The Bogey Team Curse Is Lifted As Stags Cruise To A 4-1 Win Over Harrogate Town
Mansfield Town extended their unbeaten run to 18 games as they emerged 4-1 victors against Harrogate Town, ending almost a three-year wait for a win over the Sulphurites.
The Stags took the lead inside the first 10 minutes as George Maris’ cross was headed back across goal by Aden Flint. The ball landed at the feet of Lewis Brunt who smashed his effort home from close range for his first goal in Stags colours.
A quick-fire double from Lucas Akins saw Mansfield Town take a 3-0 lead into half-time as the amber and blues looked to be in complete control of the match.
In the 73rd minute, Maris got on the scoresheet as Davis Keillor-Dunn squared the ball to midfielder who made it 4-0 in Mansfield Town’s favour.
The hosts managed to get a goal back in the final 10 minutes of the match as Levi Sutton’s effort deflected into the back of the net, however, the game was won in the first half as the Stags ran out 4-1 victors.
Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver made three changes from the side that beat Colchester United at the weekend. Rod McDonald, Sam Folarin and Jack Muldoon replaced Warren Burrell, James Daly and Josh March in the starting XI.
Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough made one change from the side that beat Notts County 4-1 last time out. Lewis Brunt replaced the suspended Baily Cargill at centre-back as there was a space on the bench for Stephen McLaughlin who returns to the matchday squad for the first time this season since sustaining a knee injury in April.
The Stags, in their red away kit, started the first half strongly as Louis Reed tried his luck but his effort went over the crossbar.
Jordan Bowery found Maris in space with the midfielder firing a shot from outside of the box wide of Mark Oxley’s goal.
In the eighth minute, Mansfield Town took the lead as Maris’ corner was nodded down by Flint into the path of Brunt who opened his Stags account.
Oxley continued to be tested as Reed forced the Harrogate goalkeeper into a good save to deny him with Keillor-Dunn flashing an effort wide moments later.
Mid-way through the first half, Akins fired a shot at goalwards but Oxley was able to claim the ball as the Stags continued to attack with purpose.
Another corner from Maris found Flint at the back post, however, the defender headed the ball down and wide of the goal.
In the space of two minutes, Lucas Akins scored a double to put the Stags 3-0 in front.
His first goal saw him instinctively fire the ball home following Ollie Clarke’s shot that hit the post with the forward grabbing his second after Keillor-Dunn’s effort deflected into his path and he had the easy task of bundling the ball in.
Abraham Odoh had the first chance of the second half as Harrogate came out with a vengeance but his header was easily claimed by Christy Pym.
The Stags started to find their feet as the half progressed as Keillor-Dunn had chances to add to the scoring but the forward failed to test Oxley in the Harrogate goal.
Odoh had another fantastic chance to find the net as he curled an effort goalwards but Flint did brilliantly to head the ball clear.
Akins had the chance to seal his hat-trick as Maris found him inside the box but Oxley made a great save to deny him.
Two minutes after Akins’ chance, the Stags made it 4-0 as Keillor-Dunn’s square ball found Maris who smashed the ball past Oxley and into the net.
The Sulphurites were able to get a goal back through Sutton as his deflected effort beat Pym and hit the back of the net, however, it was too little too late as the Stags earned a massive 4-1 win for the second consecutive game.
A second straight win for the Stags moved them up to fourth in League Two, one point off the automatic places with a game in hand, whilst Harrogate fell down to 17th place after the loss, six points off the Play-Off places.
Both sides are back in action this weekend as Harrogate Town welcome Crewe Alexandra with Mansfield Town also at home as they play host to Walsall.
Harrogate Town’s XI: Oxley, Ramsay, O’Connor, McDonald, Foulds, Sutton, Cornelius (Falkingham 46′), Thomson, M. Daly (March 77′), Folarin (Armstrong 77′), Muldoon (Odoh 46′)
Mansfield Town’s XI: Pym, Bowery, Flint, Brunt, Macdonald (Johnson 75′), Reed, Lewis (Boateng 75′), Clarke (Williams 79′), Maris (Gale 74′), Keillor-Dunn (Swan 79′), Akins
