Blidworth Welfare 1-4 Forest Town

Tuesday 29th September 2009 -- CML Supreme Division

Last minute change of game - we were scheduled to go to watch Rainworth v Selby, or as an alternative Carlton v Nuneaton.

Blid v Foggo was a last minute choice, because with Kev and me working late, the nearest game was chosen........and on a very pleasant evening the game was most enjoyable. We had the goal of the season so far from Craig Jackson, a decent refereeing performance, a classic centre-mid game from Gary Castledine and a second half that Blidworth, although they went in 0-4 down, can be proud of.

Forest Town are having a strange season thus far - capable of beating anyone, but also capable of losing to anyone! Blidworth are just below mid-table and look to be safe already, although the Welfare have played a 1/3rd of their fixures already, and it's only September! Seems a bit strange that some teams have played 12 games, but others have only played 7........

We received a warm welcome as we entered the ground - and we were asked to be Blidworth's guests. We politely turned down this generous offer, although we did accept a complimentary brew -- and very nice it was too.

From the kick off, the visitors showed thier intent, and almost took the lead as early as the thrid minute when Danny Tighe's fiercely driven 20 yard free-kick just cleared the bar. Tighe was the creator of Forest Town's opener in the 11th minute, slotting the ball into the path of CRAIG JACKSON who fired the ball across keeper Jason Fisher and into the net.

Fisher was guilty of some poor keeping on 20, failing to deal with a simple clearance and leaving Mike Taylor through on goal. Fisher dragged the winger down, conceeding a penalty. DANNY TIGHE stepped up and fired the ball to Fisher's left to double the visitors lead. That was a landmark goal for the "On The Road" blog ... 100 goals and it's still September!!

Welfare's no. 11, Richard Mills, was proving to be a bit of a handful for the Forest Town defence at times - and in the 30th minute only a great challenge by Ady Hall ensured the big man's run was ended before he could slot home.

On 34, Town's no. 10, Tom "TJ" Jenkins made a superb run through the home defence before laying the ball into the path of Mark Robinson, but his 18 yard side-footer flew just over the bar. 6 minutes later the visitors added their third. This time Paul Burgess played a long ball into the Welfare area - keeper Fisher raced out to clear from Jackson, but the ball cannoned off the striker straight across the goal where MIKE TAYLOR was wating to bundle home.

Two minutes before the break we were treated to what is probably the best goal we have seen this season. It began with a clearance from the back that CRAIG JACKSON brought down with a fantastic delicate touch.... he turned quickly leaving his bemused marker on his backside. After that it was a controlled run across the goal, another defender left in his wake and a perfectly placed shot to the left of Fisher and into the net. It is difficult to describe how good this goal was....control, turn, run, dribble, look up, slot home ....terrific effort from Jackson. H-T 0-4

Jenkins had a decent chance to add to Town's tally just one minute from the restart, but after that Blidworth began to show that they can play. They almost reduced their arrears on 57 when Mills went one-on-one with Jason Johnson in the Town goal, only to see the keeper stretch out a hand to deflect his shot over the bar.

RICHARD MILLS did get his reward for a splendid attacking performance in the 62nd minute when he latched onto a through ball before chipping over Johnson. Mark Robinson had Forest Town's best effort of the half a few minutes later - his 20 yarder bringing out a good diving save from Fisher.

Although Welfare kept pressing, the Burgess/Hall partnership in the centre of the visiting defence stayed firm and never looked overly tested. Taylor missed a sitter on 70, firing wide of the far post after Mark Carter's header had been parried by Fisher straight into his path. F-T 1-4

Attendance -- difficult to judge, but approx 50

Admission -- £3.0Programme -- £1.00

Tea/coffee -- complimentary, but very nice ... both 8/10

MOM for Blidworth has to be Richard Mills. Played his socks off and was unlucky to score only the one goal.

MOM for Foggo - Gary Castledine. The best we have seen "Cas" play for a long time - controlled the midfield superbly - and kept his players talking to each other all through the game.....

Saturday -- Field Mill again. Stags are at home to Forest Green Rovers and need to repair the damage done at Barrow.

Other results from 29th September

F.A. Cup replay
Carlton Tn 0-3 Nuneaton Tn

NCEL Prem
Long Eaton Utd 1-0 Lincoln Moorlands Railway
Rainworth MW 2-1 Selby Tn

UniBond Div 1 South
Belper Tn 1-1 Shepshed Dynamo
Glapwell 2-0 Spalding Utd

EMCL
Borrowash Vics 1-0 Graham Street Prims

Saturday 26th Sept 2009 - local results

CMLS
Clipstone W 6-1 Grantham Rangers
Forest Town 1-2 Parramore Sports
Kimberley Town 2-1Sutton Tn AFC
Louth Town 3-1 Calverton MW
Nettleham 0-7 Kirkby Town
Pinxton FC 1-1 Blidworth W

EMCL
Anstey Nomads 1-1Radcliffe Olympic
Barrow Town 1-5 Gedling MW
Blackwell MW 2-2 Gresley FC
Dunkirk FC 6-0 St. Andrews
Graham St Prims 0-2 Gedling Town
Greenwood Mdws 0-1 Holwell Sports
Holbrook MW 2-2 Heanor Town
Radford FC 2-4 Borrowash Vics

NCELP
Anold Town 2-3 Liversedge FC
Hallam FC 1-1 Long Eaton United

NCEL1
Yorshire Amateur 4-0 Teversal FC

NPP
Retford Utd 2-1 Worksop Town

NPS1
Kidsgrove ATh 0-1 Glapwell FC

F.A. Cup 2nd Qual
Bedworth 2-1 Rainworth MW
Rugby Town 1-3 Hucknall Town
Eastwood Town 2-1 Corby Town
Nuneaton Borough 1-1 Carlton Town

Saturday 26th September 2009

Mansfield Town 3-1 Hayes & Yeading -- BSP

The phrase "after the Lord Mayor's Show, comes the muck cart" is particularly applicable - Tuesdays game against Oxford was exciting, incident packed and nail-biting. This was a poor game against a poor team and Mansfield ended up with all three points without even trying too hard.

As with most of the visiting teams this season, me and Kev knew nothing about Hayes and Yeading United, apart from the fact that they have only 7 points from 11 games played. The only player name I recognised was Scott Fitzgerald ( ex-Watford / Brentford), and he was only on the bench.

We were slightly bemused that there were no away fans in the North Stand, but there was a flag. It turned out the 48 hardy souls from H&Y were situated in the West Stand.

Where are the away fans?

Oh... there they are!!

Again, there will be full match reports elswhere, so no point in me going into too much detail. Rob Duffy had a great chance early doors, but he headed Kyle Nix's free-kick over the bar.

Duffy heads over

Jake Speight thought he had opened the scoring on 34 when his backwards flick header from a Ryan Williams cross beat visiting keeper Simon Overland - however, the linesman ruled that the striker was in an offside position. The Stags were ahead seconds later though. A great ball in from the right by Louis Briscoe caught Overland in two minds and all he could do was push the ball to ROB DUFFY who slotted home from close range. H-T 1-0

The Ref had to retreive the ball at half-time ( it is usually given to him)

A bit closer with the 50/50 - only 17 out this time. Had some fantastic entertainment during the break. A little lad weaaring a shirt with Mills on the back, gave the Stags mascot Sammy a right old runaround....first he left Sammy on flat on his face as he went round him - then he had a shot blocked by the mascot but ran on to hammer the ball into the net from a really acute angle, much to the delight of all in the Quarry Lane End.......marvelous!!


Didn't he do well!!!!

The Stags increased their lead three minutes after the restart. Jake Speight went on a great run at goal that was ended when he was upended in the box. ROB DUFFY stepped up and placed the spot kick to Overland's left while he dived to his right.


Duffy's 1st penalty

On 58, Hayes pulled one back thanks to some poor defensive play. Marriott shouted for the ball as it was played into the box, but Graham decided not to listen - leaving the keeper exposed and forcing him to foul George Daly. SEAN CANHAM fired the resultant penalty past Marriott, but the Town stopper almost got to it.


Marriott almost saved the H & Y penalty

When Levi Porter fired the ball into the far post for Jake Speight, Hayes skipper Tom Cadmore used his arm to stop Speight's attemped ball back into the danger zone. ROB DUFFY fired the penalty to Overland's right this time - with the keeper diving to his left. The hat-trick hero was subbed soon after - apparently he is not 100% fit and Manager David Holdsworth has plenty of attacking options.


Duffy off, Clare on

Stags keeper Alan Marriott was called on twice to make excellent saves to keep the United forwards out. Kev and photogragher Dan Westwell were waving and snapping each other when Marriott made one of the saves....won't be on camera that one!!!! F-T 3-1

Report from Stags website

Attendance 3180

Tuesday - Rainworth MW v Selby Town

Scheduled games Sat 26th September 2009

We're off to Field Mill again to see if the mighty Stags can see off Hayes and Yeading.

Todays other games involving local clubs :-

CMLS
Clipstone W v Grantham Rangers
Forest Town v Parramore Sports
Kimberley Town v Sutton Tn AFC
Louth Town v Calverton MW
Nettleham v Kirkby Town
Pinxton FC v Blidworth W

EMCL
Anstey Nomads v Radcliffe Olympic
Barrow Town v Gedling MW
Blackwell MW v Gresley FC
Dunkirk FC v St. Andrews
Graham St Prims v Gedling Town
Greenwood Mdws v Holwell Sports
Holbrook MW v Heanor Town
Radford FC v Borrowash Vics

NCELP
Arnold Town v Liversedge FC
Hallam FC v Long Eaton United

NCEL1
Yorshire Amateur v Teversal FC

NPP
Retford Utd v Worksop Town

NPS1
Kidsgrove ATh v Glapwell FC

F.A. Cup 2nd Qual
Bedworth v Rainworth MW
Rugby Town v Hucknall Town
Eastwood Town v Corby Town

Mansfield Town 2-1 Oxford United

Tuesday 22nd September 2009 -- Blue Square Premier...

There will be match reports galore about this game, and I will add links at the foot of this entry - but I have to say - WHAT A GAME!!!

Oxford United, as far as Kev is concerned, will be Champions, but they were given a reminder tonight that nothing is won in September. It has to be said though that Oxford were superb and they were unlucky to go away from Field Mill pointless.

The three points, however, stay with the home team who rode their luck at times but defended brilliantly for the last 15 minutes or so when United threw everything at them. Adam Murray was the main man for Oxford - he controlled the centre of the park and brought back memories of when he was at Field Mill a few years ago - great player.

Stags started out firing on all six, and when RYAN WILLIAMS lobbed Ryan Clarke on 21 after great work by Jake Speight, we were up and dancing ...and just a few minutes after we had settled down again, JAKE SPEIGHT lashed a firece drive into the roof of the U's net....up again......

In the 44th minute Stags keeper Alan Marriott could only stand and watch as Jamie Cook hammered an effort off the bar... from where we were sat it looked a goal all the way....phew !! H-T 2-0

No luck with the 50/50 draw again.... always seem to out by 100's somehow..maybe one day eh?

The teams came out and although the Stags did their best to stem the flow, United powered forward at every opportunity and you could sense it was only a matter of time before they scored. It took until the 74th minute though - JAMIE CONSTABLE controlling Murray's ball into the box before firing past Marriott.

Alamo time ....... and although the U's came close on so many occasions, the Stags held on for a priceless win - leaving them 7th in the table, 9 points behind leaders Oxford. Even louder phew !!!!! F-T 2-1

On the way across the car-park, we noticed the DTD emblazoned Mercedes of Eastwood Town Manager Paul Cox. Having been away from Coronation Park for a couple of seasons, I was really surprised and pleased that Paul took the time to wind down his window and have a bit of a chat. Nice one, Paul.

Co-pilot was Assistant Boss John "Rammers" Ramshaw.... when he said he was looking forward to reading my blog, I mentioned that I hadn't taken any notes -- he said I'd find something to write about........little did he know some of it would be about him!!!! Also must mention that Paul stopping and having a chat meant he got stuck for while as the West Stand emptied - straight past the car park exit......oops!

Maybe, when Mansfield are promoted at the end of the season, Eastwood will take their place in the BSP. The Badgers are joint top of the BSN and with plenty of backing from Chairman Rob Yong, who knows? Anyway, nice to see Paul and John again.

Attendance 3933 ( 637)

Report from Stags site

Report from Oxford site

Best Stag Ryan Williams, but Gary Silk was on top form, as was Luke Graham .......

Saturday -- back at the Mill ... Stags v Hayes & Yeading

More images from Arnold Town v Kimberley Town

i

Nice relaxing half-time cuppa

Martin Carruthers heads home Arnold's equaliser

Chris Freestone received treatment after netting the winner

Saturday 19th September 2009 ( results)

Vase:

Blackwell MW 2-6 Louth Tn
Calverton MW 0-2 Ollerton Tn
Rainworth MW 2-0 Radcliffe OLympic
Gedling Tn 1-1 Appleby Frodingham AET
Shirebrook Tn 2-3 Winterton Rangers
Borrowash 2-1Greenwood Mds
Heanor Tn 4-4 Dunkirk AET
Blackstones 9-0 Radford
Sleaford 5-0 Sutton Tn AFC

NCEL1
Teversal 2-1 Yorkshire Ams

CMLS
Clipstone W 0-1 Forest Town
Hatfield Main 1-2 Blidworth W
Newark Tn 1-1 Grantham Rangers
Southwell City 2-1 Nettleham

CMLP
Bulwell Tn 2-2 FC Brimington

UNIBOND PREM
Hucknall Tn 4-2 Kendal Tn

Worksop Tn 1-0 Marine

UNIBOND DIV 1 SOUTH
Glapwell FC 3-2 Carlton Tn
Belper Tn 2-2 Sheffield FC

EMCL
Gedling MW 2-1Gresley FC

BSN
Eastwood Town 1-1 AFC Telford

BSP
Rushden / Diamonds 1-0 Mansfield Town

Arnold Town 2-1 Kimberley Town

Saturday 19th September 2009 -- F.A. Vase 2nd Qualifying Round

Our first visit to Eagle Valley, the new home of Arnold Town. The actual "stadium" is surrounded by other football pitches - all located in a very picturesque setting. On arrival we were greeted by a very polite steward who, as well as directing me to a parking space, took time to tell us a little about the new facility. He never mentioned the bit where you should hold your nose when passing the septic tank,... that is one bad stink, let me tell you!!!

Had a nosy in the clubhouse - very nice it is too, then had a walk down to the outer pitches where the players were warming up. Kimberley Chairman Graeme Critchley said hello, and mentioned that Arnold were starting with Jemson, Freestone and Carruthers. A fearsome threesome in their day, but as the teams lined up, it seemed that Jemmo was going to be acting as a sweeper.... and acting was about right, because he is not, and never will be, a sweeper.

We stood in the "terraced" stand opposite the clubhouse for the first half - and you have to say that the view is a little restricted by the dug-outs... it's a pity that the stand hadn't been located a few yards further back.

This, on paper, should have been an easy passage into the next round for the hosts. Kimberley are currently rock bottom of the Central Midlands Supreme Division (step 7), while Arnold are in the NCEL Premier Division ( step 5).

Kimberley were by far the better team in the first half - Arnold were awful and although they had a chance headed off the line by Stags' defender Jermaine Ward in the first minute, they looked a bit short of ideas.

Kimberley attacked quickly and at times caught the home team defence all at sea. Big no. 9 Brianto had a snapshot from 25 in just the third minute, and follwed that seconds later hit one from the edge of the box that crashed off the angle of post and bar with Arno keeper Broster well beaten. Brianto's strike partner Pascoe then had a great effort blocked by Mark Clarke before the visiting no.10 bottled it when one-on-one with the giant Broster.

Arnold did have one header from a corner crash against the bar on 20, then Josh Thornton charged down the right before firing the ball across the Kimbo goal - unfortunately there was no-one on hand to prod home.

The Central Midlands outfit took the lead on 29. A neat passage of play saw the ball go out wide left to Pascoe. His cross was met by EMANUEL BRIANTO, who volleyed acrobatically overhead giving Broster no chance.

Kimberley no. 9 Emanuel Brianto

Kimberley keeper James Thelan did well to keep out a fierce drive from Pembleton in the 35th minute, then comfortably gathered a tame shot from Freestone. H-T 0-1

Had a wander around at the break - I had to go the the car to get some more batteries for the camera (rechargable ones I forgot to charge!!) - a bit of a shame really that the replacement batteries also had no charge!! Damn!

Got back into the ground to find Kev splayed out on a settee with his cuppa....

It's a hard life, innit?

Arnold made a significant change at half-time, replacing Pembleton with defender Evans, releasing Jemson to go up top with Freestone and Carruthers. This turned the game on it's head as the Kimberley team had no idea how to cope with the extra attacker and the outcome looked inevitable.

Two goals in three minutes were enough to spare the home teams blushes. The first, after 53 minutes came from a corner, MARTIN CARRUTHERS heading powerfully home.




Carruthers powers home the Eagles 1st goal

Kimberley appeared a bit shell-shocked after this, and were stunned just a couple of minutes later when CHRIS FREESTONE headed home after an effort from Nick Hall had hit the underside of the bar and the striker reacted quicker than the Kimberley defenders.


Freestone receives treatment after heading home the winning goal

Kimberley tried to fight back, but they seemed to accept the inevitable as the game petered out, and the few shots they had late on were not hit with too much conviction. As they say in all the best footie highlight shows this really was " a game of two halves".

Admission £5
Attendance 104
Tea/coffee £0.70 ... not too bad at all....

Off to Field Mill again on Tuesday when Oxford are the visitors. With the Stags losing three on the spin, and Oxford seemingly unbeatable, this should be a cracking game. An Oxford win will put them 15 points ahead of Mansfield --a long way to go yet, but that will be a hell of a deficit to claw back....

Saturday 19th September 2009

Arnold Town v Kimberley Town in the F.A. Vase.

I selected this game when the draw was made :-

1) We have yet to visit Eagle Valley, the new home of Arnold Town

2) It is to be hoped this will be a classic step 5 v step 7 slog-fest

3) May be a Vase upset?

Looking at the other fixtures, we are spoiled for choice, but we can only be at one!!!

Vase:
Blackwell MW v Louth Tn
Calverton MW v Ollerton Tn
Rainworth MW v Radcliffe OLympic
Gedling Tn v Appleby Frodingham
Shirebrook Tn v Winterton Rangers
Borrowash v Greenwood Mds
Heanor v Dunkirk

NCEL1
Teversal v Yorkshire Ams

CMLS
Clipstone W v Forest Town

CMLP
Bulwell v FC Brimington

UNIBOND PREM
Hucknall Tn v Kendal Tn
Worksop Tn v Marine

UNIBOND DIV 1 SOUTH
Glapwell FC v Carlton Tn

EMCL
Gedling MW v Gresley FC

No doubt one of these will be an 11 goal thriller, but who cares....as long as we don't have a to suffer a boring 0-0 at Arnold ( famous last words)?

Carlton Town 1-2 Brigg Town

Tuesday 15th September 2009 -- UniBond Division One South

This was our first visit of the season to Stoke Lane - and we were a little disappointed to have visited when the home team had an "off" day. According to the local press and general scuttlebutt, Carlton have been playing really well and they picked up the UniBond Div One South team of the month award for August. In the first half though, the Millers were awful and could count themselves lucky to have been only one goal down at the break. They were better second half, but Brigg looked better in most departments and the final score was a fair reflection of the game.

The opening minutes were fairly stale - Brigg had their first real chance on 11 when Karl Slack fired a shot across home keeper Ali Barcherini, but just wide of the far post. Three minutes later, Carlton's Anthony Griffiths forced visiting stopper Jody Barford into a save, but it was Brigg who took the lead on 15. A fiercely driven 25 yard free-kick took a deflection off the Carlton wall - although Barcherini did well to block the initial shot, the ball went loose and the superb KARL SLACK was on hand to loft the ball into the roof of the net from 4 yards, with the home defenders standing and watching.

On the half-hour mark, Carlton defender Craig Swinscoe misjudged the flight of the ball allowing Slack to run in on goal - Slack managed to get his effort on target from an acute angle, but Barcherini saved well.

Carlton should have levelled on 33 when Dean Gent's free-kick was headed on by Michael Martin to Justin Jenkins. The striker had the simple task of nodding home from a few yards out, but could only steer the ball wide of the upright. Brigg defender Charles Fisher, on loan from Doncaster Rovers, showed a clean pair of heels to Carlton's Terry Henshaw before firing the ball in across the goal. Slack connected, but his effort flew wide of the goal. Just before the half-time whistle, Slack beat Swinscoe all ends up before firing a cracking drive against the angle of post and bar. H-T 0-1

Carlton were presented with a bottle of champers and a framed certificate at half-time -- and they showed from the start of the second period a little of the form that earned them the team of the month award. They were level on 58 - a great ball in from the unusually quiet Aiden Brady was flicked on by Gent to ANTHONY GRIFFITHS who, with back to goal, executed the perfect over-head kick from 8 yards out. Neither Barford or his defenders could do anything about the goal - this shot either ends in glory or nothing. On this occasion it was glory, but when Jordan Blair tried the same thing twice in quick succession soon after, he failed miserably.

Blair had an orthodox shot well saved by Barford, but it was the visitors who went back to Lincolnshire with the three points after a superb solo goal from winger DANIEL BARRETT. He collected the ball on the left and awas allowed space to run into before firing a shot wide of Barcherini's despairing dive. F-T 1-2

Brigg were impressive and Carlton improved second half, but overall it was Brigg players that caught the eye. Karl Slack was a thorn in the Carlton backline all through the game and strike partner Chris Rodgers was a perfect foil - his running off the ball quite magnificent.

Admission £7

Attendance 75

Tea - Kev didn't moan, so it must have been ok!!

Saturday -- Our first visit to Eagle Valley -- Arnold v Kimberley in the Vase ...

Local results 12th September

Local football scores Saturday 12th September

CML Supreme
Forest Town 2-1 Nettleham
Harworth CI 2-1 Sutton Town AFC
Kimberley Town 1-2 Westella and Willerby
Kirkby Town 2-3 Southwell City
Louth Town 3-0 Blidworth Welfare
Newark Town 1-0 Calverton MW
Pinxton FC 0-2 Clipstone

EMCL
Anstey Nomads 1-2 Greenwood Meadows
Blackwell MW 0-2 Gedling Town
Holwell Sports 4-0 Gedling MW
Radcliffe Olympic 5-0 St. Andrews
Radford FC 1-4 Ellistown

F.A. Cup 1st Q Round
Blackstones 2-4 Hucknall Town
Glapwell 0-1 Carlton Town
Rainworth MW 2-1 Holbrook MW

NCELP
Dinnington 2-2 Arnold Town
Long Eaton Utd 1-2 Scarborough Ath

NCEL 1
Brighouse 2-2 Teversal

UniBond Div 1 South
Goole AFC 1-2 Belper Town

Mansfield Town 2-3 Stevenage Borough Pt II

The game itself was a cracker. Mansfield were in search of a win after only gaining one point from their previous two games, while Stevenage were looking for their fourth straight BSP victory.

KYLE PERRY put the Stags ahead after only 66 seconds had been played. The visitors defence failed to clear Gary Mills' free-kick and when Louis Briscoe returned the ball into the box, Perry was on hand to rifle home. The ground erupted again on 8, when Briscoe's cross found Perry and his powerful header looked all the way a goal - I don't know how Stevenage keeper Chris Day kept out the effort, but over 3000 of us were up celebrating .......a little prematurely as it happens. It was 2-0 after 16 minutes though, Duffy finding KYLE PERRY in the box - and the big man drove low into the corner.

Briscoe cleared off the line on 29 as Stevenage poured forward, then Marriott was lucky to claim the ball at the second time of asking when he dropped the initial cross from the right. Then came the Perry sending off and the game changed completely. Former Stags frontman CHRIS BEARDSLEY reduced the Stevenage arrears in the 7th minute of added time - powering a near post header past Marriott. H-T 2-1

Enjoyed seeing the World Sidecar Champions bring their machine into the ground at half-time...Ben and Tom Birchill - Mansfield lads...

Great pic Kev!!

The scores were level on 58 when a ball in from Bostwick was headed back across goal by Beardsley to YEMI ODUBADE who had the simple task of tapping in from close range.

2-2 became 2-3 soon after, this time CHARLIE GRIFFIN hammering home after poor defending let the veteran striker have time and space to pick his spot.

Stevenage keeper Chris Day has had busier days!!

In the end, Stevenage were deserving winners, playing some really neat passing football - but in reality it all came down to one team knowing how to play against 10 men, and one team not knowing how to play with 10 men... F-T 2-3

Bit of a downer, but it is still early doors yet, and no-one wins anything in September....

Report from Chad

Tuesday - Carlton Town v Brigg Town

Mansfield Town 2-3 Stevenage Borough Pt 1

Saturday 12th September 2009 - Blue Square Premier

Full match reports will appear elsewhere and everywhere (click here to read report from Stevenage website), but out of the 3100+ Stags fans inside Field Mill, was I the only one who saw Kyle Perry kick Lee Boylan? Boylan was on the floor with the ball trapped between his legs and Perry battled well to try and take posession. If the Referee had have called for a drop-ball then, everyone would have understood. As it was he let play go on and when Perry got a little too enthusiastic it all ended ith the striker appearing to take an extra swipe at the ball -- unfortunately instead of the ball he ended up accidentally connecting with Boyland's head.

It took a long time for the four officials (yes, four - they all got involved) to decide to take action against the striker, but when all four did finally end their committee meeting, the outcome was a straight red for the Stags no. 19. It had all started so well for the Stags and Perry, but his dismissal turned the game around completely, and it ended in a defeat at home for the first time since David Holdsworth's arrival in January.

Boyland (no.10) prostrate


Here we go...

Three officials - what you can't see is the 4th official who was also on the pitch

Whisper, whisper

Perry walks