Report: Mansfield Town 1-1 Stevenage

After an eleven-day break thanks to international call-ups, Alex Revell’s men were back in action this afternoon with a trip to Mansfield Town in League One.

Having impressed in the 5-1 win at AFC Wimbledon in the Vertu Trophy last week, Phoenix Patterson kept his place on the wing in place of Chem Campbell, while Lewis Freestone slotted in on the left of a back four.

Fresh from scoring on the international stage with Northern Ireland, Jamie Reid continued to lead the line for Stevenage, coming up against his former club on a rainy mid-September day in Nottinghamshire.

A couple of early chances came Stevenage’s way within the first ten minutes thanks to a positive start. Lewis Freestone could only fire over the bar from inside the area after Harvey White’s free kick wasn’t dealt with properly by the hosts, before Dan Kemp’s effort from 20 yards was comfortably saved by Stags stopper Liam Roberts.

Tyler Roberts and Will Evans threatened with a couple of half chances inside the first half an hour, but the Stevenage back line stood firm to keep any opportunity limited and away from Filip Marschall.

Jordan Roberts almost found Jamie Reid with a deft touch across the face of goal midway through the first half, but for some recovering Mansfield defence to clear the ball behind for a corner.

Lewis Freestone picked up a yellow card for what looked a perfectly timed sliding challenge on Moriah-Welsh just before the referee blew for half-time.

Within ten minutes of the restart, Harvey White had a couple of sighters at the Mansfield goal. He got just too underneath his first effort from the edge of the Mansfield box, firing over the bar into the away faithful. Then, following a clearance from the hosts, his left footed volley fell just wide of the far post minutes later.

Dan Butler replaced the carded Lewis Freestone at left back just after the hour mark.

Ten minutes later, Stevenage had the lead they were looking for. A succession of Boro’ corners ended when Harvey White’s on-the-money set piece found the head of the onrushing Charlie Goode who nodded past Roberts and into the Mansfield net. A deserved lead and a lovely moment in front of the away following.

The lead wouldn’t last long however, as Mansfield were equal again almost from the next attack. The hosts broke away on the counter before Joe Gardner finished well past Marschall into the far corner.

Revell made changes as Gassan Ahadme, Chem Campbell and Beryly Lubala were introduced with quarter of an hour to play. It was almost an inspired substituation when the ball fell to Ahadme in the six yard box and looked destined to put Boro’ back ahead, but a firm hand from Liam Roberts kept the score level with ten to go.

Dan Phillips replaced Harvey White in midfield in the final embers, but the game would finish level at the One Call Stadium and both sides took home a share of the spoils.

Att: 7,301 inc. 248 away.