Modern Magic Moments: Rotherham United v Mansfield Town 5th November 2005
Back in the days when we didn’t have to qualify for the FA Cup First Round Proper (remember that luxury?), the wonderful cup competition drew us out of the hat against South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United.
The relatively short distance to the game ensured that a very healthy away following would be backing the yellows against League 1 opposition. Arriving early, me and the lads I’d travelled with decided to take in a few pre match beers. We ventured into a pub not too far away from the ground called Exchange. A pub with no furniture just a big open wooden floor and a bar, but nonetheless we ordered our beers and chatted away. Shortly after this, a double decked coach pulled up outside and people started to flood in filling the bar, a bus full of Stags fans all out for the day having a good time. The Stags faithful were in fine voice inside the establishment and this had obviously caught the attention of the local constabulary so upon us trying to leave the venue to head to the match, we were told in no uncertain terms that we were to wait and do as we were told, ready for them to frog march us to the ground. We were escorted down the main road and around the roundabout holding up the traffic in the process, taken down an alley towards the away end at Millmoor and were all patted down, felt up and harassed by the stewards and police, because apparently we were trouble makers and had to be searched before entering the ground. Thankfully, we did eventually make it into the ground!
Onto the match and the Millers included former Stag Lee Williamson in the squad of 16, a player that was allowed to leave our club under the reign of Keith Curle, because he didn’t score enough goals for a midfield player, so I’m sure it will come as a surprise to our former manager that ‘Leroy’ is currently plying his trade at the top end of the Championship with Sheffield United, nice move Keith.
Stags hero Richard ‘don’t call me Richie’ Barker was in the Stags starting line up to face his former club, a club whose fans had adopted the nickname ‘the bear’ for the front man for his likeness to that of a big tough grizzly bear, well that’s what I’d been told by several of the Millers fans prior to the game.
Football matches in today’s media are often described as rollercoaster’s when the goals are flying in for both sides and as I see it, nothing could describe this ding dong of a football match any better. It had everything that a brilliant FA Cup match requires; the ingredients were perfect, loads of goals, red cards, tough tackling and loud passionate fans.
It was the Stags who were first to break the deadlock and typically, I nipped off to take a leak hoping I’d not miss any action but luckily, as I was arriving back from the toilet which was in between two stands in the corner, I managed to see Simon Brown head us into a 28th minute lead and celebrated over the top of a farmers field style gate that was positioned between the two stands, get in! As I waded through the mass of Stags fans attempting to get back to my seat, Rotherham had taken advantage of some suspect defending from the Stags backline and levelled the score line with a fine attempt on the half volley from McLaren. It wasn’t long before the tie swung back in favour of the mighty Mansfield again, Gus Uhlenbeek managed to fly a cross into the box and it met the head of Stags midfielder Giles Coke who headed past the helpless Rotherham Goalie Montgomery! It was a highly controversial goal as Coke seemed to be at least 10 to 15 yards offside; however the linesman’s flag stayed firmly by his side and the Stags were 2-1 up. Unbelievably just as has happened when we’d gone into the lead earlier in the match, we were pegged back within a minute of going in front, this time McLaren unleashed a 25 yard belter into the top corner and left Kevin Pressman with absolutely no chance of getting to it. The half-time whistle arrived and both sides were applauded off with great anticipation of events in the 2nd half as this pulsating cup tie still had 45 minutes left to go.
The away fans, in The Railway End (I think that’s what it was called) at Millmoor were absolutely outstanding and still to this day, I don’t think I’ve ever been in such a brilliant Mansfield atmosphere anywhere in the world and that includes the likes of the play off final, Newcastle away and the numerous Notts County games, we were simply magnificent from start to finish and one particular chant that remains fresh in the memory was the ‘BARMY ARMY, BARMY ARMY’ which must’ve gone on for about 20 minutes and sounded fantastic. Their used to be a recording of that knocking about online somewhere, but I wouldn’t know where to find that now.
In the 2nd half Rotherham seemed to be asserting their authority and putting a stamp on the match that showed the neutrals amongst the crowd which team was plying their trade at a higher level. We couldn’t seem to cope with what they had to offer and a little over 5 minutes into the half, the home side took the lead for the first time in the tie. A right wing cross saw Pressman flapping and the ball hit Talbot who could do no more than inadvertently direct the ball into the back of the net. Manager Peter Shirtliff immediately made a change, replacing Jon Olav Hjelde with Rhys Day in the centre of defence which certainly sured things up at the back, shortly after we reverted to just 3 at the back as Adam Birchall took to the field to replace Talbot and Birchall made an almost immediate impact.
15 minutes were remaining on the clock when Birchall beat his marker to fly in an inch perfect cross for Richie Barker to poke past the keeper and celebrate the equaliser against his old club, 3-3 with plenty of time still on the clock. The game was wide open and both sides seemed to want to avoid the replay, but a clash between Rotherham player Keane and Stag Gus Uhlenbeek turned nasty with Uhlenbeek having to be restrained by several players, both players saw red and this certainly increased the atmosphere of the tie as both fans were really vociferously supporting their team. And just when it seemed that the tie was heading back to Field Mill, Richie Barker sent the away end wild by blasting in a 92nd minute volley into the back of the net. Giles Coke beat the Millers defence to head the ball into the path of Barker who was inch perfect with his shot. The final whistle saw wild celebrations as the Stags had beat League One opposition 4-3 away from home. I still remember falling down the steps whilst joyfully screaming and celebrating the goal, fantastic adrenaline buzz!
It’s possibly one of the proudest moments I’ve ever had as a Stags fan, it was a simply brilliant day and I long for the day things like this happen again. As I’m sure you’ll all know, we then went on to beat Grays Athletic in the 2nd round and faced Newcastle United at St James’ Park in the 3rd round, eventually beaten by an 82nd minute Alan Shearer goal, which meant he’d, equalled Jackie Milburn’s Newcastle record.
UP THE STAGS!
