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Match Previews

Preview: Stags vs Dons

28 March 2014

Everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's match with AFC Wimbledon at One Call Stadium.

TEAM NEWS

The Stags will be without full-back James Jennings, who begins a two-match suspension for collecting his 10th yellow card of the season in Tuesday's 4-2 victory at Hartlepool United.

Striker Ben Hutchinson is also unavailable due to a recurrence of a hamstring injury, which is expected to rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Nevertheless, Mansfield could welcome back Darryl Westlake, who is available again after suspension, and Ryan Tafazolli, who missed the midweek win at Victoria Park.

AFC Wimbledon will be without Jack Midson after he was red carded in their 2-2 draw at Northampton Town in midweek.


RECENT FORM

Our team go into Saturday’s match in good form, having lost just one of their previous six matches.

Our last match was our magnificent 4-2 midweek victory over Hartlepool United. James Jennings bagged a brace, before goals by Matt Rhead and Jamie McGuire earned us all three points. To watch highlights, click here.

Meanwhile, Neal Ardley’s AFC Wimbledon team also go into this match in equally as good form, having also lost only one of their previous six matches.

The Dons have developed a knack of scoring late goals in recent weeks and Sammy Moore’s strike six minutes into injury-time earned them a point in a 2-2 draw at Northampton Town on Tuesday. To watch highlights, click here.

A victory for Mansfield this weekend would see them leapfrog the Dons in the Sky Bet League Two table. The Stags currently occupy 17th position, with Wimbledon a point better off in 13th position.


PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The reverse fixture between the two teams at Kingsmeadow back in December was a closely fought clash which finished as it began, 0-0, courtesy of Ross Worner’s heroic goalkeeping display. To watch highlights, click here.

Nevertheless, that draw is the best result we have managed in five previous meetings with AFC Wimbledon.

The Dons have emerged victorious on both their previous visits to One Call Stadium, the last of which was back in the 2010/11 campaign, when they won 5-2.

Our last victory over Wimbledon (in any guise) came in September 1980 when we were 1-0 winners on home soil.


OFFICIALS

The Football League has appointed Mr Rob Lewis as referee for Saturday’s match. He will be assisted by Mr Robert Atkin and Mr Chris Kavanagh. The Fourth Official is Mr Chris Akers.


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 28 March.

Away supporters should not to travel to One Call Stadium if they aren’t in possession of a valid match ticket. No tickets are sold to away supporters on matchdays under any circumstances.

ADVANCE PRICES & COLLECTIONS

£18: Adults
£13: Senior Citizens/Students*
£8: Aged 7 to 16

MATCHDAY PRICES & COLLECTIONS

£20: Adults
£15: Senior Citizens/Students*
£10: Aged 7 to 16

*To qualify, students must be in full-time education and in possession of a valid NUS card. Senior Citizens are defined as 60+.

Children aged six or under are admitted to One Call Stadium free-of-charge, providing 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 noon.

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 after 6.00pm.

Don't forget with our ‘Sweet Saturday’ offer, you can claim a free desert when you purchase any main course meal.

Saturday’s live TV schedule is as follows: Man United vs Aston Villa (12.45pm), Arsenal vs Man City (7.30pm).

On matchdays, only supporters with a valid match ticket can enter the Sandy Pate Sports Bar before 5.00pm. The bar re-opens to the general public afterwards.

There is just one private booth in the SPSB still available for hire for Saturday’s match. If you wish to book this booth, e-mail sales@mansfieldtown.net or call 01623 482482.


PROGRAMME

Our award-winning matchday programme, ‘The Stag’ will be on sale before this fixture.

In this edition, we have an exclusive interview with forward Sam Clucas, who was voted by the Football League as one of the 10 best players in Sky Bet League Two earlier this week.

Columnist Jon Griffin discusses ‘Crazy Gangs’ in football in his regular column, whilst Tim Morriss shares his thoughts on UEFA’s new ‘League of Nations’ which starts in 2018.

Elsewhere, Matt Halfpenny discusses Tuesday’s magnificent victory over Hartlepool United and looks at what impact the result could have on our survival chances.

In ‘Going for Gold’, the Quarter-Finals conclude with a clash between George Pilkington and Paul Black, but who will progress to the final four?

We also have a full report on our youngsters’ controversial defeat at NC Central in the FCYA (Midland Division), and take a look at how the Stagettes fought back to win at Leafield Athletic last Sunday.

There are five pages dedicated to our opponents from South London, along with all the very latest news from One Call Stadium.

‘The Stag’ is priced at just £3.00 and is available to buy from sellers located in and around the stadium.

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

Why not pay a visit to our club shop, where you can find a wide-range of Stags-related merchandise, suitable for supporters of all ages.

We have several items on sale including Hoodies (£20), Trapper Hats (£12) and Diamond Coats (£45). The SSA’s special match pin badges are also available for just £3.

You can buy any of these items and much, much more, from our club shop or matchday retail outlet, which is situated adjacent to the Ian Greaves Stand.

If you can’t make this match, visit www.stagsclubshop.com to see what else we have in stock.


TURNSTILES

Turnstiles at One Call Stadium will be opened at approximately 2.00pm.


TWITTER

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 will be on air from approximately 2.50pm.

To subscribe to Stags Player, where there will also be post-match reaction, click here.


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