Mansfield Town 2-0 Tranmere Rovers (EFL League Two) 30.10.21

Mansfield took on mid-table Tranmere at the One Call Stadium this afternoon looking for a first win in fifteen long games in all competitions and despite their fall into the League Two relegation places in recent days, they started the match well, pressing their opponents from the off.

Inside two minutes the Stags had a penalty after Rhys Oates was taken down inside the area but Danny Johnson, suffering with confidence in front of goal himself, stepped up and blasted his shot off target to add more misery on the home support and to the away supporters delight.

Tranmere’s cheers however turned to jeers shortly after, the linesman ruling out a goal for them and it got worse for the visitors fans when the Stags fans did have something to cheer about, finally getting their goal, on eighteen when Rhys Oates finished past Doohan following good work from Quinn who put the former Hartlepool forward through.

On 33 minutes, Maris had a long range shot deflected wide off his own player before five minutes later, Harry Charsley, the man who blocked Maris’ earlier effort had a shot himself cleared off the line.

Tranmere Rovers manager Nicky Mellon, unhappy with his first 45 minutes performance, made two changes at the break which almost made an immediate impact as a corner on 49 lead to Davies firing over the bar. Mansfield hit back themselves two minutes later when Johnson headed wide at the back post and just as it was looking like a bad day for the former Leyton Orient striker, Rhys Oates jinked in to tee up the Mansfield number eleven with an opportunity he couldn’t miss, Johnson netting on 67, his first goal in seven games.

That goal all but sealed the fate for Tranmere and for Mansfield would edge them towards a huge much-needed three points, Morris striking wide in vain on 77, Foley’s teasing free kick on 82 running all the way through to a grateful goalkeeper Bishop, who had a relatively quiet day in between the Stags posts and a clean sheet for his own rewards.

A perfect day at the office and a long awaited win at last, enjoy it Stags fans, it’s been a while coming for us all.

Mansfield Town: Bishop, Hewitt, Rawson, Hawkins, McLaughlin (Gordon 61), O. Clarke, Charsley, Maris, Quinn, Oates (O’Toole 90), Johnson (Sinclair 84).

Tranmere Rovers: Doohan, Cogley, Davies, P. Clarke, MacDonald, McManaman (Glatzel 46), Morris, Spearing, Foley, Feeney (Duffy 46), Dieseruvwe (Nevitt 68).

Venue: Field Mill (3,831)

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Rhys Oates celebrating his opening goal.