Monday 14th November 2011, at Coronation ParkFriendly
Eastwood Town (1) 1
Mansfield Town (0) 2
Anthony Howell 65, Lee Stevenson 80
Admission £5, Free team sheets ... no programme issued
Simon says ... bend down and touch your toes
There were plenty of free team sheets for all tonight, but they weren't much help when it came to identifying the visiting team, because they played in their all navy away strip tonight, without any numbers on the back of the shirts.The Stags dark kit meant there was a bit of a colour clash with the match officials, a problem that was overcome when the referee put a fluorescent green training vest on over his black shirt, during a break in play early in the first half.
Simon says ... change your studs
Paul Cox's former side obviously know more about the rules of engagement and protocol of friendly games than their old rivals Ilkeston do ... 'nuff said.
In the second half, Anthony Howell equalised when he lobbed the advancing Eastwood keeper Jake Want from 25 yards out, right in line with where I was stood, just moments after I'd put my camera away ... typical!
Former Eastwood player Lee Stevenson, got on the end of a series of quick passes that wrong footed the Badgers defence and smashed the ball into the roof of the net from just outside the six yard box ... and it was game,'sett' and match to the Stags.
Not exactly a frenetic, no holds barred game of football, played at breakneck pace, but it will have done the likes of John Thompson and Rhys Day no end of good, to get another game under their belts.
And Eastwood will be happy with the half decent attendance and increased bar takings on a Monday night.
Oh ... and for the record, Jordan Jones had a really good game for the Stags tonight :-)
Eastwood took the lead midway through the first half, it was a scrappy goal from close range that the Stags defence really ought to have cleared, but it wasn't the end of the world ... because on the back of behind closed doors friendlies against Nottingham Forest and Northampton Town over the past week, this game was purely a run out to help ascertain the fitness of several Mansfield players and to give a number of fringe players an outing alongside a few first team regulars.
Paul Cox's former side obviously know more about the rules of engagement and protocol of friendly games than their old rivals Ilkeston do ... 'nuff said.In the second half, Anthony Howell equalised when he lobbed the advancing Eastwood keeper Jake Want from 25 yards out, right in line with where I was stood, just moments after I'd put my camera away ... typical!
Former Eastwood player Lee Stevenson, got on the end of a series of quick passes that wrong footed the Badgers defence and smashed the ball into the roof of the net from just outside the six yard box ... and it was game,'sett' and match to the Stags.
Not exactly a frenetic, no holds barred game of football, played at breakneck pace, but it will have done the likes of John Thompson and Rhys Day no end of good, to get another game under their belts.And Eastwood will be happy with the half decent attendance and increased bar takings on a Monday night.
Oh ... and for the record, Jordan Jones had a really good game for the Stags tonight :-)
Back on familiar ground
Next up:
Tomorrow night I'm back at Wembley Stadium to watch England v Sweden ... don't wait up for me!
Tomorrow night I'm back at Wembley Stadium to watch England v Sweden ... don't wait up for me!
Left click to enlarge
