Kellan Gordon only star performer as Harrogate Town hold on to beat Mansfield Town 1-0 at the One Call Stadium

The right-back looked like the only one actually trying as Mansfield failed to make it seven unbeaten as they recorded their first loss under Nigel Clough.

The Stags looked to continue their impressive run under Nigel Clough as Harrogate Town came to visit the One Call Stadium for the first time in their history.

Kellan Gordon would create Mansfield’s real first chance. Lovely play from the middle from George Lapslie and Harry Charsley saw the latter slip the right-back in with a perfectly weighted through ball. Gordon looked to pick out someone in amber and blue, but unfortunately, his cross was blocked just before anyone was able to pounce on it.

Harrogate scored in the 27th minute of the game through Calvin Miller. Jack Muldoon bullied one of the Stags’ defender’s as his shoulder barge was completely legal and won him the ball. The striker then played a pass into the penalty area which Miller capitalised on and tapped the ball into the back of the net.

Mansfield were unable to create anything within the first 45 minutes as Harrogate looked to hold onto their lead going into half-time. They restricted the Stags very well as the men in Amber and Blue were only able to take long-range shots that seemingly were going nowhere.

The second-half saw Gordon continually working on his flank as balls were constantly whipped in and he continued to cause havoc.

On multiple occasions, you could hear the full-back shouting “Ollie (Clarke)” or “Harry (Charsley)” as he wanted to get on the ball and use his burst of pace to beat his opponent and deliver good balls into the box to create chances for the Stags to score.

His most dangerous cross came into the area in the 65th minute. Mansfield Town’s no. 12 was able to get the ball on the right flank and beat his man for his perfect ball to reach Nicky Maynard. The striker didn’t cleanly connect with the ball and headed the ball just wide of the target.

Ultimately, Harrogate Town held onto their one-goal lead as the Stags were only able to direct one of their 17 shots on target which was the first disappointing display under Nigel Clough.

The Mansfield Town wing-back signed for Mansfield in the 2019/20 transfer window as one of the many recruitments made by John Dempster whilst he was manager.

He suffered a severe back injury in December 2019 which sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Luckily for Gordon, the season was suspended due to the Coronavirus outbreak which meant he did not actually miss a lot of football and has been back on the pitch in the first 11 in most games.

The ex-Derby County player delivered the most crosses of any player on the pitch (8) and delivered the most accurate crosses (2) which saw the chance headed either over or wide of the target.

Gordon is full of running and he utilises his space well whilst on the right. As the midfielders draw the opposing players to the ball the switch to the wing-back allows him to drive forward and use his exceptional speed to beat his marker.

He also has an eye for a teammate as he was able to pick out two key passes during the game which was only beat by Dan Jones, George Thomson, Ollie Clarke and Jack Muldoon who all played three key passes.

Hopefully, Gordon can be given more chances going forward as he can play anywhere on the right-side from right-back to right-wing and you can see the versatility he possess when he glides through the gears turning defence to attack.

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