Stockport County vs Mansfield Town on 15 Oct 22 - Match Centre

Mansfield Town under-19s are back in action this Saturday for a Youth Alliance Cup fixture away to Stockport County at Carrington Training Complex (11am kick-off).

Mansfield have played two Youth Alliance Cup matches so far this season, a 2-1 win against Burton Albion and a 2-1 defeat to Rochdale.

This weekend's hosts, Stockport, lost 2-1 against Oldham Athletic in their previous fixture.

Speaking to www.mansfieldtown.net ahead of Saturday morning’s game, PDP lead coach Sam Collins said: “We’re expecting a tough game.

“They like to get the ball down and play.

“They have changed their system in recent weeks and it won't be easy.”

Sam has been impressed with the performances of attacking midfielder Jakub Kruszynski in recent weeks.

“Jakub is playing well at the moment and scored an excellent goal against Grimsby.”

Goalkeeper Louie Turner returned to the squad following his work experience loan with Heanor Town in the middle of the week.

Sam said: “He [Louie Turner] will have a part to play in the squad on Saturday.

“We’ve had top feedback from Heanor Town, who were really impressed with him.

“He’s still been training with us and you can see the improvements.”

In other loan news, striker Jack Deakin has extended his stay with Barwell FC until the end of December

Supporters are unable to attend the aforemtnioned fixture. Parents/carers are welcome to attend the game at the following venue: Carrington Training Complex, Carrington Lane, Carrington, Manchester, M31 4AE.

Jonathan Awofesobi, the 16-year-old left-back, made his debut for the under-19s as Stags won 1-0 at Stockport in the Youth Alliance Cup on Saturday.

Louie Turner returned in between the sticks for the amber and blue following his work experience loan at Heanor Town.

Sam Collins' side showed grit and determination to see out their cup fixture against the Hatters after taking an early lead courtesy of a goal from striker McKeal Abdullah.

Ten minutes into the game, young Stags' attacker Jakub Kruszynski made a run down the right-wing and managed to pick out his teammate Abdullah at the far post with a cross that was drilled across the area requiring the slightest of touches to break the deadlock.

The hosts' frustrations mounted in the opening stages, leading to several fouls which gave Mansfield a number of opportunities to double the lead.

On the half-hour mark, Abdullah cut onto his left-foot from the right-hand flank and his effort smashed against the post.

The second-half was similar to the first as Mansfield continued to create a number of opportunities.

Stags' first substitution of the game saw a change in the forward line as Louis Bonser replaced Ronnie Kokkinos.

The under-19s caused Stockport problems at corners and the ball fell to Stags' defender Cormac Maher on more than one occasion midway through the second-half but both efforts went wide of Daniel Harrison's post.

Mansfield right-back Taylor Anderson was replaced on 75 minutes by Lewis Warnaby.

Goalscorer McKeal Abdullah was also substituted seven minutes later as forward Noah Aynsley-Johnson came off the bench for the young Stags.

The latter stages of the game saw the visitors win a succession of free-kicks which allowed them to keep control of the match and with five minutes left to play, Kruszynski had a brilliant chance to double Stags' lead.

Substitute Bonser threaded a brilliant ball through the Stockport defence but Kruszynski's powerful effort was saved by the Hatters 'keeper.

STOCKPORT COUNTY: Harrison, Partington, Jones, Bradbury-Allen, Kenny, Rogers, Barry (Williams 56), Johnson, Kibonda (MacFarlane 75), Atkinson (Whittle 82), Mee (Omoruyi 82)

UNUSED SUB: Blake

MANSFIELD TOWN: Turner, Anderson (Warnaby 75), Awofesobi, Whelan, Maher, Carter, Flanagan, Hamilton, Abdullah (Aynsley-Johnson 82), Kruszynski, Kokkinos (Bonser 72)

UNUSED SUBS: Avery, Whyle

Match Reports

Mansfield Town

Youth preview: Stockport v Stags

Report: Stockport U19 0-1 Stags U19