All eyes on the tough test as the Stags travel to the MKM Stadium to face Grant McCann’s newly promoted Hull City

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Mansfield Town’s biggest test of pre-season so far came in the form of National League side Grimsby Town, but how will the amber and blues fair against Championship opposition?

The day before the fixture against the Tigers, a team consisting of first-team players and youth team players will face Alfreton Town as Mansfield Town face two matches in 24 hours.

Of course, those that play the match at the Impact Arena are unlikely to travel to the KCOM the next day, but it will be important for the players that are returning from self-isolation to get back to full fitness and get minutes into their legs.

After a narrow 1-0 defeat to Matlock Town at the Proctor Cars Stadium last Friday evening, the Stags welcomed Grimsby Town to the RH Academy for their third pre-season friendly.

The encounter was very even and not much split the two sides at the half-time whistle. Chances from Rhys Oates, Danny Johnson and Oli Hawkins for the Stags and Joel Grant for Grimsby were either saved or off-target as the sides were level at 0-0 at the break.

Erico Sousa broke the deadlock in the 66th minute after his low shot beat Marek Stech. That gave Grimsby a 1-0 lead that they managed to hold onto for the rest of the match to take the win at the RH Academy.

Stech, Jordan Bowery, Ferrand Rawson and George Maris got minutes into their legs after returning from their self-isolation periods, which Stags manager Nigel Clough was very pleased with.

“It was another good run-out for us, physically more than anything else in this heat,” he told iFollow Stags.

“Some of our play has to be better, and that will improve in the coming weeks.

“There were some good performances, but it’s about fitness more than anything else. We’re pleased with that, as we got 65 minutes into the majority of the lads.

“It was good to have James Perch on the pitch, along with George Maris. George took to the game very well.

“It was Faz Rawson’s first run-out, [and also] James Perch, George Maris, Jordan Bowery, Marek [Stech].

“We just have to be a little careful with how they feel. But until we test them, we don’t know how they feel.”

Mansfield Town now face an enormous challenge against the newly promoted Hull City, who will be looking to get their pre-season off to a positive start before they begin their first Championship voyage since the 2019/20 season.

The Tigers have made several new signings and this encounter against the Stags will definitely allow Grant McCann to integrate them into first-team action.

Players like George Honeyman, Josh Magennis, Mallik Wilks and Greg Docherty were very good for Hull last season and they will be looking to replicate that form in the lead up to the new season.

Clough and his men will be looking to gauge their preparations ahead of the upcoming campaign and whether they can compete against a Championship opposition.

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