Both Mansfield Town and Notts County are in FA Cup action this weekend providing a welcome break from a tough few weeks of league action for both clubs.
For National League Notts County the distraction couldn’t have come at a better time as they take on League Two Northampton Town having sold out of their initial away allocation for tickets for Sunday afternoons tie although there are more now available for those still wanting to attend.
Neal Ardley’s men have suffered of late in the league having stuttered to no win in four with a 2-2 draw at home to Boreham Wood last time out made even more frustrating by conceding a last minute penalty which Connell Rawlinson was sent off for although the big defender won’t receive a ban after Notts County’s appeal against the decision was approved.
Recent records suggest the Magpies have no shortage of goal threat netting 12 goals in their last six games with Wes Thomas & Kyle Wootton in hot form but it’s been at the other end which has been a main problem conceding 11 in the last five matches.
Optimistic about facing Northampton in the Cup Wootton who netted his 8th & 9th goals of the campaign midweek stated “It’s a great task on Sunday and a test of where we’re at as we compare ourselves against a League Two side.”
“There’ll be no holding back. It’d be great to be in the hat for the third round and, hopefully, get a good tie there – that’d be brilliant for the club.”
Mansfield are at Shrewsbury on Saturday as they aim to be in the bag for the third round draw and for the Stags it provides a chance to produce a cup upset against a side going solid in League One this season.
The Shrews are comfortably mid-table in the division with the Stags 25 positions below them in the ladder having struggled with recent league form they have in fact produced some good performances which doesn’t tell the whole story including a spirited effort against top of the table Swindon Town last weekend were despite having a number of chances John Dempster’s team lost 1-0.
Mansfield have won three of their last six games including two cup ties against Chorley and Burton and will take that belief that on their day they can be a match for anybody especially having produced a good cup win over League One opposition in Burton to send them through in the EFL Trophy a fortnight ago.
The Stags will be again without Craig Davies, Danny Rose and Hayden White although midfielder Neal Bishop may return to action for Saturday’s trip to Shropshire.
Tickets are still available from £10 for adults with kick off at the Water Meadow Stadium 3pm Saturday.
Sunday’s tie featuring Notts at Sixfield is a 2pm Kick Off and will pit the Magpies old Manager Keith Curle now boss at Northampton against a club he coached in 51 games from Feb 2012 to Feb 2013.
*Main image @FA the FA Cup Second Round takes action this weekend.
