It’s just over 35 years since non league Matlock knocked Mansfield out of The FA Cup with a 5-2 victory at Field Mill. One of the biggest shocks in Mansfield’s history, they were riding high in Division 3 (now known as League One). They went on to win the League that season and spent a couple of seasons in Division 2 has it was, now known as the Championship.
Although no longer in the Football league, Mansfield are one of the top Blue Square Bet Premier teams, two leagues higher then a Matlock side struggling at the bottom end of the Evo Stick League. So could Mansfield get revenge for that painful loss or could Matlock pull off another Shock this time in the FA Trophy.
The sides met on Saturday the 24th at the One Call Stadium formerly known as Field mill. Matlock won a penalty, but two brilliant saves from former Spireite Shane Redmond denied the Gladiators.
Mansfield went ahead through skipper Andy Murray after scoring from a rebound off the keeper, from a shot from Briscoe. Matlock didn’t cave in, they showed courage and commitment to get back in the tie. After brilliant build up play saw McMahon make amends for his penalty miss, and put away the chance that had been created for him by McDonalds clever back heel.
Matlock had chances to win the game, McDonald firing just over and Grayson having his effort cleared off the line. In the end Mansfield could count themselves lucky that they were still in the tie and a second chance in the replay to make amends for a lacklustre display. Where as Matlock were a credit to their fans, playing some attractive attacking football which deserved much more.
Cox the Stags manager speaking to the media said: ‘We Let ourselves down today and we let our supporters down. That was a poor performance from us. It was lacklustre and quite an arrogant display if I’m honest. We didn’t deserve anything out of it.’
Surely they would improve for the replay at Matlock on the 27th and see off a spirited Matlock Team.
Paul Cox clearly angry after his teams woeful display made 6 changes. They began the game well winning 4 corners in the first 15 minutes. Todd and Jones both came close for the visitors. Then after 21 minutes Mansfield took a well deserved lead, Daniel scored his first ever goal for the Stags, when he rifled home a brilliant taken free kick into the right hand corner of the net.
Kennedy denied the visitors another goal, when he pulled off a brilliant save to deny Speight. Matlock were denied an equaliser when McDonald fired just over.
H.T 0-1
Surely Mansfield who had dominated the 1st half would go on to win the game and deny Matlock a famous victory.
Matlock looked up for a fight when they came out for the 2nd half, and after only 6 minutes they drew level, McDonald made up for his earlier miss and set up McMahon, who scored from a few yards out.
The home supporters sensing a chance of a Cup upset got behind the Gladiators. They started to dominate the visitors, setting up camp in their half. They continued to press forward, McDonald’s goal bound effort blocked on the line.
On 77 minutes to make the visitors task even harder Roberts was sent off, after collecting his 2nd yellow for a professional foul.
With stoppage time almost over, McDonald ran onto a lovely long ball, and he pulled the trigger and his shot went under Redmonds body. Incredible scenes after the final whistle as Matlock celebrated another giant killing victory over their visitors. The Mansfield faithful voiced their anger at their team and manager.
No longer rivals of the Spireites, they now mix it with the likes of Alfreton and Matlock.
would you ever want to see the Stags back in the League, so the Spireites could inflict more pain and suffering on them or do you just enjoy seeing them struggle in the Blue Square Premier, continually suffering embarrassing defeats against the likes of Matlock?
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