Mansfield Town

Following Saturday’s 2-1 success over League One side Bolton Wanderers, a balmy summer evening at One Call Stadium provided the stage for Adam Murray’s squad’s highest profile challenge yet, with an admiral unbeaten pre-season record still intact ahead of a game against a side peppered with international and top-flight experience.

Striker Pat Hoban shone in the early exchanges and as the first half developed, there were strong signs from each of Murray’s new recruits just two-and-a-half weeks ahead of their first competitive fixture of the 2016-17 season, which will see the Stags travel to Newport County on 06 August.

There were several positives in a sun-baked affair low on physicality but high on eye-catching ball-work; Hoban’s early drag-backs accompanied by midfielder Kevan Hurst’s productive runs into space that led to spells of possession for deep-lying midfielder Adam Chapman to spray the ball wide for an un-named trialist and the impressive full-back Rhys Bennett.

The first notable chance for either side came after the referee blew for a foul by defender Krystian Pearce on Hull midfielder Mo Diamé for a block on the edge of the area.

Hull’s interchanging wide midfielders Shaun Maloney and Robert Snodgrass lined up behind the ball before the ex-Wigan man hit an attempted plant into Mansfield’s centrally-positioned wall for a corner.

Moments later, Mansfield’s excellent retention of possession after further attempts from distance by the Tigers saw midfielder Mitch Rose get a shot at Tigers’ ‘keeper Dusan Kuciak from 30 yards, but it was deflected behind for a corner.

Shortly afterwards, Hoban managed to pull off another successful pull-back that allowed Chapman space in midfield to switch play from left to right. 

The East Yorkshire side’s relatively low-profile pre-season, aside from a training camp on the Portuguese Algarve, meant tonight’s meeting represented their toughest test yet in terms of league standing, and despite reports of an injury depleted squad, their 142 travelling fans were given cause for optimism ahead of their Premier League return which will see them meet unexpected defending Champions Leicester City at the KC Stadium in just over two weeks.

After just 15 minutes had elapsed, Hull’s two corners and deflected free kick from 19 yards out suggested the Championship play-off winners were the better side, though Mansfield were the most creative side.

Shortly after, winger CJ Hamilton was found by the impressive trialist after a smart dummy, followed by Rose’s low struck effort which was met by Kuciak in the City goal.

Former Nottingham Forest and England defender Michael Dawson was forced off injured on 28 minutes to add to Hull’s growing injury list.

His replacement, the lively and effective Jarrod Bowen, a 20-year-old striker, meant a switch in City’s tactics, as midfielder Tom Huddlestone sat alongside centre-half Curtis Davies and former Stags’ midfielder Sam Clucas slotted in deep in midfield.

Shortly after a neat piece of individual skill by the impressive Diame was well saved by Stags’ stopper Brian Jensen, skilful work by Shaun Maloney found the former Hereford player in space for another effort at goal, though Mansfield’s veteran Dane again kept the game scoreless.

Hoban’s excellent half continued on 26 minutes, as the new signing was found by fellow new addition, CJ Hamilton.

The Irishman then went close with a shot from 20 yards, narrowly missing Jakupovic’s post.

Growing into the game ever more, the skilful Bowen had an effort firmly cut out by the versatile Mitchell Rose, as Stags held an impressive defensive shape during a dominant spell for the Tigers as the game remained poised heading towards half-time. 

Hull lived up to Murray’s expectations of a defensive test; dominating the beginnings of the second half, as Bruce withdrew Maloney for the trial debut of former West Brom, Cardiff and Stoke attacker Peter Odemwingie.

Shortly after entering the fold, Odemingie hit the post after being found in space, then winger Greg Luer’s follow-up effort was blocked on the line by George Taft. 

The Stags remained solid throughout the closing stages and manager Adam Murray will be able to take plenty of positives from tonight's promising performance against a side three leagues above them in the footballing pyramid. 

Stags' XI: Jensen, Bennett (Taft 46), Collins (C) (Healey 58), Pearce (Shires 64), Chapman (Clements 46), Hoban (Trialist 2 62), Baxendale (Hemmings 46), Hurst (McGuire 67), M. Rose (Bloor 69), Hamilton (Green 46), Trialist 1.