AFC Mansfield have a fairly straightforward trip down the A611 and M1 to the Stag Ground in a thirteen mile drive. Again, there are continued disruptions due to the fact that Main Street is closed off in sections.

Kimberley head into the match in hope of arresting an alarming slump in form which began in the second half against Gresley Rovers two weeks ago. With the match at 3-0 at half time and cruising, the miners have since conceded fourteen goals in two hundred and twenty five minutes. The Gresley match ended in a 3-3 draw, followed by an expected beating in the FA cup against Cleethorpes and then a very disappointing 4-1 home defeat to Newark Town at the weekend.

In Saturdays’ match, Kimberley were denied an early lead as new signing Kai Moore’s looping header over the goalkeeper was ruled out for offside. Minutes later, Newark took the lead. Lewis Weaver equalised on 38 for Kimberley, but the lead was short lived as Newark won a hotly disputed penalty just two minutes later, which they dispatched to restore their lead to go into half time 2-1 to the good. Just five minutes into the second half, things got worse for Kimberley as Newark scored again to open a two goal gap on their hosts. A sliced clearance with fifteen minutes to go gave Newark an open goal to head the ball into for 4-1 to close the match off.

AFC Mansfield's last match was a 5-0 thumping of bottom of the league Wisbech Town at home in front of 51 supporters. A brace from Ryan Ingram was accompanied by goals from Kaylum Mitchell, McKenna Parton and substitute Connor McMillan rounded off a comfortable victory over the league’s worst side so far.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The two sides last met in January of this year at the Forest Town Arena in front of just 71 spectators. Jordan Alls gave Kimberley all three points with the only goal of the game.

The two sides met earlier that season in the FA Vase, again at the Forest Town Arena. More goals, but the same result saw Kimberley progress in the competition as Kole Lambert and Luis Parkes scored for the miners, while Keelan Grist scored for AFC Mansfield on front of 62 fans.

The league fixture at the Stag last season came right at the start of the season, on the first of August under the lights. A comprehensive 3-0 victory for the miners, with goals from Aaron Coyle, Jack Oldham and Luis Parkes doing the damage in front of a healthy 171 supporters.

A LITTLE ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

AFC Mansfield was formed in 2012 and joined the Central Midlands Football League, signing a 10-year rolling deal to play at the Forest Town Arena.

The newly-formed club - nicknamed 'the Bulls' - began their journey in the 2012/13 season, when they fought on four fronts and nearly won the lot.

For the first time in the Bulls' history, they found difficulty in adapting to their new league despite a promising start to the 2018/19 campaign.

The ray of sunshine in the first half of their season was another impressive FA Cup run which ended at a much higher side in Kettering Town, who could only just edge past the Bulls with a 2-1 win despite a very nervy ending.

At the start of the 21/22 season u21 Boss and club captain Phil Buxton was announced as the new AFC Mansfield Boss after Chatfield resigned as Boss to take up a new role elsewhere.

In 2022 founder Andrew Saunders announced that he was leaving the club to pursue a new opportunity. The Bulls were sold to NEFA, an independent football academy headed up by Spencer Fearn and Ryan McKnight. In November 2022 Spencer Fearn transferred his shares to long time director and Bulls Fan Mike Abbs and promptly appointed club legend Phil Buxton as club manager. Club founder Andrew Saunders rejoined the club at the start 23/24 season as director and general manager. The Bulls maintained their place at Step 5 and set about improving the squad for 2024/25.

FINALLY

With both sides needing points for very different reasons, we have an interesting game in prospect. The home side look to get back on track after a poor game on Saturday. The away side will aim to continue their good run of form and build on their victory over the bottom side at the weekend.

This Tuesday night, we have a change of caterer as DISCO FRIES visits the Stag, with some great food for you to sample. Please give them a try.

Admission prices are as follows

Adults £7
Concessions £4
U16s free with a paying adult

Please come along and support the lads

We would like to thank ROY LINES, who has very kindly sponsored the match on Tuesday night. For anyone who would like to sponsor a future match, please get in touch. It will cost just £50