Preview: Cheltenham Town vs Stags (Emirates FA Cup)

8 January 2021

The Stags return to Emirates FA Cup action on Sunday, when they travel to face Cheltenham Town for a third round clash (1.30pm). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the fixture…

Wing-back Kellan Gordon and striker Nicky Maynard will be assessed during Saturday’s training session to see whether they are available for Sunday’s fixture.

Defender Joe Riley is a long-term absentee and will miss out.

For the Robins, midfielder Liam Sercombe is sidelined with a knee injury. They will also likely be without goalkeeper Scott Flinders.

The Stags are in excellent form heading into Sunday’s clash, having won three league matches in a row.

Mansfield performed particularly well in their last two outings, a 4-0 win over Port Vale and a 2-1 victory against Salford on Tuesday night.

The amber and blue saw off Sky Bet League One side Sunderland and National League outfit Dagenham & Redbridge to reach the third round.

Cheltenham present a stern test for the Stags this weekend, with the Robins sitting fourth in Sky Bet League Two heading into the game.

Michael Duff’s men made it to the third round of this season’s Emirates FA Cup by way of a 3-1 win at home against South Shields, followed up by an impressive 2-1 victory over Sky Bet League One Crewe Alexandra.

We last faced Cheltenham in October 2020, a 0-0 draw away from home.

The Stags were last victorious over the Robins in March 2019, a 4-2 win at One Call Stadium.

Tom Nield will be the referee for Sunday’s fixture, assisted by Mark Derrien and Michael Webb. The fourth official will be Lee Swabey.

Mr. Nield last took charge of a Mansfield fixture in our 3-0 defeat to Manchester City under-21s in this season’s Papa John’s Trophy group stage.

Supporters wishing to watch this match live can do so for free on The FA Player. You’ll need to register a free account to watch Sunday’s match. To learn how to do this, click here. This match will not be available to view live on iFollow Stags.

iFollow Stags subscribers are able to listen to Sunday’s match via iFollow Stags for free, by selecting ‘Listen Live’ in the match centre, which can be accessed here.

Non-subscribers can purchase audio match passes for the fixture at £2.50. Get yours by clicking here.

iFollow Stags match commentary will be provided courtesy of commentators Martin Shaw and Dean Foulkes.

As ever, you can also follow the action live via our Twitter match updates, which can be found here.

The match centre on mansfieldtown.net will also contain Opta-populated updates, and can be accessed here.

A report of the match will be published on the club website following the full-time whistle, and post-match reaction will be available to view on mansfieldtown.net and iFollow Stags.

Follow us across our social media accounts to keep fully updated on all areas of a Stags’ matchday. Click the below links to redirect to the corresponding social media account.

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube

To add us on Snapchat, search ‘mtfcofficial.’

Match Reports

Report: Cheltenham Town 2-1 Stags

10 January 2021

Mansfield Town exited the Emirates FA Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Cheltenham Town on Sunday afternoon.

Stephen McLaughlin returned to the starting line-up to make an instant impact, firing home with only three minutes on the clock and placing his side in the driving seat.

Cheltenham, though, responded midway through the second period with an Alfie May curler before sealing their progression into the fourth round with Will Boyle’s crucial touch in extra-time.

Nigel Clough was forced into two changes from the side that defeated Salford City on Tuesday evening beginning with Corey O’Keeffe deputising for James Perch who reported feeling unwell earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, Ollie Clarke was additionally ruled out after sustaining a knee injury in midweek and was replaced by the afternoon’s early goalscorer in Gloucestershire.

Jordan Bowery made headway down the left channel before setting McLaughlin to drive a fierce attempt towards the target, which carried too much power for goalkeeper Josh Griffiths to keep out.

A third-minute advantage did, however, mean Cheltenham rallied quickly into gear chalking up several set-pieces to pose a threat.

George Lloyd initially flicked Ben Tozer’s direct throw towards goal but Harry Charsley was positioned adequately to extinguish the danger prior to his acrobatic effort rebounding against the crossbar.

May then peeled free from the Robins’ latest corner yet miscued a first-time effort as they sought to utilise a training ground routine.

Soon after, the attacking midfielder whipped his side’s next effort narrowly beyond the frame of the goal from inside the area.

Mansfield retaliated following sustained the hosts’ sustained pressure but Charsley – as he eventually received possession via George Lapslie – had his effort blocked at source.

In the final moments, another dangerous delivery across the face of goal by Cheltenham made its way towards Lloyd, yet the No. 19 was unable to control the ball as Mal Benning took the opportunity to poke away.

Another intricate corner was unravelled by the home side minutes into the second period as Charlie Raglan’s blast was smothered by McLaughlin inside the area.

Michael Duff’s side continued their relentless onslaught towards the Mansfield goal but managed to tick across the hour-mark unscathed.

The Robins then had penalty appeals waved clear with their latest attack. Andy Williams bumped into O’Keeffe who rightfully stood his ground with referee Tom Nield remaining unmoved.

However, May was soon able to muster an equaliser.

Cutting in from the right-hand side, Cheltenham’s most lively outlet unleashed a curling effort that nestled into the far corner from the edge of the 18-yard box.

The Stags then worked an opening to try and retake the lead with Farrend Rawson laying off for Ryan Sweeney to slam home, albeit as the offside flag was simultaneously raised.

Another brilliantly carved out opportunity, which involved five Mansfield players, saw Jamie Reid’s strike on the spin blocked by skipper Tozer as extra-time loomed.

And substitute Andy Cook was then narrowly beaten in a foot race by Griffiths after a loose ball was sent back in the dying embers at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.

Into extra-time and Mansfield began the additional period as the brighter of the two sides.

Bowery slipped Reid through with a delightful pass behind the Cheltenham defence but his first-time strike was tipped wide by the ‘keeper down low.

Possession was unclaimed before Lapslie decided to take matters into his own hands, powerfully drilling the ball to cause a looping deflection that dropped agonisingly wide of the upright.

But for all of Mansfield’s defensive solidity, they were undone in the 110^th minute.

Tozer launched another trademark long throw into a crowded penalty area and Boyle was the culprit who touched home from close range.

The amber and blue return on Wednesday evening when their latest away trip takes them to Oldham Athletic in Sky Bet League Two.

STAGS XI: Štěch (GK), O’Keeffe, Benning (J. Clarke 115'), Sweeney ©, Rawson, Charsley, Bowery, Maris (O’Driscoll 108’), Reid, McLaughlin (Cook 79’), Lapslie.

UNUSED SUBS: Stone (GK), Menayese.

CHELTENHAM XI: Griffiths (GK), Hussey (Freestone 46’), Tozer ©, Raglan (Addai 71), Thomas, May, Blair, Williams (Campbell 111’), Boyle, Lloyd (Azaz 56’), Chapman (Clements 106’)

UNUSED SUBS: Harris (GK), Long, Bowry

REFEREE: Tom Nield

ASSISTANTS: Mark Derrien & Michael Webb

FOURTH OFFICIAL: Lee Swabey

Standings