Mansfield Town 1-0 Chorley (FA Cup Round One) 09.11.19

In an underwhelming performance at the One Call Stadium Mansfield Town left it late to see off Non-League Chorley as Nicky Maynard’s 81^st minute strike was enough to send the Stags through to round two of the FA Cup.

Matt Challoner went close early on for the National League side before MacDonald dragged an effort wide on 23 minutes as the home team began to impose themselves on their opponents. Maynard headed over Khan’s delivery on the half hour before Massanka’s cross agonisingly evaded everyone.

With Mansfield looking the more likely to take the lead Maynard fed MacDonald who again shot wide on 39 before Khan almost provided a goalscoring opportunity beating his man before crossing to no avail.

An opening half that frustrated the Stags who looked the most likely to score, in the second half that soon looked odds on when MacDonald latched on to a sublime pass by Gordon before firing into the side netting just five minutes in.

Maynard & Bishop went close with further opportunities before little less than ten from home as both sides exchanged substitutes and might have been looking towards settling for a replay the game suddenly livened up as Chorley produced their first real attack of intent when a Marcus Carver cross was headed by Lewis Baines only to be wonderfully denied by the flying goalkeeper Conrad Logan. A minute later Stags sub Hamilton cut in from the left to square for Mellis who’s long range effort was palmed back into play by Chorley keeper Urwin back to the prolific Maynard who headed in the rebound to give Mansfield victory.

After the game matchwinner Maynard stated “I’m pleased, obviously, to score the goal because we never played as well as we’d have liked but I’d give credit to Chorley.”

The Stags striker who scored his seventh goal of the season was full of praise for the opponents saying ““We have to tip our hats to Chorley because they made it difficult for us, but I don’t think we were ever in trouble of conceding.” Maynard said “We thought we would wear them down, which seemed to be the case but they kept going until the end.”

Mansfield Town: Logan, Benning, Preston, Bishop, MacDonald (Hamilton 64), Khan, Maynard, Tomlinson (Mellis 78), Sweeney, Cook (Rose 72), Gordon.

Chorley: Urwin, Challoner, Ross (Newby 84), Meppen-Walter, Baines, Blakeman, Cottrell, Smith, Nortey, Massanka (Carver 57), Vernon (Almond 63).

Venue: Field Mill (2,418)

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc striker Nicky Maynard with the match winner.