Mansfield Town 1
Macclesfield Town 1
A goal apiece was not what either side really wanted this afternoon in a game that really was a six pointer. It was definitely a game of two halves. The first scrappy and lack lustre but the second full of high tempo and entertaining football.
Back at Field Mill this afternoon stags were playing host to the other MTFC, Macclesfield Town. Amidst all the protest about ousting Chairman Keith Haslam from the club both teams lined up for a very important ninety minutes of football that could lift them to relative safety from the drop zone which was looming for them. Peter Shirtliff played Gareth Jelleyman although reports earlier in the week suggested that he could be missing with him carrying an injury and resting through the week. Also included in the starting eleven was Jonathan D'Laryea sporting his new number 4 shirt after signing a permanent deal for the Stags keeping him at Field Mill for two and half years.
A free kick in the fifth minute was a result of Giles Coke been brought to ground for the second time in a minute but the well rehearsed set piece with Richie Barker laying up short for Adam Rundle to strike at goal was hammered out of play by the midfielder who was desperate to get his game back on track after recent outings.
An uninspiring twenty eight minutes exploded to life when Giles Coke picked a ball up sent forward by Danny Reet. Coke drilled a powerful cross towards then near post where Skipper Barker charged in to side foot the ball home to open the scoring but a well worked piece came to an end as the ball travelled high and off target for a corner. The corner quickly taken came to nothing as it was easily clearedby the white shirts of Macclesfield Town.
A 35th minute corner for the Stags was played to Gus Uhlenbeek who with the help of some fancy footwork was able to fire a shot at Alan Fettis but the shot was too straight and Fettis blocked the shot with ease.
With only two minute of normal time remaining Danny Reet turned and fired a shot on target as a result of some excellent hold up play from right back Kyle Jacobs. Reet's shot was unfortunately blocked by the Silkmen's shot stopper Fettis but it did mark an improvement in play for the Stags.
The minute of extra time was not enough to change the score line and thankfully brought to an end a scrappy first half of football.
Coming back from the break the line up for both side remain unchanged. Right form the off Stags were attacking the south stand goal with shots from Adam Rundle, Giles Coke and Gareth Jelleyman raining on Fettis' goal in the first twenty seconds.
Minutes later Rundle seemed to find his form again. Twisting and turning his way through the Macclesfield midfield he let rip with a shot that called Fettis into action again. But again the Shot stopper blocked the approaching danger.
In the 54th minute Kyle Jacobs playing for a regular first team place sent a ball into the Macc box for Richie Barker who made a fantastic diving header. His effort however, powerful as it was lacked direction and went just wide of the mark.
The very next minute Jonathan D'Laryea narrowly missed opening his goal account when he slid a shot towards the far post.
With all the attempts on goal (14 for the stags) the crowd was feeling that a goal was imminent. It came in the 56th minute when Rundle hammered a powerful shot from an acute angle to the top corner of the far post gicing Fettis little chance of stopping the missile.
In the 58th minute Macclesfield made their first change of the game bringing on John Miles to replace Alan Navarro.
Now with the game really picking up tempo Richie Barker chased a ball down the right flank and although looking as though he was to be second best, won the ball with ease before switching play to Gus Uhlenbeek in the centre of the park. As the white shirts closed in on the danger a cross was made to Rundle but this time he couldn't quite connect and the ball went wide.
In the 66th minute Alex John-Baptiste was booked when he kicked the ball out of play in disgust at a refereeing decision against Coke which offered Macclesfield a perfect goal scoring opportunity as the free kick was just outside the Stags eighteen yard box.
In the 71st minute Peter Shirtliff brought Adam Birchall into play replacing Danny Reet up front to Partner Barker.
In the 78th minute a goalmouth scramble from Macclesfield's second corner in quick succession was clumsily pushed home by Danny Swailes to bring the game back to an even keel.
With two minutes remaining the Stags eighth corner of the day fell to Man of Match Kyle Jacobs who drilled a thirty yard shot at goal. But his great effort was denied by Fettis who dropped to his left and puled of the save of the day.
A long range effort from Rundle in the second minute of the three minutes added on scraped the top of the crossbar.
As the referee blew for full time the Stags left the pitch to a round of applause. Presumably for the second half performance which was one way traffic all the way.
Mansfield Town: Kevin Pressma, Gareth Jelleyman, Alex John-Baptiste, Gus Uhlenbeek, Richard Barker, Jake Buxton, Giles Coke, Adam Rundle, Kyle Jacobs, Jonathan D'Laryea, Danny Reet (Adam Birchall 71)
Subs Not Used: Stephen Dawson, Jason White, Callum Lloyd, Natrhan Arnold
Cautions: Aqlex John-Baptiste (66)
Goal scorer: Adam Rundle (56)
Macclesfield: Alan Fettis, Kevin Sandwith, Dave Morley, Danny Swailes, Martin Bullock, Paul Harsley, Danny Whittaker, Kevin McIntyre, Andy Teague, Alan Navarro (John Miles 58), Clyde Wijnhard
Subs Not Used: Kevin Townson, Tommy Lee, Michael Briscoe, Andrew Smart
Goalscorer: Danny Swailes (78)
Referee: Mr P Miler
Asts: Mr A Rawcliffe, Mr M Short
4th off: Mr G Stretton
