Grimsby Town 1-1 Mansfield Town (EFL League Two) 19.08.2023
Mansfield Town maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a come-from-behind draw away to Grimsby Town on Saturday afternoon.
The Stags, who despatched the same opponents in the League Cup recently, were under-strength following a spate of injuries in their last outings, but battled to earn a point, both sides having enough chances throughout to take all three.
It would be the hosts who’d strike first, as early as the sixth minute when Kamil Conteh and Abo Eisa linked up for the latter to collect the loose ball, and rifle home a 25-yard effort past Christy Pym in the visiting goal, and into the top corner, it was home winger, Eisa’s third goal in two games.
Both sides created chances throughout, the Stags perhaps unlucky to have a gone in at the break a goal behind with Jake Eastwood being called into action to prevent back-to-back efforts from George Maris getting past him, whilst visiting danger-man, Davis Keillor-Dunn, saw an effort crash back off the crossbar after a left-footed shot from outside the box ten minutes before the break.
Eastwood was again called into action minutes later to save another effort from Keillor-Dunn, whilst both Will Swan, and Stephen Quinn, saw efforts on goal blocked well by the home defence.
The hosts had a couple of opportunities late in the half to extend their lead as well, first Gavan Hoolahan saw Pym stretch to save his effort on goal in the top corner, whilst Toby Mullarkey headed chance was also saved by Pym, both in the closing minutes of the half.
Chances eased off in the second period, however one did matter, however one did matter when, less than fifteen minutes after the restart, Jordan Bowery, and half-time substitute, Rhys Oates (on for Baily Cargill), slotted past Eastwood from close range, for his second of the season.
Numerous efforts, midway through the second period, were blocked as both sides searched a winning effort, first Rekeil Pyke’s was with twenty remaining, then both Ollie Clarke, and Calum Macdonald, suffered similar fates.
Inside the final ten and visiting defender, Aden Flint, would also strike the woodwork, his headed chance hitting Eastwood’s upright as he got on a cross from Louis Reed after a Stags’ corner, both sides having to settle for a point.
Nigel Clough’s side will be hoping to get back to winning ways in their next outing, the Stags welcoming Stockport County to the One Call Stadium on Saturday (26 August) afternoon, before making to the trip to Hillsborough, a week on Tuesday (29 August), and Sheffield Wednesday in the next round of the Carabao League Cup.
Stags: Christy Pym, Jordan Bowery, Aden Flint, Baily Cargill (Rhys Oates 45), Callum Macdonald, George Maris, Louis Reed, Stephen Quinn (Ollie Clarke 45), Davis Keillor-Dunn, Lucas Akins, Will Swan.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Stephen Quinn in action at Grimsby.
