We all stand together: WHO ARE YA?

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS 3 WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE 4

CMA PREMIER SOUTH AT THE FIELDINGS

1 SEPTERMBER 2024 ---3PM

MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS V WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE

Who are ya?

Mills management and supporters must be asking this question of their team after a Jekyll and Hyde start to the season that has seen performance lurch from bad to good in each game that has followed but this one mixed all of those into one ninety minute spell. With manager Mark Turner fuming at half time as Mills trailed 4-0 after a devastating Wirksworth swept the fragile hosts aside. But then the second half Mansfield's whole character changed with the visitors desperately hanging on to the three points after an inspiring comeback.

GET THE WHEELBARROW

The English delicacy has been appearing on the blog more regularly this season and with a struggle to find a chippy in nearby Huthwaite that I fancied the net, pun intended, was cast further afield. A small amount of research led me to Ocean Blue on Kirkby Road on the edge of Sutton which could be walked in about 25 minutes from the ground, so with an early drop off there would be time for a new review.

LEWIS HIGTON SHOOTS 1-0 TO IVANHOE

Weaving through the local footpaths and housing estates finally Ocean Blue opened up before me the outside looked smart and tidy and this was matched inside by a very clean shiny establishment. A nice greeting from the lady serving and a brief interaction with the immaculately turned out owner with a small wait for a freshly prepared large Haddock we were soon on our way back to the ground balancing the fish that was precariously overhanging the large tray. I did consider calling in at the nearby allotments for a wheelbarrow to help with moving it but soon we had an empty tray accompanied by a fastly disappearing portion of small chips. Certainly right up there in the 24/25 fish and chips table and although this may be an extreme on a nice day the walk was quite acceptable, although it did get supplemented by an ice cream from the Coop on the way back to The Fieldings.

BACK OF THE NET

Arrival at the ground was as ever a pleasant experience with a welcome from Karen and Ted who was relaxing in his own chair although he did whisper his dissatisfaction at not having seen his extra sponsorship sausage yet. As ever a few bits from the snack bar for when there was a moment to tuck in and with the teams gained by pestering Mr Turner it was time to take up position. There would be no Dave who was on a fixture clash with his Stags at home today.

A bright sunny afternoon did not feel that way for the home side who after an evenly contested opening fell behind on ten minutes when Lewis Higton broke through the inside left and smashed a glorious strike past Matt Fowler in the Mills goal.

Mils were struggling to get a foothold in the game and then three goals in five minutes in the lead up to half time tore the heart out of the men in blue.

A corner off the left saw Mills back post exposed by the height of Tom Mellor who headed back across goal into into the net past a collection of players for a sharp finish, 37 minutes.

Three minutes later Ivanhoe's were like a knife through butter as Mellor raced on and slotted home with a clinical finish to secure his second.

The fourth came on 42 minutes when Lucas Brough on the left hand side of the box fired low past Fowler's near post into the bottom corner and Mills were like a boxer on the ropes, half time could not come quick enough.

Players trooped off shocked and with mutterings of what had gone wrong abounded, there was no paparazzi photos of manager Turner who politely said 'don't take my photo now' as he looked to reduce the steam outpouring from his ears.

A decision to move away from the dressing room area to protect my delicate nature and strangely it was to the snack bar I went again.

TOM MELLOR MAKES IT 2-0 TO WIRSWORTH

Stupid, it nearly turned out of odds of 100/1 on a 5-4 Mills win were offered with no expectation of how close it would come in a remarkable fight back in the second forty five minutes.

JUMPING FOR JOY

The reply could not have started better for Mansfield who pulled a goal back within two minutes of the restart and what a strike from Grant Mitchell just inside the box and again it was that left hand side that produced the finish.

The home side were looking so much better now and were starting to build up a head of steam although it has to be said Wirksworth went close twice to putting the game to bed on both occasions it was danger man Mellor who threatened.

Mills though were looking threatening and couldn't get the breakthrough that would lead to a grandstand finish and that was in part to a fantastic flying backwards through the air across his own goal line to scoop the ball away from the foot of the post by keeper Chris Conroy.

OWEN, ADAMS AND GASGOIGNE TODAY'S LAW ENFORCERS

Amazingly there was still time for that grandstand finish when Mills pulled another goal back on 83 minutes when Luke Smithson dribbled and weaved his way in the penalty box before unleashing a superb curling looping effort over Conroy. Yet another wonderful strike in a game that had now produced three contenders for goal of the month.

TOM TORRINGTON CHALLENGES AS THE HOME BENCH WATCHES ON

Then just two minutes further had elapsed when Mansfield reduced the arrears to just one goal when Conner Barnes drove in at the back post. Cue the onslaught as Mansfield pinned back Wirksworth who were now struggling to get out of their penalty area never mind own half. The visitors dug out was getting edgy and of course their side was too but referee Adams whistle came too soon for the neutral and Mills who were now enjoying this superb finish and you could say the visitors had hung on to keep their hands on the three points.

Their first half performance looked to have secured this beyond question but we all know footballs a funny..........etc,etc.

TORRINGTON STILL IN THE THICK OF IT

Wirksworth's first half efforts and finishing plus the immense threat of Mellor looked to have put this game to bed but it has to be to the full credit of the home side who made a fantastic game of this in the second half and can count themselves very unlucky not to have collected a point for their efforts.

Wirksworth will breathe a sigh of relief but they are always a strong and entertaining side and on today's showing their 24/25 season will be no different

A great finish that gives Mills encouragement going forward but which Mills will turn up next week?