Venue: Forest Town Arena, Clipstone Road West, Mansfield, Notts
Competition: NCEL Division 1
Referee: Mr. Josh Bramhall (S.Yorks)
Scorers: Joe Lamplough (10), Glyn Cotton (58, 82), Chris Wood (73), Tristan Whitman (83)
Line-ups:
AFC Mansfield - White, Kitchen, Dudley, Allott, Timmons, Lamplough, Buxton, Cotton, Wood C, Mitchell, Ghaichem. Subs: Naylor D, Brewin, Wilson B, Ward, Whitman
Grimsby Borough - Johnson, King, Wilson, Hall, Unsworth, Bensley, Fuller J, Wood D, Fuller P, Waugh, Flint. Subs: Sparrow, Allenby, Blendell
Change of game - we were scheduled to pay our first visit of the season to Long Eaton, but Kev was helping his daughter to move house so I decided to stay fairly local. Good choice as it happens - Long Eaton lost 1-2 to struggling Heath Hayes.
On entering the ground, I was greeted with a handshake from Andy Saunders - and had a bit of a chat before making my way towards the changing rooms in the hope of grabbing a few words with our long-time friend, AFC boss Rudy Funk. Not seen Rudy for a while, but he seemed genuinely pleased to see me. He appears to be extremely happy with his current position, and likened the club set up to how it used to be at Eastwood Town when Rudy was assistant to the great Bryan Chambers. What good times they were (on the whole)!
AFC named three debutants in their starting eleven, Joe Lamplough, Chris Wood and Grant Allott. They all played their part in the AFC victory, Lamplough and Wood with a goal apiece, and Allott looking solid at the back.
AFC programme editor/cameraman Pete Craggs has given me permission to use some of his pics from the game, although he only just remembered to remove the lens cap from his camera as the teams entered the pitch!
The first action of note was a booking for Borough's Danny Wood in the 7th minute, after he went through the back of namesake Chris. It was a nasty challenge that, if it were later in the game, would have surely brought out a more severe punishment.
The long throw of Ashley Kitchen was to pose a threat all afternoon to the Borough defence, and it was one of these throws that lead to the first goal. Launching the ball from the left, it took a deflection towards JOE LAMPLOUGH, and the new boy managed to direct his header over two defenders on the line, before wheeling away in delight as the ball nestled in the back of the net.
Joe Lampough looks happy with his debut goal!! (P. Craggs)
Phil Buxton thought he'd doubled the Bulls' advantage on 26, but his well struck shot from 20 yards crashed against the post before flying away to safety. Grimsby keeper Gareth Johnson did well to parry Glyn Cottons long range effort soon after.
Grimsby seldom troubled the home defence, and Jason White had a relatively comfortable afternoon. The stopper was called into action with three minutes of the half remaining, although he collected Woods' 22 yard free-kick with some ease. H-T 1-0
Not a very inspiring first half - I was hoping for a few goals to top up the "maggie's" pot, but the home team didn't let me down in the second period, and "maggie's" had benefited to the tune of £3.75 by the end of the game.
GLYN COTTON added the first of the four second half goals, firing home a 22 yard free-kick low and to the visiting keepers left.
Johnson fails to stop Cotton's free-kick entering the net (P. Craggs)
Lamplough had to retire after an hour, but it was a solid debut and showed the home faithful that he will be a great addition to an already quality squad.
Cotton hammered another free-kick against the angle with 65 played, but we had to wait until the 72nd minute for the third goal. A ball down the line from Kitchen was played into the path of CHRIS WOOD by Jimmy Ghaichem, and the striker raced into the box before rounding the keeper and slotting into the empty net.
Another debutant with a goal (P. Craggs)
Tris Whitman has done the rounds of local teams, and within six minutes of entering the game from the bench, had set up the fourth AFC goal. The sub controlled well in the box, before jinking past his marker and picking out an unmarked COTTON in front of goal.
The final goal of the game was easily the pick of the lot, and it was that man TRIS WHITMAN on the mark - a terrific side-step past a defender on the edge of the box followed by a superb, crisply hit shot that flew past Johnson before he could react. Wonderful goal - terrific skill from the journeyman. F-T 5-0
What a hit, Tris! (P. Craggs)
Enjoyed the second half of the game much more than the first, but once again the cold took it's toll and only minimal notes were taken - I do my best!!
Admission: £4.00
Programme: £1.50
Attendance: 71 (not bad with the Stags being at home)
MOM: Glyn Cotton - although I hope his car started ok - he'd left his lights on throughout the game.
Pics: Courtesy Pete Craggs
