Town Res 2 Mansfield Res 1

By: Martin Copass
Date: 05/03/2003

THE reserves resembled their more usual line as they took on Mansfield Town on a wet and miserable afternoon. All the more miserable after last night’s thrashing by Sheffield United. Only Rowan and Mortensen had any real experience with trialist Kevin George getting another run out.

The usual pre-match entertainment of guess who’s playing in what number was supplied by Town, as the team sheet didn't match how they lined up at the start. The play switched from end to end with efforts from both sides, but neither goalkeeper was really made to work too hard, with Town’s early efforts coming from Hockless, Rowan, Mortensen, and Hockless.

There was plenty of hard tackling going in from both sides, and with the half looking like ending 0-0, it was one of the tackles that led to that 0-0 score line being broken. A free kick given away by defender Davies, for which he was booked, was well worked by Town. Bolder got to the by line crossed the ball for tap in for Jonathan Rowan to make it 1-0.

This seemed to inspire Rowan who had two more efforts straight after his goal, and just one minute later fine work from trialist George fed the ball through to Hockless who fired in from just inside the box. This was just reward for the young Town side who had been playing well showing plenty of effort and the desire to win.

Town seemed to switch off at the start of the second half, and just ten minutes into the half, Mansfield pulled one back through Beardsley (Chris not Peter!). Shortly after the goal Town replaced Mortensen with Hildred. Mortensen had been playing quite well, so this could have been seen as a strange decision by coach Wilkinson as he didn't seem to be injured.

The second half was developing into a bit of a disappointment; as neither side looked likely to increase their goal tally any further. Town wasted two further opportunities to increase their lead, and Wilko made another surprise change by bringing off the hard-working Rowan, but the changes made no difference to the outcome. The referee did his best to give the visitors another goal when he awarded a free kick inside the box for a ‘goalkeeper error’, but it seemed difficult to work out why he had given it. Town’s defence were certainly not happy about it, but it was cleared without any problem.

Not even the sending off of the visitor’s goal scorer made any difference as the game petered out but with Town getting the right result. Beardsley was dismissed for fouling Hockless and as he had been just ten minutes earlier, he had to go.

Another good game from George must have impressed the watching manager, maybe he could be one for the club to sign for next season. Being a lefty back, he would be a most welcome addition to a department we are not exactly over endowed in.

Town: Allaway, Parker, George, Mortensen (Hildred 58), Wheeler (Self 82), Young, Ward, Bolder, Rowan (Carchedi 68), Hockless, Downes.
Subs not used: Brabbs, Pettinger

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