Stags welcome fans back into the One Call Stadium as they host Coventry City in another tough pre-season test

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15th February 2020 was the last time Mansfield Town supporters watched their beloved club in action against Newport County. 528 days on, the fans will be back inside the stadium once more as the Nottinghamshire club welcome Coventry City for another challenging test ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Mansfield Town will be delighted to finally play in front of a crowd at the One Call Stadium in what has been a very challenging 18 months for everyone.

Nigel Clough and his men in amber and blue were able to see a glimpse of what the Stags supporters are all about after friendlies against Retford United, Matlock Town, Alfreton Town and Hull City, but this will be their first match in front of them at home.

A challenging season is ahead of the Nottinghamshire club and the fans will be able to see their team in the flesh which will bring smiles to everyone’s faces.

In their last pre-season fixture, they travelled to the MKM Stadium to face a newly promoted Hull City side, who were bound to show their class and why they are a Championship side.

The opener was found in the 21st minute, and it was the Stags who found it. Stephen Quinn’s goalbound effort was handballed in the area by Lewie Coyle with the referee pointing to the spot. Up stepped Danny Johnson and the forward slotted the ball into the back of the net to give the amber and blues the lead.

Mansfield Town’s number 11 could have made it two in the dying embers of the first-half, but a fantastic save from Matt Ingram denied the 28-year-old his second of the match.

It wouldn’t take him long after that to add to his tally. Quinn, the provider once more, floated the ball onto the head of Johnson who made no mistake from close range to give the Stags a 2-0 lead.

Josh Magennis made it 2-1 in the 73rd minute but Hull City were unable to find an equaliser as Mansfield Town took the win.

After their pre-season preparations started in Spain with a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Sevilla, Coventry City took on MK Dons in two separate 60-minute games and Cheltenham Town.

The Sky Blues were beaten twice by the Dons with match one ending in a 2-1 defeat and the second ending in a 5-0 thumping.

Mark Robins’ men then travelled to face Michael Duff’s Robins side and also came out on the losing end. Two goals from Andy Williams confirmed that the Gloucestershire side came out on top.

Coventry City, similarly to Mansfield Town, will take results like these with a pinch of salt as it is only pre-season and results count when the league seasons kick underway.

Saying that Clough will be hoping to get another win under his belt against a Championship opposition as that will bread confidence into his players.

The West Midlands outfit are without a win so far in pre-season, and with less than two weeks until their Championship campaign kicks underway, Robins and his staff will want to put at least one win on the board and show their quality before the season starts.

Mansfield Town have not lost in their last two fixtures against the Sky Blues, but pre-season is to gauge fitness levels and to prepare ahead of what will be a challenging couple of months.

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