Happy new year! 2014 is here and so is the first blog entry on here for a good while ('there's only one lazy basta...' yes yes I know!) Truth be told its been a busy old few months what with planning trips to such events as THE MADRID DERBY, yeah that's right! We'll be there at the Vicente Calderon for what looks to be a crunch game at the top of the La Liga table in the capital.
But before all that sun how about a spot of rain? That's exactly what we got as we headed to The One Call Stadium in conditions not to dissimilar to a monsoon. I'd never been to Mansfield Town despite being monitored by scouts of the club in 2001/2 at the age of 15, that however came to nothing and the club slid into the conference, coincidence? Draw your own conclusions.
The Stag's are now back in league football after promotion from non-league last season and looking to stay in the division after a rocky first half to the year. Burton on the other hand are showing signs of promotion potential currently sitting third in the league level on points with the leaders.
The stadium is situated to the south of the town surrounded by retail parks and supermarkets with ample parking close by, seating 10,000 its a decent sized arena with three stands and a further small crumbling stand housing a gantry and advertising boards. Entry we found was by ticket only which can be purchased from the corner of the main stand, this is essential as entry is gained only by barcode ticket scanners.
A cracking away following met us in the north stand, given the distance between the two towns it shouldn't have been any great surprise however the hangovers seemed to have disappeared rather quickly as the Albion faithful broke into song.
With the downpour and swirling wind relentless it was a concern if the game would be played at all with the pitch taking a soaking and half the leagues fixtures falling victim to the weather. Luckily referee Trevor Kettle began whistling and the atmosphere in the ground was threatening to boil over (groan) at least in the Burton end, it seemed Mansfield's support had done the decent thing and stayed at home...hungover....in the warm.
Early exchanges involved slide tackles, long balls taken by the wind and the ball slowing up in the puddles by the corner flags, all good fun. The towering Ian Sharps at the back for Burton looking a commanding presence winning headers and intercepting anything the home side had to offer. Mansfield decided the best form of attack was playing for yards, something you'd associate more with rugby union as yet another long ball landed over the touchline.
Half time approached and there had been little of note, watching junior stags put penalties past a mascot resembling Rudolph the red nosed reindeer being the highlight. The second half began with the rain relenting and finally we had a game on our hands, the hosts came close with a shot across Albion 'keeper Dean Lyness's goal while Burton responded through Jimmy Phillips far post cross picking out Chris Hussey who's header hit the post and skidded wide.
Burton having had the more meaningful attacks and Mansfield happy to sit and play on the counter attack resulted in a tense finish but neither side gave anything away, 0-0 it finished. Nevertheless a decent showing from Burton, a point on the road not a bad result in the slightest despite Mansfield being there for the taking. Conditions on the day played a huge leveller for both sides and perhaps a draw being a fair result.
It felt good to be back on the road again and with Leicester City top of the Championship and Burton pushing for promotion it looks to be a very exciting end to the season indeed.
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