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A local clash at Clipstone Welfare was brushed aside to make way for this glamorous European clash with Spanish La Liga side, Deportivo Alaves. It was a big chance for Alaves to test themselves against some of the best players in Europe. The names of Williamson, White and Christie were even a scary thought for the experienced Alaves players Jordi Cruyff and Ivan Alonso as they prepared to take on a strong Mansfield side.
Crew Update
Members Present: Paolo, Ben, Cheggers, Yorkshire Dave, Dan, Pete, Rob, Les.
Guest Passes: Shaun (Guest of Paolo) Measures (Guest of Cheggers!) Tomo.
A larger BVC turnout than expected turned out for this European clash with Alaves. There were regular BVC members with a few special guests who had obtained BVC clearance for this match.
It was another one of those matches where Cheggers had been down Mansfield all afternoon. This time he was spotted in Rileys relaxing for this clash by playing snooker. Paolo decided to meet Ben at 4.30 but as Ben’s timekeeping skills don’t resemble his brother, Big Ben, he didn’t turn up until about 4.45.
They caught a bus into town and went to Riley’s where they met up with Cheggers and Paolo’s guest. The building BVC crew decided to hit the Early Doors for a couple of drinks.
The crew spotted Yorkshire Dave outside the Early Doors and someone nearly put the window through as they tried to alert him to our whereabouts.
A few worried members saw the crowds building and were concerned about not getting in to the match. This prompted a decision that the crew should make our way over the road to Field Mill.
The crew met up with Pete, Rob and Les inside the ground after Jeremy Beadle had visited Paolo. Leon, one of the supervisors decided to play a practical joke on Paolo, saying that he was banned from the Upper Tier. This nearly sparked a Riot, but Paolo could tell it was a wind-up and stayed calm.
Pete who had heard about the flood last week, decided to bring his luxurious boat to this game. Pete had docked it in the Quarry Lane car park just incase there was a repeat performance of the previous monsoon.
The BVC watched the match, getting the singing started, ensuring that there was no dull atmosphere. When the match had finished the crew went for a quick drink in the Queen’s before heading home.
Crew Overview
Paolo: Tried to get the Mansfield Supporters singing in the West Stand, with some success.
Ben: Still obsessed with chanting BVC despite several warnings from other groups.
Cheggers: The true alcoholic of the Crew, he even managed to get the crew to the pub after the match for a quick drink!!
Yorkshire Dave: Well what can I say about Dave, he has volunteered to drive us to Wigan!!
Pete Boat: The sailor of the group looked as though he had been on the Whiskey before the match. He travelled to the match in his Luxurious boat!!!
Les: He was being rather annoying but he is a great laugh.
Rob: His feet got quite excited at half-time!!! You know what I’m saying!!
Match Report
1st Half The players received a fantastic reception from the Mansfield supporters as they walked from the tunnel, with supporters chanting, “Stuart Watkiss Barmy Army” The moment the match kicked off, you could immediately tell that this was not going to be an easy task for the yellow and blue from Mansfield. The Alaves players had the skill and the pace as the Mansfield players struggled to close them down.
The first major attack from Alaves was easily intercepted from Mansfield keeper, Kevin Pilkington.
The attacking play from Alaves continued and it wasn’t long before a lovely build-up created the first goal of the evening. A lovely cross from Geli on the right wing was aimed at a line of Alaves players and it was Navarro who headed the ball from point blank range past a helpless Pilkington.
The Alaves team didn’t leave it there as they immediately attacked the Mansfield defence again, only for the cross to be cleared by Neil Moore.
Mansfield then had their first major chance to hit back. Williamson was tripped on the edge of the box leaving Scott Sellers with a chance to score from the free-kick. The free-kick was sent just wide of the post, leaving Mansfield to rue there first real opportunity.
The Mansfield fans could now feel that their team were getting back into this tie. The chances kept coming as the Stags mounted the pressure on there Spanish opposition.
Andy White provided the next chance, putting a good cross into the box for a charging Craig Disley, who was unable to beat the keeper to the ball.
Andy White again played his part in the next build-up; another cross from the left was met by Disley, whose shot was deflected out of the area by the Spanish defence.
The first signs of the quality of new signing Colin Larkin were spotted as he took on the defence, put in a cross, which unfortunately fell to the feet of an Alaves defender.
The Mansfield players still had much work to do despite their recent chances. They again allowed Jordi Cruyff too much space as he launched a blazing shot at Pilkington’s goal; fortunately he was able to just tip it over in time.
The pressure didn’t finish there as Gomez put in another fine cross, which was met by an unmarked Geli, who fortunately for the Stags had the shot deflected over the crossbar.
A mistake by Stuart Reddington almost cost the Stags dearly as what should have been an easy header back to Pilkington, almost ended up in the back of his own net, luckily enough for Reddington, the ball rolled just wide of the post.
2nd Half
The Second half started as a copy of the first with Alaves adding a second goal. A one-on-one chance against Pilkington was easily placed in the back of the net. The Mansfield fans clapped the player from Spain for his effort. The Stags kept trying to build, but knew that they would be unable to match a side full of quality players. The best chance of the match did come though, Disley managed to get in a shot, which unfortunately for him hit the bottom of the post only for the rebounding ball just to miss Larkin, by metres. It was certainly the closest that Mansfield were going to get all night. The Stags again managed to break Alaves down in midfield, with a line of 4 Mansfield players in the box, Andy White couldn’t quite get the ball connecting with a yellow shirt. It would have been a certain goal and Mansfield were left kicking themselves with another wasted golden opportunity.
Stuart Watkiss decided to make a change and introduced trialist Iysden Christie, who received a standing ovation and the chants of “Iysden” as he made his appearance onto the Field Mill pitch. It was not long before Norwegian trailist, Rune Wicken was introduced in place of home debutant Colin Larkin. The substitutions failed to improve the Mansfield performance as both sides kept the pressure on each other throughout the last 20 minutes of the second half. Wayne Corden came close towards the end with a good free-kick being tipped over the Alaves crossbar. The Mansfield supporters kept up their hope of a comeback as they burst into tune, ensuring the team had the vocal support as they battled to come back from 2 goals down. The Alaves side finished the game off with a third goal in the final few minutes. A corner was swung into the near post, only for a Spanish head to meet it and put a powerful header into the back of the Mansfield goal. The game was now over and both sides played the final few minutes out as Alaves claimed a well-deserved victory at Field Mill. The supporters applauded both teams as the final whistle was blew as they knew that the difference between La Liga and Division Two is world’s apart.