News

15/11/2008 - Stags 3 Salisbury City 0

Mansfield secured a much-needed first victory in six league matches against 10-man Salisbury at Field Mill this afternoon.

The Stags were not at their best but still had too much for Nick Holmes’ side to complete the double over them after a 3-2 win in Wiltshire in September.
Emile Sinclair was Mansfield’s main inspiration, scoring the opening goal and then winning the penalty that saw Djoumin Sangare red carded and Adnan Ahmed net a second from the spot.
Visiting ’keeper James Bittner then made a string of fine saves to keep City in touch before substitute Mark Stallard sealed the three points for Mansfield late on.
Former Stag Darrell Clarke almost put the visitors in front in the second minute when he headed just wide from close range after Sangare had headed a left-wing corner back into the danger zone.
As City’s bright start continued, Jonathan Davies got in the first shot on target soon after, but Paddy Gamble fielded the ball comfortably.
Salisbury went close again from Ian Herring’s free-kick that was headed inches wide by Charlie Griffin at the far post.
Lee nearly gave Mansfield the lead when his header was pushed away by James Bittner following Alex Jeannin’s deep free-kick.
But the Stags were in front in the 18th minute as Sinclair took advantage of some poor defending by Scott Bartlett.
The defender failed to deal with a hoofed clearance from Matt Somner and the young frontman nicked the ball away from him.
He then kept his cool and used Arnold as a decoy to fire a right-foot shot into the left-hand corner from 12 yards.
Another piece of opportunism from Sinclair saw Mansfield awarded a 35th minute penalty and Sangare deservedly sent off.
The striker nipped in between two defenders and looked set to score until he was deliberately tripped by the City player.
After Sangare was shown the red card, Ahmed stepped up to take the penalty and sent Bittner the wrong way, stroking the ball into the left-hand corner.
With half-time approaching, Nathan Arnold did well to bring a high ball under instant control but his attempted lob was just too high.
There was a moment of panic at the back for Mansfield on the stroke of half-time as Gamble fumbled Robert Sinclair’s free-kick from the left. Fortunately for the Stags, they were able to scramble the ball clear.
Mansfield should have extended their lead inside the first minute of the second half when Arnold’s left-wing cross was perfect for Sinclair who misjudged his close range header badly.
Soon after, Bittner dropped a left-wing cross and as Lee crossed for Alan O’Hare, the defender’s header struck a City defender when it was on its way in.
The visitors almost pulled a goal back in the 54th minute after a slick counter attack but Robert Sinclair’s effort flew right across the face of goal and just beyond the far post from a tight angle.
A terrific pass from Gary Silk picked out Emile Sinclair at the other end and his low cross was well defended by Jonathan Bass in front of the waiting Lee.
Bittner again came to Salisbury’s rescue in the 71st minute, tipping away a header from Mark Stallard, on as a substitute for Lee.
Arnold then played a neat one-two with Stallard before firing just over the top.
Stallard was thwarted for a second time by Bittner when he saw his 12-yard shot beaten away by the keeper after taking Silk’s cross on his chest.
But it was third time lucky for the former Notts striker as he rammed the ball into the roof of the net with two minutes to go after Bittner had kept out shots from Arnold and then Gavin Hurren.
In stoppage time, Arnold got to the right byline and crossed low for O’Connor who missed his kick when he looked set to score.

Mansfield: Gamble, Silk, Moses, O’Hare, Jeannin, D’Laryea, Somner, Ahmed, E. Sinclair, Lee, Arnold. Subs: Herriott, Stallard, Chanot, Hurren, O’Connor.
Salisbury: Biitner, Bartleytt, Bass, Sangare, Clohessy, Davies, Herring, Clarke, Dutton, R. Sinclair, Griffin. Subs: Cook, Turk, Robinson, Maher, Ruddick.
Referee: W. Barratt.