For their final game of 2007, the Internet Mariners hosted Mansfield in what was also their first home game of the season. Previous encounters with the Mansfield lads have always been close and this game proved to be no exception, but could best be described as “a game of two halves”.

The Mariners started brightly passing the ball around well and playing some good through balls to their striker Darren Hiscock, who’s pace seemed to trouble the Mansfield back line. On the few attacks Mansfield managed in the opening half, the Mariners defence coped well, with stand in ‘keeper Alan French having little to do. Midway through the first half one through ball to Darren Hiscock saw him clean through with just the Mansfield ‘keeper to beat. As he played the ball past the ‘keeper, he was clipped just outside the Mansfield penalty area. Despite protests from the Mansfield ‘keeper and defence, a free kick was awarded taken by midfielder Adam Hayworth. Unfortunately for the Mansfield ‘keeper, the ball was struck past the wall and squirmed under his despairing dive. The Mariners led 1-0. 10 minutes later things got even worse for the visitors as a ball cleared from the Mansfield back line came out to the Mariners right winger Craig Nuttall, who hit a sweetly struck effort which found the top corner of the Mansfield net. 2-0 to the Mariners and their tails were really up as they pressed for an even bigger lead. Despite some more good football from the Mariners a third goal eluded them and they had to settle for a half time lead of 2-0.

The second half started with the Mansfield team determined to make up for being largely out played in the first half and so they set about trying to reduce the deficit. The Mariners themselves however were also keen to build on their first half performance and hence some of the exchanges were a little feisty. Mansfield set about attacking the Mariners goal and it was on one such attack that they opened their account. The ball came out wide to the left and a Mansfield player proceeded to send a looping ball goalwards, giving the Mariners keeper no chance. 2-1 to the Mariners and the game had really opened up. The Mariners then took the game to Mansfield and following another great through ball; Darren Hiscock thundered a strike against the underside of the Mansfield crossbar. Unfortunately for him neither the referee nor linesman could confirm whether the ball had crossed the line, hence the score remained at 2-1. It was then that Mansfield struck for a second time. The Mariners defence failed to clear the ball and another looping effort from a Mansfield player again gave the Mariners ‘keeper no chance. 2-2 and it was at this stage that the Mansfield team really had their tails up and pressed forward for another goal that would surely seal the game. Unfortunately for the Mariners that third goal did come for Mansfield and it was a sweetly struck 20 yard shot which curled away from the Mariners keeper and into the top corner of the net. The Mariners gave it their all in the final minutes of the game, but the Mansfield defence held out despite being under a great deal of pressure.

The Mariners can consider themselves a little hard done by, as they certainly deserved at least a draw with the strike that hit the bar and another excellent strike by assistant manager Lee Woods that smashed against the Mansfield post. Having said that, all credit to Mansfield for their comeback in the second half, when they looked pretty dejected at half time.

The Mariners look forward to another fixture with Mansfield in the near future and better fortunes in general, in 2008, when hopefully that elusive win will come.