Preview | Mansfield (A)

14 January 2023

Crewe Alexandra travel to face promotion contenders Mansfield Town at the One Call Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

Lee Bell’s side will aim to extend their unbeaten start to 2023, having won their New Year’s Day clash against Tranmere Rovers and shared a draw against AFC Wimbledon last time out.

The Opposition

Mansfield lie in ninth position in League Two, having won 11 of their 25 league fixtures this season. They have amassed 38 points, one behind fourth-placed Carlisle United.

The Stags have only won twice since the start of December and are currently on a two-game losing streak, losing 2-1 away to Walsall and 3-2 at home to fellow promotion-chasers Barrow.

The Gaffer

Nigel Clough is a veteran of the EFL and has been in charge of Mansfield for over two years, after taking charge in November 2020.

The ex-Liverpool striker has had other managerial stints with Burton Albion, Derby County and Sheffield United, with the pinnacle of his managerial career coming in the 2015-16 season, guiding Burton into the Championship.

Fighting Talk

Lee Bell: “Our away record over recent times hasn’t been great, and that’s something we want to put it right. It’s down to us to put the team into a shape and with tactics we feel we can get a result.”

Nigel Clough: “Going forward we have created lots of chances and lots of situations. Our general football has been good so we don’t need much to change other than concentrate at certain times and try not to make those mistakes.”

Team News

Elliott Nevitt is in contention to make his Crewe Alexandra debut following his move from Tranmere Rovers on Wednesday. Luke Offord remains suspended following his sending off during the festive period. Courtney Baker-Richardson, Charlie Colkett and Cristopher Long remain sidelined.

Alfie Kilgour and Callum Johnson may be in contention to make their debuts for Mansfield on following their moves from Bristol Rovers and Ross County respectively at the start of the transfer window. Ollie Clarke and Riley Harbottle are ruled out.

Head-to-Head

Crewe have the upper hand when it comes to head-to-head clashes between both sides, winning on 32 occasions.

Last time out, it was the Stags who were victorious, coming from a goal behind to beat the Alex 2-1 earlier on in the season.

Officials

Carl Boyeson will take charge of the fixture on Saturday afternoon, taking charge of his first Alex match since October 2021, a 4-0 defeat at home to Sunderland.

He will be assisted by Richard Woodward and Sian Massey-Ellis, with Gary Hilton appointed as fourth official.

Elsewhere in League Two

AFC Wimbledon v Bradford City; Carlisle United v Newport County; Crawley Town v Doncaster Rovers; Gillingham v Hartlepool United; Harrogate Town v Stevenage; Leyton Orient v Barrow; Rochdale v Colchester United; Salford City v Sutton United; Stockport County v Northampton Town; Swindon Town v Grimsby Town; Tranmere Rovers v Walsall.

Ticket Details

Category	Matchday
Adults	£22
Over-65s	£20
18-21 Years	£18
**13-17 Years	£14
**7-12 Years	£10
Under-7s	Free
Family Ticket (1 Adult & 1 U17)	£23

**Any Child under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a full paying adult/senior.

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Match Previews

Match Reports

Match Report | Mansfield 1 Crewe 1

14 January 2023

Mellor notches his second goal in second spell at club
Crucial saves from Richards on his return
Encouraging debut from Nevitt in attack

Kelvin Mellor’s stunning strike earned Crewe Alexandra a valuable point at Mansfield Town.

The defender’s swerving effort from range cancelled out George Maris’s opener, and extended his side’s unbeaten start to 2023.

Maris was sent off for a cynical foul with 10 minutes left, but The Railwaymen could not find a winner.

But boss Lee Bell will be relatively satisfied with a share of the spoils against Nigel Clough’s experienced side.

New signing Elliott Nevitt was handed his debut for The Railwaymen in attack, alongside Dan Agyei. Bassala Sambou dropped to the subs’ bench.

Keeper Dave Richards made his first league start of the season in place of loan man Arthur Okonkwo, who has returned to parent club Arsenal to explore other loan options.

Richards got down well to stop a Callum Johnson strike, while Tariq Uwakwe could only prod a Dan Agyei cross wide at the other end, during a lively start.

Former Crewe striker Jordan Bowery, recalled the Stags line-up, played Rhys Oates through on goal but the striker’s finish landed on the roof of the net, on 13 minutes.

Hiram Boateng fizzed one just over the bar on the half-hour mark, while on 38 minutes Uwakwe forced a good save from keeper Christy Pym after a nice pass from Lachlan Brook.

Richards got down well to his right to stop an Oates shot after some Crewe build-up play had broken down.

But on 42 minutes Johnson was allowed space to cross from wide on the right and Maris was on hand to convert from close range.

Crewe levelled matters on 55 minutes when the ball broke for Mellor and his sweetly-struck effort from range left Pym no chance.

A magnificent reflex Richards save from a point-blank range Johnson strike kept the sides level as the hosts looked to regain their lead.

On 72 minutes Richards was at it again with another incredible save to deny Oates from close range; then Mellor deflected a Stephen Quinn strike over the bar.

Mansfield were reduced to 10 men on 81 minutes when Maris cynically took sub Callum Ainley out as he advanced on goal.

Nevitt raced onto a Regan Griffiths pass as the clock ticked down but couldn’t find the power to beat Pym.

Mansfield (4-4-2): Pym; Johnson, Hewitt, Perch, McLaughlin; Maris, Boateng, Wallace (Swan 76), Quinn (Law 82); Bowery, Oates (Kilgour 86).

Subs not used: Flinders, Gordon, O’Toole, Knowles.

Booked: Oates, Wallace

Sent off: Maris

Crewe (4-4-2): Richards; Adebisi, McDonald, O’Riordan, Mellor; Thomas, Uwakwe (Sambou 66), Brook (Ainley 66), Griffiths; Agyei; Nevitt.

Subs not used: Booth, Evans, Holicek, Tabiner, Lunt.

Booked: Thomas

Referee: Carl Boyeson

Attendance:

Match Reports

Ticket News

Tickets | Mansfield Town (A)

13 January 2023

Tickets are now available for our Sky Bet League Two trip to Mansfield Town.

The Reds travel to One Call Stadium on Saturday 14 January (3pm) 2023 looking to secure more points on the road.

Click to purchase yours online.

Pre-Match Prices (on sale from Crewe until 3pm Friday 13th Jan)

Category	Pre-Matchday	Matchday
Adults	£20	£22
Over-65s	£18	£20
18-21 Years	£16	£18
**13-17 Years	£13	£14
**7-12 Years	£9	£10
Under-7s	Free	Free
Family Ticket (1 Adult & 1 U17)	£23	£23