Swindon Town will be looking to building on last week with a strong showing this afternoon, following their previous two games with a victory against Tranmere on Tuesday and draw to Harrogate on Saturday, both played at The County Ground.
With the hosts currently sitting top of the League Two table, Town will be looking to upset the leaders and see if they can replicate the home fixture which saw Swindon end Mansfield's previous unbeaten league run earlier this season.
18 wins, 12 draws and just five defeats sees the Stags sit at the top of the tree with just under a quarter of the season left to play, with Town hoping they can end the 23/24 season positively with encouraging performances against the difficult opposition in the division.
A lowdown on the visitors:
Mansfield Town, initially known as Mansfield Wesleyans, was established in 1897, deriving its name from the local Wesleyan church. The club started in friendlies and joined the Mansfield and District Amateur League in 1902–03. Changing names and leagues over the years, Mansfield faced struggles until post-World War I when they acquired Field Mill ground. In 1921, the club entered the Midland Counties League, achieving FA Cup success in 1928–29 but narrowly missing the Football League election.
In 1931, Mansfield entered the Southern Section of the Third Division. Pre-World War II, Ted Harston's goal-scoring prowess stood out. Post-war, Mansfield made progress, notably reaching the fifth round of the FA Cup in 1950–51 and completing an unbeaten home schedule in 1951. Relegated to the Fourth Division in 1959–60, they were promoted back to the Third Division in 1962–63. However, promotions were marred by player suspensions for bribery in 1962. The club experienced highs like a memorable FA Cup run in 1968–69 but also faced relegations.
Mansfield won the Football League Trophy in 1987, but subsequent years were marked by inconsistency and ownership controversies, particularly with Keith Haslam. In 2001–02, they earned promotion to the third tier, but relegation followed in 2002–03. A play-off final loss in 2003–04 added to their challenges. In 2008, relegation to the Conference occurred, with ownership changes marked by fan protests.
Under John Radford's ownership from 2010, Mansfield saw success, winning the Conference Premier title in 2012–13, marking their return to the Football League. Despite finishing 11th in their first season back, Mansfield narrowly missed promotion in 2018–19 and lost in the play-off final in 2021–22. Ownership changes, including Radford's acquisition of Field Mill in 2012, have played a crucial role in the club's recent history.
Head-to-head:
2021/22: Swindon Town 1-0 Mansfield Town
2021/22: Mansfield Town 3-2 Swindon Town
2022/23: Mansfield Town 2-5 Swindon Town
2022/23: Swindon Town 2-4 Mansfield Town
2023/24: Swindon Town 2-1 Mansfield Town
Manager: Nigel Clough
Nigel Clough became Mansfield Town First-Team Manager in November 2020, where would achieve immediate success as he took the Stags on a record-breaking home winning streak during the season after a poor start, culminating in the League 2 Play-Off Final at the end of the 2021/22 season losing 3-0 to Port Vale. After the 2022-23 season where they narrowly missed out on a play-off place by a single goal, he extended his stay.
Clough, who is 57, enjoyed a 24-year playing career as a forward, having previously played for the likes of Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, Manchester City, Sheffield Wednesday and Burton Albion, with the Brewers being Clough’s first club management back in 1998.
Having followed in infamous father’s footsteps with football management, Clough spent 11 seasons with Burton and delivered success both domestically and in the league before joining Derby County between 2009 - 2013. Clough then spent two years at Sheffield United and then five years back with Burton Albion, before currently settling down with today’s opponents Mansfield Town.
One to watch: Davis Keillor-Dunn
A forward who is continuing his prolific season in League Two this campaign, following experiences with the likes of Ross County and Falkirk in Scotland, and Wrexham in Wales is Davis Keillor-Dunn who joined in January last year.
17 goals and seven assists in 35 games, is evidence of the threat that the 26-year-old holds, and Town will be looking to keep him quiet as they look to respond to last weekend's home draw to Harrogate at The County Ground.
