Preview: Mansfield Town (A)

6 December 2019

The focus now is fully on Cheltenham Town's League Two exploits with Michael Duff's side's next test coming this Saturday with a tricky trip to Mansfield Town (kick-off: 3pm).

Out of the FA Cup last weekend, the Robins head to the One Call Stadium in a return to the bread and butter of League football on Saturday.

Last season Mansfield reached the play-off semi-finals, being denied a place in the final at Wembley by Newport County AFC.

A managerial change over the summer has seen the Stags take a new direction for the current campaign. It hasn't quite kicked into life for the ambitious Nottinghamshire outfit just yet, but there's no doubting the quality they have as they look to make their mark on the division once again in the months ahead.

Cheltenham will have to be very wary of that. Having gone seven unbeaten away from home though the Robins will be desperate to extend that run by taking something from the One Call Stadium.

Team news

Luke Varney, Reuben Reid and Tahvon Campbell miss out as they recover from injuries. Campbell has been back in training this week.

Josh Debayo is getting closer to fitness and Charlie Raglan is fully fit after his recent ankle problem. Conor Thomas' calf injury rules him out.

Watch Michael Duff's pre-match press conference:

Seàn Long has also been looking ahead to the match. The 24-year-old is determined to help the team get back to winning ways.

Opposition

Following their play-off semi-final defeat at the end of last season Saturday's opponents took a new approach to the current campaign with the appointment of John Dempster as their new boss.

Dempster replaced David Flitcroft as manager, stepping up from his role in charge of the academy having previously ended his playing days with the Stags.

Currently 15th in League Two, they will be hoping to string a positive run together which will lift them closer to the promotion spots they spent much of last season invovled in.

Irish born Conrad Logan, who is a regular guest at Cheltenham for the club's annual Injured Jockeys Fund charity match every season, has been the Stags go to man in goal this season. They can also turn to the talented Bobby Olejnik if required.

At the back the powerful pair of Krystian Pearce and Matt Preston may feature, while one-time Evesham United loanee Mal Benning could be involved on the left. He has a tendency to get forward with a threatening delivery from wide areas.

In midfield ex-Chelsea youngster Jacob Mellis adds quality while Conor Shaughnessy is on loan from Leeds United. Former Cheltenham wide man Omari Sterling-James offers a threat when in possession.

Their attack possesses a range of options. From the physical strength of Andy Cook to the goal scoring knowhow of Nicky Maynward who helped fire Bury to promotion from this level last term.

Alex MacDonald, a former teammates of Michael Duff's at Burnley, carries a threat and there is no doubting the directness of CJ Hamilton. Ex-Yeovil man Otis Khan could also feature while Oladapo Afolayan is on loan from West Ham United and is a willing runner up top.

Mansfield's away results have outshone their home ones this season. They've only won twice at home in the league this season, and have taken eight points from nine home matches, suffering five defeats and drawing on two occasions.

Tickets

Advance ticket sales have now finished at the ticket office. Robins fans can buy on the day at Mansfield.

Supporters who have booked on the Travel Club's coach travel are reminded that the departure time is 10.30am.

Tickets are available to purchase from the ticket booth from outside the North Stand on matchday.

Last three points at the One Call Stadium

April 2014 was the last time Cheltenham returned home from Mansfield with all three points in the bag. Since then four visits have yielded two draws and two losses.

It was a second half brace from experienced striker Jamie Cureton who earned a 2-0 victory back on 21 April 2014.

He scored his first for Mark Yates side on 57 minutes and then completed the win when he slotted again with 11 minutes left on the clock.

Current Mansfield manager John Dempster was an unused substitute that day for the Stags.

MANSFIELD: Price, Sutton, Tafazolli, Westlake (Meikle 46), Riley, Jennings (Speight 75), Clucas, Howell (Palmer 59), McGuire, Murray, Rhead

Subs not used: Dempster, Daniel, Stevenson, Briscoe,

ROBINS: S Brown, Braham-Barrett, T Brown, Elliott, Jombati, Richards, Deering, McGlashan (Vincent 90), Noble, Cureton (Gornell 85), Harrison

Subs not used: Roberts, Iheiekwe, Kotwica, Taylor, Williams

Attendance: 3,586

Coverage

Stay on top of the action by following @CTFCofficial on Twitter for team news, videos, photos and match updates throughout the day. You can also check out the club's Facebook page for team news and score updates.

Listen to full match commentary by tuning in online via iFollow.

After the match visit the club website to watch reaction from Michael Duff and a member of the playing squad.

You'll also be able to catch highlights from Sunday onwards on the website and the club's YouTube channel.

Match Reports

Report & highlights: Mansfield Town 0-3 Robins

7 December 2019

Apologies, this video is unvailable.

Cheltenham Town continued their excellent away form to make it eight matches unbeaten on the road in all competitions as headers from Jonte Smith, Will Boyle and a late finish from Alex Addai secured three points against Mansfield Town at the One Call Stadium.

Bermudian striker Smith pulled away from his marker to head in a fourth goal for the Robins but a first in League Two to give the visitors a huge lift at half-time.

In the 52^nd minute the advantage was doubled as Boyle finished excellently with a diving header to send Cheltenham on their way to a place in the top four with a game in hand after 19 matches.

In-form Addai made it six goals for the campaign by adding a third in the 86^th minute to round off a brilliant display.

Manager Michael Duff made three changes to the team that were knocked out of the FA Cup last weekend, including captain Ben Tozer, who was absent for the first time in League Two this season due to illness.

Charlie Raglan replaced Tozer and Jonte Smith came in up front for the injured Reuben Reid, with Chris Clements starting against his old club in the place of Rohan Ince in central midfield.

Amongst the substitutes for the Robins was Josh Debayo, who returned to the squad after a three-month absence because of a groin injury.

Duff’s side had an early opportunity to get at the hosts, but Jake Doyle-Hayes opted to pass rather than shoot on the edge of the box and Jacob Greaves’ low attempt was blocked and cleared.

The Stags could have gone ahead shortly after when CJ Hamilton won a corner after a burst down the right-hand side only for Doyle-Hayes to head the ball off the line after Scott Flinders failed to get anywhere near the set-piece.

The home support was left frustrated shortly after as Nicky Maynard ran straight at the Robins defence, got past Will Boyle only for Raglan to halt his progress, with most in yellow and blue claiming a foul that fell on deaf ears.

Ryan Broom threaded a pass into Addai for Cheltenham’s best chance in the 19^th minute only for returning goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik to block, the pacey forward then fired another shot in to force a corner which was close to being turned in by Doyle-Hayes.

But the breakthrough did come after 32 minutes as Hussey passed to Doyle-Hayes, the Irishman then clipped a brilliant cross into the box for Smith to nod in a first Football League goal for the club following a hat-trick in the Leasing.com Trophy.

The goal lifted Cheltenham as Addai tested Olejnik again as the travelling Robins fans began to make themselves heard.

As half-time approached there was an opening for John Dempster’s side as Jacob Mellis flicked on for Maynard – who despite getting away from Boyle saw his low shot fire inches past the far post – as Cheltenham went into the interval ahead.

As the second half started stand in captain Hussey conceded a foul on the corner of the penalty area which led to Mal Benning whipping an effort over the crossbar.

But it was fast becoming the Robins’ day though, as after some extended pressure Hussey delivered a low free-kick into the middle and Boyle dived in to head in the second in front of a jubilant away end.

Confidence was flowing as Doyle-Hayes and Broom both came close with efforts from distance and Cook hooked over at the other end with the match opening up following the second goal.

Tempers were starting to rise with a few bookings handed out on both sides, but Duff’s side handled themselves excellently and were creating chances at will with Clements the next player to come close via a deflection.

Despite making attacking changes the Stags still hadn’t seriously tested Flinders as Addai took advantage of the space in behind to seal the victory, exchanging passes with Broom before running in to slot under the advancing keeper.

Youth product Grant Horton was given his debut for Cheltenham in added time too, coming on for Sean Long.

MANSFIELD: Olejnik (Gk), Preston, Shaughnessy, Sweeney, Hamilton, Bishop (Khan 62), Mellis, MacDonald, Benning (Sterling-James 75), Cook (Rose 71), Maynard.

Subs not used: Logan (Gk), Clarke, Knowles, Smith.

ROBINS: Flinders (Gk), Long (Horton 90+3), Hussey ©, Raglan, Clements, Broom, Boyle, Addai, Doyle-Hayes, Smith, Greaves.

Subs not used: Lovett (Gk), Sheaf, Debayo, Lloyd, Reilly, Ince.

ATTENDANCE: 3,715 (157 from Cheltenham)

REFEREE: Sam Purkiss

Ticket News

Tickets & travel: Mansfield Town

28 November 2019

Tickets and away travel for Cheltenham's next League Two fixture at Mansfield Town on Saturday 7 December are on sale at the ticket office.

After this weekend's home clash in the FA Cup second round against Port Vale, Michael Duff's side head to Mansfield for the first scheduled fixture of the final month of 2019.

Ticket prices for the fixture are as follows:

Adults £22
Senior (65+) £18
YA (18-21) £16
Junior (7-17) £12
Under 7 Free

The Travel Club coach heading to the game departs from the Jonny-Rocks Stadium at 10.30am.

A seat on the coach is £14/£12 for members, £16/14 for non-members and £6 for Junior Robins.

Buy from the ticket office on a Tuesday, Thursday or Friday between 10am and 3pm, or on home matchdays at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.

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