Monday 25th August 2008

Mansfield 3 (O'Connor 25 29 Stallard 90) v  Vics 2 (Stamp 60 Steele 86)

The most unpredictable game imaginable kept supporters unsure of the eventual outcome right up until the very final moment when Mansfield stole maximum points three minutes into stoppage time.
Both sides posted early notice of their intentions to exploit perceived weaknesses down respective left flanks. A Williams cross from the right caused consternation in the home defence and Allan was not too far away from capitalising. Sutton then crossed for Allan to have a far post header saved. Mansfield broke and Stallard took advantage of a Welch stumble to set up Somner but he shot wide of a gaping goal. Stallard headed an O'Connor cross wide before O'Connor cut inside to force a save from Tynan. With the pressure growing only last ditch challenges by Welch on Stallard and then Roberts on O'Connor kept parity until O'Hare won a header frrom a corner kick leaving O'CONNOR to score from close range. Lifted by their lead Mansfield continued to expose Brown at left full back. And the Vics full back was given little or no support and when he was again outpaced by O'CONNOR the pacy Mansfield winger had little difficulty in racing clear to tuck a shot into the far corner of the net. A string of attacks from this area continued and Vics were barely hanging on to any respectability at this stage. The manager responded by replacing Crowell , who was visibly irate at the decision, with Mullan. And to some extent that change of shape worked the oracle.
Having regrouped and dug deep into their resources Vics came out for the second half with renewed vigour. Helped by a decision to switch O'Connor into a more central role before hauling him from play entirely Vics began to grow in confidence. Stamp got on the end of a Sutton cross to lay off to Allan who determedly maintained possession and forced a save by Gamble from his angled shot. Aspin replaced Sutton and Steele took over from Williams to add further options and a growing optimism. And Vics got themselves back into the game when STAMP headed a far post goal after Byrne had done well to win a corner. Suddenly what had appeared an almost hopeless task became a possibility and the home side became increasingly uneasy. Allan and then Steele both threatened before a typical neat and measured build up was finished by an inch perfect 20 yard shot from STEELE. Rather than settle for the point Vics continued to press to complete what would have been a remarkable turnaround but were undone three minutes into stoppage time. Allan conceded a free kick wide on the right that Vics failed to deal with effectively leaving STALLARD to steer the ball home from close range.

Team: 4-4-2
Tynan /
Sutton (Aspin 58), Welch, Roberts, Brown /
Williams (Steele 58), Flynn, Crowell (Mullan 33), Byrne /
Stamp. Allan /
Subs not used: Jones & Bailey
Referee: P A Davison
Attend: 2,741 (148 Vics fans)
Man of the Match: Darryn Stamp - held the line up well and was a major influence in generating a Vics fightback.