I decided to see an EFL Cup match and the £35 a ticket at Villa compared to £5 at Mansfield was a no brainer. I had not been to Mansfield Town’s ground for over 40 years but had driven past it many times.
It sits in the Retail Quarter of Mansfield on a hill with access by the ring road system that by-passes the centre but brings you to the current shopping experience.
I followed some fans across the many car parks, through a gap and up a path past what looked like an old mill pond to reveal the ground in front of us.
It had obviously changed from my last visit now having three modern seated stands and one side just advertising boards and a gantry for camera teams. The open side is on the steep side of the hill and any future development looks limited.
I sat high up in the main stand one row from the back with a great view of the pitch and the neon signs of the retail park that shone bright as the evening darkened. There was a dark cloud covering that didn’t threaten rain and the temperature of 17 degrees seemed warmer than in the day.
I typed Carabao Cup into my Samsung notes and predictive words changed it to ‘cardboard’. Carabao the sponsors of the cup are an energy drink, one I have never tried and are one of a long list of changing sponsors that have made the trophy a bit of a joke in some circles. Some teams also field younger second tier players to give them opportunity and save first team regulars from injury and burn out for the League games ahead All said and done the final is usually contested by the elite teams in England with entry to a European competition the prize.
Mansfield beat local rivals Sheffield Wednesday, away, on penalties in the previous round and Peterborough did the same at Portsmouth.
Mansfield Town v Peterborough United
EFL Carabao Cup, Kick off 19.45
Mansfield 3rd in League 2; Peterborough 8th in League 1
Stags v Posh
Mansfield, yellow shirts with Royal blue stripes down the side, Peterborough all white strip with a subtle pink pattern.
Peterborough steamed into attack and it looked like they would take the lead in the first minute but the attackers point blank shot hit a defender in the head and was cleared.
Back down the other end and with only 3 minutes 45 seconds on the clock a player running on goal was bundled down and the referee had no hesitation but to award a penalty which was coolly dispatched by Will Swan on 5 minutes.
Peterborough now dominated the game and their front 4 showed great speed and good wide play but the numerous crosses into the box came to nothing.
A chance came on 28 minutes when from a free kick 30 yards out the shot by Jason Clark- Harris took a cruel deflection leaving the goalkeeper wrong footed and the job of taking the ball out of the net. The large contingent of Peterborough fans now dominated the singing and chanting as their side played some slick football out of defence creating chance after chance.
Half time came all square but with Peterborough dominating the game even though they had not added to their tally.
With only a minute of the second half gone Peterborough took a deserved lead when a surge forward by the right back allowed Jason Clarke -Harris to hit the ball home for his and Peterborough’s second.
The crowd was now subdued and the game fell into a predictable one way flow but on 67 minutes Mansfield nearly equalised when a deflected shot that seemed goal bound was headed over by one of their own attackers.
A few minutes later both sides made changes which seemed to change the game and atmosphere. Panic is the word I would use as Mansfield pushed forward and their fans brayed for the equaliser. With the 90 minutes up another penalty was awarded to Mansfield as a player was bundled over in the box, a repeat of their first one and Lucas Akins slotted it calmly to the left of the Peterborough goalkeeper. Added time was frantic at both ends but ending 2.2 meant the dreaded penalties which were taken at the Peterborough fans end.
Two accurate penalties and two save by the home teams keeper made Mansfield favourites but the post had a say on two spot kick only delaying Mansfield’s 3.1 win.
What a turn round and jubilation by the majority of the 4372 fans. Don’t call this cup the cardboard cup in Mansfield or you might be put in your place. Mansfield now face another League One side in Port Vale in the next round with a chance of reaching the quarter finals.
Great evening under the lights.
Mansfield Town 2 Peterborough United 2
Mansfield won 3-1 on penalties.
Unfortunately no chips and the greasy cheese and onion pasty was not the best food experience.
payonthegate 