After a slow start and conceding a very soft goal, we started to take the game to them, Wilke's first goal would have been fit to grace any game and had it been scored by a prem player would be shown over and over again by Sky, a hard one to top. His run and cross for Nombe showed exactly what he can do when he's on top of his game. The 3rd goal and Maliks 2nd again had it been scored by a player in the Prem would be getting shown every half hour on Sky Sports news. The pace, the strength to hold off the defenders who on more than one occasion tried pulling him down and then the finish with the outside of his foot, WOW!
Now to the officials. Mansfield 2nd goal was offside in the build up but the lino on the west stand side wasn't up with play so didn't flag, this has not only led to us conceding but also the loss of the slightly better of our 2 keepers, Dawson won't play again this season. The ref will also get a mention for not giving the mansfield defender a straight red for what would have been deemed a high tackle in rugby. Malik was away and there was no covering defender anywhere near, he bottled it, simple as!
The Mansfield 3rd goal could and should have been prevented, firstly stop the cross, secondly challenge for the header when it did come in and thirdly the poor excuse for a keeper made no effort what so ever to put his body on the line to prevent Bowry from scoring. The good thing is we're safe from going down because with him between the sticks for the last 3 games I don't think we'll come away with the points. He isn't staying so what does he care. Personally I'd dump him and play the academy keeper, at least he may make an effort.
Green shoots are emerging but the hard work starts on the 4th of May! UTM!