Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough has his sights set on their FA Cup fifth-round match against Arsenal. It is a game that stands out for Clough amidst their cup run, despite having beaten Championship side Sheffield United and Premier League’s Burnley in the previous rounds.
Accrington Win Marked Turning Point
Clough pinpoints the second-round match against Accrington as a turning point. The game was played three months ago in early December. Mansfield had narrowly defeated League Two Harrogate 3-2 at home in the first round.
“We were down and out in extra time, playing in some of the worst conditions you’ve ever seen. We were done.
“A young lad called Kyle McAdam, who was on loan from Forest at the time, popped up with a goal and it was one of the most important goals of the season.”
Clough’s team progressed after a 3-1 shoot-out victory.
“It’s times like that you have to get through. Any good cup run of a lower league club will always have those moments, absolutely crucial moments. I think that was ours.
“You have to get through those and get over those hurdles in order to have a chance even of getting the rewards later on in the competition.”
Fifth Round Spot a Rare Feat for Supporters
Mansfield secured their place in the fifth round after coming from behind to beat Burnley 2-1 in the fourth round. This is the first time they have reached this stage of the competition since the 1974/75 season. Back then, as a Fourth Division club, they were beaten 1-0 by First Division Carlisle.
“To see people’s faces after the Burnley game – we took about 3,500 there and would’ve taken more if it had been allowed – and what it meant to them was worth everything,” Clough adds.
“You started becoming aware of football at nine, 10-years-old, something like that, so really, any Mansfield fan under the age of 60 has never seen their club in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
“That’s special, to be able to give a whole new generation that experience.”
Arsenal Tie Epitomises FA Cup Spirit
Mansfield’s reward for reaching this stage is a match against Arsenal, who are currently leading the Premier League. The Gunners were the last team his dad Brian faced in the FA Cup before he retired in the summer of 1993, after more than 18 years in charge at Nottingham Forest.
“That’s just a nice bit of trivia,” he says with a smile. “I had no idea!”
“When you see the tie on paper, it looks pretty special. It probably epitomises what the FA Cup is about.
“The supporters, everybody, absolutely can’t wait for it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. We’re talking about Mansfield not being here for 51 years – and then Arsenal coming to our little ground as well.
“It’s going to be a great occasion for everybody. It’ll be a big occasion.”
Mansfield welcome Arsenal to the OneCall Stadium in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.