We all stand together: CARDS AND GOALS

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 0 HOLBROOK SPORTS 4

CMA LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP ROUND 1 AT THE FIELDINGS

28 SEPTEMBER 2024 --- 3PM

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS V HOLBROOK SPORTS LUKE SHAW SENT OFF IN STOPPAGE TIME

Some games are easy to write up and others hard work and then there is this one I'm not sure where to start three red cards a raft of yellows and four goals for visiting Holbrook Sports three of which while they were down to ten men. With that fact alone its The Brookies who will enter round two of The CMA League Challenge Cup following this convincing victory.

The chippy option was relegated today for an early drop off in Huthwaite Market Place and the Coop for a few nibbles before walking towards The Fieldings for todays encounter. These two had returned a league draw a few weeks ago and sat nestled by the side of one another in the Premier South table. But of course its the cup so anything can happen and boy did it.

CAPTAIN TOM SUTER GETS UP CLOSE

Mills would rue a golden opportunity as early as the first minute and how different this game may have been had Matt Dickinson not headed over from an excellent position via a Ryan Hancock cross. But it didn't happen and Sports took their chance when Mills failed to clear at the back post Billy Barnes fired the ball home for the lead on 8 minutes.

Mills came back with a fair old effort but were guilty of missing some good openings and that was the ultimate game conclusion missed chances and Sports clinically took theirs. But that all really got lost in the collection of red and yellow cards. The three red and eight, although it may have been seven, counted in the first half kerfuffle on the Mills bench with referee Michael Gilvarry set the ball rolling.

Mills manager Mark Turner queried the ten yards a Holbrook player advanced on a throw in with the referee coming over to quieten him as he walked away Turner continued and was cautioned. At this point sadly assistant manager Paul Hutchinson added his thoughts and referee Gilvarry was back with another yellow card and as he walked away he received a clapping applause from the second in command and once again the referee trod the same path for a second yellow and a red card that followed. A frustrating moment that was completely unnecessary from Mills point of view but maybe could have been better managed by the man in charge also.

STEF BROWN WITH BENCHES WATCHING ON

So we arrived at half time with a very level encounter showing Sports in the lead but it could have been so easily the other way around. The half time walk off still found the home manager in discussion with the match official.

The second period would start with the cards appearing on the pitch with a coming together in the bottom far corner, Tom Torrington was fortunate to receive just a yellow but Sam Pipes was not so lucky having shaped a head butt he was shown red by referee Gilvarry after 58 minutes.

YELLOW FOR MARK TURNER

You felt the game may descend now although it hadn't been particularly dirty it was showing the potential for a few flash points.

Just seven minutes later the ten men of Holbrook doubled their lead when Mike Birkinshaw powered home a close range header from a lovely cross off the right, even as a neutral it was one of theose goals that made you shout out 'great goal'.

CAUTION FOR PAUL HUTCHINSON

Mills went to three across the back in the hope of exploiting Sports reduced number but they worked hard and remained solid right across the pitch.

The shortage at the back led to the visitors third a ball overt he top found Birkinshaw who lobbed the ball over Matt Fowler in the home goal to make it three after 70 minutes.

AND A RED

As the game entered its final stages Mills went close when captain Tom Suter struck a curling 25 yard free kick against the cross bar and then shortly afterwards from the opposite side of the pitch a low curling set piece hit a defenders knee and denied Mills a consolation.

DISCUSSION BETWEEN ASSISTANT REFEREE MARK HILTON AND REFEREE MICHAEL GILVARRY ON A CHALLENGE

With five minutes of time remaining the visitors made it four through substitute Luke Stone who went on to celebrate by running away lowering his shorts to reveal burgundy briefs and lifting his shirt chest bound a strange celebration but one he managed to carry off without any problems.

YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN CAPTION UP HERE

His joy turned to desolation five minutes into stoppage time when he broke from the half way line was tackled what looked like fairly by Hancock but for some reason, he will now why, took exception to something and we soon had a melee with three Mills players trying to stop his advances. It wasnt pleasant and once again after it calmed down referee Gilvarry had no option but to produce the third red card of the game alongside two yellows for home players.

NO PICTURES LOOK AGAIN

Strange incidents that produced the crimson cards when there didn't seem any problems on the pitch or between the two benches except for these flash points.

All was peaceful as both sets of players and officials came off the pitch at then end although Mills did still fancy a little chat with referee Gilvarry.

SAM PIPES CANNOT BELIEVE HE IS SENT OFF

The inconsistency of Mills was there for all too see but frustratingly they had chances to score and on another day would have won this game but the reduced numbers of Sports held firm defending their lead and then managed to increase it with some attentive finishing something the home side could not manage.

YELLOW FOR TOM TORRINGTON

The old adage of concentrate on the league now for the home side and for Sports the chance to have a cup run with today's determination who knows how far it might just take them.