Worksop Town U19 2 v Mansfield Town U19 1 - Friendly

Monday 19th September,
at Langwith Road, Shirebrook Town FC
Friendly
Worksop Town U19 (0) 2
James Arthur 80, 87
Mansfield Town (0) 1
Blake Vincent 84
Admission Free, no programme issued, Attendance 70+

WTFC first half in orange/black

On the same day that Worksop Town parted with their first team manager Martin McIntosh, their Under 19's entertained neighbours Mansfield Town, who have been going well on all fronts of late, in a friendly match at Shirebrook Town's Langwith Road ground.

The Tigers U19's finished the night with a very creditable win.

For sure, this wasn't a full strength Stags academy team, their league and cup campaign is already under way so the 'big guns' up front were rested and the 'little gun' out on the wing was unable to play tonight.
But it was an experimental side ... well two experimental sides, one in each half to be precise ... that Worksop Town fielded too.

WTFC second half in their FTH ( F*ck the HIbs) shirts

While the game gave fringe players from both squads the opportunity to shine, it was the more established regular picks who caught the eye the most.
Adam Browne of Worksop in particular bust a gut, I suspect his rationale was two fold 1) After a good start to the season, he wants to cement himself in Worksop's team, and 2) He used to play for Mansfield Town's youth team under their current manager Mark Hemingray.

Cohn Sanderson gets stretched

The Tigers Josh Sweetnam also continues to look better and better every time I see him play, hence his elevation into the Tigers first team squad this season.
Rest assured, he won't let himself or anybody else down if and when he's called on.

The game was a bit scrappy and midfield orientated at times, both teams are strong in that department ... and were giving no quarter as they cancelled each other out for much of the game.
The first goal didn't come until 80 minutes, when Scott Rogers in the Stags goal got down well to thwart a Worksop attack on the edge of the box, but the ball rebounded kindly to James Arthur who made no mistake from 15 yards out.
Mansfield equalised four minutes later, when Blake Vincent got his head to a right wing corner by the near post and squeezed the ball in.
The Tigers right winger (?) broke free in the 87th minute and his pinpoint cross into the box found Arthur again who swept the ball home from the edge of the six yard box.
On a blustery night the game was a good work out for the two U19 teams, who had battled well throughout, on a 'bobbly' pitch.
Next stop for me ... Field Mill, Mansfield tomorrow night, for the Stags v AFC Telford game.