Mansfield fall just short at leaders Buxton

Both teams only had one previous win this season and Mansfield started the stronger and had a lot of possession.

They took the lead before the 15-minute mark when Martin Gardner found space to squeeze the ball underneath the Buxton goalkeeper.

In the final 10 minutes of the first half, Buxton gained more confidence and their right winger caused problems for Mansfield as he provide assists for two open play goals by Thompson and Meaton that put them in the lead going into the break.

Mansfield retook control of the game from the restart and they found an equaliser after five minutes.

They had a penalty corner which was saved, but Kyle Farquharson was quick to react and flicked the ball in on the rebound to level the game.

Mansfield were pushing to take the lead but were caught off guard by a Buxton counter attack. Mansfield’s centre back Greasby ‘took one for the team’ and fouled their player to prevent a goal. Unfortunately this was a double blow for Mansfield, firstly because Greasby gained a yellow card and was sent off the pitch for five minutes, and secondly because Buxton had a penalty corner and took the lead as Talbot put the ball into the bottom left corner.

Buxton took advantage of their extra man and overran Mansfield and went two goals ahead from an open play goal from Sherlock, building from the right hand side.

After Mansfield were back to a full team once Greasby was allowed back on, they set out to find an two goals with 10 minutes to go.

Mansfield managed to gain a goal back not long after when the ball bounced around Buxton’s D, Matt Orridge finding himself in the right place at the right time to put the ball in the goal.

Buxton withstood a lot of pressure and Mansfield managed to come as close as hitting the post, but they could not find an equaliser.