Mansfield Town 0-3 Manchester City U21 (Football League Trophy Group E) 08.09.20

Mansfield Town were well beaten this evening at the One Call Stadium, Field Mill as Manchester City under 21’s took the spoils in the first EFL Trophy match of the 2020/21 season.

City took the lead on 25 minutes when Adrian Bernabe Garcia struck but Mansfield gave a good account of themselves as they attacked in response of an equaliser but as time ran out the fresher legs of the Premier League sides kids team told as Liam Delap not once but twice netted late on to give the Citizens a 3-0 win.

After a good start for the Stags it was City who took the lead when Bernarbe cut in from the left to slide into the corner of the net and before half time it could have been worse but for Stech who brilliantly saved from Sam Edozie.

In the second half the Stags had moments with Nicky Maynard causing a threat in the early stages as his strike partner Jamie Reid had a header saved by Trafford before firing an effort blocked by the defenders which was goal bound.

On 62 minutes Tyrese Sinclair was denied by Trafford who saved well before O’Driscoll headed over two minutes later after substitute Gordon crossed in. The Stags might have had a penalty when Gordon fell in the area on 70 minutes waved away by the Referee and as time ran out it was City who looked stronger and Delap might have had a goal late on before he found the bottom corner on 89 to put the game beyond doubt.

There was still time for another as the young City striker netted his second and the away sides third which was hard luck on the Stags who were well in the game with just a couple of minutes to play.

Next up for Mansfield is Tranmere Rovers as the Stags start their League Two campaign on Saturday in a match once again played at Field Mill with Manager Graham Coughlan stating “If you look at the type of opposition we’ve come up against, our players haven’t had anything easy in pre season. It’s been tough and hard but now the mindset switches to league football where there’s points at stake.”

Stags: Stech, Menayese, Clarke (Scott 61), Sweeney, O’Keefe, Smith, O’Driscoll, Benning, Sinclair, Maynard (Gordon 61), Reid (Knowles 83).

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc the Stags in action against Manchester City U21.