The key takeaways from Mansfield Town’s win over Oxford United, including the current injury situation, an update on the trialists and the latest transfer news
Saturday’s solid 1-0 win over Championship newboys Oxford United extended Mansfield’s perfect pre-season record to four wins from four outings.
In that time they have conceded just once. They were never likely to concede another against an Oxford side who were lacklustre, you might even say dire, with their lack of energy and maybe even desire failing to cause a confident Stags any real trouble.
Though not tested too much, Mansfield did look well drilled defensively with Aden Flint and Deji Oshilaja looking assured, full-back George Williams getting forward to good effect and Frazer Blake-Tracy looking like a tough nut to crack.
With a few minutes left, United midfielder Will Vaulks clashed with Mansfield sub Hiram Boateng, sparking a 16-man scrum as ref Matthew Donohue tried to restore order.
When the pushing and shoving had died down, Donohue booked Vaulks and Boateng.
That momentarily took the spotlight off skipper Elliott Moore, who blundered to let in Mansfield for the winner 13 minutes after the break.
Centre-back Moore, one of the heroes of last season’s promotion campaign, gave the ball away in the box for Davis Keillor-Dunn to score for League One Mansfield
Mansfield, newly promoted from League Two, started strongly and Ingram made a crucial stop just after the five-minute mark, racing from his line to clear the ball from the feet of onrushing Stags forward Will Swan.
The home side’s press disrupted United’s efforts to play a passing game, but Tyler Goodrham managed the visitors’ first shot on goal in the 13th minute, firing a low effort wide from Ruben Rodrigues’ pass.
Then left-back Joe Bennett rescued Oxford with a timely block on a goalbound shot, underlining the fact that in attacking terms, the first 20 minutes definitely belonged to Nigel Clough’s men.
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