10 August 2019 – Mansfield Town v Morecambe

10 August 2019 – Mansfield Town 2 Morecambe 2 (Attendance 4,465)

Parking was easy and cheap (£3.50) behind the railway station in blustery, sodden Mansfield. Quick stroll across a retail park car park and we were at the One Call Stadium – that's the current name, we prefer the traditional Field Mill.

Programme and 50/50 tickets bought we spotted a very junior match happening in a MUGA so took a seat to watch – immediately one of the kids – an ultra-aggressive five year old, walked up to the fence in front of us, made faces, kicked the fence and growled at us. Welcome to Mansfield! This was highly entertaining, the speccy kid threw a tantrum because he wasn't allowed to take the kick-off and stomped behind the goal and stamped his feet. The kids were pretty clueless, not sure any of them have ever seen anyone else playing the game before. When they had finished the aggro kid threw his water bottle at us. 

During our regular “read through the list of players to see if there are any that we have heard of” Sam found it hilarious that the ref is called Trevor Kettle. Pretty sure that he won't let the game boil over...

Into the ground we paddled through the customary random lake of water and headed upward to find food on the concourse. It was obvious that the staff in the booth were at the apex of their working lives as they struggled with the meagre queue and sparse menu. Sam was disappointed as there were no burgers on offer so we both opted for steak pie. Sam had a water and me? Yes, Bovril! Bonus point. Pie was surprisingly tasty. And the Bovril was atomically hot.

Up to our seats and disaster. In order that Sam and I have sufficient leg room I peruse available tickets and buy the middle two from an empty block of four – thus probably ensuring a gap each side as not many people buy a single. As happened at Scunthorpe last season, the “empty” places had been given by Mansfield to visiting scouts from other clubs, who sat, notebooks in hand, as we arrived. Seating is quite cramped here. Fortunately they both buggered off at half time, one to find a better seat and the other to go to Meadow Lane to watch Notts County play Barnet.

The game itself was low on quality but we had four goals and a terrible red card foul. Also a free kick from Morecambe's own half which hit the Mansfield crossbar. We came to the opinion that every Mansfield fan hates every other Mansfield fan, they bickered and moaned at each other throughout.

Atmosphere 1.5

Food & Drink 3

Stadium 2.5

Value For Money 3

Bonus points for Bovril, mascot in a costume and 50/50 draw. Point lost for home fans having a drum.

Final score 12, and Mansfield are top of the league! After one game admittedly, but still...