A Mariners reserves side faced up against Mansfield Town at RH Academy to begin the Central Reserves League Cup fixtures this campaign.
A dominant performance from the hosts, the Mariners conceded five in what was an overall disappointing afternoon for Town.
David Artell’s side was a mix of experience and youth, with Seb Auton starting the game in between the sticks behind a defence made up of Joe Foulkes, Sam Lavelle, Edon Pruti and Lennon Peterson.
The midfield included Kristian Catchpole, Ryley Reynolds and Trialist A and spearheaded by Henry Brown, Iwan Morgan and Ted Sharp.
FIRST HALF
Mansfield took the early lead just four minutes in, following a mistake at the back from Town, with the Mansfield number eight firing home from the edge of area.
Despite the early set-back, Town’s first chance arrived in the shape of a close-range effort from Town’s number nine Iwan Morgan, who narrowly fired the ball past the post.
25 minutes in a pass out from the back by Town’s shot-stopper was seized upon by the hosts, with Auton attempting a recovery at the feet of the Mansfield forward and conceding a penalty kick, which was cooly dispatched by the number nine to double the host’s lead.
The hosts made it three from a direct free-kick opportunity just five minutes later following a foul at the edge of the area from Trialist A, with the Mansfield number 10 curling an effort into the top right corner.
Trialist A made way on the 30-minute mark, being replaced by Darius Neagu.
SECOND HALF
Mansfield continued their strong first half display by adding a fourth, firing low into the bottom right corner four minutes into the second half.
Just before the hour-mark, Neagu and Foulkes combined with the latter crossing to Ted Sharp who nodded an effort over the bar.
The hosts added a fifth through a counter-attacking move, capitalising on a misplaced pass in the 68th minute with the ball squeezing underneath Auton at his near post.
Iwan Morgan was denied by a finger-tip save, working space to fire a curled effort goalwards only for the Stag’s ‘keeper to tip the ball over the bar.
Town made a double switch on the 72 minute-mark, with Curtis Manyika coming on for Iwan Morgan and Alex Graham making his first appearance since our pre-season meeting with Cleethorpes Town, replacing Lennon Peterson at full-back.
Town made a further change with Josh Edwards replacing Kristian Catchpole in the 86th minute.
UTM
