Internet Millers 6:0 Mansfield Town
Scorers
J.Roebuck - 49, 55
J.Veal - 85
S.Burns - 30
A.Parker - 65
A.Gilberthorpe 75
First Half
The Internet Millers started brightly and were clearly on top from the word go. Possession was good from the defence through midfield and it wasn’t long until S.Burns fashioned an opening and struck over the bar.
Mansfield were finding it tough to find their feet but some good calm defending by the older heads at the back stemmed numerous IMFC attacks. It was JV who came the closest in the opening 10 minutes, twice in a matter of minutes, as a header hit the bar from close range and a shot was fired over from 8 yards out.
IMFC kept pushing, as the defence, marshalled by captain Yeard, looked rarely troubled. Gilby was supporting the attack while his defensive tackles were as fierce as before he left for Iraq. Dan was buzzing around midfield not giving the Mansfield players any time on the ball, allowing the creative Gaz and Lee to spread the play.
More chances came and as Burnsy hit the bar, Yeard hit wide from close range and some good last ditch tackles upended Burnsy, it was becoming frustrating at 0-0. The possession was still good but the cutting edge and through balls in the final 3rd started to go astray.
However, leading scorer Burns got his name on the scoresheet with 10 minutes of the half remaining. A checked run allowed the tall striker to get away from the last defender and as the keeper came out he calmly slotted past him to make it 1-0 to the Millers and his 10th for the season.
This led to more IMFC pressure but the Mansfield defence held firm to get in at half time a respectable 1-0, the game was far from won but a little more cutting edge and the Millers knew they could quickly wrap up the game.
Second Half
The second half saw a number of changes, including the formation, as IMFC went into a 442. S.Burns came off and J.Roebuck (Jebu) partnered J.Veal up front. Adis came on into the right wing position and player manager A.Parker took up a central midfield role.
The results were to pay immediate dividends as within 5 minutes Jebu dropped deep to pick the ball up and fed fellow striker JV. JV used his pace to get past the last defender but just over ran the ball and the keeper pushed wide for a corner. From the resultant corner Jebu lost his marker and headed hard and low into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
The Millers now started to relax and as the Mansfield town players tired IMFC went in for the kill. Some great work by Gaz saw him get free down the left flank, as he skipped past the full back he looped a great cross to Jebu who headed home into the roof of the net, bagging a quick fire brace. Just 10 minutes into the second half and the game was now surely won at 3-0 up and the defence looking rock solid.
IMFC started to play some attractive football with Gaz and Jebu interlinking well to keep the ball moving in and around the final 3rd. Adis provided good width and on a number of occasions got past his defender. Young Scott almost got on the score sheet as Jebu spun wide into the corner and put a cross to the backpost that the youngster looped just wide of the far post. Even Paul El was threatening and from a corner he headed just over the bar, so close to his first IMFC goal.
The pressure was starting to tell and it wasn’t long until a couple of wonder goals were to come. Some neat interlinked play in midfield led to Andy P curling a 25 yarder into the top corner. Quality goal as the score moved to 4-0.
The young Mansfield lads started to get their heads down which gave the organised IMFC plenty of room to knock the ball about. The early pace and skill of the young uns show they have a lot of talent and over time as they get more organised the Stags could be a good IFA side.
However, IMFC were not to sit back and on his return Gilby scored a wonder goal from the edge of the box. As a corner was cleared the right back latched onto the ball and screamed it hard and low past the keeper to make it 5-0. Welcome back Gilby!
JV had a number of chances in the last 10 minutes, most notable was when some sublime skill by Jebu saw him juggle the ball over the midfielders head and volley a pass into JV’s stride who ran through 1 on 1 with the keeper. However, a fine stop kept JV off the scoresheet.
JV wasn’t to be denied as in the final minutes of the match both S.Burns (who had come on at centre back) and JV challenged for a header at the back post. Burnsy won the header and as it was about to cross the line JV made sure and blasted home from an inch out!
6-0 was a fair reflect on the game and with better play first half in the final third it could have been a greater scoreline. That said, the Mansfield players worked tirelessly, particularly the backline who repelled many waves of IMFC attack.
After some food in the Woodman pub after the match the Millers got to watch RUFC fall to pieces and the donkey that is Richie Barker score two goals in the final 10 minutes. Richie Barker, 2 goals in one game, that just about sums up RUFC defence at the moment in time. Perhaps El Yeard and Denti should push Mick Harford for a place!
In the end, a good day out for IMFC and we wish the Mansfield lads all the best into the future.