Mansfield Town U18 4-2 Rotherham United U18 *aet (FA Youth Cup Round Two) 13.11.19

Mansfield Town under 18’s made it through to the Third Round of the FA Youth Cup in a tense and thrilling tie against Rotherham United at Field Mill with six goals and a red card the game finishing 4-2 after extra time.

The Stags went close to an opener inside seven minutes when Knowles shot was blocked before Lawson blazed over but a minute later were behind as Gratton was brought down inside the area for a penalty before picking himself up and striking home.

The Stags had a big chance to equalise on 13 minutes as Lawson shot wide of the far post before Josh Scott forced Ellis in the Rotherham goal to make a save, further chances went begging as Mansfield looked to level and in first half added time the visitors defence finally crumbled as Scott levelled with a wonder strike.

The second half was interrupted when Stags captain Armsden had to be replaced through injury after treatment and on 67 minutes Rotherham’s Beeden saw red for a bad foul on Molyneaux.

With a man advantage Stags substitute Nathan Saunders fully capitalized blasting home into the bottom corner to give the home side the lead with 20 minutes to play but Rotherham equalised on 85 through Gratton who made the most of a defensive error to score.

The visitors had a huge chance in the last minute to equalise but the scores ended level after normal time when the Referee blew the whistle enforcing extra time.

In a tense first period the scores remained level but with Mansfield up against a tiring ten men it was another of the home team substitutes Ryan Ingram who calmly lashed the ball home into the corner of the net with just four minutes to play. With Millers heads down Rio Molyneaux then put the game beyond doubt weaving in from the wing before curling into the top corner and adding some gloss on the score in what was previously a difficult night.

A great result for the Stags who are now through to round three.

Stags: Boyle, Bayliss (Jones 112), Sketchley, Tomlin, Cooper, Arsmden (Saunders 57), Molyneaux, Hill, Scott (Fisher 120), Knowles, Lawson (Ingram 101).

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc the youngsters enter the Field Mill pitch prior to an enduring battle.