Newport v Mansfield descends into a melee with one player seen to have been headlocked to the ground during the League Two encounter.
Saturday afternoon’s game ended up finishing 1-1, but the main talking point was about a scuffle that took place in the 73rd minute.
It was Mansfield Town who took the lead at Rodney Parade after Dom Telford kept his cool from the spot, before the Exiles looked set to suffer defeat to their League Two promotion rivals when centre-back Josh Pask deflected a Stephen McLaughlin shot into his own net in the 68th minute.
John-Joe O’Toole was then dismissed for clashing with Courtney Baker-Richardson right in the faces of spectators.
County were then handed a penalty for handball and Telford scored his 22nd league goal of the season.
💉💉💉#ncafc 🧡🖤 pic.twitter.com/S3XEfybA9J
— 1912 Exiles: the Newport County Podcast (@1912Exiles) February 19, 2022
“Barely touched him, ref!”#PullTheOtherOne pic.twitter.com/5bw3eG0dvR
— 1912 Exiles: the Newport County Podcast (@1912Exiles) February 19, 2022
Managers are usually asked for their thoughts on incidents and often state they missed it, or would have to watch it back. Stags boss Nigel Clough didn’t fancy swerving that question at Rodney Parade.
“We feel as if his decisions, unfortunately, have been decisive – the ‘defining errors’ we call them – with the penalty and with the sending off,” said the Stags boss.
“Usually when there’s a melee like that, there’s a few yellow cards given out to both sides but we got a yellow and red, which is unusual.
“I think it compounded his error-strewn performance to give the penalty, which was absolutely staggering.
“It’s very frustrating when you see a refereeing performance like that and unfortunately his errors have resulted in us losing two points today.”
If anything, there were a number of players lucky to have avoided some sort of caution though both clubs will no doubt be sanctioned for ‘failing to control their players’.
“We were brilliant all the way through until we went down to 10 men and conceded the penalty,” said Clough.
“We were far superior. We created chances throughout and should have scored two in the first half. We got the goal and we were in complete control until the red card.
“To come to one of your promotion rivals, fellow contenders, and play as well as we did and be as brave on the ball as we were it speaks volumes.”
O’Toole complained about being shown red for grabbling Baker-Richardson around the neck, something he’ll be embarrassed about when watching it back.
Newport manager James Rowberry said: “I see it as a good point. Forget about the table because we have shown a real grit, desire and focus to keep going when we were up against it,” he said.
“I said to the lads that all I ask is that they give me their all every week, then the rest of it is on me.
“We showed unbelievable character, attitude and willingness to work.
“We didn’t start the game as quickly as I would have liked and they had a lot of chances in the first half but we stifled them more in the second half.
“We showed unbelievable character which makes me really proud of what the lads achieved.
“Mansfield have an excellent manager in Nigel Clough, who has probably had 1,000 league games, and we were up against a strong outfit.
“Naturally when you go up against 10 men you are going to have more shots, crosses, attempts on goal, that happens, but for me it was the character that we have shown that was tremendous.”
“I was speaking to somebody on Saturday morning who said to me ‘remember that this is what you signed up to’,” said the manager.
“I love it! I want to be able to make difficult decisions and understand I have to upset people and make changes in a game.
“It’s not ideal at half-time but it’s my responsibility to do that and I stand and fall by my own decisions. They are an understanding group and excellent professionals.”
Twitter users reacted as Newport v Mansfield descends into melee with a player headlocked to the ground…
@MoJoeCA: the reaction to the red is priceless 👏👏
@liam5jones: Unbelievable how he complained about getting sent off 🤣
@SeanMills6: The sort of stuff you absolutely love to see but even moreso when it’s the opposition self destructing from an extremely comfortable position and letting us back into the game. Cheers Mansfield
@Chrisherbert196: @mansfieldtownfc Not a red ? think you need to explain the rules to Clough
@NottsCounty1991: Can see now why Clough was livid
@WorboysLiam: Don’t touch my centre backs
@__Tjsmith: People getting upset about it but I’m just glad we’ve got a few players with a backbone tbh.
@mtfcroan: Both teams should have a red there. 1 for otool obviously but two for both the Newport players who started it in the first place
@RyanOv80: Are we all really applauding this??? Both want fining two weeks wages. Cost us 2 points and now both suspended. Idiots
@ConnorMcGurk5: Ard as fuck our JJ is
@KyleLan46750525: Technique on rear naked choke is absolute class
@Gazz_DRFC: JJOT wanting a few games off #DRFC
@essexstags: Go on JJ 🦌
@Cam_Felton: How has Wilmott not walked. Definitely threw a punch.
@alexjames_92: It’s beautiful. Worth the 3 game ban
@Owen25__: Oh for fuck sake 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@Sneag2:
Did you know if you put a law enforcement officer in a headlock they can use lethal force in retaliation as it’s considered a threat to life.
JJ better hope the FA don’t review the video or he’ll be getting longer than a 3 game ban.
@ManfredStags: Newport player deserved it. Don’t start shit you can’t finish.
@iamshaka87: How strong is he tho 😆😆😆 newport lad tapping out 🤣🤣🤣
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