Mansfield Town 0-0 Grays Athletic

Saturday 5th December 2009 -- BSP

"Ladies and Gentlemen, with an away following of eight" --- !! Yes.... just eight hardy souls bothered to make the journey from Essex, but their trip back down the M1 will be happier than our short return to Hucknall.

After a really poor first half, the Stags threw everything at their struggling opponents, but a combination of poor finishing, a missed penalty, excellent defending, bad luck and ridiculous saves from 6ft 12" Grays' keeper Stuart Robinson, ensured that the 2700+ home fans had yet another frustrating afternoon at Field Mill.

Stuart Robinson saves Duffy's spot kick

I'm not one to aim mindless criticism at football club Managers, and I am sure Dave Holdsworth knows what he is doing ; but - it was only after the forced introduction of Matt Somner at half time, replacing the injured Jon Challinor, that the Stags played anything like we know they can. The midfield of Briscoe, Challinor, Hopkiss and Burgess was largely ineffective and the steel that Somner added meant that at least the second half kept us awake and cheering as the Stags pressed for a goal.

The withdrawal of Briscoe for Morris left us scratching our heads as the Stags seemed to go to a 4-3-3 formation, but then a few minutes later Duffy was replaced by Williams, the team ( I think) reverting back to 4-4-2.

The fact that Kyle Perry was limping when Duffy was replaced also left us bemused ...but as I said earlier, I'm sure DH knows what he is doing.

Gary Silk was our MOM as well as the sponsor's - and the full back really did have a great game. Having said that, you would think that against a team 4th from bottom of the league, a striker should be staking a claim to be MOM...................

Admission : season ticket

Attendance : 2726 (8)

MOM : Gary Silk

Link to MTFC website match report.

Tuesday -- probably go to wherever the rain permits. Sutton Tn AFC v Blidworth W is our planned game, but Dunkirk are to play Pickering Tn in a Vase replay