Mansfield Town secure a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest U-23’s

In the penultimate pre-season game, the Stags took on Nottingham Forest’s under 23 squad at the One Call Stadium.

In the opening exchanges, both teams looked sharp and willing to go on the front foot with some great build-up play on display.

In the tenth minute Forest found the back of the net. Despite a smart save from Aidan Stone coupled with Mal Benning’s goal line clearance, the ball eventually found its way to Jason Cummings who poked the ball into the empty net.

Not long after, Cummings fired a long distance shot, but the shot sailed wide of the goal.

In the 33rd minute, Nicky Maynard teed up Mal Benning whose wicked, first-time delivery meant Ethan Stewart inadvertently turned the ball into his own goal.

Mansfield were hunting a second goal and carried on tirelessly attacking the Forest goal.

Jacob Mellis’ fierce, 25-yard effort had to be tipped over by former loanee Jordan Smith, before the resulting corner was met by a Benning thunderbolt that landed off target.

Mellis continued his long-distance attempts five minutes after the break, but could only find his shot going over the bar.

Mal Benning skipped past many of the Forest players with his shot being denied from going in by Smith.

Forest threatened once more, this time through Alex Mighten, however, his strike took a minor deflection past Stone’s upright.

In the 84th minute, Mansfield took the lead through Nicky Maynard; the striker profited from some fine, individual work from CJ Hamilton to stroke the ball home and put his side into the lead courtesy of his fourth pre-season goal.

Mansfield’s number 22 could have added a third for himself one minute from time, yet ran into Smith who made a close-range save with his left palm.

The Stags will play their final pre-season friendly of 2019 at home to Rangers under-23s this forthcoming Saturday.

Mansfield Town’s XI: Aidan Stone (GK), Hayden White (CJ Hamilton 54’), Mal Benning, Matt Preston, Krystian Pearce ©, Neal Bishop, Alex MacDonald, Jacob Mellis, Nicky Maynard, Ryan Sweeney, Danny Rose.

Nottingham Forest’s XI: Jordan Smith (GK), Jayden Richardson (Alex Mighten 46’), Danny Preston (Owen Gallacher 66’), Liam Bridcutt, Malique Spooner, Ethan Stewart (Louis Walsh 66’), Jason Cummings (Taylor 46’), Toby Edser (Virgil Gomis 46’), Daryl Murphy (Tyrese Fornah 46’), Zack Clough (Will Swan 46’), Gboly Ariyibi (Joshua Barnes 46’).