Mansfield Town

The young Stags have, much like our first team, began the calendar year unbeaten, picking up two draws and a win in three fixtures. 

The New Year streak started with a 1-1 draw against Doncaster Rovers at home, where two own goals decided the fate of the match. 

Next up was a fine 2-1 victory over Rotherham United away, where midfielder Cain Smith and attacking talisman Nyle Blake scored in the win for John Dempster’s charges.

Going into their third January fixture, they were held to a 0-0 stalemate against Lincoln City at Clipstone FC’s ground. A scrappy affair unfolded at the venue, with clear-cut scoring chances at a premium for both sides.

The unbeaten run has seen the Stags’ under 18s maintain their place at the summit of the table, having collected 33 points from 16 games. They currently enjoy a three-point cushion over second-placed Oldham Athletic.

This Saturday’s hosts Notts County have struggled for form lately, recording a solitary victory in the last three games earlier in January against Doncaster Rovers, in which they triumphed 2-1.

Their two subsequent outings against Grimsby Town and Rotherham United have resulted in 1-0 and 5-0 defeats, respectively. 

County have slipped to fourth in the table, with 26 points from 15 matches played.

Prior to their meeting this weekend, the Stags’ and the Magpies’ youngsters have already gone head-to-head in the league’s reverse fixture last November, when Mansfield won the plaudits on home turf 2-0 via a Nyle Blake double.

University of Nottingham

Highfield Sports Ground,

University Boulevard,

Nottingham,

NG7 2PS