Andy Garner says free-scoring Stags could have had eight goals against Salford

By Sports Desk February 24, 2024

Free-scoring Mansfield demolished 10-man Salford 5-1 to go top of Sky Bet League Two and first team coach Andy Garner believes they should have netted even more.

Stags have now scored 19 goals in four games and Garner said: “We should have scored a few more today, to be honest. That’s not being over the top.

“It was an absolutely fantastic win and we’re just disappointed to concede one.

“We’ve won 5-1 but with the chances we had we should have had eight in all honesty, no disrespect to the opposition.

“But we did score five fantastic goals so we are delighted. There was no sitting back, even at 4-1. We want to score goals.

“We won’t get carried away going top, that’s for sure. This club will never do that. This management and our staff won’t allow that to happen – and the players won’t either.

“We have 13 games left so there is still a long way to go. But we are enjoying it at the moment.

Will Swan headed Mansfield in front in the 18th minute from Aaron Lewis’ cross.

Salford, unbeaten in eight games going into this match, levelled through a superb solo goal by Junior Luamba in the 42nd minute, only to see Baily Cargill restore the Stags’ advantage in first half added-time as he diverted a Davis Keillor-Dunn corner in off a defender at the far post.

In the 57th minute Stephen Quinn set up a tap-in for Keillor-Dunn on a breakaway and City hopes nosedived further when Theo Vassell was sent off as last man for bringing down Lucas Akins in the 73rd minute.

Akins made it 4-1 as he raced clear with nine minutes remaining, before Hiram Boateng poked home the fifth deep into stoppage time.

Salford boss Karl Robinson was left fuming over the red card and a string of decisions by the officials.

“It was shambolic at times and that’s not the team, that’s the officiating again,” he said.

“Referees don’t come to me and speak about things being fair. I don’t think some of the actions today were fair for my team.

“I had a go at them once and was booked – he just couldn’t wait.

“Matt Smith’s shirt is ripped. He was dragged about left, right and centre but the referee didn’t give a thing.

“We even had Theo Vassell’s shirt actually over his head and the referee gave it to them.

“For the sending-off the lad has stood in front of Theo and you will see there is no contact.”

He added: “We were good first half and went toe to toe with a side that is now top of the league.

“We got beaten 5-1 in the end, but that’s football. Sometimes it falls for you and sometimes against you, that’s the way we play.

“But I am baffled by some of the things that have gone on on that pitch today.”

Related items

  • Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women

    Tottenham Women manager Robert Vilahamn believes his side will use their FA Cup final defeat to start something special, rather than ending their good work.

    Spurs were hammered 4-0 by Manchester United Women in Sunday's Wembley Stadium showpiece as Ella Toone and Rachel Williams were on target before Lucia Garcia's second-half double.

    Vilahamn's side failed to manage a shot on target but the Spurs boss suggested his team will catch up to the women's elite clubs.

    "The main thing I said was this is not the end, it is the beginning," Vilahamn said.

    "We still have a gap between us and the top teams but that's normal. We are closing the gap but we haven't closed the gap yet."

    Tottenham finished sixth in the Women's Super League as well as reaching this final, their first FA Cup showpiece appearance in their short history.

    Vilahamn wants his Spurs players to use this defeat as motivation going forward.

    "If you take away the feelings right now, you need to look at these players doing some incredible things this year," he said.

    "We are at Wembley playing in front of our fans and they are actually enjoying it and staying, and supporting us after.

    "We got a good experience today and we are learning how to play at Wembley more times. We need to look at it that way because the players are amazing."

  • Erik ten Hag: Man United fans are understanding of situation Erik ten Hag: Man United fans are understanding of situation

    Erik ten Hag is confident he still has the understanding of supporters after Manchester United's poor run of form continued with defeat to Arsenal.

    United were beaten 1-0 by Premier League title chasers Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday in a game that saw them create little.

    While United did well to restrict Arsenal's chances, they had just two shots on target themselves - long-rangers from Casemiro and Antony.

    The Red Devils have had to contend with a number of injury problems this season, not least against Arsenal with a makeshift defence fielded.

    And for that reason, Ten Hag - whose job beyond this season has been called into question - believes the fanbase remain supportive.

    "They understand where we are and where this club is," he told Sky Sports. "We have so many injuries in key areas.

    "The fans don't get what they deserve, but they understand this and that is why they are behind the team.

    "I think that is why they are with us we are united. Hopefully we can pay them back in the future."

    Ten Hag pointed out that United were without seven possible starters, forcing him to field veteran Jonny Evans alongside Casemiro at centre-back.

    Casemiro was at fault for Arsenal's goal as he was slow getting back up the field, meaning Havertz was onside before teeing up Trossard.

    Ten Hag, though, was not willing to point the finger of blame at the underperforming midfielder.

    "In that situation he is a midfielder playing in that position and making a small mistake, but it has hard consequences," he said.

    "Before that, in possession we could have done better in others positions. It's details."

    Eighth-placed United have won just one of their past eight league matches in a run that includes a 4-0 thumping at Crystal Palace earlier in the week.

    The Red Devils have lost 19 games in all competitions this season, which is their most since 1977-78 when also losing 19.

    Asked if he believes he is the man to turn things around, Ten Hag said: "I have no doubt about this.

    "Mostly, this team has the right spirit and they execute the rules and principles of the game even if they have to adapt in their positions.

    "I can only be happy and it is a big compliment for this team that they executed all that they could and they were fighting."

  • Manchester United Women 4-0 Tottenham Women: Garcia double secures Red Devils' first FA Cup triumph Manchester United Women 4-0 Tottenham Women: Garcia double secures Red Devils' first FA Cup triumph

    Manchester United Women banished last year's FA Cup demons to lift the trophy for the first time in their history after smashing Tottenham Women 4-0 at Wembley Stadium.

    United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea Women in the final of this competition last term but exacted revenge after Lucia Garcia scored twice in a comfortable win on Sunday.

    Ella Toone's eye-catching strike in the first half set the tone before a goal for Rachel Williams and Garcia's double added gloss to a convincing scoreline, despite Beth England hitting the crossbar for Spurs.

    Marc Skinner's side dominated the opening half as Millie Turner saw a header cleared off the line by Martha Thomas, while Williams headed over.

    However, there was no stopping Toone on the stroke of half-time as she exchanged passes with Lisa Naalsund before arrowing a rocketed right-footed finish into the top corner from the edge of the area.

    Further punishment followed for an underwhelming Tottenham after the interval when Williams headed down from Katie Zelem's free-kick to double United's lead in the 54th minute.

    Goalkeeper Becky Spencer then handed Skinner's team more joy just three minutes later, mindlessly playing straight to Garcia, who slotted into an empty net.

    Garcia capped the scoring after 74 minutes, receiving an offload from Turner before curling a delightful finish past the powerless Spencer as United secured their first major trophy in club history.

    Data Debrief: United ease pain of last year

    United fell short last year against Chelsea but continued their impressive record against Spurs here, extending to 13 games unbeaten against Tottenham since being founded in 2018.

    This defeat will remain painful for Spurs in their first FA Cup final appearance, also ending a seven-game undefeated streak since losing to rivals Arsenal at the start of March.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.