REPORT/SLIDESHOW: Bulls tame Tigers in local derby win

AFC Mansfield put their FA Cup disappointment behind them with a home win against close rivals Worksop Town on Saturday.
AFC Mansfield v Worksop Town in The Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division. Mansfield player Lynton Karkach on the ball. Picture: Chris EtchellsAFC Mansfield v Worksop Town in The Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division. Mansfield player Lynton Karkach on the ball. Picture: Chris Etchells
AFC Mansfield v Worksop Town in The Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division. Mansfield player Lynton Karkach on the ball. Picture: Chris Etchells

The win was fully deserved as the Bulls showed more attacking prowess than the visitors, although Tigers’ following swelled the crowd to 205 and provided superb vocal support throughout.

The home side took the lead on just nine minutes, as a superb 40 yard pass from Matty Plummer found the feet of Glyn Cotton who advanced to the edge of the box before firing a low drive past Jon Kennedy.

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AFC Mansfield suffered a setback on 20 minutes when top goal scorer, Ollie Fearon, was replaced by Lynton Karkach through injury. The home side continued to create the better chances though as Worksop found it difficult to break through the solid back line of their hosts.

AFC Mansfield v Worksop Town in The Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division. Mansfield player Lynton Karkach on the ball. Picture: Chris EtchellsAFC Mansfield v Worksop Town in The Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division. Mansfield player Lynton Karkach on the ball. Picture: Chris Etchells
AFC Mansfield v Worksop Town in The Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division. Mansfield player Lynton Karkach on the ball. Picture: Chris Etchells

The break arrived with AFC Mansfield ahead and Rudy Funk definitely the happier manager.

The second-half started along the same lines with wingers Jimmy Ghaichem and Ryan Williams causing Worksop problems down both flanks.

Worksop’s new signing Connor Brunt was finding it hard against centre backs Chris Timons and Grant Allott and very rarely came out on top.

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The home side extended their lead on 62 minutes when Gary Bradshaw finished from eight yards in a crowded box after Williams had found him with a neat pass.

AFC Mansfield v Worksop Town in The Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division. Mansfield player Lynton Karkach on the ball. Picture: Chris EtchellsAFC Mansfield v Worksop Town in The Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division. Mansfield player Lynton Karkach on the ball. Picture: Chris Etchells
AFC Mansfield v Worksop Town in The Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division. Mansfield player Lynton Karkach on the ball. Picture: Chris Etchells

With a two-goal cushion AFC sat back a little and Worksop made a couple of changes and one of these brought them back into the game.

After a great run across the box from Kieran Fenton the ball found Jonathon Fusco and the substitute hit a low drive through a group of players and it found the bottom corner past the outstretched arm of Jason White.

Despite a nervy final ten minutes for the hosts and them finishing the game without a recognised striker with Karkach and Bradshaw replaced, they held on to claim the points as they now prepare for a run of eight away games.

AFC Mansfield:

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White, Plummer, Dudley, Allott, Timons (c), D’Laryea, Williams, Cotton, Fearon (Karkach 20, Annable 77), Bradshaw (Naylor 80), Ghaichem. Subs not used: Wilson, Wright.

Worksop:

Kennedy (c), Hodder, Fenton, Harrison (Hawkins 70), Lawrence, Adams, Husbands, Waddle, Brunt, Dawes (Johnson 78), Jordan (Fusco 65).

Ref:

James Bell (Oughtibridge)

Attendance:

205