Stags 6-1 Oldham | Out with the Old

Mansfield Town 6-1 Oldham Athletic (Maynard 3, Wheater OWN GOAL, Afolayan, Knowles PEN) | Sky Bet League Two | Saturday 12th October 2019 | One Call Stadium    

*The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations*

After last weekend’s dramatic late winner at Grimsby, Mansfield Town needed to ensure they grabbed another victory, no matter how ugly, to jolt some momentum into their season – a thoroughly profession 6-1 of Oldham has done more than provide a jolt of momentum, it hopefully, has grabbed the old stuttering unacceptable form by the scruff of the neck and tossed it out into the wild to be banished forever.

Many who write about yesterday’s victory will have mentioned “nine-man Oldham” in their introductory paragraph, however I feel the Stags would have still won convincingly at 11 vs 11 – Oldham’s two deserved red cards just widened the goal posts.

In actual fact Mansfield learned a very valuable lesson playing against nine men, because at 2-0 following the double dismissal, the Stags switched off and arrogantly put their feet up thinking about how the win bonus would be spent. Through the Stags’ compliancy, despite having two men less, Oldham began to dominate play and clawed it back to 2-1, very much looking the more likely to score to make it 2-2 until Maynard sealed his hat-trick with a good counter attacking move right on the stroke of half-time.

I’m sure John Dempster and the coaching staff will have had words at the break and that the Stags will guard more closely against complainant behaviour in the future, doing so fabulously in the second half, controlling play patiently and taking the opportunities when they presented themselves.

Naturally a 6-1 victory gets everyone hyped and despite the two man advantage, given which people would expect even the worst team on the planet to go on and deliver a thrashing to the opposition - Full credit has to go to John Dempster, because even prior to the cards, the Stags were in full control and playing the best they have done under the ex-skipper.

That came through a change in style, with Hayden White suspended and Matt Preston STILL suspended, the Stags boss opted for a back four rather than a three and it worked wonders in allowing the centre backs to do what’s been lacking since the change of guard in the dugout – to actually play!

Pearce and Sweeney playing the ball out allowed Gordon and Benning to both get wider with us often, even at 11 v 11, to play with just two at the back, with either Shaughnessy or Gordon and Benning dropping in to be the third defender dependant on how Oldham came forward.

That adaptability within our ranks allowed us to be far more fluid in our approach play and is a big reason as to why we raced into a two goal lead, I firmly believe that had the game stayed at 11 v 11, that playing in that manner would have led us to a similar score line.

The hunger and desire to cover ground and move the ball caused Oldham real issues at 11 v 11 and naturally did even more damage at 11 v 9 – I feel if we can keep that up and play with that fizz and elastic pull and bounce, not only will we start to go on a bit of a run, but it also won’t be the first time we put six past someone.

The most pleasing thing from the entirety of the game is our professionalism, as I said above the wake-up call at 2-0 could prove critical, as after that we stripped all arrogance and frustration (ish) when things didn’t go our way, fighting and playing for each other – Maynard teeing up Afolayan, Mal Benning making youngster Knowles take then penalty for his first ever Football League goal just two examples of togetherness within the camp.

Meanwhile the Stags need to be praised for their care towards Oldham’s Dylan Fage who only minutes after coming on, lunged into a challenge with Maynard in the build up to the 5th goal to try and prevent the Stags scoring again, causing himself injury.

Pearce raced over to put him into the recovery position and called for the medical team to come on which is exactly what you want to see, we care for others rather than get wrapped up in the arrogant celebrations. I’m glad to see via twitter the lad is OK, many other footballers wouldn’t care to prevent at goal at 4-1 down with nine men away from home, a great attitude.

​It’s Forest Green up next for Mansfield who will look for their third consecutive victory, let’s go there and be as professional as yesterday and get the job done! Get in! 

match recap

With Hayden White suspended and Matt Preston still banned, it was Conor Shaughnessy who came in as the only change, and whilst many expected him to slot into a back three, he joined MacDonald and Bishop in midfield as the Stags went for a flat back four.

Mansfield started very brightly with a high intensity press and should have been ahead after seven minutes as Maynard found Rose on the edge of the box – the Stags’ leading scorer couldn’t add to his tally, stinging the hands of the keeper.

Rose had a further two efforts before MacDonald and Khan both stepped up to try their luck – neither could unlock the Oldham door, one man who could and did was Maynard on the half hour mark, timing his run well to nod Gordon’s right sided cross crisply into the back of the net.

Maynard doubled his and the Stags’ tally three minutes later, this time Rose won the ball in the middle and did well to work it wide left to Khan – his quick feet left Oldham stuck in the mud and watching on helplessly, as his cut back found Maynard who simply couldn’t miss.

Oldham’s afternoon went from bad to worse on 37 minutes when Egert crocked Benning, the Oldham man getting a straight red card for the reckless challenge. The referee had initially played on after Bishop had slipped in Benning, Bishop had been sent toppling by Morais who, after a mele of players following the Benning incident, picked up his second yellow and followed Egert into the dressing room.

Mansfield had a two-man advantage but arrogance and shoddy defending saw the visitors claw one back on 43 minutes, as Shaugnessy failed to track to the run of Hamer who had a simple tap-in after Logan had initially done well to palm away a cross/shot from the left.

The first half drama was far from over and the Stags struggled to find their rhythm after the goal, but Maynard soon banished any doubt- sealing his hat-trick on the stroke of the half time, skipping through from the half way line, nudging the ball around the on rushing keeper and into the empty net.

After the break Mansfield set about inflicting damage and added a fourth on 56 minutes, Sir Mal Benning will claim the goal as he drilled a cross low into the middle, David Wheater turned it into his own net – but I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to award it Mansfield’s knight of the relm.

Substitute Dapo Afolayan added the fifth on 66 minutes after Maynard had tussled his way through and clipped towards goal – the shot was going wide by the on loan West Ham man is quick, and got the final touch to ensure the Stags’ fifth goal of the afternoon.

Maynard then got a standing ovation as he was replaced by youngster Jimmy Knowles on 69 minutes – Knowles put in a solid display in midweek against Crewe and was on the scoresheet for the second time in as many games, getting the chance to net his first ever Football League goal eight minutes from time.

Afolayan was fouled inside the box but Mal Benning beat him to the ball – instructing youngster Knowles to take the spot kick, from which he sent the keeper the wrong way and erupted the One Call Stadium in delight, ultimately sealing a brilliant day at the office for the Stags!  

FULL TIME: Mansfield Town 6-1 Oldham Athletic | Attendance 4,368 (441)

STAGS: [4-4-2] Conrad Logan | Kellan Gordon, Krystian Pearce ©, Ryan Sweeney, Mal Benning | Alex MacDonald (Dapo Afolayan 61), Neal Bishop, Conor Shaughnessy, Otis Khan | Nicky Maynard (Jimmy Knowles 69), Danny Rose (Andy Cook 55) Unused Subs: Aidan Stone, Alistair Smith, CJ Hamilton, Willem Tomlinson

​Written by | Craig Priest
*The views expressed in this article, are solely those of the writer and not those of their associated organisations*