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A faultless performance from the Stags secured their first home win of the season and earned them a much needed clean sheet in the process.
The amber and blues ran riot and could have scored more than four goals, but a 4-0 victory sent out a statement that the Stags are here to battle their way up the League Two table in the new year.
It didn’t take long for Mansfield Town to take the lead in fact it was just under a minute. Harry Charsley’s first effort was saved by Port Vale goalkeeper Scott Brown as the shot was pushed onto the post. Ollie Clarke was in the box to react as the Stags captain smashed the ball into the goal to start the Mansfield onslaught.
Jordan Bowery came to life in the 32nd minute after George Maris’ cross wasn’t cleared away by the Port Vale defence, the forward was able to get onto the end of the delivery and slam home to make it 2-0. The striker continued his recent impressive goalscoring record and there would be more to come.
Thankfully for the Stags the game was not called off after heavy snowfall during the half-time interval saw the pitch completely covered, but referee Ben Toner ordered for the yellow ball to come out and for the groundsman to clear the lines so the fourth official, both linesman and the referee would be able to see them so they call decisions correctly.
It didn’t take long for the Stags to gain the upper hand in the fixture after Leon Legge was sent off for a second bookable offence. He was first shown a yellow card in the first half after fouling Jamie Reid and then the Port Vale captain was shown his second yellow card after fouling George Lapslie near the edge of the area.
Port Vale looked to slightly creep back into the game as shots from substitutes Tom Pope and Cristian Montano forced Marek Stech to make saves, but the Czech goalkeeper was adamant on getting his fifth clean sheet of the League Two season.
Another stoppage in play saw the lines brushed from the snow once more as the game edged closer to a postponement. Luckily for the Stags, two minutes later the referee waved the players back on the pitch and the match continued.
Bowery continued his goalscoring streak after the Stags were awarded a penalty in the 76th minute. A very close call from Toner saw the referee point to the penalty spot after Charsley was brought down in the penalty area.
The forward brewing with confidence took the ball and put it on the penalty spot and dispatched the ball into the back of the net as he scored his brace since the September 1st when he completed the feat for Crewe Alexandra against Macclesfield Town in League Two.
The forward would not stop there though as he scored his first professional hat-trick and what a way it was to round off a fantastic move from the Stags. A move that started from Stech’s goal saw ten players involved in the move with only Mal Benning not touching the ball, but the full-backs off the ball involvement was crucial in the final stages of the move.
A lovely weighted ball from skipper Clarke saw Bowery hit a first time shot towards the goal which curled into the goal off the post and handed the forward a well-earned match ball.
Mansfield Town manager Nigel Clough commented on Bowery’s hat-trick, something he says is ‘brilliant’ for the striker and the team.
“I think it’s great, because the only thing he needed to add to his game was goals. And he’s done that in the last few weeks.
“It’s brilliant for him personally and brilliant for the team. The best thing you can do for the team is score a goal, and he’s done that five times in the last couple of weeks.
“It’s great for his confidence. He’s scoring his goals from out on the left, so all-round, it’s great for him and the team.”
Bowery was humble about the hat-trick in his post-match thoughts and was pleased to score his first-ever hat-trick but also help his team get the three points.
“It’s my first-ever hat-trick so I’m proud of that and hopefully I’ll get a few more.”
“Three points, clean sheet, three goals so I’m very happy with that.
“[The third] is probably the best finish of the three. It was great play by Ollie [Clarke] and the weight of pass allowed me to hit it first time with my left foot. I think it was a good finish.
“It’s not very often that happens but I’ll take anything. I’m just pleased to, first of all, get three points and the home win, that’s the main thing. “
Now attentions turn to Salford City on Tuesday night for the Stags as they search for three straight wins for the first time since January 2019 after the Stags secured three victories against Crawley, Colchester and Tranmere in their promotion-hunting campaign of 2018/19.
The amber and blues will hope Bowery can continue his goalscoring streak as the striker continues to produce goals for the Nottinghamshire club as they look to climb up the league table.
Also, the January transfer window is about to open on January 4th and Clough has hinted on bringing some reinforcements to continue the progress started by the current squad and it will be interesting who the Stags may sign and if there will be any departures during this transfer window.
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