MANSFIELD HEAD BACK UP NORTH WITH A WIN

 Pre Season Friendly

PHOENIX INHAM RESERVES 2 FC MANSFIELD 3

Phoenix Inham joined the Notts Senior League but due to problems and covid, they were only able to complete four matches, but credit to their club, they have picked themselves up and now field two teams in the Notts Senior League. The 1pm kick off today at Inham nook was against visitors from the north of the county in FC Mansfield.

On arrival I was soon greeted by Bomber Ward and Reserves team manager Adie and introduced to their wives. The ground may seem very basic but does houses a Refreshments Room and changing rooms, one massive thing that will appeal to Groundhoppers who must visit the ground, is there is a Tram Station/Stop behind one of the goals(Eskdale Drive). On the outside of the refreshments building is a massive emblem of the club. To the right of the pitch is a little kids park, whilst over the other side of the pitch today was a Fair(which was caged off from the pitch.)

After a cuppa it was down to pitchside, but there was a problem as both teams had turned up iin blue kit, so a quick phone call by the home side soon saw the arrival of some orange bibs, so the away side played in blue, whilst the homesters were in kit and bibs. The away keeper then had to change his top, as his keepers top was orange, so out came his second choice of colour, a nice green top.

The game kicked off and though very even, very few chances, but then in the 29th minute, Inham hit the crossbar, Mansfield had upped their pace but wasnt creating anything and it looked as if we were heading to the half time cuppa goalless, but things dont always happen like they seem, as after 43 minutes, a long ball down the left side saw the visiting keeper leave the ball that was going wide as he thought it had gone out of play, the winger took the ball round the keeper and slotted it in the net, the ref looked over at the visiting linesman who didnt flag, so gave the goal, much to the delight of the home faithful.

The Second Half began and Mansfield seemed to push forward a lot more and on 62 minutes were awarded a free kick just in the Inham Half, the visiting number 4 hit it long and the home keeper left it and it dipped over his head in to the goal to square the scores up at 1-1.

On 69 minutes, Mansfield took the lead when the ball hit the underside of the crossbar before being tapped home to give them a 2-1 lead.

The homesters to their credit didnt give up and on 79 minutes were back on level terms when their attacker moved in from the left side and fired home low in to the far corner.

In a action packed second half, the scoring stopped in the 83rd minute, when FC Mansfield hit on the counter attack and secured the win.

100 photos from this match can be seen on this LINK