The U’s Halt Stags’ Promotion Push
Danny Cowley’s stubborn Colchester United side boosted their survival odds with an invaluable point, a 1-1 draw that left Mansfield looking over their shoulder at the chasing pack, despite Lewis Brunt rescuing a point that puts them six points clear of fourth placed MK Dons.
Before the game, there was a real buzz around Field Mill, but that soon faded as the visitors began the game with more authority and in blustery conditions which, made it a difficult game for the league leaders.
That early excitement diminished when Colchester took a shock lead in the 12th minute. As some great wing play down the left from Jayden Fevrier found Tom Hopper inside the box, who cleverly diverted the ball to Harry Anderson. Who then found the far corner with an accurate finish, leaving Christy Pym helpless.
The response from the Stags was treacherous, and they struggled to adapt to conditions that limited their usual way of playing. With Colchester very content to sit deep and soak up pressure. However, just before the half-time whistle. Will Swan burst beyond the visitors’ defence, but a superb stop from Owen Goodman denied the striker when he probably should’ve done better.
The second half started much like the first. But just before the hour mark a flurry of chances came Stags’ way. First a heroic save from Goodman denied Cargill from point- blank range. Then a Boateng in swinging corner caused confusion inside the opponent’s box. The initial effort from Cargill was superbly saved from point blank range but Goodman could do little about the follow up as Brunt bundled the ball home.
With Field Mill trying to suck the ball into the net, it was actually Colchester who were a lick of paint away from retaking the lead. The substitute Samson Tovide was proving a real handful, and his potshot from 25 yards out bobbled towards Pym, who palmed it unconvincingly onto the far post.
Furthermore, the visitors had a few more presentable openings, with Pym surrounded inside his own six-yard box from corners. After a succession of them, one could’ve easily gone in the back of the net but went just over whilst, Pym was forced into pushing another over the bar.
The game was heading towards an exciting finale, and the biggest talking point came in the last minute when Swan went over as he pulled his leg back to take a shot, following a low ball that got palmed out to him by Goodman. The referee saw nothing wrong with it and at the full-time whistle, the Cowley‘s were understandably delighted to take a point at a frustrated Field Mill.
Super Mansfield 