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That win lifted us to fourth, a win tomorrow could do the same. But still looking back, In our second meeting at Field Mill in October saw Hulse take home the match ball with three goals. Another was hit home from Jack as the Alex marched on to the LDV 2nd Round.
The 3rd meeting was in the FA Cup where the Alex ran out 3-0 winners. A very dull game saw Rix knock home after poor defending, a Brammer penalty and a Ashton 25 yard thunderbolt seal it for the Alex.
>> Mansfield 1 Report
>> Mansfield 2 Report
>> Mansfield 3 Report
After the annoying loss at home to Oldham we need to get back on track with a few and a clean sheet. Just as we were starting to be taken seriously as promotion contenders, some saying we're the only team who can catch Wigan, Oldham come with their annoying tactics and counter attacking football. Well Tranmere take them on on Wednesday and with them on hot form and their physical approach i would expect Oldham to struggle. Other teams around us have Swindon(Bardiff) and Wycombe(Bristol C). The best we can probably hope for there is a couple of draws. If Oldham lose we go back to 4th and oh how we will laugh at their smug faces then. We can even afford them to draw as they sit 2 points in front of us on level goal difference.
Now further down the table. Well there's 3 points between 13th, Wycombe, and Mansfield in 21st place. So a win for Mansfield could take them up a few places, but thats not what we want. Mansfield recently though have picked up form with Curle turning things around. His first game , well, they lost 3-0 at Gresty Road. After that they put 4 past Blackpool without reply, then a 1-0 scrappy win over Barnsley - former loanee Andy White scoring the goal - and a 4-2 win over Stockport saw them move up 3 places to 21st. However the fans were brought down to earth when Brentford beat them 1-0. So even though they have won 3 in 5 we beat all them teams, quite comfortabley too. So there shouldn't really be a problem if we play to our best. I will go with a good 3-0 win for the Alex.
Team news - Dean Ashton has a unknown hamstring problem and is out till after the Colchester match. It means Rob Hulse, who got his 20th goal of the season against Oldham, will stay in the starting line up along side Rodney Jack. David Vaughan will then move into the left midfield slot. It is unknown whether Dario will drop red carded Foster after his antics in the Oldham match, also Dario may answer to strong calls for Sorvel to be dropped.. I would expect and like the line up to be: Ince; Wright, Walton, Foster, Tierney; Lunt, Brammer, Rix, Vaughan; Hulse, Jack.