Everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two clash at One Call Stadium…
TEAM NEWSManager Paul Cox is sweating on the fitness of several players ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two clash with Oxford United at One Call Stadium.
Striker Ollie Palmer suffered ankle-ligament damage in our opening day loss to Northampton Town, whilst talisman Liam Hearn limped out of our midweek Capital One Cup defeat to Sheffield United after just a quarter-of-an-hour.
Defender Martin Riley is also a doubt, having been forced off in the latter stages of Wednesday’s clash at Bramall Lane with a suspected groin injury.
Finally for Stags, burly forward Matt Rhead serves the last game in his four-match suspension for receiving a red card against Torquay United back in April.
RECENT FORM
Both teams go into this match, having tasted defeat on the opening day of the new Sky Bet Football League season.
The Stags were beaten 1-0 by Northampton Town at Sixfields Stadium, whilst the U’s succumbed to a surprise 1-0 home defeat to Burton Albion in Michael Appleton’s first competitive game as manager.
In the Capital One Cup First Round in midweek, Oxford United caused something of a surprise as they came from behind to eliminate Bristol City – winning 2-1 at Ashton Gate.
Mansfield couldn’t progress to the Second Round, however, as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United in a closely-fought contest at Bramall Lane.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
The U’s did the ‘double’ over us last term – winning 3-1 at One Call Stadium in November, before enjoying a 3-0 success in the reverse fixture at the Kassam Stadium in February.
Our most recent victory over Oxford United was back in September 2009. Goals by Ryan Williams and Jake Speight fired us to a 2-1 victory in North Nottinghamshire.
Intriguingly, there has never been a 0-0 draw between these two clubs, so you could well see goals.
Our full record against the U’s is as follows: Played 32, Won 12, Drew 4, Lost 16.
OFFICIALS
The Football League have appointed Mr Richard Clark as the referee for this match. He will be ably assisted by Mr Dumitru-Ravel Cheosiaua and Mr Joe Hull. The Fourth Official is Mr Robert Atkin.
MATCH TICKETS
Home supporters can purchase tickets up to 3.00pm on matchdays.
Supporters who wish to take advantage of a pre-purchase discount can do so if they purchase and collect tickets before 5.00pm on Friday 15 August.
Tickets can also be bought online and printed at home via our new ticketing website, www.stagstickets.co.uk.
Away supporters are strongly advised not to travel to One Call Stadium if they aren’t in possession of a valid match ticket. No tickets can be sold to away supporters on matchdays under any circumstances.
ADVANCE PRICES & COLLECTIONS
£20: Adults
£15: Senior Citizens (60+), Students*
£10: Aged 7 to 16
FREE: Under 7s**
MATCHDAY PRICES & COLLECTIONS
£22: Adults
£17: Senior Citizens (60+), Students*
£12: Aged 7 to 16
FREE: Under 7s**
*To qualify, students must be in full-time education and in possession of a valid NUS card.
**Children aged six or under are only admitted to One Call Stadium free-of-charge, on the provision that they are accompanied by a responsible adult.
PARKING
We have extremely limited parking spaces available at One Call Stadium, but some spaces are available on a first come, first served basis.
We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.
SANDY PATE SPORTS BAR
The Sandy Pate Sports Bar will be open to supporters from midday.
Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, hot/cold food, and other light refreshments can all be purchased in the Sandy Pate Sports Bar, which is open from a restaurant post-match from 6.00pm.
Saturday’s live TV schedule in the bar is as follows: Manchester United vs Swansea City (12.45pm), Arsenal vs Crystal Palace (5.30pm).
On matchdays, only supporters with a valid match ticket can enter the Sandy Pate Sports Bar until the full-time whistle. The bar re-opens to the general public afterwards.
PROGRAMME
Our matchday programme is back – bigger and better than ever before – and packed with exciting new features which we are sure you will enjoy.
As well as the thoughts of chairman John Radford and manager Paul Cox, we have an exclusive interview with new signing Alex Fisher, who scored his first goal for us in Wednesday’s Capital One Cup tie at Sheffield United.
Fergus Bell talks us through his ‘A-Z’ in a brand new feature, whilst Academy Director John Ramshaw gives us details on how our youth team made a good start to the Football League Youth Alliance.
Jon Griffin reminisces about arguably the bravest ex-Stags player of them all, whilst Matt Halfpenny and Tim Morriss continue their ever-popular columns.
Programmes cost £3 and are available from sellers in and around One Call Stadium as well as our matchday retail unit, which is open around two hours before kick-off.
You can also download ‘The Stag’ to your Smartphone, laptop or PC. Visit www.matchdaydigital.co.uk for more information.
50/50 HALF-TIME DRAW
Supporters can win a fantastic cash prize in our 50/50 matchday draw.
All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is purchase a ticket from our sellers, who will be located in and around One Call Stadium from 1.00pm.
The 50/50 draw takes place at half-time.
SSA’s GOLDEN GOAL
Tickets for the SSA’s ‘Golden Goal’ competition are available pre-match from sellers inside the Sandy Pate Sports Bar.
Each ticket costs £1 and contains a unique number. The person who is in possession of a ticket in which the first goal is scored is the winner of a cash prize.
CLUB SHOP
Visit our club shop where you can find a wide-range of items ranging from replica shirts to footballs and soft toys – all great souvenirs to remember your visit to One Call Stadium.
The SSA’s special matchday pin badges can also be purchased around the ground for just £3.
If you can’t make this match, visit www.stagsclubshop.com to see a complete stock list.
TURNSTILES
Turnstiles at One Call Stadium will be opened at approximately 2.00pm.
Follow us on Twitter (@MansfieldTownFC) for comprehensive pre-match coverage and minute-by-minute updates throughout the match.
COMMENTARY
If you can't be with us at One Call Stadium, you can hear exclusive full-match commentary on Stags Player (online).
Our regular commentary team of Nigel Pinnick, Martin Shaw and Steve Hartshorn are back for the new season and will be on air from approximately 2.50pm.
To subscribe to Stags Player, where there will also be post-match reaction, click here.