Date: Tuesday 2nd April
Venue: Forest Town Arena, Clipstone Road West, Forest Town, Mansfield, NG19 0EE
Kick Off: 7.45pm
Competition: Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One East
Highlights: Highwaymen TV
The Highwaymen make their second trip to Nottinghamshire in three days when they face AFC Mansfield on Tuesday evening. Morpeth will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 13 games in all competitions, after winning 11 of their previous 12 fixtures.
History
A.F.C. Mansfield was formed in June 2012 by three former directors of Mansfield Town following a series of disputes within the club’s management. The new club was immediately given a place in the Central Midlands League, and were placed in the North Division.
After finishing as runners-up in their first season, the club won the North Division in 2013–14, earning promotion to Division One of the Northern Counties East League. They also completed the double, winning the Central Midlands League Cup, beating Thorne Colliery 2–1 in the final.
The club finished seventh in Division One in 2014–15. The following season saw them finish as runners-up, earning promotion to the Premier Division. They also competed in the FA Cup for the first time, losing 2–1 at South Normanton Athletic in the extra-preliminary round. The club finished third in the Premier Division in 2017–18, missing out on promotion on goal difference. However, after Andover Town refused promotion, AFC Mansfield were promoted instead, moving up to Division One East of the Northern Premier League.
Last Match
The Bulls travelled to Wisbech Town in a relegation six-pointer which saw the spoils shared in a 1-1 draw. Cameron Dear put the visitors ahead with a deflected free-kick but red cards for Pat Lindley and Ollie Fearon either side of half time put Mansfield under pressure. Michael Frew drew the hosts levelled when he headed home.
Morpeth were in action at Carlton Town and were made to work hard by their hosts but Joe Walton’s volley on the stroke of half time was enough to seal the points for the Highwaymen.
Manager
Mark Ward – Former assistant manager Mark Ward took the helm in February, following the mutual decision to part ways with Rudy Funk. Ward was a player with the Bulls in the 2014/15 season before joining as assistant manager in 2016.
