Its still early days but County to my eyes look like a side that will finish in the bottom 8 or even….no… lets not go there.
A 2-1 defeat at fellow strugglers may look like a mini disaster but please remember Mansfield are a team on the up. County fans had better pray that the words ‘injury crisis’ remain unspoken this season though, as the County side that Chris Turner put out must be close to what Turner regards as his best 11.
From the off Mansfield got at the County defence and a stream of corners rained in on the County rearguard. Spencer saved well from Barker and a Peers header skimmed just wide.
Stockport’s forward play saw a Keith Briggs’ close range shot which was deflected for a corner. Next Easter’s mis hit shot whizzed tantalisingly wide. This period of County success, three corners in a minute, was however the exception and Mansfield continued to create the better chances.
In the 26th minute the seemingly inevitable Stags goal happened with Peers stooping to head in a Rundle free-kick. Before County had cleared their heads Mansfield’s Barker doubled the lead, receiving a Steven Dawson pass and rounding Spence to fire home into an empty net. The County defence looking once more all at sea, prone to indecision rather than being sliced open by clever attacking play.
The second half saw an improved County performance, Robinson breaking forward and combining with Singh, sent a cross into Malcolm who so nearly made contact. Indeed County had the lions share of possession and took the game to Mansfield, Singh in particular looking lively.
County finally gained reward for their more spirited play as after 80 minutes Malcolm sent Easter through for a clever finish through aging keeper Pressman’s legs.
Despite a nervous finish Mansfield held on and sent County into the bottom two.
Turners comment on the match ‘We didn’t show enough fire or passion in the early stages and failed to put Mansfield on the back foot, but we still had the best chance before they scored the two quick goals.’
‘We are so inconsistent; the first 45 minutes were as bad as we were good the previous week. It is a problem, but it is the reason why some of my players are in the Second Division.’
This correspondent who saw County for the first time today, humbly suggests that Mansfield will certainly rise up the table. County on the other hand need to meet a side on the way down. Its a mind game as much as anything else so if Turner can keep the players confidence up and perhaps sneak an experienced defender and leader in on loan they will survive. If the players belief goes then… well, lets no go there.
Good Luck Stockport.
Luke Naysmith
Player Ratings
Spencer 7
Raynes 6
Clare 7
Robinson 6
Brigss 6
Singh 7
Greenwood 6
Hanshaw 6
Boshell 6
Bramble 6
Easter 7
Allen
On for Boshell (85 minutes)
Wolski
On for Briggs (40 minutes)
Malcolm on for Bramble (40 minutes)
