Stags Turn Up The Heat As They Dismantle Stanley In Style
Mansfield Town’s unbeaten league run extends to seven games as they picked up their first away win of the season with a fine 3-0 victory over Accrington Stanley.
Goals from Davis Keillor-Dunn, George Maris and Aaron Lewis set the amber and blues on their way to a fine away victory in Lancashire.
Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman made one change from last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Notts County. Jay Rich-Baghuelou stepped into the heart of the defence in the place of Joe Gubbins.
Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough also made changes from the side that drew 0-0 last week against Bradford City. Aaron Lewis returned from injury to start in midfield in place of Ollie Clarke as James Gale replaced Will Swan in attack.
In the first 20 minutes, both sides looked to create chances and hold possession as they were looking for clear-cut opportunities.
Jordan Bowery was able to cross the ball to George Maris who knocked the ball back but could not find a teammate in amber and blue.
Accrington’s first chance of the half fell for Josh Andrews but the forward failed to hit the target with his header as his effort went wide of the target.
In the 29th minute, the Stags drew first blood as Gale’s cross found Keillor-Dunn who chested the ball and sent an audacious overhead kick into the top corner of Toby Savin’s goal.
Seven minutes later, Mansfield Town were 2-0 up as Lewis’ through ball found the run of Keillor-Dunn. Scorer turned into provider as the forward squared the ball to the on-rushing Maris who slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Lucas Akins set Gale away as he flicked the ball on with his head. The young forward cut the ball onto his left foot but his shot was eventually blocked.
In added time in the first half, Christy Pym had to make a vital save as Jack Nolan fired a powerful effort goalwards, however, Stags’ number one made sure nothing was going past him as he dove to his left to deny the midfielder.
Keillor-Dunn looked for a second goal as Akins’ through ball found the forward. The scorer of the first goal tried to prod the ball past Savin but the goalkeeper got a vital touch to clear the danger.
After a mistake at the back from the Stags, Andrews found the ball at his feet as he fired an effort goalwards, forcing Pym into a vital save. On the follow-up, Nolan was unable to fire a shot on target as his effort went over from close range.
Substitute Hiram Boateng looked to find the net not long after coming on, however, his curled effort went narrowly wide of the target.
With 15 minutes to go, the Stags rounded off a fantastic display with another extraordinary goal.
As Accrington looked to play out from the back, Savin punted the ball forward. The clearance fell into the path of Lewis who sent a first-time effort into the net from range.
In the final minutes of the game, substitutes Clarke and Swan had chances to add to the goal tally but couldn’t find the net as the Stags ran out 3-0 victors in fantastic fashion.
The win pushes Mansfield Town into the automatic promotion places as the Stags sit third in League Two on 13 points with three wins and four draws.
On the other hand, Accrington Stanley dropped to the bottom half of the table after the defeat as Accy sit 15th in League Two on 10 points with three wins, one draw and three losses.
Both sides are back in action next weekend as the Stags travel to Colchester United whilst Stanley play host to Sutton United.
Accrington Stanley XI: Savin, Rich-Baghuelou (Gubbins 67′), Mellor, Hills, Coyle (Adedoyin 77′), Whalley, Longelo, Nolan (Lowe 90+5′), Leigh, Andrews, Conneely (J. Woods 90+5′)
Mansfield Town XI: Pym, Bowery, Flint, Brunt, Macdonald (Cargill 77′), Reed, Lewis (Williams 90+1′), Maris (Boateng 57′), Keillor-Dunn (Swan 77′), Gale, (Clarke 90+1′), Akins
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