of the League Cup against Belper United at Hucknall Town’s ground. A re-run of last year’s Semi in which ‘The Bulls’ triumphed with a goal in the final minutes from Carl Haslam.
Clay Cross Town: Bradwell, Hallam (Meadley 70), Matthews, Hollis, Burton, Alberry, Goodwin, Robinson, Clayton, Lynham (Goodison 45), Bartram. Subs not used: Shaw & Topham.
AFC Mansfield: Fletcher, Wilson, Capuano, Holmes, Draper (c) (Tighe 67), Naylor D, Buxton (Naylor J 76), Bettison, Birch, Brewin, Carter. Subs not used: Timons, Rick & Sheppard.
 |
| Toby Birch - Man of the Match |
Referee: Mr S Thompson
Assistants: Mr M Gilvarry & Mr M Webb
Man of the Match: Toby Birch
Attendance: 101
_____________
Tuesday 22nd April 2014
The Phoenix Trophies Floodlit Cup Final
AFC Mansfield 1 – 2 Bulwell FC
AFC Mansfield could not win the Floodlit Cup for a second
time at the Exchem Sports Ground, South Normanton on Tuesday night. The game was effectively over after a poor
start from ‘The Bulls’ saw Bulwell race into a 2 goal lead in the first 25
minutes.
Jamie Walker saw his header crash off the post in the
opening 10 minutes as Bulwell charged down the slope on the South Normanton
pitch.
It was no surprise when Bull well went in front on 16
minutes, a fortuitous deflection off Danny Naylor saw the ball land invitingly
at Darren Garmston’s feet and the midfielder curled a superb effort into the
top right hand corner from just outside the box.
With a slight suspicion of offside Connor Croft made it 2-0
on 25 minutes, latching onto an excellent through ball from Man of the Match
Ryan Bowen.
‘The Bulls’ should have pulled one back before half-time
when Joe Naylor fired over the bar from close range after a promising move.
The 2nd half started with AFC Mansfield chasing
the game and the slope became the deciding factor again. Bulwell were forced to defend for long
periods although always looked dangerous on the break
.
An element of time wasting started to creep into the game
and although referee Chris Hunter booked two Bulwell players late on the damage
was already done and it was a case of too little too late. The same can be said for the referee’s
inability to deal with several raised arms throughout the game and some very
hefty challenges from both sides.
Nevertheless AFC Mansfield gave themselves a lifeline on 75
minutes when Joe Naylor headed Mark Carter’s cross back across goal. An attempted clearance only found the foot of
Carter who fired home from a tight angle.
‘The Bulls’ pushed forward but chance after chance went
begging. Bulwell played their part with
some outstanding if not desperate defending at times and try as they might AFC
could not break down the Bulwell defence.
Bulwell claimed the cup that AFC Mansfield had held from
last season and with the Mansfield side going one better this year and winning
their league Bulwell will be hoping that lightening does strike twice.
For AFC Mansfield a Semi-Final tie next Wednesday awaits
against Belper Utd. The game will be
played at Hucknall Town’s ground for a
place in the League Challenge Cup Final which will be held at Alfreton Town’s
ground.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe, Meehan, Draper,
Timons (c) (McCann 86), Naylor D (Holmes 80), Buxton, Naylor J, Rick, Haslam,
Carter. Subs not used: Brewin, Wilson
& Fletcher.
Bulwell FC: Simpson, Moore, Saunders, Knight,
Soar, Garmston, Bowen, Marley (Hogg 80), Croft, McKeever, Walker. Subs not
used: Vipond, Prewitt, Marks & Perkins.
Referee: Mr Chris Hunter
Assistants: Mr Robin Bourne & Mr Mark Marshall
Central Midlands Man of the Match: Ryan Bowen
AFC Mansfield MoM: Joe Naylor
Attendance: 110
______________
Saturday 19th April 2014
The Windsor Food Services Central Midlands League
Black Dragon Badges North Division
AFC Mansfield 5 –
0 Harworth Colliery
The visitors recorded the first chance on goal after 5
minutes, James Woodward heading narrowly wide of Dale Sheppard’s left hand
post.
A poor back pass on 11 minutes saw Carl Haslam close down
Mark Latham, Latham managed to get to the ball first but only succeeded in
playing the ball into the path of Dean Rick.
Rick rounded the keeper and finished from 7 yards to set the home side
on their way.
Things went from bad to worse 2 minutes later, Haslam
pouncing on the loose ball and confidently firing past Latham to double the
lead.
Another probing run from Haslam set up Rick for a simple
finish, unfortunately the usually deadly Rick sliced his effort wide from 6
yards on 20 minutes.
Five minutes later it was 3-0 again a defensive error letting
in Haslam who guided his low drive past the keeper and in off the right hand
post to make it 3-0 leaving Harworth shell shocked.
Both Haslam and Rick both went close for the home side and
then on the half hour mark Arron Blakey cut inside and unleashed a 20 yard
drive that whistled inches past the far post.
This was one of only a few chances that the visitors had all game with
the AFC Mansfield defence showing why they had only conceded 21 goals all
season. Joe Meehan was having a
particularly good game never missing a tackle or header.
AFC Mansfield continued the onslaught in the 2nd
half. Rick going close on 52 minutes and
then a minute later Joe Naylor’s fizzing 20 yard drive narrowly beating the
left hand post.
It was 4-0 on 70 minutes, Darren Bettison saw his 25 yard
free-kick crass back off the bar but on hand was Mark Carter who planted the
ball in the far corner of the net with an acrobatic shot from above his head.
Carter should have doubled his tally on 81 minutes, sent
clear by Bettison he lifted his effort over Latham but missed the target by a
yard.
The scoring was completed on 85 minutes the ball dropping to
Phil Buxton just outside the area, his shot nestled into the back of the net
leaving Latham with no chance.
The game finished and the celebrations started, AFC
Mansfield winning the league title with a game to spare. ‘The Bulls’ however, need to dust themselves
down because on Tuesday night they travel to South Normanton Athletic’s ground
for the final of The Floodlit Cup where they face Bulwell FC in a 7.30pm
kick-off.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe (McGurk 64),
Meehan, Draper, Timons (c), Naylor D (Bettison 64), Buxton, Naylor J, Rick
(McCann 78), Haslam, Carter. Subs not
used: Fletcher & Wilson.
Harworth Colliery: Latham, Hardman J, Taylor
(Brewster 80), Woodward, Gee (c), Edmondson, Archer, Bownes, Walker (Smith 68),
Blakey, Hardman S (Sides 62). Sub not
used: Fox
Referee: Mr Liam Somerset
Assistants: Mr Alistair Hill & Mr Paul Thomas
Attendance: 176
Man of the Match: Joe Meehan
___________
Wednesday 16th April 2014
The Windsor Food Services Central Midlands League
League Challenge Cup Quarter Final
AFC Mansfield 2 –
1 South Normanton Athletic
‘The Bulls’ progressed to the last four courtesy of a close victory against a very good South Normanton Athletic side.
Unfortunately the visitors had been forced due to a fixture
backlog into playing this fixture just 2 days after beating Harworth Colliery
in the last round. The home side also
had a couple of players not available to them in Steve McGurk, Sam Holmes and
Darren Bettison.
Both sides are chasing league titles so the game although
unwelcome was going to be keenly contested.
AFC Mansfield settled better in the opening 5 minutes and
took the game to the visitors. ON 8
minutes ‘The Shiners’ went in front courtesy of a Kyle Wadsworth strike after a
speculative knock from Robert Fretwell took a wicked deflection off Chris
Timons and found the midfielder who smashed the ball past Dale Sheppard from 10
yards.
Just after the half hour mark a 50/50 ball which both keeper
Kennerson and Joe Naylor were both fully committed resulted in the keeper
needing treatment and Naylor receiving a yellow card. Unfortunately Kennerson limped his way to the
interval but was replaced by Andrew Mottershead after the break.
AFC Mansfield got back on level terms on 35 minutes, Carl
Haslam’s corner eventually bundled home by Captain Chris Timons to send the
sides in level.
A free-kick on 53 minutes bought the winning goal, a great
delivery from Danny Tighe found the head of Carl Haslam who’s deft flick found
Mark Carter just outside the 6 yard box.
Some neat footwork from ‘poacher’ Carter and the ball was in the back of
the net to put ‘The Bulls’ in the lead.
Both sides had chances to extend the scoring but once again ‘The
Bulls’ showed their meanness in defence and the visitors could not peg back the
home side.
This win sets up a repeat of last season’s Semi-Final
against Belper United again at Hucknall Town’s ground on Wednesday 30th
April.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe, Meehan, Draper, Timons (c),
Naylor D, Buxton, Naylor J, Rick, Haslam, Carter. Subs not used: Birch, Brewin, Wiltshire,
Wilson & Fletcher.
South Normanton Athletic: Kennerson (Mottershead 45), Grainger, Keenan,
Carter (c), Roberts, O’Reilly (Sutton 76), Leighton, Fretwell, Greenhalgh (Sims
68), Newton, Wadsworth. Subs not
used: Green & Griffiths
Referee: Mr Gareth Carlisle
Assistants: Mr Nigel Prost & Tom Beard
Attendance: 80
Man of the Match: Danny Naylor
Man of the Match: Danny Naylor
___________
Saturday 12th April 2014
The Windsor Food
Services Central Midlands League
Black Dragon Badges
North Division
Bentley Colliery 3
– 8 AFC Mansfield
There were 3 hat-tricks in this free scoring game and AFC
Mansfield bagged two of them. There were
trebles from both Dean Rick and Mark Carter, with other goals from Carl Haslam
and Darren Bettison. This proved too
much for Bentley who had their own hat-trick hero in Lee Drobac.
AFC Mansfield had 5 players missing from the squad and so
Brad Wilson started at left back and Dean Rick came back into the starting
line-up.
Manager Micky Taylor sent out an attacking side and it
shocked everybody when ‘The Bulls’ went behind after 9 minutes. Indecision at the back for the visitors,
allowing Kevin Lynch the time to find the head of Lee Drobac with a cross. The striker’s header looping over Dale
Sheppard and into the back of the net.
‘The Bulls’ poured forward, but as in their previous
encounter Bentley packed their defence and made it difficult to find an
opening. Haslam pulled the ball back to
Joe Naylor on 22 minutes but the midfielder put his effort over the bar. The half hour mark saw another Naylor effort
go wide of the mark, this time Rick the provider.
AFC Mansfield were back on level terms on 34 minutes, Rick
played a clever little chip to put Mark Carter clear and with some neat
footwork he guided the ball low into the right hand corner of the net.
Two minutes into added on time at the end of the first half
and the visitors went in front. A superb
curling cross to the far post from Danny Tighe found Carl Haslam who rose above
his marker to head past Mike Teale.
Barely 2 minutes had been played in the 2nd half
when ‘The Bulls’ went further in front.
Another good delivery from Tighe found Rick who headed past Teale from 6
yards
.
Rick made it 4-1 on the hour mark, picking the ball up just
outside the box a surging run took him past 3 defenders before a low drive sent
Teale the wrong way.
The home side pulled one back a minute later, Lee Drobac
getting his second with a speculative shot from the edge of the box.
On 70 minutes Rick was upended in the box, he picked himself
up to take the spot kick but Teale denied him with a great save down to his
left. When the ball was eventually
knocked back in to the box Rick fired home but was ruled to be offside by the
assistant referee.
Another great run from Haslam on 72 minutes saw his low cross clinically finished by Carter 6 yards out.
Dean Rick completed his hat-trick on 75 minutes, Buxton the
provider for another clinical finish from the league’s top scorer.
Not to be outdone, 2 minutes later Mark Carter completed his
hat-trick to make it 7-2 to the Mansfield side.
Drobac completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after
Lynch had been upended by Chris Timons in the AFC Mansfield box on 84 minutes.
The final goal came on 89 minutes, Darren Bettison making a
surging run down the middle of the park.
His first effort was parried by Teale but the loose ball fell to the
feet of Bettison and he bundled it home from 10 yards.
Bentley Colliery: Teale, Copeland (Smithson 65), Doran, Brown, Drobac A, Padgett, Scott, Nicholson, Drobac L, Parkhouse (Reed 72), Lynch. Sub not used: Mayfield.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe, Wilson, Draper,
Timons (c), Buxton, Haslam (Brewin 74), Naylor J (Birch 77), Rick, Wiltshire
(Bettison 68), Carter. Subs not used:
Fletcher & McGurk.
Referee: Mr Kristian Silcock
Assistants: Mr Andy Gascoigne & Mr Kev
Blackburn
Attendance: 32
Man of the Match: Dean Rick
------------
Wednesday 9th
April 2014
The Windsor Food
Services Central Midlands League
Phoenix Trophies
Floodlit Cup
Northern Section
Final
AFC Mansfield 4 –
1 Kinsley Boys
AFC Mansfield progressed into the Final of a competition
where they are the current holders of the trophy. Goals from Carl Haslam, Danny Wiltshire,
Chris Timons and Dean Rick were enough to see The Bulls through despite Callum
Stapleton pulling one back.
Kinsley came with a full squad, in fact they had to leave
two players without shirts such was the size of the squad.
AFC Mansfield manager Micky Taylor had to shuffle his pack
again and in came Matt Draper, Joe Meehan and Danny Wiltshire with top scorer
Dean Rick starting on the bench.
It wasn’t long before the home side went in front, Carl
Haslam being fed by Phil Buxton before turning his marker and firing past the
stranded Tom Chestney after just 6 minutes.
The Bulls doubled their lead 3 minutes later Danny Wiltshire
taking Haslam’s pass on the chest before volleying the ball home from 12 yards.
Kinsley had a couple of chances of their own Sam Garforth
and Damon Cassell both seeing Dale Sheppard pull off good saves to keep the 2
goal advantage.
A foul on Joe Naylor by Cassell on 25 minutes was to cost
Kinsley dearly when Danny Tighe delivered a high cross into the box Captain
Chris Timons rose above the pack to power his header in off the far post.
This proved too much for the visitors and frustrations boiled
over when Haslam was butted off the ball.
Fortunately the assistant referee saw it and called the referee over and
after a discussion Neil Sprule was red carded for the offence. It seems the officials may have been mistaken
with Kinsley saying it was actually Ryan Jennings involved in the incident.
Carl Haslam had the ball in the back of the net on 35 minutes;
turning two defenders before curling it past keeper Chestney only to be denied
by an offside flag on Mark Carter who had originally passed him the ball.
Liam Haller went close with a header just before the break,
beating Sheppard but going inches wide of the left hand post.
After the break Kinsley came out a more composed team and
took the game to AFC Mansfield. This
bore dividends on 55 minutes as they pulled a goal back with a free kick 25
yards out. Callum Stapleton on as a sub
powered home the dead ball as the home side wall seemed to part.
Kinsley were definitely having the better of possession in
the opening 20 minutes of the half. But
still AFC Mansfield created chances, Haslam, Meehan and Buxton all going close.
Haslam was replaced with the league’s top goal scorer Dean
Rick on 66 minutes. Kinsley were still
pushing and the best of their chances coming from Cassell who fired a rasping drive
that Sheppard did well to hold on 78 minutes.
Rick did what he does best on 80 minutes to put the game
beyond doubt. Receiving a low cross from
Wiltshire Rick made no mistake from 6 yards.
To their credit Kinsley kept going and Liam Haller thought
he had reduced the arrears a minute later.
Getting behind the Bulls defence he hit a 18 yard effort that beat
Sheppard but agonisingly came back off the far post.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe, Meehan, Draper,
Timons (c), Holmes, Buxton, Naylor J (McCann 81), Wiltshire, Haslam (Rick 66),
Carter (Brewin 83). Subs not used:
Wilson & Rodger.
Kinsley Boys: Chestney, Rollinson, Howe, Clarke,
Lafferty (c), Jennings, Sprule, Haller, Garforth (Stapleton 55), Cassell (Wood
81), Owen (Appleton 75). Subs not used:
Lockwood & Hunter.
Referee: Mr Steve Abbott (Sutton-in-Ashfield
Assistants: Mr Mitch Whiles & Mr Kyle Holland
Attendance: 67
Man of the Match: Chris Timons
________
Saturday 5th April 2014
The Windsor Food
Services Central Midlands League
Black Dragon
Badges North Division
AFC Mansfield 6 –
0 Westella Hanson
In front of a bumper crowd of 149 AFC Mansfield went a long
way to claiming the championship title with an emphatic win against their
closest rivals Westella Hanson.
It was important the ‘The Bulls’ got off to a good start and
Carl Haslam should have put them in front after just 5 minutes when he raced
into the box but hit his effort straight at keeper Ryan Ramsden.
2 minutes later the visitors were awarded a penalty when the
ball was struck at Sam Holmes from point blank range hitting him on the
arm. Mike Pecora stepped up but fired
his spot kick wide of Alex Malong’s left hand post.
The visitors were punished a minute later when Dean Rick
collected Phil Buxton’s low cross to fire past Ramsden and put the home side in
front.
On the quarter hour mark Steve McGurk saw his 48 yard free
kick come back off the bar as the long ball fooled everybody. Joe Naylor tried something similar 2 minutes
later, seeing the keeper off his line Naylor’s 55 yard effort beat Ramsden but
drifted wide of the mark.
Both teams lost their respective left backs through injury
in the first half Jack Walters going off on 22 minutes and Craig Cantrell
lasted another 20 before being helped to the dressing room by Physio Jason
Truscott.
‘The Bulls’ doubled their lead on 25 minutes and it was a
typical Carl Haslam goal. Joe Naylor fed
the ball to Haslam and the wingman skipped past two defenders, turned another
in the box before firing past Ramsden from 12 yards.
Westella were now facing an uphill battle, Chris Spinks had
a chance on 36 minutes to get them back into it with a neat turn in the box but
his drive was always rising over the bar.
Haslam had another mazey run on 40 minutes, this time he
only found the side netting from a tight angle.
The score stayed at 2-0 up to half time but 9 minutes into
the restart it was 3-0 and it was that man Haslam this time beating a very
square Westella back line to race on and confidently fire past Ramsden from the
edge of the box.
A rare mistake at the back for the home side let in Alex
Wood who struck the ball well and looked to have scored had it not been for the
outstretched hand of keeper Alex Malong who superbly denied the winger. A minute later Malong did well again to tip a
curling effort from Spinks over the bar.
Haslam again getting behind Westella on 65 minutes this time
his effort went wide of the right hand post.
Alex Wood wet close on 70 minutes but again not finding the
target. There was no way back on 78
minutes when a clever flick on by Danny Tighe found Mark Carter. Carter raced forward before curling the ball
past the advancing Ramsden and into the back of the net.
It was 5-0 on 81 minutes, another great run by Haslam and
when the cross came in Ramsden and defender Rob Dodson got in a tangle with
Dodson getting the final touch to knock the ball into the net.
Wood saw his effort on 83 minutes come back off the post
after beating Malong with a superb low drive from the edge of the box.
The final goal of the game was a peach, Phil Buxton advanced
down the right flank and pulled the ball back to the edge of the box where Joe
Naylor hit it first time and it flew past Ramden to complete the scoring.
AFC Mansfield are now 10 points clear at the top of the
league but cannot rest on their laurels because they entertain Kinsley Boys on
Wednesday night in the Phoenix Trophies Floodlit Cup Northern Area Final,
kick-off 7.30pm.
Westella Hanson: Ramsden, Walters (Petch 63),
Walters (Dodson 22), Bagshaw (Stevenson 63), Bettney, Fyvie (c), Wood, Gordon, Pecora,
Spinks, Coverdale. Sub not used: Wilson.
AFC Mansfield: Malong, McGurk, Cantrell (Tighe
42), Holmes, Timons (c), Naylor D, Buxton, Naylor J, Rick (Wiltshire 60),
Haslam, Carter (McCann 80). Subs not
used: Draper & Rodger.
Referee: Mr Martin Fryer
Assistants: Mr Derek Brumpton & Mr Scott
Spering.
Man of the Match: Carl Haslam
Attendance: 149
______Saturday 29th March 2014
The Windsor Food
Services Central Midlands League
Black Dragon
Badges North Division
AFC Mansfield moved a step closer to their goal of promotion with a steady win at Brodsworth Welfare. Goals from Darren Bettison, Joe Naylor and Danny Wiltshire were enough to seal the points despite Shane Carver equalising for the home side. All the goals came in the first half although ‘The Bulls’ had plenty of chances to increase the winning margin in the second half.
Phil Buxton’s rather tame effort was all there was to show for an uneventful first 15 minutes in a game played in bright sunshine. Five minutes later though the visitors took the lead. Buxton picked the ball up on the left and found Joe Naylor with a neat pass. Naylor then set up Darren Bettison who drilled the ball past Chris Yates to put AFC Mansfield ahead.
This lead was short lived, indecision at the back saw the ball drop to Shane Carver in the visitors box and the striker hit a powerful drive past Dale Sheppard to bring the scores level.
Mark Carter had the ball in the back of the net on the half hour mark after getting on the end of a free kick but was adjudged offside and the score stayed at 1-1.
Brodsworth worked hard for the next 20 minutes and looked as if they could go in at half time on level terms and it would have been deserved. But the momentum was building and the breakthrough came on 42 minutes. Mark Carter’s through ball found Buxton who advanced into the box and forced a superb save out of Yates. Unfortunately for the keeper the ball fell to the feet of Joe Naylor who could not miss from 6 yards.
A minute later came the third, again good work from Buxton down the right flank delivering the ball to Joe Naylor who chested the ball on for Danny Wiltshire to smash the ball past Yates from 12 yards.
‘The Bulls’ applied enormous pressure on the home goal at the start of the second half but wayward shots and some great handling from Yates kept the hordes at bay.
Brodsworth were thrown a lifeline on 57 minutes when left back Brad Wilson dangled a leg out in the box and Carver went down. Carver stepped up a struck the ball well down the middle of the goal but it crashed against the bar and was cleared by Sam Holmes.
Carl Haslam saw his effort saved by Yates on 67 minutes after coming on as a sub two minutes earlier. A fine run from Haslam on 70 minutes took him past 4 players but as he shaped to shoot Carter claimed the ball and fired high over the bar from 15 yards.
Haslam went close again two minutes later, latching onto a Danny Tighe through ball his effort from a tight angle turned around the post by Yates.
Yates was in inspired form when another flowing move saw Joe Naylor set up Wiltshire 7 yards out. Somehow Yates managed to get a leg to the strikers shot and force it over the bar while diving the wrong way.
Joe Naylor amongst others put shots wide of the mark in the final 10 minutes but could not breach Chris Yates goal and the match ended with a win for AFC Mansfield.
AFC Mansfield welcome rivals Westella Hanson to The Forest Town Stadium in what promises to be an enthralling game with the league championship resting on the result.
Brodsworth Welfare: Yates, Hodgson, Bottomley, Sieradzki, Starbuck (c), Irwin (Exley 77), Maddison, Smith, Abbott, Carver, Mowall (Bockarie 65). Subs not used: Bentham & Fisher.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard (Fletcher 88), Cantrell, Wilson (Tighe 65), Holmes, Timons (c), Naylor D, Buxton, Bettison (Haslam 65), Naylor J, Wiltshire, Carter. Subs not used: Clarke & Brewin.
Referee: Mr Kenwyn Hughes
Assistants: Mr Denis Ashman & Mr John Deere.
Man of the Match: Phil Buxton
Attendance : 47
Tuesday 25th March 2014
Floodlit Cup Quarter Final
Westella Hanson 0 – 4 AFC Mansfield
AFC Mansfield marched on into the Semi Finals of the
Floodlit Cup by inflicting their heaviest defeat of the season on hosts
Westella Hanson. Games between the two
sides have always been feisty affairs and this one was no different. However, two goals in each half settled the
tie in the visitors favour and kept alive their chances of retaining the
trophy.
The game started at a frantic pace and it was clear that
both sides would give no quarter to the opposition. The first 20 minutes were a battle but AFC
Mansfield broke the deadlock when Danny Wiltshire's curling effort came back off the post and Phil Buxton was on hand to smash the ball into the roof of the net
to open the scoring.
Five minutes later Wiltshire was denied by Will Ward in the
Westella goal and the keeper recovered to also deny Joe Naylor’s follow up. A minute later Naylor’s curling effort from
outside the box beat the keeper but also the crossbar.
Mark Carter was next to go close, his chance courtesy of
some fine play from Joe Naylor and Wiltshire.
Captain Chris Timons was winning everything in the air and mopping
everything up on the ground as the home side struggled to find an opening.
The lead was doubled 9 minutes before the break, Wiltshire
receiving Danny Naylor’s through ball before cutting inside his marker before
driving home from just inside the box.
The second half started with a home side onslaught as
Westella pushed forward trying to get back into the game. Both sides had chances to increase the goal tally
but ‘The Bulls’ were in no mood to be charitable and the referee received the
bulk of the home side’s frustrations.
The visitors weathered the storm and with 8 minutes left Joe
Naylor, who had been outstanding all night, picked up a pass from brother Danny,
cutting inside his man he unleashed an unstoppable shot from the edge of the
box that flew into the top far corner leaving Ward a spectator to the event.
The icing on the cake came with just a couple of minutes to
go, Holmes forced a save out of Ward and when the ball ran loose Mark Carter
was on hand to stroke the ball home from 12 yards.
‘The Bulls’ return to league action on Saturday when they
travel to Brodsworth Welfare for a 3pm kick-off.
Westella Hanson: Ward, Plummer, Coverdale,
Bagshaw, Atkinson, Fyvie (c), Spinks, Gordon, Petch (Pecora 70), Stevenson
(Flounders 78), Wood (Walters 85). Subs
not used: Norton & Alden.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Wilson, Cantrell, Draper,
Timons (c), Naylor D, Buxton (Clarke 87), Holmes, Naylor J (Brewin 87),
Wiltshire, Carter. Subs not used:
Haslam, McGurk & Rick.
Referee: Mr Dave Holbrook
Assistants: Mr Mark Hemsworth & Mr Jim Sharp.
Man of the Match: Chris Timons
**********
Saturday 22nd March 2014
The Windsor Food Services Central Midlands
League
Black Dragon badges North Division
AFC Mansfield lost their 100% home record in a frustrating
game against mid table Bentley Colliery.
‘The Bulls’ could not break down a resolute Bentley back line and could
have even lost the game in the final minutes.
Bentley started as they meant to go on, packing their
defence and allowing the home side plenty of possession in front of them. For the first 20 minutes nothing of
significance found its way through to keeper Mike Teale.
Dean Rick fired an effort over the bar on 22 minutes, which
was to be his last touch succumbing to an injury sustained in a one on one with
Teale five minutes earlier.
On the half hour Teale saved with his feet from Joe Naylor
as AFC Mansfield pushed for an opening goal.
Darren Bettison saw his 20 yard effort drift wide of the far post a
couple of minutes later.
Bentley continued to block everything that was thrown at
them and the half ended goalless.
The second half started much the same and Bentley had just
about given up any thoughts of any meaningful attacks electing to sit and wait
for the next home side foray into their half.
AFC Mansfield were however taking too much time in building
these attacks allowing Bentley to set themselves in readiness for the
onslaught.
Sam Holmes thought he had broken the deadlock on 57 minutes,
a quick one two with Joe Naylor and his 30 yard drive came back off the post
with Teale well beaten. Danny Naylor
beat Teale on the hour mark only to see his goal bound shot turned around the
post by Phil Doran.
Both Phil Buxton and Carl Haslam both missed chances in the
space of a minute on 67 minutes as ‘The Bulls’ began to look a little edgy.
Buxton then put in a curling corner that Joe Naylor got a
head to but his looping header landed on top of the bar on 70 minutes.
More woe for the home side after 78 minutes as first Haslam
had his effort parried by Teale and Steve McGurk’s follow up came back off the
post.
A rare break on 80 minutes for Bentley, Dan Read having his
low drive saved by Dale Sheppard. Sheppard’s
match was about to come to an abrupt end.
Having come over the halfway line to take a free-kick when Bentley broke
he was forced to handle just outside his box to deny a goal scoring
opportunity. This left referee Steve
Abbott with little choice but to send the keeper off. Steve McGurk took the keepers shirt but the
resulting free kick came to nothing.
The final heartache for ‘The Bulls’ came in the final
minute, McGurk knocked a superb free-kick from the halfway line into the box
and Mark Carter headed past Teale.
Unfortunately Joe Naylor who was running in couldn’t get out of the way
of a certain goal and managed to ensure Bentley’s clean sheet by clearing the
ball off the line.
Both teams will have the chance to score in two weeks’ time
as AFC Mansfield travel to Bentley for the return fixture.
Considering they have scored 117 goals in the
league this season it was a disappointing day for the Mansfield side.
However, the fate of the league championship
is still in their hands.
AFC Mansfield take a break from the league on Tuesday night
when they travel to Bishop Burton College to take on Westella Hanson in the
Quarter Final of the Floodlit Cup.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, McGurk, Cantrell, Draper
(c), Holmes, Naylor D (Carter 68), Buxton, Naylor J, Rick (Bettison 22),
Wiltshire (Timons 78), Haslam. Subs not used: Wilson & Fletcher
Bentley Colliery: Teale, Reynado, Maxfield, Doran,
Brown, Padgett, Downing (c), Scott, Read, Parkhouse, Lynch. Sub not used: Winterman
Referee: Mr Steve Abbott (Sutton-in-Ashfield)
Assistants: Mr Derek Brumpton & Mr Ian Parker
Attendance: 69
Man of the Match: Steve McGurk
***********
Saturday 15th March 2014
The Windsor Food Services Central Midlands League
Black Dragon Badges North Division
AFC Mansfield 4 - 0 Easington United
Both teams were missing key players for this game and it was by no means a classic. But goals from Danny Wiltshire, Mark Carter and a brace from Craig Cantrell were enough to take AFC Mansfield one step closer to the title.
The visitors had the first real chance of the game on 15 minutes, Sam Huetson getting into the box and firing a low drive that beat Dale Sheppard but drifted wide of the far post. The home side struck back straight away with Buxton setting up Joe Naylor for a drive which zipped past the far post.
A great passing move on 24 minutes deserved a better finish as Joe Naylor fired over the bar from the edge of the box.
There was a distinct lack of entertainment for the next 20 minutes as both sides gave the ball away consistently.
‘The Bulls’ broke the deadlock just before the break when Joe Naylor was fouled 25 yards from goal. Craig Cantrell stepped up and curled a superb effort into the top corner. Charlie Dixon got a hand to it but only helped it into the net
.
So many teams have put so much effort into the first half against AFC Mansfield and run out of steam in the second and Easington were no different. Danny Naylor saw his shot hit the post on 55 minutes.
Craig Cantrell got his second on 64 minutes when Sam Holmes released him down the left flank. Cantrell cut inside and into the box and fired a low drive that nestled into the bottom far corner of the net despite Dixon again getting a hand to it.
Five minutes later it was 3-0, Cantrell turned provider sending Danny Wiltshire clear and the striker drilled his effort into the back of the net.
Matt Draper headed wide on 82 minutes from a Phil Buxton free-kick and it looked as if the game was going to finish 3-0. But with 5 minutes to go Mark Carter, coming back from injury and the clubs 2nd highest goal-scorer came on. With 3 minutes left Carter received the ball in the box, held off his marker and slipped the ball past the advancing Dixon from 12 yards to make it 4-0.
AFC Mansfield have just 6 league games left and entertain Bentley Colliery next Saturday at The Forest Town Stadium.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, McGurk, Clarke (Wilson 65), Draper, Timons (c), Holmes, Buxton, Naylor D, Naylor J (Carter 85), Wiltshire (Birch 76), Cantrell. Subs not used: Rick & Rodger.
 |
| Man of the Match |
Easington United: Dixon, Jamieson, Barnett, Hart, McLaughlin S (c), Taylor, Huetson, Cousins, Radley, McLaughlin T, Frost. Subs not used: Smalley & Graham.
Referee: Mr Jack Carter
Assistants: Mr Andy Smith & Mr Kevin Tietjin
Attendance: 83
Man of the Match: Craig Cantrell
Saturday 8th March 2014
The Windsor Food Services Central Midlands League
Black Dragon Badges North Division
Glapwell 0 - 4 AFC Mansfield
**********
AFC Mansfield were forced into two changes from the team
that won 6-0 at Newark Town in midweek.
Carl Haslam and Craig Cantrell coming in for the injured Danny Tighe and
James McCann.
The first chance of the game fell to the home side’s captain
Jordan Jones who hit a rasping drive from 20 yards that Dale Sheppard did well
to hold.
Jones had another chance a minute later, latching onto a
poor back pass his final effort was pulled wide of the left hand post.
The visitors first effort came on 14 minutes, Carl Haslam
delivering a cross from the left that Joe Naylor met with his head but couldn’t
find the target.
Both Haslam and Danny Wiltshire both went close in the next
five minutes as ‘The Bulls’ began to find their feet.
It was no surprise then that the visitors went in front on
22 minutes. A neat passing move
involving Phil Buxton, Joe Naylor and Wiltshire saw the ball delivered into the
box for a simple header inside the 6 yard box for Dean Rick to open the scoring.
Another great cross from Haslam saw Joe Naylor hit the bar
on 26 minutes and Rick volleyed wide of the mark on the half hour. Jones fluffed his lines again 2 minutes later
beating Sheppard with his shot but it lacked any sort of power and Sam Holmes
stopped it in the 6 yard box before clearing.
Man of the match Danny Wiltshire provided the cross again
for Rick’s 2nd goal on 42 minutes.
Picking the ball out of the air from a Danny Naylor long ball he then
picked out Rick in the box to score with a looping header over Ryan Hopkins.
The visitors sat back in the 2nd half but
Glapwell could not break down a resolute defence who have only conceded 8 goals
away from home. James Whitfield forced a
save out of Sheppard on 73 minutes and at the other end Danny Naylor saw his 20
yard effort easily saved by Hopkins.
Haslam produced another superb run and cross for the 3rd
goal on 78 minutes, finding Wiltshire who confidently headed past Hopkins. Wiltshire got his second 2 minutes later when
good work from Declan Brewin and Joe Naylor left him clear in the box and after
looking up drilled the ball under the advancing Hopkins to make it 4.
Another clinical performance from AFC Mansfield, but they
were made to work for it by a hard working Glapwell side.
Next week Easington United make the long trip to The Forest
Town Stadium for a 3pm kick-off.
Glapwell: Hopkins, Ruse, Holland (Robley 76),
Vickers, Marshall, Miller, Murcott (Pykett 74), Wharton, Jones (c), Gouveia
(Barber 65), Whitfield. Sub not used:
Dowdall.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, McGurk (Brewin 50),
Cantrell, Draper (c), Holmes, Naylor D, Buxton, Naylor J, Rick (Bettison 67),
Wiltshire, Haslam (Timons 79). Subs not
used: McCann & Fletcher.
Referee: Mr Robert Massey
Assistants: Mr Ian Parker & Miss Danielle
Knight
Attendance: 91
Man of the Match: Danny Wiltshire
Wednesday 5th March 2014
The Windsor Food
Services Central Midlands League
Black Dragon
Badges North Division
Newark Town 0 – 6 AFC
Mansfield
AFC Mansfield regained top spot with an impressive 6-0 win
at Newark Town. Joe Naylor had given The
Bulls the lead in a fairly even first half and all of the 120 spectators
watching expected another 45 minutes of fast paced, full blooded football to
mirror the first half.
The visitors had different ideas though and a brace from Dean
Rick and strikes from Matt Draper, Declan Brewin and Toby Birch blew the home
side away.
The first chance of the game fell to Dean Rick who saw his
low drive turned around the post by Chris Riley in the Newark goal on 5
minutes.
Both teams were fully committed and the game became a real
battle, it wasn’t until the 30th minute that Newark looked to put
some pressure on the visitor’s goal. First Daryl Price miscued his shot after a
darting run and then Aron Martin cut inside and hit a shot from the edge of the
box that was always rising over the bar.
‘The Bulls’ responded and on 35 minutes Danny Tighe saw his
effort come back off the post. Five
minutes later they got the break through.
Joe Naylor played a neat one two with James McCann, his initial shot was
parried by Riley but the ball came back to him and he turned and drilled the
ball under Riley to put the visitors in front.
AFC Mansfield started the better of the two sides in the
second half and 6 minutes in they had doubled their lead. Great work down the right flank from Phil
Buxton, getting to the line and then
pulling the ball back to Joe Naylor.
Naylor’s first time chip to the far post was met by Captain Matt Draper
who blasted the ball home from 6 yards.
On the hour mark it was 3-0 courtesy of a left footed strike
from the league’s top goal-scorer Dean Rick.
Rick glided past two defenders in the box before firing a low drive past
Riley.
Two minutes later a similar effort from Rick zipped past the
right hand post with Riley beaten.
Steve McGurk’s superb 25 yard pass on 70 minutes saw Danny
Wiltshire control with one touch and then roll the ball invitingly into the
path of Dean Rick who fired past Riley from 12 yards to make it 4-0 and game
over as far as Newark were concerned.
AFC Mansfield then introduced three of their U19 squad into
the game, Brad Wilson, Declan Brewin and Toby Birch. It was Birch who made it five on 80
minutes. Danny Naylor played a great
through ball to Birch, but 35 yards out he still had a lot to do. The youngster kept his head and hit a superb
strike from the edge of the box that had Riley well beaten.
Daryl Clare, who had been lively all night had two chances to put Newark on the scoresheet. His first effort drifted wide of the far post and his second was well saved by Sheppard in the visitors goal.
Daryl Clare, who had been lively all night had two chances to put Newark on the scoresheet. His first effort drifted wide of the far post and his second was well saved by Sheppard in the visitors goal.
Joe Naylor tried his luck from fully 35 yards and saw his
effort shave the bar.
But the final word was left to Declan Brewin who volleyed home
on the far post from a superb Danny Tighe free-kick.
AFC Mansfield are on the road again on Saturday making the
short trip to Hall Corner to take on Glapwell FC.
Newark Town: Riley, Martin, Purves, Fulcher
(McDonald 60), Bryan, Parsons (c), Wilford, Self (Townsley 75), Fraser, Price,
Pearce (Dobbie 65). Sub not used: Lee
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, McGurk (Wilson 71),
Tighe, Draper (c), Holmes, Naylor D, Buxton (Brewin 75), Naylor J, Rick (Birch
75), Wiltshire, McCann. Subs not used:
Rodger & Fletcher.
Referee: Mr Rod Hedingham
Assistants: Mr Steve Collington & Mr George
Mitchell
|
| Man of the Match |
Man of the Match: Joe Naylor
Attendance: 120
Saturday 1st March 2014
The Windsor Food Services Central Midlands League
Black Dragon Badges North Division
Welbeck Welfare 1 – 5 AFC Mansfield
***********
Despite missing a hat full of chances AFC Mansfield eased to
victory against bottom of the table Welbeck Welfare. A hat-trick from Dean Rick, one from Danny
Wiltshire and an own goal from Alistair Jones did the damage with Ashley
Farqurson the lone Welbeck marksman.
‘The Bulls could have taken the lead in the first 5 minutes
when a rash challenge by keeper Julian Stevens on Rick saw the first penalty of
the game. Rick took the kick sent
Stevens the wrong way but the ball cannoned back off the post and eventually it
was cleared to safety.
Rick made amends with his second penalty on 13 minutes
firing past Stevens after he was upended again in the box.
The lead was short lived, the visitors switched off at the
back and Ashley Farqurson took full advantage to blast his shot past Sheppard
to bring the scores level after 18 minutes.
‘The Bulls’ started to fluff their lines and Rick was guilty
of two missed chances. But, nevertheless
they regained the lead after 32 minutes.
Danny Wiltshire released Carl Haslam down the left flank and the winger
went past two players with ease. His
rasping drive was parried by Stevens only to see the ball cannon off defender
Alistair Jones and end up in the back of the net.
Wiltshire saw his effort blocked on 34 minutes and a minute
later turned provider for Rick who sliced his shot wide of the far post.
Plenty of chances created in the final 10 minutes of the
half for the visitors but non that were good enough to beat Stevens in the home
goal.
Dean Rick found the target 4 minutes into the restart,
weaving past 3 defenders in the box before firing a low drive under the
advancing Stevens.
Rick completed his
hat-trick on 53 minutes latching onto a Danny Naylor through ball and drilling th
ball past Stevens.
More missed chances before Man of the Match Carl Haslam raced
clear and thundered a shot against the crossbar.
2 minutes later he turned provider racing
down the right flank and delivering a pin point cross for Danny Wiltshire to
volley home for the fifth goal.
Wiltshire was guilty of missing a couple of chances, both
created by Haslam runs. Hitting the side
netting with one and heading over the bar with the other.
In the dying minutes Danny Naylor saw one effort well saved
by Stevens and another volley from 20 yards shave the crossbar as AFC Mansfield
looked to increase their lead.
AFC Mansfield are on their travels again in midweek when
they visit Newark Town on Wednesday night 7.45pm kick-off. A win will see the bulls go back to the top
of the league.
Welbeck Welfare: Stevens, Rowan, Middlekoop
(Simpson C 55), Twyning (Wass 67), Brudzinski, Jones A (Simpson B 82), Taylor
(c), Fletcher, Farqurson, Kemp, Savage. Subs not used: Blake & Jones H.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, McGurk, Tighe, Timons (c),
Holmes, Bettison, Cantrell (Buxton 50), Naylor J (Naylor D 49), Rick (McCann
58), Wiltshire, Haslam. Subs not used:
Clarke & Rodger.
Referee: Mr Martin Fryer
Assistants: Mr Andy Richardson & Mr Andy Harland
Man of the Match: Carl Haslam
Saturday 22nd February 2014
The Windsor Food
Services Central Midlands League
Black Dragon Badges
North Division
Thorne Colliery 1 –
4 AFC Mansfield
A goal on his return to the club from Carl Haslam, a header
from Joe Naylor and a brace for man of the match Dean Rick did the damage with
Thorne captain Darren Fell scoring for the home side.
The home side started the brighter and it wasn’t until the
20th minute that AFC Mansfield had a shot at goal. Dean Rick doing well down the left flank and
delivering a low cross that Danny Wiltshire met first time although the ball
was always rising over the bar.
On 24 minutes the home side had the ball in the back of the
net only for the goal to chalked off for a clear push in the box. A minute later Rick saw his effort saved by
Rob Chester’s feet as the keeper scrambled forward to deny the striker.
‘The Bulls’ were labouring and Thorne were having the better
of the play. Manager Micky Taylor sent
Carl Haslam over to the left flank to take advantage of the lack of pace of
full back Glen Rafferty and the move paid dividends. On 34 minutes Haslam took the ball off the
defender and outpaced him down the line.
He delivered a cross to the far post for Rick to take a touch and then
smash past Chester to open the scoring.
The lead was short lived, 2 minutes later after a sliced
clearance from Darren Bettison the ball fell kindly to Darren Fell who looked
up and lifted the ball over the advancing Dale Sheppard to bring the scores
level.
‘The Bulls’ regained the lead a minute before half-time,
initially a Danny Tighe corner was knocked back to him by Jonny Lugton. On his second attempt Tighe produced a peach
of a curling cross which Joe Naylor met with a bullet header that left Chester
waving at fresh air as it hit the back of the net.
At the beginning of the 2nd half Sheppard had to
make an important save down low to deny Fell an equalising goal.
The combination of Rick and Haslam was starting to tell on
the home side and on 54 minutes the pair carved out a chance for James McCann
who headed wide from 6 yards.
Rick turned provider on 62 minutes, racing down the right
and pulling the ball back for Haslam to drive the ball home from just inside
the box.
The final goal came on 73 minutes with Rick latching onto a
Bettison through ball to fire past Chester from 12 yards.
AFC Mansfield are now starting to hit form and will be
hoping to continue the winning ways when they travel to bottom club Welbeck
Welfare next Saturday.
Thorne Colliery: Chester, Rafferty G, Lugton
(Stoddart 76), Rafferty L, Rodgers, Hindson (Ebbage 65), Thomas, Sheppard N,
Fell (c), Rhodes, Atkinson (Hookway 76).
Subs not used: Sneap & Frost.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard D, McGurk, Tighe, Draper
(c), Holmes, Bettison, Haslam, Naylor J, Rick, Wiltshire (Cantrell 66), McCann
(Meehan 62). Subs not used: Timons,
Wilson & Fletcher.
Referee: Mr Simon Swain
Assistants: Mr M Evans & Mr Paul Beswick
Man of the Match: Dean Rick
Attendance: 65
*************
Wednesday 19th
February 2014
The Windsor Food
Services Central Midlands League
Black Dragon North
Division
AFC Mansfield 5 –
0 Brodsworth Welfare
‘The Bulls’ finally got back into action after a four week
layoff due to the weather. So eager were
they to get back into it the game was effectively over after just 20 minutes as
‘The Bulls’ raced into a 3-0 lead.
Darren Bettison with a man of the match performance scored
after just 5 minutes on his debut.
Driving home his shot from 12 yards after a lay off from Dean Rick.
The second came on 12 minutes, Phil Buxton doing the damage with
a 15 yard drive as Brodsworth began to crumble.
Dean Rick finally got on the score sheet on 16 minutes firing
home after more confusion in the visitors defense.
Rick should have increased his tally with two efforts on 35
and 36 minutes. His first a rather tame
shot at keeper Dom Senior, the second pulling a superb save out of Senior who
tipped the goal bound effort over the bar.
The final 10 minutes of the first half and much of the second
half were a non-event. Brodsworth had
accepted their fate and ‘The Bulls’ just seemed to be going through the
motions.
Having said that several chances were missed and the
scoreline could have been much bigger had the home side took their chances.
In the final 10 minutes AFC Mansfield turned up the heat and
on 82 minutes Danny Tighe scored with a trademark free-kick albeit with a
slight deflection off the wall.
The final goal was left to James McCann who capped off a fine
display with an 8 yard strike after keeper Senior could only parry Rick’s
effort.
A comfortable win for ‘The Bulls’ and a step closer to
leaders Westella Hanson. Saturday sees a
much tougher challenge as they travel to Thorne Colliery for what promises to
be a game not to be missed.
AFC
Mansfield: Sheppard, McGurk Wilson 74), Tighe, Holmes, Draper (c),
Bettison, Buxton (Meehan 55), Naylor J (Timons 72), Rick, Wiltshire,
McCann. Subs not used: Clarke &
Fletcher.
Brodsworth
Welfare: Senior, Abbott (Semley 58), Mowatt, Hodgson, Starbuck (c),
Knifton, Kelly, Dodd, Fisher, Irwin (Exley 72), Bentham.
Referee: Mr J O’Connor
Assistants: Mr G
Mitchell & Mr K Blackburn
Man
of the Match: Daren Bettison
Attendance: 64
***********Saturday 18th January 2014
The Windsor Food
Services Central Midlands League
North Division
Ollerton Town 2 –
1 AFC Mansfield
AFC Mansfield’s title aspirations took a knock as they went
down by the odd goal in this competitive local derby at Ollerton.
Forced to make changes due to player unavailability Bulls
manager Micky Taylor fielded an unfamiliar back four with Sam Holmes at Right
Back. Danny Wiltshire started after his
return from Shirebrook Town.
Dean Rick had the first chance on goal after just 8
minutes. The striker racing clear of the
home defence sawhis shot beat keeper Simon Smith but drift wide of the far
post.
Ollerton’s first chance came on 15 minutes with Lee Easom
heading wide from 8 yards.
The first of some contentious decisions came on the half
hour mark when Danny Tighe put a low cross into the Ollerton box. A defender clearly blocked the cross with his
arm and with the referee only yards away even the Ollerton faithful couldn’t
believe it when a penalty wasn’t given.
Matt Draper should have got his header on target just before
half time but headed Tighe’s free kick over the bar.
The second half started in much the same vein and both sides
had questions for the referee as he continued to turn down legitimate appeals.
Danny Wiltshire saw his 15 yard drive well saved by Smith on
55 minutes and Dean Rick fired wide inside the box as ‘The Bulls’ pushed for an
opener. Joe Naylor headed wide on 70
minutes and it looked as if the game would finish goaless at this point.
The opening goal came just 4 minutes later, AFC gave away a
free kick 25 yards out and when Jamie Senior’s kick took a massive deflection
off the wall all keeper Dale Sheppard could do was watch the ball spin into the
net.
‘The Bulls’ changed their formation going to 3 at the back
and pushing Sam Holmes into midfield.
This left holes at the back and Aaron Norman nearly exploited this on 79
minutes racing down the right, turning inside Carter before forcing a good save
out of Sheppard.
Another clear penalty as a goalbound effort from Joe Naylor
was blocked on the line by an Ollerton defenders arm. At the other end another shout for a penalty
as Sam Holmes made a forceful challenge on Lee Easom, again the referee was
having none of it.
Ollerton made it 2-0 on 80 minutes, Senior turning neatly in
the box and firing a low drive that had Sheppard stretching but unable to reach
as the ball nestled into the far corner of the net.
AFC Mansfield were eventually awarded a penalty in the last
minute, ironically the softest of all the penalty appeal s and given by the
referee. Dean Rick cheekily chipped the
ball down the middle as Smith dive to his right to give ‘The Bulls’ a
consolation goal.
A deserved victory for the home side for a hard working
display and AFC Mansfield will have to pull their socks up and look to improve
if they want to top the league at the end of the season.
Another away trip next week
as ‘The Bulls’ travel to Bentley Colliery for a 2pm kick-off.
Ollerton Town: Smith, Atkinson, Beeby, Roche, McAllister,
Waddell (Bowler 56), Callaghan (Norman 73), Bowring, Easom, Evans (c),
Senior. Subs not used: Ganyawi, Cooper
& Taylor.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Holmes, Tighe, Draper, Timons (c),
Buxton, McCann (Brewin 70), Naylor J, Rick, Wiltshire (Green 76), Carter. Subs not used: McGurk, Birch & Fletcher.
Referee: Mr David Fields
Assistants: Mr Barry Answer & Mr Steve Zielinski
Attendance: 71
Man of the Match: Ollerton Town, Jamie Senior; AFC Mansfield, Dean Rick
**********
Saturday 4th January 2014
The Windsor Food
Services Central Midlands League
League Challenge
Cup
AFC Mansfield 2 –
1 Linby Colliery
AFC Mansfield extended their winning run to 8 matches as
they moved into the Quarter Finals of the League Challenge Cup at the expense
of Linby Colliery.
Leading goalscorer Dean Rick scored both goals, one in each
half, while Kyle McDermott scored for the visitors on the stroke of half time
to send the teams in level.
In truth, although the score line suggests a close game it
really wasn’t. Had the home side taken
some of their numerous chances in front of goal and had two further goals from
Rick not been ruled out for offside, the win would have looked a lot more convincing.
The first real chance in the game didn't come until the 19th
minute when Phil Buxton saw his effort blocked on the line after good work down
the left from Rick and Mark Carter.
It was Rick who opened the scoring on 29 minutes with a low
drive from the edge of the box from a Joe Naylor through ball.
Watkinson did well to deny Rick with his legs a minute later
and on 34 minutes Rick rounded the keeper to put the ball in the back of the
net only to be denied by the linesman's flag.
'The Bulls' sat back for the final 10 minutes of the half and
allowed Linby time and space and the enevitable happened just seconds before
the half time whistle. The ball played
to Kyle McDermott who fired home from inside the box to level the scores.
Ten minutes into the restart and Craig Cantrell had his
effort denied by the keepers legs, Rick's follow up was them scrambled off the
line by Tom Coupe.
Danny Naylor saw his
20 yard effort zip past the post on 64 minutes before it all went terribly
wrong for Linby on 68 minutes. Matt Peberday
made a clumsy tackle on Joe Naylor inside the box and the referee signalled a
penalty kick. Peberday received a yellow
card for the tackle but was shown a red after his vocal disagreement with the
decision. Meanwhile Dean Rick took the
opportunity to collect his 29th goal of the season by firing the spot kick past
Watkinson.
Rick
again found the net on 75 minutes and once again was denied by the flag.
Rick
saw another effort cleared off the line on 88 minutes, Declan Brewin picked up
the loose ball and got to the line and delivered a perfect cross to the back
post where Phil Buxton missed an open net from a couple of yards.
‘The
Bulls’ return to league action next week, when they make the short journey to
Hall Road Corner to take on Glapwell.
AFC
Mansfield: Sheppard, Wilson (McCann 74), Meehan, Draper, Holmes,
Naylor D, Cantrell, Buxton, Rick, Naylor J, Carter (Brewin 81). Subs not used:
Whitehead, Fletcher and McGurk.
 |
| Sam Holmes Man of the Match |
Linby
Colliery: Watkinson, Frizelle, Coupe, Winfield, Peberday, Henshaw
(c), Mitchell, Fox, Murphy (Butler 76), McDermott (Niblett 80), Davies (Murray
83). Subs not used:
Slawson & Marlow.
Referee: Mr
Mark Senior
Assistants: Mr
Mick Webb & Mr Andy Richardson
Man of
the Match: Sam Holmes
Attendance: 82
************
Saturday 14th December 2013
The Windsor Food Services Central Midlands League
Black Dragon Badges North Division
Sherwood Colliery 0 – 3 AFC Mansfield
************
‘The Bulls’ remained top of the league with a dominant
display at Debdale Park on Saturday. A
brace from Callum Green and another strike from Sam Holmes secured the points
for the league leaders.
AFC Mansfield had the first chance on goal when Sam Holmes
saw his 25 yard effort blocked, the ball fell to Callum Green who fired wide
from 12 yards.
The visitors continued to press and Joe Naylor fired over
from the edge of the box, five minutes later he rattled the crossbar with a
header from a Phil Buxton cross.
At the other end Gaz Curtis fired a tame effort at Dale
Sheppard after being sent clear by Lance Mulligan. Mulligan should have put the home side in
front on 25 minutes, racing clear of two defenders his low drive had Sheppard
beaten but it drifted wide of the far right hand post.
Liam Kerry bravely dived at the feet of Nathan Whitehead to
keep the score at 0-0 on the half hour mark and 4 minutes later superbly tipped
Danny Naylor’s goal bound 20 yard volley over the bar.
Whitehead saw his shot clear the bar and Green crashed his
effort against the bar as ‘The Bulls’ looked for the opening goal. Holmes had
the last chance of the half firing over the bar from 20 yards.
The visitors continued their hunt for a goal at the
beginning of the second half. Callum
Green hitting the post after 48 minutes and the follow up was blocked by Luke
Proctor.
Again the home side nearly took the lead when Brendan
Williams crossed from the left Dale Sheppard somehow managed to block Keenan
Leeds wffort at point blank range to keep the teams level.
AFC Mansfield took the lead on 67 minutes a fine ball from
Danny Naylor found Phil Buxton on the right flank. His superb cross found Sam Holmes who’s
initial effort was blocked by a defender.
But when the ball came back he found the back of the net from 12 yards
with the help of a deflection.
Three minutes later and the score was doubled, good work
down the left flank from Carter who passed to Danny Naylor. Naylor looked up and delivered a curling ball
that the defenders couldn’t deal with and Callum Green smashed the ball home
from 6 yards.
Green completed the scoring on 84 minutes firing into the
corner of the net past the advancing Kerry from 15 yards.
Both Mark Carter and Declan Brewin both had chances to
extend the lead but both put their efforts wide of the mark.
‘The Bulls’ are on their travels again next Saturday when
they go to Brodsworth Welfare.
Sherwood Colliery: Kerry, Homer, Proctor, Taylor,
Whitmore, Curley, Curtis, Leeds, Mulligan, Gregory (Buchanan 72), Williams
(Gascoingne 74). Subs not used: Cairns
& Bullock.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe, Meehan, Holmes,
Timons (c) (Draper 84), Naylor D, Buxton, Naylor J (Brewin 84), Whitehead
(McGurk 65), Green, Carter. Subs not
used: Birch & Fletcher.
Referee: Mr Wayne Gray
Assistants: Mr Mark Senior and Mr Mick Webb
Attendance: 43
Man of the Match:
Sam Holmes
Saturday 7th December 2013
The Windsor Food
Services Central Midlands League
Black Dragon
Badges North Division
Kinsley Boys 0 – 6 AFC Mansfield
AFC Mansfield surged back to the top of the league in
impressive style putting 6 past Kinsley Boys without reply.
‘The Bulls’ made their intentions clear in the first 10
minutes Callum Green fired wide on 7 minutes and Joe Naylor headed over from a
Mark Carter cross on 9 minutes as the Mansfield side took the game to their
hosts.
On 12 minutes the visitors took the lead, Joe Naylor sending
Green clear to fire past Andrew Joburns in the Kinsley goal from 12 yards
.
The roles were reversed 5 minutes later Green turning
provider for Naylor to volley past the stranded keeper to double the lead.
With an impregnable back four of Timons, Holmes Tighe
and McGurk AFC looked unlikely to concede and were making inroads down the left
flank with Mark Carter and Danny Tighe linking well.
The third goal came on the half hour mark, Carter finding
the irrepressible Callum Green who in turn fed Joe Naylor. Naylor drove the ball across the face of the
goal and it was Phil Buxton who slid in at the far post to make it three.
Kinsley Player Manager Craig Rouse should have pulled a goal
back for the home side on 35 minutes. He
raced into the box, with a suspicion of offside and fired his effort at Dale
Sheppard. The keeper saved but the ball
spun into the path of Jack Owen who somehow managed to hit the bar from 5
yards.
Carter had the ball in the back of the net on 55 minutes but
was flagged offside and on the hour mark Green forced a superb save out of
Joburns as the Mansfield side looked to put the game to bed.
Carter eventually found the net with a volley on 65 minutes,
Danny Naylor made a strong run down the middle and played a one two with
Green. His drive from outside the box
was pushed onto the bar by Joburns but Carter was on hand to finish from 6
yards to make it 4-0.
Kinsley’s fragile discipline eventually left them and two
players were dismissed after referee Rob Rees decided that the constant
questioning and abuse of himself and his assistants had gone over the top.
AFC lost a player themselves, Captain Chris Timons dismissed
for a strong challenge on the half way line.
‘The Bulls’ made it 5 on 75 minutes, a Tighe corner found
Carter who’s shot was saved by Joburns the loose ball falling to Sam Holmes who
drilled the ball into the far corner.
Carter saw another effort beaten away by Joburns as he
looked for another goal. Green was also
thwarted on 78 minutes by the ex Hemsworth MW keeper who probably kept the
score under double figures on the day.
Youngster Connor Phillips on as a substitute for his first
senior appearance threaded the ball through to Carter, his pull back found
Green who took his time before driving the ball into the net from 10 yards.
‘The Bulls’ travel to Mickleover Royals on Wednesday for
their 2nd round League Cup
fixture and then face Sherwood Colliery next Saturday at Manor.
Kinsley Boys: Joburns, Rollinson Co, Howe,
Lockwood, Lafferty (c), Jennings, Redford, Hunter, Owen (Day 55), Rouse,
Gorner, Subs not used: Hulme, Rollinson
Ca, Bennett & Appleton.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, McGurk (Birch 75), Tighe
(Phillips 75), Holmes, Timons (c), Naylor D, Cantrell (Brewin 28), Buxton,
Naylor J, Green, Carter. Subs not used:
Meehan & Rodger.
Referee: Mr Rob Rees
Assistants: Mr Phil Holmes & Mr Liam Bird
Man of the Match: Mark Carter
---------------------Saturday 30th November 2013
The Windsor Food Services Central Midlands League
North Division
Phoenix FC 0 - 7 AFC Mansfield
Three AFC players scored their first goals for ‘The Bulls’
in this game. Danny Wiltshire scored a
brace on his debut and Sam Holmes and Craig Cantrell both netted in the first
half to open their accounts at the club.
Nathan Whitehead continued his impressive record of 5 goals in 5 starts
for the club and Mark Carter popped up to score to make him 3rd top
scorer in the league, not bad for a midfielder!
The writing was on the wall for the home side with just 12
players available the task ahead was going to be difficult and so it proved so.
‘The Bulls’ raced into a 2 goal lead after just 9
minutes. Firstly Nathan Whitehead opened
the scoring with a superb curling drive from the edge of the box that hit the
top corner of the net, despite Matt Smith diving effort to save. It was 2-0 two minutes later, Mark Carter
rounding the keeper after good work from both Whitehead and Wiltshire before
firing home from 10 yards.
‘The Bulls’ made it 3-0 on 17 minutes when Sam Holmes
brought the ball down in the box before turning and firing past Smith into the
far corner.
The goals kept coming and on 20 minutes Craig Cantrell half-volleyed
from the edge of the box beating the outstretched arms of Smith.
The fifth came on 28 minutes as AFC were over-running the
Phoenix back line. Mark Carter played a
superb through ball to Danny Wiltshire and the striker guided it past keeper
Smith with a sublime first touch.
It remained 5-0 at half time with Declan Brewin replacing
Danny Tighe at half time. In fact 3 of
‘The Bulls’ U19 squad made second half appearance, Brad Wilson coming on for
Buxton and Ryan Fletcher replacing Dale Sheppard in goal.
It was 6-0 on 62 minutes, a surging run from Joe Meehan
through the heart of the Phoenix defence and a low drive that came off the post
but Wiltshire was on hand to fire home the loose ball from 10 yards.
There could have been a lot more goals if it hadn’t been for
the heroics of the Phoenix keeper Smith.
First he saved a 30 yard bullet from Sam Holmes, he then denied Mark
Carter at point blank range and finally tipped over Nathan Whitehead’s header
on 80 minutes.
Whitehead wasn’t to be denied though and on 88 minutes he
got on the end of an excellent Carter cross to head past Smith from 10 yards.
In the final minute Carter was again thwarted by Smith, the
keeper managing to claw his effort away after Carter had skipped past two
defenders.
AFC Mansfield are on their travels again next week when they
visit Kinsley Boys in what promises to be a difficult game for ‘The Bulls’.
Phoenix: Smith,
Garlick A, Cregan, Lund, Bland, Sainthouse, Davis (Hussain 55), Lawton, Spence,
McKenna, Garlick C.
 |
| Man of the Match |
AFC Mansfield:
Sheppard (Fletcher 70), Tighe (Brewin 45), Meehan, Holmes, McGurk (c ), Naylor
J, Cantrell, Buxton (Wilson 61), Whitehead, Wiltshire, Carter. Subs not used: Birch & Rick.
Referee: Mr Steve
Abbott
Assistants: Mr
Adie Seward & Mr Anthony Allen.
Attendance: 40
Man of the Match:
Sam Holmes
*********
Saturday 23rd November 2013
The Windsor Food
Services Central Midlands League
North Division
AFC Mansfield 2 –
1 Kinsley Boys
After the trials and tribulations of the FA Vase last week a
slightly weary AFC Mansfield side welcomed Kinsley Boys to The Forest Town
Stadium for the first meeting ever between these two clubs.
Kinsley are well known for their physical competitive approach
to the game and weren’t the most ideal opponents after a busy previous
week. This showed in the opening minutes
as ‘The Bullls’ were slow to get started.
Inevitably the visitors went in front on 8 minutes. Lack-lustre marking saw the ball delivered into
the box and Todd Wood was first to react to the loose ball firing past Dale
Sheppard from 6 yards.
This was the wake up call ‘The Bulls’ needed and they
started to stamp their authority on the game.
Callum Green rounded the keeper on 10 minutes but fired into the side
netting.
Top scorer Dean Rick bought the sides level on 17 minutes,
coolly finishing in the 6 yard box.
Sam Holmes went close on 21 minutes, his volley shaving the
post from a Danny Tighe corner and then Green Saw his effort saved by Andrew
Joburns after a slide rule pass from Rick.
‘The Bulls’ took the lead on 37 minutes when Buxton crossed
from the right. Rick got a touch with
the ball falling to Mark Carter who turned past 2 defenders before firing past
Joburns from 12 yards.
Captain Dean Rick was dismissed a couple of minutes before
the break after a fifty-fifty ball left a Kinsley player down injured. This meant that the home side would have to
play all the second half a man down.
Danny Naylor had his low drive beaten away by Joburns in the
opening minutes of the second half. The
pressure didn’t materialise and it was AFC Mansfield who had the better chances
in the half.
Mark Carter hit the bar on 57 minutes with Joburns beaten as
the Kinsley goal led a charmed life.
Carter and Green saw efforts deflected for corners as Kinsley wilted
under the ceaseless pressure.
With 10 minutes to go Carter and Danny Naylor both had shots
saved by Joburns and Nathan Whitehead saw his 12 yard drive easily held by the
keeper.
There was to be no further goals and at the end of the
season the 3 points gained today may prove vital for the championship.
‘The Bulls’ start a run of away games, starting with Phoenix
away next Saturday and will not be at home again until Boxing Day.
AFC Mansfield:
Sheppard, Cantrell, Tighe (Wilson 39), Holmes, McGurk, Naylor D, Buxton, Naylor
J, Rick, Green C (Whitehead 79), Carter. Subs not used: Brewin, Birch &
Fletcher
Kinsley Boys:
Joburns, Stapleton, Hulme, Appleton Day 65), Lafferty (c), Howe, Owen
(Rollinson 80), Redford, Wood, Lockwood (Green J 55), Gorner. Sub not used: Stacy
Referee: Mr Rob
Jackson
Assistants: Mr
Graham Taylor & Mr Andy Richardson
Attendance: 52
Man of the Match:
Danny Naylor
************Wednesday 20th November2013
The FA Carlsberg Vase
2nd Round Replay
AFC Mansfield’s hopes of progressing in the competition sunk
in the mud at Huntingdon Town on Wednesday night. With a 170 mile round trip and the rain
coming down it was touch and go wether the game would go ahead. The rain continued to come down throughout
the game and made football difficult to play.
Declan Brewin had ‘The Bulls’ first real chance on 15
minutes, firing wide of the left hand post from 18 yards. At the other end Eason saw his effort crash
against the bar 2 minutes later and Sheppard then did well to deny
Seymour-Shove on 20 minutes.
The home side went in front on 27 minutes with what proved
to be the only goal of the game.
Sheppard parried a shot and Seymour-Shove was quickest to react to stab
the ball home.
AFC suffered a blow on the half hour mark as Captain Chris
Timons was forced off the field through injury to be replaced by 17 year old
Brad Wilson.
Danny Naylor’s curling effort was turned around the post on
40 minutes as the visitors looked for an equaliser.
Callum Green should have equalised on 55 minutes, racing
onto a Mark Carter pass he fired narrowly wide with the keeper beaten.
Another chance for Brewin who again failed to find the
target on 65 minutes. Huntingdon were
dangerous on the break and both Seymour-Shove and Fulcher both missed the
target after quick breaks.
Joe Naylor headed over the bar from a Danny Tighe corner on
70 minutes as ‘The Bulls’ threw everything at Huntingdon.
AFC Mansfield did have the ball in the back of the net on 77
minutes, a low 12 drivedrive from Phil Buxton after the home side had failed to
clear. But as so often in the game the
decision went against the Mansfield side and a flag appeared signalling an
offside.
Dale Sheppard pulled off the save of the game on 88 minutes
tipping Seymour-Shoves point blank drive over the bar with one hand.
Controversy at the end of the game with Brad Wilson sent off
for a high two footed tackle.
Seymour-Shove appeared to slap the youngster across the face in full
view of the referee, another lenient punishment followed with only a yellow
card being shown. Some consolation is
that made it 5 yellows for the season and the influential striker may miss the
next round against Congleton Town.
Huntingdon Town:
Trebes, Medwynter, Moyes, De’ath, Torres, Dear, Rogers, Hyem (c), Eason,
Seymour-Shove, Fulcher. Subs not used:
Yeomans & Owens
AFC Mansfield:
Sheppard, Tighe, Meehan, McGurk, Timons (c), Naylor D, Brewin, Buxton, Naylor
J, Green, Carter. Subs not used: Fletcher, Birch, Cantrell & Wilkinson.
Referee: Mr Kevin
Seckington
Assistants: Mr
Rob Cusick & Mr Paul Gregory
Attendance: 72
Man of the Match:
Steve McGurk
************Saturday 16th November 2013
The FA Carlsberg Vase 2nd Round
AFC Mansfield 1 – 1 Huntingdon Town
‘The Bulls’ go into the hat for the third round draw on
Monday but will have to travel to Huntingdon on Wednesday night to decide who
takes the place in the next round.
Playing a side from two steps above AFC Mansfield took the
game to their opponents. Dean Rick saw
his snap shot go wide of the far post on10 minutes and Phil Buxton had a low
drive deflected for a corner a minute later.
At the other end Captain Chris Timons was winning everything in the air.
AFC Mansfield took the lead on 24 minutes when Rick outpaced
his marker down the right flank. He
pulled the ball back to Joe Naylor who in turn passed to Buxton. His rasping drive was parried by keeper Tim
Trebes, but Mark Carter was on hand to stroke the ball home from 7 yards.
The joy of being in front was short lived because Huntingdon
were back on level terms 2 minutes later.
Indecision at the back saw Ben Seymour-Shove take full advantage to fire
home from the edge of the box with the aid of the left hand post.
Rick flicked the ball out to the right flank into the path
of Declan Brewin. The winger made a
superb run and shot from just outside the box with the ball heading for the top
corner until Trebes superbly tipped it over for a corner.
Another great save on 44 minutes by Trebes, Rick and Joe
Naylor linking well for the latter to force the save from the opposition
keeper.
Huntingdon started the better in the second half with Dale
Sheppard needing to punch a dangerous cross and Timons and Steve McGurk having
to win several key headers.
Seymour-Shove found space on the edge of the box and rattled the
crossbar on 55 minutes.
Rick was upended on the edge of the box on 77 minutes with
Danny Tighes free-kick saved easily by Trebes.
Callum Green on as a second half substitute linked up with
Rick to provide Carter with a chance on 82 minutes but he fired wide of the
target.
It was Sheppard’s turn to pull off a good save, tipping
Declan Rogers free-kick over the bar on 86 minutes as the game headed towards
extra time.
Five minutes into extra time and a penalty was awarded to
Huntingdon. The crowd feared the worst
but Seymour-Shove pulled his spot kick wide of the left hand post to keep the
scores level.
Huntingdon had the better of the first period of extra time
but ‘The Bulls’ roared back in the second period pushing for the winner. The best chance came 2 minutes from time when
keeper Dale Sheppard came forward for a corner and met Tighe’s kick with a superb
downward header only to see it blocked on the line by Daniel Moyes. That was the final action of the game and the
teams meet again on Wednesday night at Huntingdon.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Cantrell, Tighe, McGurk
(Wilson 112), Timons (c), Naylor D, Brewin, Buxton (Green 70), Rick (Birch 88),
Naylor J, Carter. Subs not used:
Fletcher & Capuano.
Huntingdon Town: Trebes, Medwynter
(Joyce 67), Moyes, De’ath, Cartulu-Torres, Dear, Rodgers, Hyem, Eason
(Savalnieks 86), Seymour-Stove, Bexfield.
Subs not used: Fulcher & Yeomans.
Referee: Mr Robert Rees
Assistants: Miss Britany Smith
& Mr Phil Roberts
Attendance: 102
Man of the Match: Chris Timons
Saturday 9th November 2013
The Notts Senior Cup 2nd Round
AFC Mansfield 0 – 2 Selston FC
This game will probably be remembered for the 20 minute freak
hail storm at the end of the game which killed off any fight back AFC Mansfield
looked like mounting. Selston though
fully deserved to be in the next round being the first team ever to stop ‘The
Bulls’ from scoring in a competitive match at home.
Selston broke the deadlock on 26 minutes in a rather
lacklustre first 25 minutes that saw neither side impose themselves on the
game. Elliott Jones firing home the
loose ball after Dale Sheppard had parried Dominic Carraher’s 12 yard effort.
Mark Carter went close to bringing the sides level on 35
minutes his 20 yard drive deflected for a corner with the keeper beaten.
A quick short corner on 39 minutes saw Danny Tighe hit the
post with a curling shot from the edge of the box.
Both sides had chances in the second half with AFC Mansfield
having the lions share. But as so often
happens when a team is pushing on they were caught on the break and Rory Davis
slotted the ball past Sheppard in the last minute to send the Selston players
wild with delight and giving them a home tie against Dunkirk in the 3rd
round.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe, McLane (Draper 55), Meehan,
Timons (c) (Brewin 80), Naylor D, Cantrell, Buxton, Green, White (Whitehead 61),
Carter. Subs not used: Capuano &
Fletcher.
Selston: Simpson, Smith, Renshaw, Farnsworth, Hackett,
Jones, Wright (James 70), Carraher, Jeffery (Moore 80), Airey, Davis.
Referee: Mr Ed Cook
Assistants: Mr L Johnson & Mr J Middleton
Attendance: 105
Wednesday 6th November 2013
The Windsor Food
Services
Central Midlands
League North Division
AFC Mansfield 6 –
1 Askern FC
 |
| Declan Brewin |
‘The Bulls’ roared back to the top of the league in emphatic
style with a 6-1 home win against Askern FC.
Goal from Danny McLane, Joe Naylor, Nathan Whitehead and Mark Carter in
the first half and a brace for U19 striker Declan Brewin did the damage. Askern pulled one back through Callum Sims
but it was only a token reply as AFC Mansfield controlled the game from start
to finish.
The game started in the middle of a downpour and it is a
testament to the AFC Mansfield groundstaff that the game survived the wet
weather.
‘The Bulls’ went in front on 11 minutes, Danny McLane fed
Mark Carter down the left flank. Carter
burst into the box and laid a neat ball into the path of McLane who had
continued his run. A superbly placed
drive from 15 yards beat keeper Anthony Sykes.
Carter went close on 13 minutes but two minutes later Askern
were all at sea as Phil Buxton found Joe Naylor in the box and the big No 9
fired home from 12 yards.
Carter made it 3-0 on the half hour mark after good work
from Buxton and Joe Naylor down the right flank. The latter delivering the ball across the box
for Carter to slot the ball past Sykes.
Sam Holmes, making his first start for the club had to be
replaced by Craig Cantrell on 33 minutes due to injury.
It was four on 42 minutes when Nathan Whitehead also making
his home debut finished inside the box after a pass from Buxton.
Two minutes later and Askern pulled a goal back, Callum Sims
cutting in from the left to curl the ball into the top far corner past the
outstretched Dale Sheppard.
The start of the second half saw Julian Capuano come on for
injured Joe Naylor. Capuano was
instrumental in the fifth goal on 76 minutes.
Linking well with Danny Tighe to carve out a cross for Tighe to deliver
to the far post where Carter controlled then fired past Sykes. Unfortunately for Carter young striker Declan Brewin was on hand to make sure
on the line to score his first goal for the club.
Four minutes from the end Brewin got his second, a bullet
header from a superb Tighe free kick to the far post.
The win took ‘The Bulls’ back to the top of the league, they
now embark on a three cup match run over the next 10 days. The Notts Senior Cup, Floodlit Cup and 2nd
Round of the FA Vase a week on Saturday.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe, McLane, Meehan,
Timons (c), Naylor D, Buxton, Holmes (Cantrell 33), Naylor J (Capuano 45),
Whitehead (Brewin 75), Carter. Subs not
used: Draper & Fletcher.
Askern FC: Sykes, McGough, Jones, Cusworth,
Armitage, Wcjciecholski, Parnell, Rennie, Henry Kennedy 37), Devine, Sims. Subs not used: Green & Taylor.
Referee: Mr Martin Edwards
Assistants: Mr P Vallis & Mr Steve Bingham
Attendance: 101
Man of the Match: Phil Buxton
***********
Saturday 2nd November 2013
The Windsor Food Services
Central Midlands League
Black Dragon Badges North Division
Westella Hanson 3 – 2 AFC Mansfield
AFC Mansfield succumbed to their first defeat of the season and in doing so handed the top spot to their opponents Westella Hanson.
‘The Bulls’ went down to the odd goal in five and must be kicking themselves for an awful first 25 minutes which saw the home side go 3-0 up.
Another slow start from AFC saw Alex Wood put the home side in front after just 6 minutes. Danny Naylor gave the ball away in the middle of the park to Chris Spinks. Spinks had all the time in the world to put his cross into the box and Alex Wood was able to head past Dale Sheppard.
Nathan Whitehead, making his debut saw his effort saved by Curtis Alden on 10 minutes. His next effort had Alden beaten but curled narrowly over the bar.
The home side doubled their lead on 13 minutes, again poor defending from ‘The Bulls’ saw Spinks drive home from 12 yards. Whitehead went close again a minute later, Westella thankful to the post on this occasion keeping the away side at bay.
Mark Carter saw his shot saved by Alden on 19 minutes as AFC tried to force their way back into the game.
Again, AFC Mansfield failed to clear their lines and in a goalmouth scramble Mike Pecora got the last touch to make it 3-0 to Westella after just 24 minutes.
At last a chink of light after 27 minutes, when Danny Naylor was upended just outside the box. Danny Tighe stepped up to curl his free-kick around the wall and in off the right hand post with Alden grasping at fresh air.
Whitehead went close on the half hour mark when he shaved the post after a pass from Carter.
Carter should have reduced the arrears on 43 minutes heading a Tighe cross wide from just 5 yards.
The second half was all Mansfield and they battered the home defence. First Whitehead went close with another drive, then Joe Naylor saw his header crash against the crossbar. Naylor then fired over the bar from 15 yards as ‘The Bulls’ began to pick at the Westella defence.
Sam Holmes then had a chance to mark his debut with a goal when he got on the end of a Rockie White knock down but couldn’t find the net as his touch sent the ball wide of the post.
AFC Mansfield eventually pulled a goal back on 80 minutes, Holmes finding Carter with a slide rule pass and the midfielder slipping the ball through to White who finished with a deft touch to find the back of the net.
2 minutes later White should have equalised, taking Danny McLane’s pass but firing wide from 15 yards.
The final minutes were all AFC Mansfield but try as hard as they could they could not break down a resolute Westella rear guard.
If Mansfield have learnt anything it is they must start quicker and cut out giving away early goals which has happened in the last 4 matches.
‘The Bulls’ have an immediate chance to bounce back as they entertain Askern FC at The Forest Town Stadium on Wednesday 6th November kick-off 7.45pm. A win will take them back to the top of the league.
Westella Hanson: Alden, Dodson, Walters, Bagshaw, Atkinson, Fyvie (c), Wood, Gordon, Pecora, Spinks (Flounders 82), Norton. Subs not used: Metcalfe, Coverdale, Stevenson & Dent.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe, McLane, Draper, Timons, Naylor D (Brewin 85), Buxton, Naylor J, Whitehead (Holmes 63), White, Carter. Subs not used: Wilson, Capuano & Rodger.
Referee: Mr Wayne Gray
Assistants: Mr Dave Cupit & Mr Adrian Stevens
Man of the Match: Joe Naylor
Attendance: 30
Saturday 26th October 2013
The Windsor Food
Services
Central Midlands
League
Black Dragon
Badges North Division
AFC Mansfield 4 –
3 Sherwood Colliery
AFC have had a busy last 7 days but the visitors were in no
mood to be charitable surging forward from the word go. Brad Straw saw his effort saved by Dale
Sheppard after just 2 minutes and it was no surprise when they took the lead on
6 minutes. Dave Bullock was given time
and space to fire a low drive from the edge of the box past the outstretched
Dale Sheppard.
Dean Rick brought the scores level on 13 minutes latching
onto a through ball from Craig Cantrell the striker fired a low drive across
Alex Vasper and into the far corner of the net.
‘The Bulls’ went in front on 18 minutes, a mix up between
Vasper and a defender saw the ball half cleared to Danny Naylor 30 yards
out. The midfielder looked up and guided
the ball into the empty net to make it 2-1.
The visitors were continuing to take the game to the home
side but it wasn’t until the 34 minute that they pulled level. Brad Straw sent clear by Scott Curley placed
his shot under Sheppard from 10 yards.
One final twist in an entertaining half when ‘The Bull’s’
snatched the lead once more. Another
great ball from Cantrell to find Mark Carter on the far post for a simple tap
in.
Once again Sherwood Colliery pegged back the league leaders
five minutes into the re-start. Brendan
Williams the scorer at the back post after some woeful marking from AFC.
Craig Cantrell set up the winning goal on 64 minutes,
sending Mark Carter clear and the midfielder doubled his tally with a superb
finish from the edge of the box over the head of the advancing Vasper.
Both teams had further half chances but there was to be no
further additions to the score sheet and AFC Mansfield retain top spot albeit
in unconvincing style.
‘The Bulls’ now have the clash of the season next week when
they travel to 2nd placed Westella Hanson for what promises to be a
fiery encounter.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe (Wilson 70),
McLane, Draper (c), McGurk, Naylor, Cantrell, Buxton, Rick (Brewin 79), White,
Carter. Subs not used: Meehan, Fletcher
& Rodger.
Sherwood Colliery: Vasper, Whitmore R, Proctor
(Short 70), Nash (c), Jordan, Curley, Straw (Whitmore J 62), Leeds, Bullock,
Curtis, Williams. Sub not used: Homer.
Referee: Mr Martin Watts
Assistants: Mr Phil Holmes & Mr Kyle Holland
Man of the Match: Craig Cantrell
Attendance: 105
***********
Wednesday 23rd October 2013
***********
Saturday 19th October 2013
The FA Carlsberg
Vase 1st Round
Northampton Sileby
Rangers 2 – 5 AFC Mansfield
AFC Mansfield take The Central Midlands League and the county
of Nottinghamshire’s hopes into the 2nd round of The FA Vase after a
thrilling 3-2 win away at Step 5 side Northampton Sileby Rangers.
Goals from Callum Green and Mark Carter in normal time and
two from Dean Rick and a second from Carter in extra time sent ‘The Bulls’ home
happy after their third victory in this competition against higher league opposition.
‘The Bulls’ were without several players due to various
reasons, most notably influential midfielder Joe Naylor. The squad however is a resilient bunch and
with the return of last season’s captain Steve McGurk manager Micky Taylor was
confident he could get a result.
Sileby started the game more brightly, their slick passing
game was a joy to watch and AFC had problems straight away. It didn’t take long for the home side to go
in front. Allowed too much time in front
of goal Tom Glasscoe put his 25 yard effort into the top right hand corner well
out of Dale Sheppard’s reach and it was first blood to the home side.
Mark Carter shot tamely at Liam Stanton on 14 minutes and
Dean Rick saw his low drive go the wrong side of the far post 2 minutes later
as AFC set about restoring the balance.
Rick hoisted his effort over the bar with just Stanton to
beat on 27 minutes and Phil Buxton saw his shot saved by Stanton on 32 minutes.
The home side were having plenty of possession and moving
the ball around quickly. Karabo Motshweni
and Clinton Dislemo the two wide players seeing plenty of the ball. ‘The Bulls’ were just about turning the
corner when the first 45 minutes ended but were still behind to the 9th
minute Glasscoe strike.
The second half started more brightly for the visitors with
Stanton plucking Rick’s cross off the head of Callum Green to keep the home
side’s one goal advantage.
This however was undone on 59 minutes when Danny McLane’s
pass found Carter free on the left.
Carter advanced into the box and then cleverly squared the ball to
Callum Green who fired home from 8 yards to bring the scores level.
‘The Bulls’ were showing the more physical side of their
game and Sileby were beginning to wilt.
AFC took the lead on 70 minutes when Stanton could only parry Green’s
shot and Mark Carter found himself in the right spot to smash the ball home
from 12 yards.
The final 20 minutes saw both teams make changes and
although Sileby enjoyed plenty of the ball in front of AFC they could not get
behind them and the visitors thought they had done enough.
A minute from time and ‘The Bulls’ were dealt a devastating blow. An innocuous free-kick was given by the at
times over fussy referee and when AFC had the chance to clear the ball dropped
to the home side captain Caspar Coombes who gratefully fired home from 10
yards.
The Mansfield side were shell shocked and the first 10
minutes of the first period of extra time belonged to Sileby, but again plenty
of possession but no penetration as Matt Draper and Chris Timons showed all
their experience as they kept the home side at bay.
AFC finally got back into the game and when Dean Rick
challenged Stanton for a loose ball Rick was quickest to the ball when it came
back off the post to fire home from 3 yards and spark wild celebrations. Unfortunately manager Micky Taylor was sent
from the dugout after going on the pitch to celebrate with the players
something that the Sileby management were allowed to do without sanction when
they equalised.
The second period of extra time was barely a minute old when
Callum Green received his marching orders after being booked for a fair tackle
and over protesting his innocence to the offence.
So ‘The Bulls’ had 13 minutes to hold out, or so everybody
thought. Declan Brewin, on for the very
impressive Craig Cantrell, broke down the right and when his low drive was
parried by Stanton his follow up spun off a defender and again in the right
place at the right time Mark Carter headed powerfully home to make it 4-2 with
10 minutes to go.
‘TheBulls’ weren’t finished yet though and Dean Rick showed
all his power to hold off the challenge of Toby Cleaver. Stanton saved his initial effort but again
Rick was quickest to react firing home the loose ball to send 10 man AFC Mansfield
into the next round.
There was still time for a penalty at the other end when
Dale Sheppard bought down Motshweni. The
keeper showing his quality to save Glasscoe’s spot kick and cap off a great day
for ‘The Bulls’.
AFC return to league action on Wednesday night when they
entertain Clay Cross Town at The Forest Town Stadium. But all eyes will be on the draw at mid-day
to see who they will get in the 2nd Round of the FA Vase.
Northampton SIleby
Rangers: Stanton, Baxter, Coombes, Glasscoe, Cleaver, Woodward, Motshweni,
Thompson (Watkins 74), McCoy (Merryweather 70), O’Sullivan, Dismelo (Entwistle
84). Subs not used: White & Chatfield.
AFC Mansfield:
Sheppard, Tighe, McLane, Draper, Timons (c), Naylor D (McGurk 77), Cantrell
(Brewin 85), Buxton, Rick, Green Carter.
Subs not used: Rodger, Meehan
& Easom.
Referee: Mr
Oliver Deene (Oxford)
Man of the Match:
Callum Green
Attendance: 67
***********
Saturday 12th October 2013
The Notts Senior Cup – 1st Round
Hucknall Rolls Leisure 0 – 4 AFC Mansfield
‘The Bulls’ eased their way into the next round of the Notts
Senior Cup with a hat-trick from Dean Rick and an excellent strike from Callum
Green.
Rolls Leisure showed why they were top of the Notts Senior
league as they took the game to AFC in the opening 20 minutes. Greg Conn on the right flank drew particular
attention with his surging runs down the wing.
Jack James was also getting the better of the early exchanges in the
middle of the park as a much changed AFC Mansfield struggled to get going.
Missing from the squad were Danny Naylor, Danny Tighe,
Rockie White, James McCann, Joe Meehan, Julian Capuano and long term injury Joe
Ward. In came Craig Cantrell back from
injury and 3 of the U19 squad Declan Brewin, Ryan Fletcher and Brad Wilson.
Dean Rick’s first effort on 21 minutes signalled the
visitors wake up call as it fizzed past the right hand post. The striker went close again on the half hour
mark but turned provider to open the scoring 4 minutes later. Taking a Joe Naylor pass his quick footwork
set up Callum Green who drove his effort in off the post from the edge of the
box.
Naylor provided the pass on 40 minutes that produced ‘The
Bulls’ second goal. Rick racing into the
box before rounding keeper Jake Pearson and firing home from 6 yards.
Pearson make a spectacular save to deny Green after good
work from Rick on 42 minutes and the score remained 2-0 at the break.
It had been a miserable day to watch a football match and
the rain got worse for the second half and with AFC kicking up the slope there
was still life in the game.
Mark Carter
had two chances to extend the lead, breaking into the box his first effort was
sliced high and wide. His second bought
another fine save from Pearson on 75 minutes.
Both teams had chances but increasingly the visitors held
possession. Nevertheless it took until the
81 minute for them to increase their lead and it was leading goal-scorer Rick
that provided the breakthrough. After
being denied a penalty minutes earlier for a surging run into the box an identical
run produced a different outcome as he was bought down by Aaron Smart. Rick dispatched the spot kick sending Pearson
the wrong way to make it 3-0 to the visitors.
A place in the next round was booked 2 minutes later when
Rick bagged his hat-trick with neat finish from Carter’s cross.
‘The Bulls’ will turn their attention to the FA Vase next
Saturday as they fly the flag for the Mansfield area, being the only local side
left in the competition.
Hucknall Rolls Leisure: Pearson, Paterson (Soloman
66), Marshall (Henrys 78), Matthews, Smart, Duncan, Conn, James, Start,
Betteridge (Warden 30), Smith. Subs not
used: Robinson & Wass.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Cantrell (Brewin 78),
McLane, Draper, Timons, Naylor J, Easom (Wilson 60), Buxton, Rick, Green,
Carter. Subs not used: Fletcher, Rodger
& Meehan.
Referee: Mr Mark Tinsley
Assistants:
Mr Alex Smith and Mr Andy Smith
Attendance: 42
Man of the Match: Dean Rick
************Saturday 5th October 2013
The Windsor Food
Services Central Midlands League
North Division
Thoresby CW 0 – 6 AFC
Mansfield
‘The Bulls’ completed their first double of the season when
they easily defeated Thoresby Colliery Welfare at Edwinstowe. A brace from Mark Carter and goals from Lee
Easom, Joe Naylor, Callum Green and Dean Rick overpowered a young Thoresby
side.
Lee Easom set the ball rolling on 8 minutes, turning neatly
in the box to fire past Glenn McPherson from 15 yards. 2 minutes later Easom turned provider,
breaking down the left flank and delivering a perfect cross to the head of
Callum Green. McPherson did well to
parry the header but Joe Naylor was on hand to finish from 3 yards.
‘The Bulls’ continued to knock on the door and Phil Buxton
and Danny McLane both went close. Danny Naylor was in superb form controlling everything from midfield.
Lee
Easom then saw his effort superbly saved by McPherson on 25 minutes.
A rash two footed challenge on Danny McLane from Callum
Tebbett had earned the youngster the first of two yellow cards on 15 minutes. The second late challenge on the same player came
15 minutes later and saw the home side reduced to 10 men with 15 minutes of the
first half still to play.
AFC made it 3-0 on 35 minutes when Danny Tighe found Mark
Carter with a sublime 40 yard ball.
Carter controlled the ball with one touch, sent his marker the wrong way
and fired past McPherson from 12 yards.
Danny Naylor’s cross on 55 minutes was not dealt with by the
Thoresby defence with the ball eventually falling to Carter. The midfielder took his time and fired past
the wrong footed keeper from 10 yards to make it 4-0.
A combination of good keeping, the post and wayward shooting
kept the score down, but Thoresby could do nothing about Dean Rick’s powerful
run into the box on 84 minutes. Just as
he was about to shoot James Gunn clipped his legs from behind and the referee
immediately pointed to the spot. Worse
was to come for Gunn as he was judged to be the last man and received a red
card.
Rick sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 5-0 from the
penalty spot and a minute later hits the post with McPherson beaten.
Callum Green thought he had scored on 88 minutes only to see
his volley superbly tipped over by the overworked McPherson.
Rick saw another shot turned around the post before Green completed the scoring with a low drive from the edge of the box.
AFC Mansfield take a break from league action for the next
two weeks. Next Saturday they compete in
the Notts Senior Cup for the first time against Hucknal Rolls Leisure and a
week later travel to Northampton Sileby Rangers in the first round of the FA
Vase.
Thoresby CW: McPherson, Gunn, Dyson (Gillespie 67),
Rich (Walker 67), Garnham, Brown, Tebbett, Scothern, Brentnall, Buchanan (c),
Selby (Severn 68). Subs not used: Wragg
& Thorndyke
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe (McCann 60), McLane
(Draper 45), Meehan, Draper, Timons (c), Naylor D, Buxton (Rick 60), Naylor J,
Easom, Green, Carter. Subs not used:
Wilson & Fletcher.
Referee: Mr Liam Jones
Assistants: Mr Dave Hamilton & Mr Andy
Richardson
Man of the Match: Danny Naylor
Attendance: 45
**********
Friday 27th
September 2013
The Windsor Food
Services
Central Midlands
League
North Division
AFC Mansfield 10 –
0 Glapwell FC
 |
The crowd begins to grow before the start of the game |
‘The Bulls’ produced a dominant display to completely rout
Glapwell on Friday night. First half
goals from Dean Rick, Danny Tighe, Danny McLane and Phil Buxton put the game
beyond doubt. This was followed up by a
hat-trick from Lee Easom, a brace from Mark Carter and a final goal by Callum
Green.
The first 10 minutes set the scene for the rest of the game,
Rick had his effort blocked on 5 minutes.
Then Tighe saw his drive deflected for a corner and then twice Rick got
to the line to deliver crosses that Joe Naylor headed wide on the first attempt
and was denied by a fine save from Ryan Hopkins on the second.
It was no surprise then that AFC took the lead on 16 minutes,
Dean Rick racing onto a Joe Naylor through ball to round the keeper before
firing home.
The second goal came by way of a harsh decision from the
referee. A defender had hoisted the ball
high in the air back towards the keeper who caught it. The referee decided it was a pass back and
gave the home side a free-kick. Somehow
Danny Tighe found the far corner with a superb low driven effort through a
crowd of players.
 |
| Danny McLane is congratulated after his wonder strike |
Joe Naylor went close again as his effort was turned around
the post by Tim Grundy. Glapwell failed
to clear their lines and the ball fell to Danny McLane a full 30 yards from
goal. McLane looked up and hit an
unstoppable, bullet of a shot that hit the top corner leaving the keeper
stranded on 29 minutes.
The fourth goal came on 41 minutes with more good work down
the right flank from Rick. He eventually
pulled the ball back to Phil Buxton 15 yards out to hit it first time and it
flew into the roof of the net.
Rick made way for Lee Easom at half-time and the striker made
an immediate impact, the half was less than 5 minutes old when Buxton provided
a simple finish from Easom to make it 5-0.
‘The Bulls’ were now rampant and Mark Carter added a sixth
goal on 65 minutes with the simplest of tap ins.
Easom doubled his tally on 70 minutes, picking the ball up on
the left flank he turned his marker inside out before firing a low drive from
the edge of the box into the far corner past the diving Hopkins.
Three minutes later Danny McLane raced down the left flank
and delivered a superb ball into the box which Easom fired confidently past
Hopkins for his hat-trick and the home sides eighth.
Easom turned provider on 84 minutes, a great run down the
right which took him past two defenders and then an unselfish square ball to
Callum Green to fire home from 5 yards.
Naylor had the chance to cap his man of the match display
when he raced clear and tried to lob Hopkins from the edge of the box, the
keeper stayed on his feet and in the end it was a comfortable save.
The scoring was complete in the last minute when after
indecision between Hopkin and a defender left Carter with another easy finish
to make it 10-0.
A truly magnificent performance by ‘The Bulls’ as they turn
their attention to next week and an away trip to Thoresby Colliery Welfare.
AFC
Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe, McLane, Draper (Meehan 80), Timons (c),
Naylor D, Buxton, Naylor J, Rick (Easom 45), White R (Green 50), Carter. Subs not used: Wilson & White A.
Glapwell: Hopkins,
Pykett, Grundy, Holland, Ruse, Wharton, Barratt, Murcott (c) (Marshall 60),
Gouveia, Seward, Weaver (Lunn 80). Sub
not used: Robley.
Referee: Mr David
Webb
Assistants: Mr Matt Jackson
& Mr Ian Parker.
Attendance: 155
Man of the Match: Joe Naylor
|
| Man of the Match |
 |
| Second half Hat-Trick hero |
************
Saturday 21st September 2013
The FA Carlsberg
Vase
2nd
Qualifying Round
Grimsby Borough 1 –
5 AFC Mansfield
‘The Bulls’ once again overcame higher league opposition to
put themselves into the draw for the 1st Round of the FA Carlsberg
Vase. Grimsby Borough, who are mid table
in the Northern Counties East Division One were no match for the free scoring
Mansfield side.
Another brace from Dean Rick and goals from Danny Tighe,
Rockie White and Joe Naylor sealed the game for AFC Mansfield despite George
Newby pulling a goal back for the home side.
It was AFC Mansfield keeper Dale Sheppard who was in action
first saving to his right from a Louis Grant shot.
‘The Bulls’ got off to the perfect start on 7 minutes when
Danny Tighe curled a 25 yard free-kick around the wall the keeper got his hands
to the ball but the power of the kick was too much and the ball carried on into
the net to open the scoring.
The visitors doubled their advantage less than two minutes
later, again keeper Brad Beattie failed to hold onto a shot from Dean Rick and
the striker was quick to pounce on the loose ball to finish from 3 yards.
Grimsby looked visibly shell-shocked when Rick powered home
a shot from just inside the box to make it 3-0 after just 17 minutes.
The visitors were bossing the midfield and Joe Naylor was
showing his superiority as he ran the game for AFC.
To Grimsby’s credit their heads didn’t drop and they gave
themselves a lifeline when George Newby fired home after a pass from Andy
Taylor on the half hour mark.
Grant had another effort easily saved by Sheppard 5 minutes
later as Grimsby looked for a way back into the game. James McCann and Rockie White both went close
before the break but Grimsby held firm to go in 3-1 down at the break.
‘The Bulls’ started the second half looking to increase
their lead. Rick lifted the ball over
the advancing Beattie from a White pass, unfortunately the ball cleared the bar
as well.
White made it 4-1 on 53 minutes, a neat turn and shot which
Beattie again could not hold onto as it spun into the back of the net.
Grimsby made 3 substitutions and pushed on desperately
trying to get back into the game. But ‘The
Bulls’ defence have only conceded 5 goals in 9 games and weren’t about to
concede another.
Phil Buxton gave away the ball in the middle of the park and
Andy Taylor brought a fine save out of Sheppard on 70 minutes.
AFC Mansfield sealed a superb victory when in the last
minute a move involving Rick, White and Joe Naylor was blasted into the roof of
the net by Naylor to complete the scoring.
All at AFC Mansfield will be eagerly waiting the draw on
Monday before entertaining Glapwell FC on Friday night at The Forest Town
Stadium, kick-off 7.45pm.
Grimsby Borough: Beattie, Petronzio, Bensley,
Wright, Unsworth (c) (Fuller 52), Wressell, Hall, Magalhaes, Taylor A
(Lobandhan 70), Grant, Newby (Dean 70). Sub not used: Taylor J.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe, McLane, Draper,
Timons (c), Naylor J, McCann (Naylor D 72), Buxton, Rick, White R, Carter (Ward
71, Easom 80). Subs not used: Capuano
& White A.
Referee: Mr Darren Parkinson
Man of the Match: Joe Naylor
Attendance: 51
************Wednesday 18th September 2013
The Windsor Food Services
Central Midlands League
North Division
AFC Mansfield 5 – 0 Phoenix FC
On paper this game, 1st v 3rd looked
like it could be a tough battle. But ‘The
Bulls’ completely dominated the visitors and ran out comfortable winners with a
brace each for Dean Rick and James McCann and a trademark free-kick from Danny
Tighe.
The home side were on it from the word go forcing Phoenix
back into their own half with a quick passing game that left the visitors
chasing shadows. The inevitable breakthrough
came after 7 minutes. Danny Tighe played
the ball down the line to James McCann who sent a through ball to Dean
Rick. The striker evaded his marker and
went round the keeper before firing home from a tight angle.
McCann was instrumental in the second goal, racing into the
box he was upended by Aarron Cross for a penalty. Rick stepped up and drove the ball past Matt
Herschell-Smith to double the lead.
McCann went close on 24 minutes, his header rattling the bar
from a Joe Naylor cross. On the half hour mark he had his reward, lashing the
ball home from the a tight angle after a through ball from Naylor.
Danny Tighe made it 4-0 on 55 minutes after McCann had been
fouled on the edge of the box. Tighe’s
free kick curled around the wall and nestled in the far corner of the net.
‘The Bulls’ continued to push forward but couldn’t add any
further goals. Brad Wilson, Captain of
the newly formed U19 side came on for the final 10 minutes to make his 1st
team debut and never put a foot wrong.
AFC Mansfield now turn their attention to The FA Carlsberg
Vase on Saturday when they travel to The Bradley Football Development Centre to take on Grimsby Borough in the 2nd
Qualifying Round.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe (Capuano 72),
McLane, Draper, Timons (c), Naylor J (Ward 71), Buxton, Rick, White R (Wilson
80), Carter. Subs not used: Staniforth
& White A.
Phoenix: Herschell-Smith, O’Brien, Garlick C,
Cross (Spence 75), Plant, Vinter (Davis 75), Gallacher, Lund, McConnell,
Lawton, Hadfield. Subs not used: Garlick
A, Green & Cuckson.
Man of the Match: James McCann
Referee: Mr Tim Walker
Assistants: Mr Martin Beard & Mr John Stevens
Attendance: 52
Saturday 14th September 2013
The Windsor Food
Services
Central Midlands League
Black Dragon
Badges North Division
Easington Utd 1 –
2 AFC Mansfield
Today’s opponents, Easington United, nearly didn't start the season. Struggling to attract players their first couple of games were postponed to allow them time to recruit. They eventually started the season with 2 defeats. But eyes were well and truly opened in midweek when they went to Westella Hanson and secured their first point of the season. To go to Westella and get any kind of a result is a feat in itself so AFC Mansfield knew they would have a game on their hands and that proved to be correct.
It took strikes from the league’s top two goal scorers from last season to secure the points. Dean Rick and Rockie White scored in the second half and despite Stefan Radley’s 25 yard strike and some home pressure late on ‘The Bulls’ came out on top.
Perhaps the journey took its toll as AFC produced a
disjointed first half performance. The
game could have been so different had Dean Rick’s goal stood after 5
minutes. Getting on the end of a Joe
Meehan cross, the striker fired past John Harrison in the home goal only to see
the linesman’s flag go up.
Meehan tried his luck on 16 minutes and Harrison had to be
at his best to turn the rasping drive around the post. Two minutes later Rockie
White saw his half volley clear the bar from the edge of the box.
Easington could feel aggrieved not to be going in at half
time at least one goal up. Two glorious chances went begging from Stefan Radley
and Dave Westeby, Radley firing a 20 yard effort high and wide with the goal at
his mercy and Westeby slicing his effort wide from inside the box.
The home side were made to pay on 52 minutes when Rick was
first to a loose ball in the box to fire past Harrison. Harrison pulled off a superb save on the hour
mark to deny Rick his second as ‘The Bulls’ sensed blood.
5 minutes later a low driven corner from Danny Tighe to Rick
who stepped over the ball to allow Rockie White to fire home from 6 yards to
double the lead.
Easington had produced a tenacious, gritty performance and
got a goal back on 81 minutes through a 20 yard drive from first half
substitute Stefan Radley.
This set up a tense final 9 minutes and Easington threw
everything at the Mansfield side. But ‘The
Bulls’ stood firm. It has to be said on
that showing their will be a few teams that leave Easington with nothing. As usual the hospitality was excellent and
things are certainly looking up for ‘The Eastenders’.
FA Vase action for AFC Mansfield as they travel to Grimsby Borough next week, but before that a home game against Phoenix FC at The Forest Town Stadium on Wednesday night K.O 7.45pm.
Easington Utd: Harrison, Jamieson (Barnett ), Nettleship, Smalley, McLaughlin (c), Wilson M, Huteson, Cousins, Westeby, Andrew, Hunt (Radley 40). Sub not used: Robinson.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe, McLane (Capuano 74), Draper, Timons, Buxton (McCann 74), Meehan (Ward 79), Naylor J, Rick, White R, Carter. Subs not used: Wilson B & White A.
Referee: Mr Jack Forder
Assistants: Mr Jim Sharp and Mr Mark Hemsworth
Man of the Match: Joe Meehan
Attendance: 32
**********
Saturday 7th September 2013
The FA Carlsberg Vase
1st Qualifying
Round
AFC Mansfield 6 – 2 Gedling
Miners Welfare
‘The Bulls’ won their first ever game in a national competition
by completely overpowering East Midlands Counties side Gedling MW at The Forest
Town Stadium on Saturday.
Man of the match Dean Rick plundered 4 goals with Joe Naylor
and Mark Carter completing the scoring.
Luke Stanley replied with a brace for the visitors. But ultimately they were just consolations as
the result never looked in doubt.
AFC began brightly and after just 4 minutes Jake Dunn
managed to hold Joe Naylor’s rasping drive at the second attempt. Rockie White fired wide and Dean Rick saw his
header tipped over the bar by Dunn in the opening 10 minutes.
The home side took the lead 2 minutes later Joe Naylor from
the edge of the box firing a low drive into the bottom left hand corner of the
net.
White then won the ball in the Gedling half and produced a
25 yard bullet of a shot that whistled narrowly wide of the left hand post and
Rick blazed his effort high and wide on 20 minutes.
For the next 15 minutes it got a bit scrappy and a little
physical as 3 players received yellow cards.
Michael Evans went one better on the Gedling Bench, receiving a red card
for abusive comments to the assistant referee on the dugout side.
Matt Draper found himself in unfamiliar territory on 37
minutes, just outside the Gedling penalty area.
His fierce drive curled away from the right hand post.
Mark Carter gave the ball away in his own half but Carl Westcarr
fired well wide of the target on 40 minutes.
A minute before half-time the home side got the second goal
that they richly deserved. Joe Naylor
was fouled out on the right flank and Danny Tighe delivered a trademark
free-kick to the far post. Matt Draper
rose above the pack to head the ball back across goal to the waiting Dean Rick
who gratefully fired home from 5 yards.
A great time to score a goal and the visitors looked visibly deflated as
they walked in at the break.
This was further compounded 3 minutes into the restart when
Rick raced clear, rounded keeper Dunn before firing into the net.
Gedling got themselves on the scoresheet after 52
minutes. A quickly taken free-kick to
Carl Westcarr in the box was held up well and then fed to Luke Stanley who’s
low drive beat Dale Sheppard in the home goal.
Rick went close on 55 minutes and on the hour mark Carter
thought he scored but was flagged offside.
A minute later it was 4-1, a superb through ball from Danny Naylor found
Rick who rounded the keeper and slotted it in from 12 yards for his hat-trick.
Gedling reduced the arrears straight away Stanley again
getting on the end of a Robbie Mawer cross to make it 4-2.
Carter went close again on 75 minutes before Rick was
upended in the box a minute later. The
striker picked himself up and confidently sent Dunn the wrong way for his
fourth goal.
Carter eventually got his goal on 87 minutes. A Tighe free-kick was parried by Dunn, James McCann
picked up the loose ball and crossed for Carter to head home and complete the
scoring.
‘The Bulls’ reward is a trip to Grimsby Borough for the next
round on Saturday 21st September.
AFC Mansfield:
Sheppard, Tighe, Meehan (McLane 61), Draper, Timons (c), Naylor D (McCann 61),
Buxton, Naylor J, Rick, White R (Green 80), Carter. Subs
not used: Capuano & White A.
Gedling MW: Dunn,
Watson, Koral, Simpson (Ballard 80), Robinson (c), Walton, Jones (Mawer 62),
Stanley, Westcarr C, Neil (Heath 70), Westcarr J. Subs
not used: Evans & Williams
Referee: Mr
Robert Rees
Assistants: Miss
Britany Smith & Mr Phil Roberts
Man of the Match:
Dean Rick
Attendance: 100
************
Saturday 31st August 2013
The Windsor Food
Services Central Midlands League
North Division
AFC Mansfield 5 –
1 Newark Town
AFC Mansfield continued their impressive start to the season
with a five goal demolition of Newark Town on Saturday at The Forest Town
Stadium.
A brace from
top scorer Mark Carter and goals from James McCann, Rockie White and Callum
Green did the damage with Newark replying with a last minute penalty.
The writing
was on the wall for Newark in the 2nd minute as ‘The Bulls’ took the
lead through Mark Carter. Phil Buxton
producing a superb through ball that Carter controlled on his chest before
firing under the advancing Chris Riley to open the scoring.
Dean Rick saw
his effort go over the bar on 15 minutes. Newark eventually worked their way
into the game and enjoyed some possession and Jamie Brooks fired wide on 20
minutes. At the other end Rick had his
effort turned around the post for a corner.
Newark had
their best chance of the game as Dom Swingler’s edge of the box drive came back
off the post on the half hour mark after a superb run from Wilford. This spurred AFC into action an on 34 minutes
they doubled their lead, Carter finishing off another good move inside the box.
Two minutes
later it was 3-0 James McCann hit a curling shot from outside the box which
left Riley grasping for air as it nestled into the top corner.
Riley was in
action before the break saving from Rick and McCann as ‘The Bulls’ now looked
to dominate the game.
Carter looked
for his hat-trick with an overhead kick that went narrowly wide on 64 minutes and
Sam Wilford’s mazey run and shot was superbly saved by Ryan Fletcher on 65
minutes.
Rockie White
got the home side’s fourth goal on 70 minutes.
A neat passing move in and around the box saw Green tee up White’s edge
of the box drive that found the bottom corner of Riley’s goal.
2 minutes
later it was 5, McCann firing in a low drive from just outside the box and
Callum Green just getting a touch before it crossed the line.
Newark got
something of a consolation prize in the final minute when Matt Draper was
adjudged to have fouled Aaron Martin in the box. It is funny how players legs turn to jelly as
soon as they enter the penalty box, Danny Purves stepped up and hit the spot
kick only to see debutant Ryan Fletcher save his initial kick. The ball fell kindly to Purves who gratefully
accepted the second chance and fired home from 8 yards.
AFC Mansfield
face Gedling Miners Welfare in their first ever FA Vase tie at The Forest Town
Stadium next week and will be hoping for another bumper crowd.
AFC Mansfield: Fletcher, Tighe (Capuano 75),
McLane, Draper, Timons, Naylor D (Naylor J 60), McCann, Buxton, Rick (White R
68), Green, Carter. Subs not used:
Meehan & White A.
Newark Town: Riley, Pearce, Purves, Martin,
Parsons (c), Mallinson, Wilford S, Brooks (Bagworth 60), Fraser, Porter (Macdonald
75), Swingler. Sub not used: Wilford T.
Referee: Mr A Seward
Assistants: Mr G Moffatt & Mr P Thomas
Man of the Match: Mark Carter
Attendance: 97
Monday 26th August 2013
Windsor Food Sevices Central Midlands League
Black Dragon Badges North Division
AFC Mansfield 4 - 0 Ollerton Town
By Peter Craggs
A bumper crowd of 205 saw 'The Bulls' go top of the league with a clinical display against local rivals Ollerton Town. Two goals apiece from Dean Rick and Joe Naylor did the damage and secured AFC Mansfield's fourth win in a row against Ollerton Town.
Dean Rick headed wide in the opening 2 minutes from a Danny McLane cross. Ollerton began to compete and had a couple of chances that both went wide of the mark in the opening 15 minutes.
The home side went in front on 16 minutes, a short back pass to Sam Jepson was pounced on by Joe Naylor just outside the box. Naylor was strongest in the challenge with Jepson and was able to stroke the ball home from 15 yards into an empty net with the keeper still on the floor.
Dean Rick turned neatly on the half hour mark and Jepson did well to turn his effort around the post. While at the other end the Mansfield defense had completely snuffed out any threat posed by the visiting forward line.
Rick got his reward a couple of minutes before the break, latching onto a Tighe through ball he drew the keeper before firing past him from 15 yards to double the home sides lead.
10 minutes into the second half Rick created a chance for Mark Carter but he hit a rather tame shot at Jepson.
The home side sat back for 20 minutes allowing the visitors a little more possession in the middle of the park but they still could not produce a worthwhile attempt on goal.
When they decided to up the tempo it was Phil Buxton who went close on 68 minutes, catching the Ollerton back four asleep his lofted effort just clearing the bar. Rick and Joe Naylor both had efforts saved as the pressure mounted on the Ollerton goal.
The introduction of Ryan Bunce on 80 minutes gave the visitors a glimmer of hope when Bunce saw his blistering drive from 20 yards rattle the left hand post with Sheppard beaten.
This hope was quickly extinguished when Lee Bowler gave the ball to Rick in the Ollerton box and the striker smashed the ball past Jepson to make it 3-0.
Two minutes later and Rick's work down the left flank was rewarded when his cross was controlled by Joe Naylor in the box and his low drive beat the outstretched Jepson to complete the scoring.
An excellent win against a hardworking Ollerton side who unfortunately lacked the quality evident in the AFC Mansfield ranks. 'The Bulls' now move onto next week and another home game against Newark Town.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe, McLane (Black 78), Draper, Timons (c), Naylor D, Meehan, Buxton (McCann 79), Rick, Naylor J, Carter. Subs not used: Capuano, Wilson & Cantrell
Ollerton Town: Jepson, Bowring, Starbuck, Roche, Wilford, Bowler, Stanton (c) (Munson 65), Holmes, English, Burrell (Bunce 80), Rhodes. Subs not used: Norman & Cooper.
Referee: Mr Eddie Pidduck
Assistants: Miss Brittany Smith & Mr Alex Gibbs
Attendance: 205
Man of the Match: Joe Naylor
************Saturday 24th August 2013
Windsor Food Sevices Central Midlands League
Black Dragon Badges North Division
AFC Mansfield 8 - 0 Thoresby CW
By Peter Craggs
Saturday 17th August 2013
Windsor Food Sevices Central Midlands League
Black Dragon Badges North Division
Harworth Colliery 0 - 3 AFC Mansfield
'The Bulls' produced a clinical and professional performance to overcome title hopefuls Harworth Colliery on Saturday. Goals from Danny Tighe, Callum Green and Joe Naylor did the damage against a very good Harworth side that few will beat this season.
The visitors took the lead on 7 minutes, a superb Danny Tighe free-kick from 25 yards curled into the top corner after Ryan Paczkowski had fouled Dean Rick.
A minute later Rick's rasping effort turned around the post by Steve Wibberley in the Harworth goal.
Captain Chris Timons and Mat Draper were commanding as they kept the lively pairing of Paczkowski and Tom Pick quiet, with full backs Danny McLane and Tighe snuffed out any advances down the flanks.
'The Bulls' went 2 up on 23 minutes, Tighe and Joe Naylor working a throw in which allowed Tighe to deliver the ball to Callum Green in the box. Green's superb turn and shot left the Harworth defence flat footed and the visitors were looking good value for the lead.
Chris Belshaw had his edge of the box effort easily saved by Sheppard on 35 minutes as the home side looked for a way back into the match.
Rick went close on 40 minutes his initial effort saved by Wibberley and the follow up again foiled by the keeper.
Green fired an efort wie of the mark and on the stroke of half time Lloyd Wilkinson saw his 20 yard effort zip past Sheppard's right hand post.
Joe Naylor gave 'The Bulls' the perfect start to the second half as they went 3-0 up with a near post touch from a Tighe corner. A slight hint of a touch off a defender but Naylor claimed the goal.
The game was effectively over but in the final 10 minutes Sheppard had to be at his best to deny Paczkowski with a superb one handed save and a few minutes later Tom Pick fired over the bar from the edge of the box.
'The Bulls' play their first home game of the season when they entertain Thoresby Colliery at The Forest Town Stadium next Saturday.
Harworth Colliery: Wibberley, Hardman, Brewster, Woodward, Forbes (Edmundson 45), Belshaw, Paczkowski, Wilkinson (Tomlinson 78), Hilton, Sides (Walker 45), Pick. Subs not used: Smith & Latham
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, Tighe (Capuano 70), McLane, Draper, Timons (Black 60), Naylor D, Buxton, Naylor J, Rick, Green (Robinson 75), Carter. Subs not used: Wilson & Rodger.
Referee: Mr Gareth Carlile
Assistants: Mr Dennis Ashman & Mr Stewart Main
Man of the Match: Carl Pilkington, no Danny Tighe.
************
Tuesday 13th August 2013
Windsor Food Service Central Midlands
League
Black Dragon North Division
Askern FC 0 – 0 AFC Mansfield
Askern FC should be renamed
Alamo FC after this defensive performance.
Time after time the home side thwarted ‘The Bulls’ advances and probably
deserved a point for a gutsy display.
Danny Tighe had the first
chance of the game a 30 yard drive that was turned around the post by Anthony
Sykes in the Askern goal. Sykes was in
action again 5 minutes later when he parried a Callum Green header from Mark
Carter’s cross.
James McCann saw his shot go
over the bar by inches on 22 minutes after good approach work from Liam Black. Mark Robinson did well down the left flank
finding Phil Buxton with a square ball but again his effort went inches wide of
the post.
On 40 minutes Robinson and
Danny McLane linked up on the left to provide Green with another chance but
again it failed to find the target.
Seven minutes into the
restart and Connor Corrigan having Askern’s first real chance, a testing low
drive that had Dale Sheppard getting down well to his right to save.
McLane saw his effort
deflected for a corner of the leg of Luke Farrar on the hour mark. On 72 minutes Green initial effort was
blocked and Danny Naylor followed up from the edge of the box with a shot that
looked goal bound until Lyam Armitage somehow managed to clear off the line.
‘The Bulls’ were camped out
in the Askern half, but chance after chance was either blocked or missed the target.
On 77 minutes the home side nearly produced a
sucker punch as they broke quickly when the ball was played across the edge of
the box Black tried to block but only succeeded in sending the ball spinning
towards the goal. Sheppard had to be at
his best to make a flying one handed save to keep the scores level.
On 80 minutes Green was
upended in the Askern box and a penalty was given. Danny McLane stepped up but put the kick over
the bar. At that point the feeling was
that it wasn’t going to be AFC’s day.
Tighe bought a save out of
Sykes as Askern hung on desperately, anywhere would do for the home side when
clearing their lines and eventually they got their rewards as the referee blew
for the end of the game. The cheers that
came at the final whistle were reminiscent of a cup final win.
AFC Mansfield now move onto Saturday and a
tougher test against early leaders Harworth Colliery. ‘The Bulls’ will welcome back Dean Rick, Joe
Meehan,Joe Naylor and will have Danny Naylor for 90 minutes rather than 35.
ASKERN:
Sykes, Davison (Webster 84), Farrar (Green N 84), Armitage, Fairhurst (c),
Devine, Rennie, Corrigan, Attard, Henry, Parnell (Bennett). Sub not used:
McGough.
AFC MANSFIELD:
Sheppard, Tighe, McLane, Draper, Timons (c), Buxton, McCann (Capuano 76), Carter,
Black, Green C, Robinson (Naylor D 57). Subs not used:
Alexander, Wilson & Brewin.
Man of the Match: Liam Black
Referee:
Mr James Forder
Assistants:
Mr Jim Sharp & Mr S Deere
Attendance:
45
************
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 10th August 2013 Kick-Off 3.00pm
AFC Mansfield 3 - 2 Carlton Town
A Dean Rick brace and a fine goal from Danny Naylor were enough to defeat Evo-Stik Carlton Town who replied with an own goal from Joe Meehan and a well struck free-kick from Alex Troke.
All the goals came in the first half and only 20 minutes were played in the second before Carlton withdrew from the field.
Without adding fuel to the fire fouls were committed by both sides and there are two sides to every story.
But it is over now and neither side came out of this encounter with much credit.
************
Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 6th August 2013 Kick-Off 7.45pm
AFC Mansfield 3 - 3 Sheffield FC
'The Bulls' gave their visitors a fright on Tuesday night, Sheffield FC are 3 leagues above AFC in the National League System but it was difficult to separate them on this showing.
The story could have been so different, the visitors looked like tearing the home side apart in the opening 10 minutes. It was no surprise when Vill Powell turned neatly on the edge of the box and fired a low drive past Dale Sheppard after 12 minutes. 2 minutes earlier Sheffield had shown their intentions, rattling the home bar with Sheppard beaten.
'The Bulls' began to fight back and on 18 minutes Sheffield managed to clear the ball off the line twice as the home side began to get into their stride.
AFC were back on level terms on 26 minutes, Dean Rick and Callum Green linking up well with Green providing the cross for Rick to finish from close range.
The roles were reversed on 38 minutes, this time Green hitting the bar from Rick's cross.
The home side deservedly went in front on 43 minutes. A superb 30 yard ball from Danny Naylor finding the chest of Mark Carter who took it in his stride and hit a low drive past Poulter to put the Mansfield side in front.
The Sheffield defence were found wanting again at the start of the second half and when the ball rattled the bar Callum Green was quickest to react to head home from 6 yards.
Referee Wayne Gray made amends to Sheffield when he gave a spot kick in the second half to make up for the cast iron one he missed in the first. Powell showing all his experience in the box on 77 minutes and could probably teach Tom Daley a few things. Woolley could only hit the bar and the two goal lead held.
Unfortunately not for long, a great chiped free-kick found Powell who volleyed home in spectacular style.
'The Bulls' had made a conscious effort to give the 4 U19 players in the squad some time on the pitch and the visitors took full advantage of the changes to snatch an equaliser a few minutes from time. Wilde the goalscorer.
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, McLane, Capuano, Meehan, Black, Naylor, Robinson, Buxton, Rick, Green, Carter. Subs used: McCann, Ainger, Brewin.
Sheffield FC: Poulter, Turner (Hadfield), Al Hakam, Ludlam, Cooksey, Woolley, Gascoigne, Roney (Moxam), Littlejohn (Wilde), Powell, Algar. Subs Not Used: Williams, Trialist.
Referee: Mr Wayne Gray
Man of the Match: Liam Black
Attendance: 71
************Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 3rd August 2013 Kick-Off 3pm
AFC Mansfield 6 - 1 Hucknall Town
Pre-Season Friendly
Wednesday 24th July 2013 Kick-Off 7.45pm
Cannon Park
'The Bulls' recorded their first pre-season win at The Jones & Co Stadium and had the added bonus of keeping a clean sheet.
Retford Manager Richard Sennett will be sick of the sight of 'Bulls' gaffer Micky Taylor as their last encounter ended in Taylor's team, Shirebrook Town, securing a semi-final win at the expense of Sennett's Winterton Rangers side.
But enough of the history lesson, both sides made changes from their previous friendlies and offered up a much more competitive game for the spectators. No more watching paint dry, this was a full blooded game.
AFC forced the first corner of the game after just 30 seconds and continued to push forward in the opening minutes. Jody Barford did well to parry Dean Rick's low drive and then Jake Stannard put his body in the way of Callum Green to deny the young striker.
It wasn't long before 'The Bulls' went in front. The home side half cleared a Danny Tighe corner and the loose ball fell to Mark Carter who delivered a superb cross to the far post to find the head of Matt Draper. Draper making his first start of the season guided his looping header past Barford and into the corner of the net.
Dale Sheppard was called into action on 22 minutes to parry Niall Barker's rasping drive before Tighe did well to head away another teasing cross.
Carter and Draper both missed the target with headers from Phil Buxton crosses before Buxton tried his luck on the half hour mark with a low drive that whistled past the right hand post.
Barker had a good chance to bring the home side level on 36 minutes, but blazed his 15 yard effort high and wide.
Reece Thompson rode the challenge of Buxton and turned Draper but again the finish was poor and wide of the mark on 40 minutes.
A superb turn and pass from McCann on 42 minutes found Carter who's audacious looping shot cannoned off the bar and Callum Green's follow up was always rising over the bar.
Retford made three changes at half time but the visitors continued to press. Green sending Rick clear and his curling effort turned around the post by Barford on 55 minutes.
AFC began to make changes and had to weather some pressure from the home side. On came Retford old boy Carl Haslam and quick midfielders Mark Robinson and Mark Staniforth. Also on was Julian Capuano who replaced McCann after an hour's excellent work from the wide man.
Matt Draper called it a day on 75 minutes with Dean Rick reverting to Center Back. Haslam nearly made it a dream return when he made a trademark run down the left flank weaving past three defenders before setting up Staniforth who's effort was covered by Barford.
Scott Bibby had the chance to bring the scores level on 80 minutes but his effort was easily held by Sheppard.
With just 2 minutes remaining Robinson picked the ball up just inside the Retford half cut inside and then rolled the ball to Danny Naylor. The midfielder looked up took a couple of steps forward an unleashed a 25 yard curling shot that had Barford flying through the air but the ball nestled sweetly into the top corner to seal the win for AFC Mansfield.
Thompson thought he had pulled one back at the death with a mazy run that took him past three defenders but his crisp drive was turned around the post by an alert Sheppard in the visitors goal.
AFC Mansfield entertain Pinxton FC on Saturday, 3pm kick-off at The Forest Stadium.
Retford United: Barford, Stannard (Sanderson 45), Snodin (Hassett 60), Walkden, Lucas, Johnson, Fisher (Aspinall 45), Thompson, Medcalf (Bibby 62), Holmes, Barker (Owens 45).
AFC Mansfield: Sheppard, McLane, Tighe, Draper (C) (Staniforth 75), Meehan, Buxton, McCann (Capuano 62), Naylor, Rick, Green (Haslam 60), Carter (Robinson 60). Sub not used: Ashley White.
Man of the Match: Joe Meehan
Referee: Mr Declan Bourne
Assistants: Mr Ed Cook & Mr Mark Tinsley
Attendance: 93
