Rainworth Miners Welfare 0-1 Mansfield Town (Notts FA Senior Cup Round Two) 24.11.21
Rainworth MWFC’s battling performance was cancelled out by Josh Scott’s winner as a Mansfield Town XI ran out 1-0 winners at The Kirklington Road Ground.
The hosts performed well for much of the Notts Senior Cup Tie despite failing to progress further in the knock-out competition.
Stags striker Josh Scott netted the deciding goal in the 23rd minute, beating Warren Squires at his near post with a deflected shot.
The Wrens made one change to the side that beat Glasshouse 3-1 last time out in league action. Midfielder Isaac Fisher replaced the injured Matt Baxter.
Mansfield named a team consisting of a number with first team experience. Midfielder Keaton Ward has previously captained the Stags in one of their Papa John’s Trophy games earlier in the season. Forward Nathan Caine has a first team goal in the same competition. Whilst Ryan Burke, James Gale and Jason Law also boast first team appearances for Mansfield Town.
The Wrens began well and came close to taking the lead on eight minutes. Keiran Coupe’s deep free-kick from the right was arrowed perfectly on to the head of Kane Hempshall inside the box. The midfielder’s glanced effort skewed narrowly wide of the top left corner.
The Stags soon maintained a period of play on the ball but Rainworth remained resolute at the back in the early periods.
Mansfield managed to find a way through the on 23 minutes. Trickery from James Gale teed up Josh Scott, whose deflected effort beat Warren Squires having knicked the inside of the post.
Gale should have doubled the Stags’ lead five minutes before the break, blasting an edge-of-the-box effort narrowly wide.
The Wrens restarted the second half well as Nathan Benger’s cross in front of goal narrowly evaded Alex Hardman’s run who would surely have scored had he made a connection.
Jaden Charles worked his way up the left on 65 minutes to lay the ball off to Ryan Burke. The left back struck it first time but failed to beat Squires who handled it well.
The Wrens almost found their equaliser when Mansfield ‘keeper Owen Mason left his goal-line on 71 minutes. Rainworth sub Curtis Williamson was alert to fire the ball goal wards but the Stags defence recovered to head clear.
Rainworth continued to try and break the Stags down for the remainder of the half but to no avail.
Rainworth Miners Welfare: Squires, Coupe, Wootton, Smith, Kyle Hempshall, Fisher, Boyle, Kane Hempshall (Radford 70), Benger (Weston 82), Watts (Curtis Williamson 67), Hardman.
Mansfield Town: Mason, Anderson, Burke, Cooper, Collins, Ward, Law, Charles, Gale, Scott, Caine.
Venue: Kirklington Road (237)
*Article provided by Max Barton (Rainworth Miners Welfare Correspondent).
*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Josh Scott scored the only goal of the game.
