O'Neil 31
Asamoah 74
Att: approx 400 (approx 30 from Mansfield)
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A 4-4-2 formation was in place, with a centre back pairing of Baptise and Artell, with a forward line up of trialist Joe O'Neill and Colin Larkin. The games first chance fell to Wayne Corden on just 4 minutes, when well placed he blasted over from just outside the 6 yard box following good work from Larkin who had drifted out wide, indeed Larkin nearly put the Stags in front himself just two minutes later when he headed just wide from an Eaton cross. Bath City in their Notts County type striped shirt won the games first corner on seven minutes but it came to nothing. Pilkington was called into action shortly after though when the impressive Williams forced him into a good low save from a shot from the edge of the area. It was then that Bath had their best spell of the game, and on eleven minutes Stephens clipped the post when well placed with a header. This seemed to be a wake up call for the Stags who quickly took control of the match. It was evident even at the early stages of the game that the Stags right wing was looking non existant though, something which needs to be looked at, as balls were played to that area with no one covering or hogging the right touch line, Larkin was forced out wide on a number of occasions in order to cover the position. Stags first corner came on 17 minutes, and when the home side cleared, the ball found its way out to the left where Williamson's cross found its way to Larkin on the far post, whose half volley slammed against the post. Joe O'Neill was out to impress, and seemed to be forging a good understanding with Larkin throughout the half, it was he who set up Corden who again unfortunately shot over, then O'Neil himself had 2 good opportunities to put the Stags in front before the half hour mark, but saw the efforts end up in the keepers hands. He made his mark on the game on 31 minutes though, following a Corden cross that wasn't cleared, Williamson headed down and O'Neill turned sharply to volley home from 10 yards. Players had to take on a lot of water during the first period, indeed the small Mansfield following had to do the same. Bath came close to equalizing on the stroke of half time as Tivedale forced Pilkington into a full stretched save to tip a 25 yard effort over the bar, and there was just enough time for Eaton to nearly add the to the Stags lead at the other end as he volleyed straight at the keeper.
Half Time 1-0
Keith Curle made two substitutions at half time, Artell and Baptise were replaced by Rhys Day and Luke Dimech, Curle obviously wanting to try out different combinations at centre back. The home side made 6 changes at the break, confusing everyone as they appeared in the same numbers of those who departed. O'Neill had the 2nd halfs first chance when he headed a MacKenzie cross straight at the home keeper. Larkin who looks so much sharper at the moment created a chance out of nothing shortly after, after turning quickly,he took on two defenders beating them with pace, and forcing the keeper to come out and smother the ball as he beared down on goal. The stags were in total control by now, O'Neill showed the same sort of skill Larkin had done minutes earlier, by cutting into the box, but no one was on the end of his excellent work. With nearly an hour gone Eaton made way for Buxton and Asamoah came on for Corden. The substitutions were then made at regular intervals, as soon after these, Pilkington made way for Langford, Larkin for Callum Lloyd and Williamson came off for Tom Curle. Asamoah went up front with O'Neill, and his pace was frightening the hell out of the Bath back line, who were backing of him every time he had the ball at his feet. After a quick sprint down the left, it was Asamoah who set Curle up on the edge of the area, but the home keeper was down sharpley to smother the shot. The impressive O'Neill made way for Danny Herron, who looked to get his head down and run at defenders every time he had the ball. On 74 minutes the Stags wrapped the game up, a long punt over the top found Asamoah, who superbly latched on, turned his defender and fired into the net at the near post, a very fine finish from the pacy frontman. Jake Buxton made use of the wide open spaces in front of him, and got some decent crosses into the area, one of which found Asamoah, who saw the keeper save smartly, and when the rebound found its way to MacKenZie on the edge of the area, the home keeper made a superb tip over from the curling effort from the Stags midfielder. The last 10 minutes of the game was a tame and long drawn out affair, but given the soring heat, was expected.
A good natured and honest friendly and a good work out for the team, one area does concern me slightly, and that is the right wing position, we wasn't sure if MacKenzie was patrolling that area or not, as he likes to drift in and spray his passes around from the middle of the Park. O'Neill looked very impressive and linked up well with Larkin, and it was O'Neill who we gave out man of the match to. The side overall is now in good shape, and after worrrying who would be in the squad, we now have enough about us to make a good start to the season.
Team : Pilkington, McNiven, Eaton, Curtis, Baptise, Artell, Williamson, MacKensie, Larkin, O'Neill, Corden
Subs : Day, Dimech, Buxton, Asamoah, Langford, Lloyd, Curle(T), Herron