Checkatrade EFL Trophy Group G
at the One Call Stadium/Field Mill
Mansfield Town (1) 1
Alfie Potter 6
Lincoln City (1) 3
Elliott Whitehouse 40
Ollie Palmer 79
Matt Green 90+5
Admission £10. Programme £1.50.
Attendance 2,495 inc. 898 away fans
Olejnik, White, Pearce, Taft, Hunt, Thomas (Atkinson 72), Digby, MacDonald (Hamilton 82), Potter, Sterling-James, Spencer (Rose 82)
Unused subs - Logan, Bennett, Benning, Byrom
Lincoln City:
Farham, Long, Waterfall, Dickie, Habergham (Eardley 65), Anderson, Whitehouse, Woodyard (Bostwick 65), Maguire-Drew (Green 77), Knott, Palmer
Unused subs - Vickers, Rhead, Arnold, Raggett
In his programme notes, the Stags manager stated: "I've made no secret of the fact that tonight's competition is not in our top ten priorities this season"
And to that end, Steve Evans was 100% correct and wholly justified in making ten changes to the team that started Saturday's game against Luton Town.
There are those who are boycotting the Checkatrade Trophy, but it is a competition that has traditionally attracted below average attendances under it's various guises and formats over the years anyway and tonight's attendance, which included a bigger away support than a lot of teams will take to 'proper' league and cup games this season, suggests that regardless of how elevated some people believe their moral high ground to be (and I wouldn't knock anyone for holding such an opinion), there are a good number of fans who will support their club through thick and thin (and even thinner) in all competitions.
It is mandatory for Mansfield Town (and Lincoln City) to enter this competition, regardless of it's format, neither of them have any choice in that... and they still incur costs on a match night and have wages to pay, so even at the reduced admission prices clubs are offering to spectators who attend these games, by not attending, you may well be making a point to the event organisers that you don't agree with the structure of the competition, but the only people who are taking a hit in the pocket as a consequence of people stating away are the clubs themselves.
Besides the Stags and the Imps, Group G also contains Notts County and Everton U23, the local derby tie at Meadow Lane will be played on Tuesday October 24th and the Everton side visit Mansfield on Tuesday 31st October... spooky!
So, having taken my good lady (my bad one was otherwise indisposed tonight) for a slap up feast in a nearby health food restaurant, we took our seats in the upper tier of the Ian Greaves West Stand and eagerly awaited the forthcoming mouthwatering prospect of a game that was about to unfold before us.
As things go on the trophy scale: the FA Cup is the grand old lady of the piece, a bit like Shirley Bassey in her prime, while the League Cup is slightly less glamorous, but glamorous all the same, akin to lets say the 'Pop Princess' that is Kylie Minogue, while the EFL Trophy is right down there with a twerking Miley Cyrus and the Cheeky Girls, i.e. a bit tacky by comparison, but not with a certain charm in an 'any port in a storm' sort of way.
Post match, Mr Evans said that the Stags had dominated for spells and for the first twenty minutes or so, they certainly did just that and were all over Lincoln like a stingy nettle rash, he also said that Jimmy Spencer was man of the match, but I thought that particular accolade belonged to Alex MacDonald, who put in a great shift on his return from injury... and my sidekick for the night, 'er indoors, the Blonde Beelzebub herself, also commented that: "He's having a good game, that number seven is"
The oracle has spoken and invalidated any other claims to that particular honour, even Alfie Potter, who couldn't have been far behind on points.
The game was just six minutes old, when Spencer fed the ball right through the middle of the non existent Imps defence, to Potter on the edge of the area, who curled a delightful shot around Paul Farman in the Lincoln goal, after Potter had been involved in the build up, flicking the ball on to Spencer from Bobby Ojenik's long punt before tearing off down the pitch to meet the return ball.
And to that end, Steve Evans was 100% correct and wholly justified in making ten changes to the team that started Saturday's game against Luton Town.
There are those who are boycotting the Checkatrade Trophy, but it is a competition that has traditionally attracted below average attendances under it's various guises and formats over the years anyway and tonight's attendance, which included a bigger away support than a lot of teams will take to 'proper' league and cup games this season, suggests that regardless of how elevated some people believe their moral high ground to be (and I wouldn't knock anyone for holding such an opinion), there are a good number of fans who will support their club through thick and thin (and even thinner) in all competitions.
Besides the Stags and the Imps, Group G also contains Notts County and Everton U23, the local derby tie at Meadow Lane will be played on Tuesday October 24th and the Everton side visit Mansfield on Tuesday 31st October... spooky!
As things go on the trophy scale: the FA Cup is the grand old lady of the piece, a bit like Shirley Bassey in her prime, while the League Cup is slightly less glamorous, but glamorous all the same, akin to lets say the 'Pop Princess' that is Kylie Minogue, while the EFL Trophy is right down there with a twerking Miley Cyrus and the Cheeky Girls, i.e. a bit tacky by comparison, but not with a certain charm in an 'any port in a storm' sort of way.
The oracle has spoken and invalidated any other claims to that particular honour, even Alfie Potter, who couldn't have been far behind on points.
The game was just six minutes old, when Spencer fed the ball right through the middle of the non existent Imps defence, to Potter on the edge of the area, who curled a delightful shot around Paul Farman in the Lincoln goal, after Potter had been involved in the build up, flicking the ball on to Spencer from Bobby Ojenik's long punt before tearing off down the pitch to meet the return ball.
A good number of the Stags players were looking to make a good impression on their management team tonight, with places up for grabs against Carlisle United (managed by former Stags boss Keith Curle) at Brunton Park on Saturday.
Some will have staked their claim, while others may well be on their way elsewhere before the transfer window for business between Football League closes on Thursday night.
Am I alone in thinking it is time that transfer windows were dispensed with?
I'm all for having a cut off point after which clubs can no longer sign players, say eight weeks prior to the end of the season for arguments sake, but no doubt some of this weeks deadline day dealing will stretch the credibility of the transfer system to breaking point and clubs will be held to ransom, with far too many of them adopting a live now pay later policy, while fees go up like prices at Xmas.
I once paid over the odds so my lad could have a Buzz Lightyear to open on Christmas morning, I saw one (still boxed and in mint condition) going for £4 in 'Help the Aged' last week, but I only had enough cash on me for the Tracey Island and ultra rare 'Squirtle' Pokemon card. Mark my word, they'll be worth a small fortune in years to come, I watch Cash in the Attic and all that stuff with that mahogany coloured Dave on it, so I know my stuff!
HT: Stags 1 v Imps 1
Some will have staked their claim, while others may well be on their way elsewhere before the transfer window for business between Football League closes on Thursday night.
Am I alone in thinking it is time that transfer windows were dispensed with?
I'm all for having a cut off point after which clubs can no longer sign players, say eight weeks prior to the end of the season for arguments sake, but no doubt some of this weeks deadline day dealing will stretch the credibility of the transfer system to breaking point and clubs will be held to ransom, with far too many of them adopting a live now pay later policy, while fees go up like prices at Xmas.
Any road, the home side were playing some eye catching and attractive stuff from the outset, but as the game wore on, Lincoln began to find their feet and picked up the pace towards half time and this culminated in them drawing level, five minutes before the break, from a rare excursion into the Stags half. when Jordan Maguire-Drew managed to shield the ball under pressure and rolled a pass to Sean Long, who dropped a well weighted cross right onto the head of Elliott Whitehouse who planted the ball past Olejnik.
Two minutes before half time, the Imps manager was sent to the stands by David Webb the match referee. Tsk! These managers should moderate their Effing and Geoffing from within their technical area. Take a leaf out of Steve Evans and Paul Raynor's book you foul mouthed oaf!
Right on the stroke of half time,Potter was unlucky not to double his goal tally when his goa bound effort from Omari Sterling-James cross, was deflected over the bar.
All square at the break in a game that had, in the main, been played out thus far in the visitors half. But hey ho! At least none of the ex Mansfield players in the visitors ranks had scored their 'against the run of play' goal.
Two minutes after the restart Spencer tore forward into the Imps goalmouth but was pulled back by Luke Waterfall as he shaped up to shoot. But the referee waved Mansfield's appeals away and the former Gainsborough Trinity player, who had made five appearances for the Stags on loan when he was at Scunthorpe United, got away with his misdemeanour completely unpunished.
It is a shame that Mr Webb wasn't sat upstairs with us, because he would clearly have seen what happened then... and it would also have meant somebody else would have been officiating.
Two minutes after the restart Spencer tore forward into the Imps goalmouth but was pulled back by Luke Waterfall as he shaped up to shoot. But the referee waved Mansfield's appeals away and the former Gainsborough Trinity player, who had made five appearances for the Stags on loan when he was at Scunthorpe United, got away with his misdemeanour completely unpunished.
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| Mansfield Town Under 18 side watch on. One day all of this could be yours. |
Billy Knott forced a good save out of Olejnik as Lincoln got more into the game.
The Stags broke forward after clearing the resulting corner, but when Potter laid the ball out wide to Jack Thomas ("He's one of our own!") and continued his run to get on the end of the return ball, but couldn't see of the attentions of the Imps defence or get his shot away.
Farman made two saves in quick succession from Macdonald, after good work between Thomas and Sterling James to create the first opening and a cheeky knock back from Spencer for the second, which the Lincoln keeper nearly spilled over his line.
Ollie Palmer, the ever so popular former Stags player (that's sarcasm, not irony) ought to have done better when he had a clear run at and sigh of goal, but Olejnik advanced quickly and spread himself to save at the Imps striker's feet. Ha, ha, ha, as if Ollie 'bloody' Palmer ever scores at Mansfield.
Paul Digby headed against the Imps bar from another testing delivery from MacDonald.
MacDonald was involved at the other end moments later when he was pushed off the ball inside the Stags area, but the referee missed it (seriously, there are loads of empty seats up here Mr Webb!) and Sean Long drilled the ball towards the Stags goal and it went in off of Palmer's boot, while he was standing in the way of Long's shot, a yard from the line.
By heck! I'll go to the foot of our stairs... Ollie 'bloody' Palmer has just scored in front of the Quarry Lane End.
Keep a lookout in the skies for Halley's Comet tonight, keep your camera lens focused on Loch Ness and say "Hi!" from me, to Lord Lucan when he walks into your local later on.
Will Atkinson almost equalised inside the final five scheduled minutes, when he latched onto a headed clearance from Johnny Hunt's long throw into the Imps area and struck a peach of a shot just the wrong side of the upright.
Mansfield were huffing and puffing and battering away at the Lincoln defence, but were getting no joy whatsoever.
In the fifth minute of added time Oleknik was beckoned from the Mansfield bench to get forward with the rest of his team for a last ditch corner kick.
But the Imps cleared the danger and a punt forward found the Stags legendary striker Matt Green. Alas he no longer plays for Mansfield Town does he? Will Atkinson, gave chase but with Olenik struggling to get back, Green only had to keep his twenty five yard knock on target and it was game over.
FT: Mansfield Town 1 v Lincoln City 3
With hindsight Olenik should've stayed in his own half for the corner kick, if only to preserve the Stags EFL Trophy league table goal differential.
But, as always, it is easy to be wise after the event and if he'd scored a late equaliser and the gamble had paid off then nobody would have been questioning anyone's judgement.
