Stags look to keep their unbeaten league streak in 2021 going as they travel to Colchester

Credit: Colchester United

Mansfield Town will be looking to make it seven consecutive games unbeaten in League Two as they travel to the Colchester Community Stadium to face struggling Colchester United.

Nigel Clough’s men were able to continue their unbeaten league streak in 2021 after a draw in the West Midlands against Walsall.

It was lacklustre match that had very little chances, ultimately was a fair result for both the managers and both sets of players.

— Mansfield Town FC (@mansfieldtownfc) February 9, 2021

The Saddlers took the lead midway through the first-half. A looping free-kick from Aston Villa loanee, Tyreik Wright, found Max Melbourne, as the 22-year-old full-back scored a goal on his debut for the club.

It didn’t take long for the Stags to draw level and it was captain Clarke that got the goal in the 31st minute. The East Midlands side broke away at speed with strike partners Jamie Reid and Jordan Bowery playing a nice one-two with each other.

It was the latter that squared the ball into Clarke, who wrapped his foot around the ball and was able to beat Liam Roberts in the Walsall goal.

It was an important result for the Mansfield after their first match in two and a half weeks. Their opponents this weekend, Colchester United, have not won a competitive match since December 8th. On that day, the U’s were fortunate to pick up all the three points at The Sands Venue Stadium after Tommy Smith’s goal in the 26th minute.

This run of form has seen the Essex side pick up five points in their last ten League Two matches which in turn has seen them slip down the league table.

Last time out for John McGreal’s side, they travelled to The Breyer Group Stadium to face a Play-Off hunting Leyton Orient side.

Even though the London club dominated in possession, shots and shots on target the match actually finished as a goalless draw.

The result would have been a positive one for the visitors as they needed to pick up something after their loss to Scunthorpe United in the game before this one.

Mansfield have a drab record against the Essex side winning once at the Colchester Community Stadium. That win came in a 3-2 victory in January 2019 after the Stags came from 2-0 down to flip the match on its head and grab the valuable three points.

Last time these two faced off was back in November at the One Call Stadium.

After a first-half that saw no goals, the hosts scored first through Nicky Maynard in the 67th minute. The striker received the ball from Lapslie and unleashed the shot at Dean Gerken’s goal.

The ball floated at the centre of the goal, but the dip was misjudged by the Colchester goalkeeper as the ball evaded him, hit the crossbar and ended in the back of the net.

In the final five minutes of the match, the two Colchester substitutes, Callum Harriott and Luke Norris combined to get the equaliser for the U’s.

Harriott received the ball and searched for a ball over the top of the Mansfield defence in the hope that it would find Norris.

The forward burst through and saw the Stags’ goalkeeper Marek Stech off his line which forced him to chip the shot-stopper with the ball finding the back of the net and earning his side a point from the encounter.

Purely based on form, and after they got some match sharpness under their belts during midweek, Clough will be hoping that his men can return to winning ways.

McGreal’s side have only lost twice at their home ground and will be looking to preserve that nearly flawless record when the Stags visit this weekend.

A much-needed win for Colchester could see them move up to 13th if results go in their favour. Where as a win for the Stags would mean moving up to 11th, only six points away from the Play-Offs

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt