Saturday 26th September 2009

Mansfield Town 3-1 Hayes & Yeading -- BSP

The phrase "after the Lord Mayor's Show, comes the muck cart" is particularly applicable - Tuesdays game against Oxford was exciting, incident packed and nail-biting. This was a poor game against a poor team and Mansfield ended up with all three points without even trying too hard.

As with most of the visiting teams this season, me and Kev knew nothing about Hayes and Yeading United, apart from the fact that they have only 7 points from 11 games played. The only player name I recognised was Scott Fitzgerald ( ex-Watford / Brentford), and he was only on the bench.

We were slightly bemused that there were no away fans in the North Stand, but there was a flag. It turned out the 48 hardy souls from H&Y were situated in the West Stand.

Where are the away fans?

Oh... there they are!!

Again, there will be full match reports elswhere, so no point in me going into too much detail. Rob Duffy had a great chance early doors, but he headed Kyle Nix's free-kick over the bar.

Duffy heads over

Jake Speight thought he had opened the scoring on 34 when his backwards flick header from a Ryan Williams cross beat visiting keeper Simon Overland - however, the linesman ruled that the striker was in an offside position. The Stags were ahead seconds later though. A great ball in from the right by Louis Briscoe caught Overland in two minds and all he could do was push the ball to ROB DUFFY who slotted home from close range. H-T 1-0

The Ref had to retreive the ball at half-time ( it is usually given to him)

A bit closer with the 50/50 - only 17 out this time. Had some fantastic entertainment during the break. A little lad weaaring a shirt with Mills on the back, gave the Stags mascot Sammy a right old runaround....first he left Sammy on flat on his face as he went round him - then he had a shot blocked by the mascot but ran on to hammer the ball into the net from a really acute angle, much to the delight of all in the Quarry Lane End.......marvelous!!


Didn't he do well!!!!

The Stags increased their lead three minutes after the restart. Jake Speight went on a great run at goal that was ended when he was upended in the box. ROB DUFFY stepped up and placed the spot kick to Overland's left while he dived to his right.


Duffy's 1st penalty

On 58, Hayes pulled one back thanks to some poor defensive play. Marriott shouted for the ball as it was played into the box, but Graham decided not to listen - leaving the keeper exposed and forcing him to foul George Daly. SEAN CANHAM fired the resultant penalty past Marriott, but the Town stopper almost got to it.


Marriott almost saved the H & Y penalty

When Levi Porter fired the ball into the far post for Jake Speight, Hayes skipper Tom Cadmore used his arm to stop Speight's attemped ball back into the danger zone. ROB DUFFY fired the penalty to Overland's right this time - with the keeper diving to his left. The hat-trick hero was subbed soon after - apparently he is not 100% fit and Manager David Holdsworth has plenty of attacking options.


Duffy off, Clare on

Stags keeper Alan Marriott was called on twice to make excellent saves to keep the United forwards out. Kev and photogragher Dan Westwell were waving and snapping each other when Marriott made one of the saves....won't be on camera that one!!!! F-T 3-1

Report from Stags website

Attendance 3180

Tuesday - Rainworth MW v Selby Town