Gary Mills confident York can finish the job (From York Press)
Get in touch: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting YORK to 80360 or send an email»
Gary Mills confident York City can finish the job at Mansfield Town
11:59am Thursday 3rd May 2012 in News
Matty Blair picks the ball out of the Mansfield net after the Stags’ own goal
YORK City manager Gary Mills is confident his team can progress to the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off final after last night’s 1-1 home draw with Mansfield.
The Minstermen will travel to Field Mill for Monday’s semi-final second leg with honours even after Exodus Geohgahon’s first-half own goal cancelled out Ross Dyer’s 26th-minute header for the Stags.
Mansfield will also be without banned 30-goal top scorer Matt Green for the crucial clash after he was sent off 74 minutes into last night’s match for two bookable offences – both for late challenges on goalkeeper Michael Ingham.
Despite their numerical advantage, City could not find a goal that would have given them a lead to take to Nottinghamshire but Mills is in optimistic mood as he ponders his team’s second leg fortunes as long as Geohaghan’s long-throw threat is nullified.
Mansfield’s goal last night came from a long haul into the box by the Stags’ 6ft 5in defender and Mills said afterwards: “It’s 1-1 at half-time with all to play for and the lads did well last night.
“All our fans have seen what Mansfield are now.
“They get the ball forward early and try to win the second balls and also bombard you with long throws, which we did not deal with well for their first goal.
“You have to deal with these things and, if we do, we will end up winning Monday’s game. If we are patient and compete with them, I think we will go through.
“I want us to go there and play how we play and I know that will be enough to win the tie. It would have been nice to get our noses in front but our away form is good so we will go there with confidence.”
The Minstermen set a club record by losing just three of their 23 league games on the road during the regulation season – at Tamworth, Gateshead and Newport – as well as drawing at Mansfield.
Mills does not think the prolific Green’s suspension, however, will make City’s task any easier or harder during the return leg.
The City boss added: “I’m not bothered about that one bit.
“I don’t think it gives us an advantage the fact that he will be suspended because I thought we dealt with him well last night and I didn’t feel he was really in the game anyway.
“I’m just going there concentrating on us.”
Comments(40)
Some old bloke
says...
12:14pm Thu 3 May 12
I desperately hope that Mansfield actually try to play football against us on Monday, so our lads can wipe the floor them.
Mike Warwick
says...
12:29pm Thu 3 May 12
Sir Alex
says...
12:37pm Thu 3 May 12
NotInOz
says...
12:38pm Thu 3 May 12
KAT1965
says...
12:46pm Thu 3 May 12
NotInOz wrote:Never mind the 1st half kick off the ball (in front of the ref) that the idiot in black missed. Glad he hasn't got the return. Just hope the refs assessor was hard on him. Wouldn't have him in local football - never mind such an important game.
Can anyone throw light on the challenge by in front of the main stand, earlier on in the first half, that resulted in a city free kick and a 'stern talking to' for the Mansfield thug. From where we were behind the goal it looked like a two feet off the ground studs up lunge - supposedly an automatic red?
PDH
says...
12:49pm Thu 3 May 12
sam the keeper
says...
12:55pm Thu 3 May 12
nicko75
says...
12:56pm Thu 3 May 12
Without wanting to go to hard on team selection etc... surely for goodness sake Meredith must be returned to left back for Monday. He is the best in the league in that position and we have a surfeit of midfielders (Potts, Moke etc) whilst Fyfield is not especically strong in the LB position. Surely this change must happen...
The Legend Of Keith
says...
12:56pm Thu 3 May 12
NotInOz wrote:TV replay suggested it was two footed but the second foot slid through rather than an out and out, studs up, two footed. Also got some of the ball (sadly) otherwise the ref would have had no choice but red.
Can anyone throw light on the challenge by in front of the main stand, earlier on in the first half, that resulted in a city free kick and a 'stern talking to' for the Mansfield thug. From where we were behind the goal it looked like a two feet off the ground studs up lunge - supposedly an automatic red?
Green challenge on Ingham was a straight red, studs to the stomach.
There was aslo a challenge on Mez, late, half way up the shin with studs showing... on another day, this would also be a red.
Then there was the verbal assault by the Chairwoman outside the ground... comical.
On a lucky note though, Jamal should have walked so although we were unlucky on three decisions, we got one going our way.
COYR
YorkCityLuke
says...
1:03pm Thu 3 May 12
ex1Yorks
says...
1:08pm Thu 3 May 12
nicko75 wrote:Think Fyfield was only in the starting 11 for his height.
I thought the ref did ok to be fair - it could easily have ended 9 v 10 tho. Without wanting to go to hard on team selection etc... surely for goodness sake Meredith must be returned to left back for Monday. He is the best in the league in that position and we have a surfeit of midfielders (Potts, Moke etc) whilst Fyfield is not especically strong in the LB position. Surely this change must happen...
Some old bloke
says...
1:35pm Thu 3 May 12
Sir Alex wrote:They weren't Luton fans doing a bit of moonlighting were they?
I hear that Michael is now the proud owner of one second hand cigarette lighter and a bunch of coins! Nice people them!:)
Wilyorkuk1983
says...
1:47pm Thu 3 May 12
Ycfc85
says...
2:45pm Thu 3 May 12
KAT1965
says...
2:52pm Thu 3 May 12
KAT1965
says...
3:12pm Thu 3 May 12
Phil, Leeds
says...
4:08pm Thu 3 May 12
YorkCityLuke wrote:Luke - goal was disallowed as Smith was a yard off when the free kick was taken. I was more or less in line and it was the right decision. Think Smith was expecting the defence to retreat which is normal but on this occasion it didn't. I thought the ref did ok really, we've had many far worse than him this season. But the linesman running the main stand side was truly awful. He obviously took the view that his job was to look for offsides and throw ins only and not to be an assistant to the ref.
Thought the ref was 'ok', he at least tried to let the game flow, but it was often at City's expense as he overlooked a lot of Mansfield pushing/pulling. The linesmen, however, were ridiculous! There were at least 2 times where their forward was at *least* a yard offside, and the linesman didn't even seem to notice. At one point in the second half, their striker even pulled out of his run and started jogging back because he was so obviously offside - no flag from the lino though! Did anyone see what our first half goal was disallowed for by the way? Hard to see from the pop. stand.
The Legend Of Keith
says...
4:39pm Thu 3 May 12
Any word if Mansfield will release the remaining tickets to the stand we are assigned? It holds 1,900 but only 1,500 released.
Sir Alex
says...
4:44pm Thu 3 May 12
Fyfield is a very very lucky boy!
PDH
says...
5:25pm Thu 3 May 12
Sir Alex wrote:Where can i find them please.
Highlights are up.
Fyfield is a very very lucky boy!
Sir Alex
says...
5:43pm Thu 3 May 12
RooBeck
says...
5:46pm Thu 3 May 12
PDH wrote:The throw-in law says an opponent has to be at least two yards from the point the throw is taken and must not do anything that unfairly distracts the thrower or prevents the throw being taken. If they do so, then the referee awards an indirect free-kick and can issue a caution for un-sporting behaviour. So, I agree, place someone at the two yard mark, with hands by their side and stretching their lower limbs upwards and making certain not to pull a face, stick out their tongues or shout things at the thrower!!!( Act in the manner that some defenders in a wall move about, prior to a free-kick), and then, at the point where the ball is about to be released, jump up simultaneously and try and defend the ball. The big Mansfield defender threw the ball into our box to set-up their opener and there was nobody near him and he was allowed to put it in at great pace and at headable height and they scored - something I'm sure they will practice all the time. BUT, had we placed one, or maybe two of our players in the manner described, he wouldn't have been able to put it in at such a low trajectory and would have had to go high and then we could have defended it better and as it drops down in the 6/12 yard area at it's highest point, then the keeper should be there to catch!! Well, that's my theory but I would not let him throw in again like he did with the optimum angle/body shape and speed, to cause a real problem and give the attackers the advantage. An opponent(s) in front of him could distract him (within the laws) and give us the advantage!! COYR!!
Stick a player jumping up and down right in front of Geohaghan when he is taking a throwing, not rocket science is it.
Blaydon Red
says...
6:45pm Thu 3 May 12
Some old bloke
says...
6:56pm Thu 3 May 12
duffy
says...
6:58pm Thu 3 May 12
Blaydon Red wrote:it was four match
I think Gibson will be available for the second leg. Her served his 3 match suspension against Braintree, forest Green and Mansfield last night. I would put him straight back in for Fyfield at left back.
nudger
says...
7:12pm Thu 3 May 12
Although many teams occasionally use the tactic,it is sad that Southport and Mansfield have had such success in this division deploying it as their main weapon. By the way, some hair-gel on the ball takes a bit of getting off(probably plenty of that in the Mansfield Boardroom) or nick the towels from the ballboys as has happened at Histon! After all, Michael Vaughan admitted England's slip cordon all sucked boiled sweets during the Ashes to help the ball to swing.All is fair in love and war,and the Play-offs.
Blaydon Red
says...
7:20pm Thu 3 May 12
joeya96YCFC
says...
8:56pm Thu 3 May 12
Tug job
says...
9:47pm Thu 3 May 12
NotInOz wrote:We always used to tackle like that on the Knavesmire!
Can anyone throw light on the challenge by in front of the main stand, earlier on in the first half, that resulted in a city free kick and a 'stern talking to' for the Mansfield thug. From where we were behind the goal it looked like a two feet off the ground studs up lunge - supposedly an automatic red?
Tug job
says...
9:49pm Thu 3 May 12
nudger wrote:Can anyone remember the Stafford Rangers (I think) player who used to do a somersault to achieve his long throw...or am I imagining this?
Very good points here from RooBeck and PDH. There is always movement in front of the thrower as players jockey for position so why disappear back into box when a player takes a run-up. John Beck,who massively utilised the tactic,also had his own ways of neutralising the danger eg.a two-man wall two yards away,which must be a distraction,even for the likes of Exodus. And of course opposition supporters can play their part if its anywhere close to them. Although many teams occasionally use the tactic,it is sad that Southport and Mansfield have had such success in this division deploying it as their main weapon. By the way, some hair-gel on the ball takes a bit of getting off(probably plenty of that in the Mansfield Boardroom) or nick the towels from the ballboys as has happened at Histon! After all, Michael Vaughan admitted England's slip cordon all sucked boiled sweets during the Ashes to help the ball to swing.All is fair in love and war,and the Play-offs.
duffy
says...
10:47pm Thu 3 May 12
joeya96YCFC wrote:Mansfields capacity is now reduced to 9000. Because of this they have to leave 400 seats free. They have basically taken these 400 seats from our end and shafted us.
Apparently city are not requesting a further allocation of tickets for Monday. The reason given is the need to segregate the fans. How can this be so when the north stand is free standing and holds about 1900 when we have sold out at 1500. I'm sure that city would have appreciated the 400 additional fans vocal support for this important game as well as a share of the cash.
PDH
says...
11:15pm Thu 3 May 12
Could not be better for us, see off Mansfield (thug's) on Monday, and beating Luton (thug's) yet again, in the final will bring great pleasure.
Sir Alex
says...
8:34am Fri 4 May 12
PDH wrote:It is our destiny!
See our favourite team take a 2 goal lead into the 2nd leg.
Could not be better for us, see off Mansfield (thug's) on Monday, and beating Luton (thug's) yet again, in the final will bring great pleasure.
Not feeling at all bothered about Monday - very confident that the lads will do it. Nothing about Mansfield to worry about at all.
JamesHinch
says...
8:44am Fri 4 May 12
Move the ball quickly forward and the retreating carthorse defenders can't cope with the back-pedalling.
The Legend Of Keith
says...
9:41am Fri 4 May 12
duffy wrote:I had a suspicion this might be the case as I remember them having some wrangle with their local council about safety, stewarding and reducing their capacity to cover it.
joeya96YCFC wrote: Apparently city are not requesting a further allocation of tickets for Monday. The reason given is the need to segregate the fans. How can this be so when the north stand is free standing and holds about 1900 when we have sold out at 1500. I'm sure that city would have appreciated the 400 additional fans vocal support for this important game as well as a share of the cash.Mansfields capacity is now reduced to 9000. Because of this they have to leave 400 seats free. They have basically taken these 400 seats from our end and shafted us.
Still, the 1,500 will out sing the x from Mansfield without a doubt.
COYR
Sir Alex
says...
9:47am Fri 4 May 12
JamesHinch wrote:Carthorse?
Thought the two Luton goals were excellent. Great counter attack play.
Move the ball quickly forward and the retreating carthorse defenders can't cope with the back-pedalling.
Pot... kettle...black!!
Al-YCFC
says...
10:37am Fri 4 May 12
JamesHinch wrote:I agree Luton looked strong and were playing good football. Their two up front were a threat all night. We play a lot better against footballing teams so if we complete the hard task of getting to the final we will have a reasonable chance. The only problem is playing a London(ish) club at wembley would once again see us outnumbered. If only it was in Manchester again! However the final is still a long way away, it will be really tough at Field mill
Thought the two Luton goals were excellent. Great counter attack play.
Move the ball quickly forward and the retreating carthorse defenders can't cope with the back-pedalling.
duffy
says...
10:41am Fri 4 May 12
paintitred
says...
10:49am Fri 4 May 12
lol
Mondays ref Andy davies
only had him once this season AFC Telford away
26 matches 96 yellow cards
2 red cards
11 penalties
buzzing for monday. only the distraction on a FA cup final party tomorrow is ditracting me at the mo
Sir Alex says...
12:05pm Thu 3 May 12
That is the key! :)