Football VAVEL

Mansfield Town vs Stockport County: League Two Preview, Gameweek 5, 2022

Stockport look to arrest a bad run of form to start the season as they visit Mansfield.

Mansfield Town vs Stockport County: League Two Preview, Gameweek 5, 2022
Photo: John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images
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By John Lupo

Stockport County faces a big challenge as the Hatters visit Mansfield Town in EFL League Two action.

A stoppage-time winner from Kieran Agard sent Stockport to a third defeat in their opening four matches as Doncaster Rovers claimed a 2-1 victory on Tuesday.

Fancied as one of the favorites for promotion following a season that saw them reach the play-off final, the Stags were 5-2 winners over AFC Wimbledon with five different players scoring.

This fixture hasn't been kind to Stockport as the Hatters have lost eight of their last nine visits to Mansfield, their last victory coming in 1983.

Team news

Mansfield

Oli Hawkins and Hiram Boateng will be assessed prior to kick-off as both are battling hamstring injuries. Lucas Akins will also be looked at to see if his groin injury has healed well enough for him to feature.

Rhys Oates is being monitored after suffering what manager Nigel Clough called a "shoulder-cum-chest" problem.

Jordan Bowery will return to the Stags midfield following his one-match suspension.

Stockport

Ashley Palmer will be back in the side after serving a one-match ban against Doncaster.

Macauley Southam-Hales is set to miss out after seeing red in midweek with Ryan Rydel, who scored in midweek, in line to take his place.

Likely lineups

Mansfield Town: Pym; Harbottle, O'Toole, Perch; McLaughlin, Boateng, Paris, Quinn, Bowery; Swan, Oates

Stockport County: Hinchcliffe; Lewis, Brown, Horsfall; Hippolyte, Sarcevic, Croasdale, Camps, Rydel; Crankshaw, Madden

Key players

Rhys Oates (Mansfield Town)

The forward will be familiar to Stockport supporters having helped the Hatters to promotion two years ago while on loan at Edgeley Park, winning the Player of the Year award and scoring the winner in the play-off semi-final.

Oates was Mansfield's top scorer last season with ten and opened his account on Tuesday from the penalty spot.

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Ryan Croasdale (Stockport County)

The 27-year-old has been a model of consistency for Stockport, starting 68 of his last 69 matches with the Hatters and is four matches away from reaching the century mark.

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Match details

Where is the match being played?

The One Call Stadium will host this fixture.

What time is the match?

Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 BST.

How can I watch the match?

With no live television or streaming coverage, Mansfield's iFollow channel is offering live audio with a match pass for £2.50.