Mansfield 1 Swansea 1

Report By Clive Hughes

A few weeks ago this would have been a 6-pointer play-off game, but with our chance as good as gone, and with the recent events, which Swansea team would turn up tonight. There was talk that Stu Roberts was taken ill on the coach, so with injuries our options were limited. The opening 10 minutes saw Mansfield much the brighter side, playing some neat football, crisper in the tackles, and plenty of running off the ball. Their approach play looked dangerous but it flattered to deceive, as Rog's goal was not threatened. After the initial burst the Swans settled and came more into the game, playing some very good football, with plenty of swift moves and passes. It was end to end stuff but we were now starting to get the upper hand for the first time. There were quiet a few full blooded tackles going in, mostly by Mansfield. The game did have quite an edge to it and came to boiling point when Coates tried to carry the ball out of defence towards the touch line only to see a late lunging tackle from Vaughan. We don't think he actually make contact but did make Coates to run back 10 yards to confront him. Vaughan raised his hands against Coates and as the usual handbags from other players the ref took Vaughan aside and gave him a straight red. Further pushing and shoving which needed both linesmen on the pitch. The Mansfield number 12 was also lucky that he didn't get a red as he sprinted 20yds to get fully involved. Things threatened to escalate for the next 10mins until the match settled again. On the half hour the Swans took the lead, Robinson went for the by-line did a quick shuffle past a defende rand shot across goal, the ball running across the goal line and helped into the net by a defender. Mansfield did hit the post and the bar and Rog pulled off a couple of excellent saves but for the rest of the half the Swans played some delightful football but didn't have the cutting edge to get a second to kill the game. Although Connor did have one dipping shot that hit the top of the bar and went over many neat touches and lay offs by Connor kept moves going. As half time approached we started to defend deeply and not clearing our lines making the last 5mins very nervy. With a man advantage we thought that the team could now build on the first half showing, but the opposite was to be seen. Mansfield were becoming more cynical in the tackle going for the man on many occasions in their 'they will not pass' style. Another flare up sae Connor lucky not to get a red, but if he had walked were sure another Mansfield player would have as well. The game was now a full 'blood and thunder' affair with the lightweight Swans coming off second best. It came as no surprise that Mansfield got an equaliser, it was just the manner that sticks in the throat. Martinez went in for a tackle but didn't touch man or ball only to a 'Swan Lake' dive. The ref was conned and a penalty awarded. Rog dived the right way managed to get a hand to the ball but it still found its way into the net. We now went into our usual sit back routine and found it difficult to get out of our half. Coates was replaced by O'Leary to add fore presence to midfield, but by now many players looked dead on their feet. From being very mobile in the first half we were now playing with lead in our boots. There seemed only one winner but some resolute defending saw us through to a hard earned point. So a quick sum up. Mansfield looked a useful team and can play football, by why resort to all the cynical tackles. We did again take some wrong options again tonight. Although Martinez had an excellent game, he does want to play a killer ball when a simple pass could be more affective. Tate again had a solid game but does give the jitters with the lack of urgency on occasions. Robinson did have a few storming runs, but there are options available than just shooting at goal. Much has been said about fitness levels. For three quarters of the game we had a spare man, but it looked the opposite as we visually tired in the second half. In all a very good match to watch, where on occasions it looked like the ref had lost control a couple of yellows might have calmed things down, but it was a match that was a throw back to when players didn't fall down every time someone sneezed. With the right results over the last few weeks this would have been an excellent result. To be fair it was a good draw but as far as play-offs are concerned only 3 points would have been good enough.

Report By Friar Jack

Where do I start? A bit of a Jekyll and Hyde performance by the Swans. In the 1st half, once we worked out that any balls played in the air were easily being mopped up by the Stags defence and kept it on the ground, we looked dangerous and created chances and Robbo took his goal well. Real end to end stuff with 10 man Mansfield breaking really well. Liam Lawrence was outstanding for them and a constant thorn down both of our sides. Second half we failed to subdue the fired up stags. A debatable penalty was awarded to the dancing Lawrence, but we only had ourselves (and possibly the linesman) to blame. From a fairly safe position on the touchline (the ball appeared to cross the line), Howard and Coates allowing Lawrence any where near the 18 yard box was criminal. From then on it was inevitable that any challenge would result in Lawrence looking for a spot kick. Things were heating up and after yet another cynical late tackle by the stags, Connor retalliated and should have been off. The ref showed inconsistancy and only gave a yellow card. So it's pobably justice that the penalty shout wasn't given when he was pulled back when through on goal later on. The most frustrating thing was how we failed to use our man advantage. I lost count of the times Byrne would pass to Maylett run down the line unmarked looking for a return pass, only for Maylett to cut inside taking Byrne out of the attack. It just appeared that Mansfield's 10 were fitter than our 11. They may have had the momentum from the early goal in the second half, but we seemed second to the ball and failed to close down their attackers effectively. After the promise of the 1st half the 2nd was a let down, but Mansfield should be given credit for that. Overall a draw was fair. Mansfield clearly are a team with quality throughout and played tonight with tremendous passion and energy(no doubt galvanised by their sending off), but will fail to achieve anything unless they control their reckless challenges. It appears Curle's strategy is to unsettle the opposition by constantly snapping at heals and following through after the ball has been passed. Their form of late may not have been good, but that's no excuse for the dirty play seen tonight.

Report By Clive Hughes

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