Spireites Look To Hunt Down Stags!

Mansfield
By James Maskell
August 22 2002

Chesterfield travel to Field Mill this weekend, with Mansfield looking to avenge the double defeat from the 2000/2001 campaign. Mansfield are in good form, scoring 9 in their first three games. But we all know that form counts for nothing in a local derby!

The Spireites go to Mansfield this weekend, hoping to carry on where they left off back in February 2001, with a win over their north midland enemy, Mansfield Town. Rush’s side look to be revitalised by the return of David Reeves. After the 2-1 victory over Port Vale on Saturday, Reeves & co will look to carry on this momentum.

During and after the Swindon game, Rushbury was slaughtered for using the 3-5-2 formation and having to endure the cries of ‘Rushbury Out’ from the Kop. Rush’s excuse was that he was not happy with defence. And maybe rightly so with Steve Payne having a poor game, and with Steve Blatherwick injured. Some brighter showing in the last two games came from the forever-giving-100% Chris Brandon, loan signing Mark Hudson, and debutant Gareth Davies

The injury list continues to grow, with Steve Blatherwick and Marcus Ebdon, being added to the pairing of Dave D’Auria and Keith Rowland. The former pair could be out for anything up a month, and some sources maybe even longer. Although on Ebdon’s return, he may have to fight for his place, as long as Davies keeps putting exceptional displays. Brandon should be ok after falling on the Compton Street concrete.

Predicted team: - Muggleton, Payne, Howson, Dawson, Booty, Edwards, Davies, Hudson, Brandon, Reeves, Hurst.

Mansfield Town : WLD

Mansfield have had a good start to season, winning 4-3 on the first outing, against also promoted Plymouth, and securing a 3-3 draw with well established team Wycombe Wanderers. Although, they lost 3-2 at Wigan. They have scored 9 goals in these 3 games, but they have also conceded 9 goals. Hopefully, Reevesie, Hurst and Brandon can take advantage of this lacklustre defending and bring us the best three points of the season.

Star Player: Craig Disley

Craig Disley graduated from the Stags youth team in 1999 at the age of 18. He only played 3 matches that season, with a couple of appearances as a substitute. In the 2000/2001, he was given a good run in the starting 11, due to an injury to midfield Darrell Clarke. He played 16 games that season. Last season, after Clarke left, Disley was promoted to the first team, and made 31 appearances, scoring 7 goals. He is a tireless box to box player and has been influential this season and has already been looked at by various Premiership scouts

Last 5 Meetings:

(A) 17/02/01 1-0 Dudfield

(H) 16/09/00 4-0 Edwards, Williams (2), Beckett

(H) 18/05/95 5-2 Lormor, Howard (2), Law (2,1pen)

(A) 14/05/95 1-1 Robinson

(A) 18/12/94 2-4 Davies, Robinson

Prediction:
I’m going to be a bit pessimistic this time, 1-0 to the Spireites, Brandon with his dazzling skill again.