Rhys Oates: Tricky forward wrecks havoc as he gets on the scoresheet and helps the Stags to another vital league victory

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Pace, power, technique, skill. These are just some of the outstanding attributes that Rhys Oates has in his repertoire and he put them all on display in Mansfield Town’s 2-1 win over Colchester United.

After his move from Hartlepool United in the summer, the forward needed time to settle in, however, he is now firing on all cylinders and is proving just how much of a danger he is to any opposition.

The 27-year-old put himself about by winning balls in the air, running at the Colchester defence at pace and looking to provide his teammates with opportunities.

His goal in the 19th minute just optimised what the forward is about and the finish was a touch of excellence from Stags’ number 18.

As the ball was cleared following a cross into the Mansfield box, Oates gained possession as he put his head down and charged goalwards.

Skipping past two defenders, the forward had one man in his way between him and the goal. Rather than opting to run around the last man, he shot a powerful effort from outside of the box which flew into the bottom corner of the goal.

The 27-year-old gave his thoughts on the goal after the game and knew that the goalkeeper stood ‘no chance’ after he struck the ball goalwards.

“As soon as I hit it, it’s one of those where you know it’s going in and the ‘keeper has got no chance,” he said.

“[I’m] not sure if I have [scored a better goal]. I think that’s definitely up there with one of my best.

“It was a great header out by Macca [Stephen McLaughlin]. I ran on to it, got my head down and kept going. One of them [a Colchester player] tried to hack me down but he didn’t quite get me. [Then] it bobbled up nicely, so I thought I’m just going to hit it and thankfully it went into the top corner.”

Jordan Bowery, who came off the substitutes bench in the 82nd minute to replace George Maris, doubled Mansfield’s lead in added time from the penalty spot.

Stags’ number nine got on the ball and drove forwards as he found skipper Ollie Clarke inside the box. He was brought down by a Colchester defender which saw Bowery step up and calmly tuck his spot-kick into the bottom corner of the goal.

Alan Judge did score a wonder free-kick in the final minute of added time in the second half, however, it was only enough for a consolation as the amber and blues recorded their ninth consecutive home league victory.

Oates continues to prove he is irreplaceable

Starting out in the Barnsley academy, the Pontefract-born forward featured 10 times for the Tykes, scoring no goals and leaving the club in 2015.

Following loan spells for Gainsborough Trinity, Stockport County, Grimsby Town and Chester, he joined Hartlepool United on a permanent basis after he was released from Barnsley.

His first season for the Pools saw him score three goals in 45 appearances as he continued to plug away and improve his game.

Proving your worth in the Football League is never easy and Oates had to experience it the tough way sometimes as the 2016/17 campaign saw him only feature 27 times for Hartlepool. In the middle of that season, the forward was only shipped out on loan to Gateshead as the Pools were relegated down to the National League.

He did however achieve his best goalscoring season in the Football League with three goals and a further four assists.

Oates’ return down to the fifth tier of English football was a successful one as he once again broke a personal goalscoring record. Seven goals and three assists in 35 league appearances saw the Pools finish 15th and the forward was released after the end of the season.

A move back into League Two followed as he was picked up by Morecambe in June 2018. A successful first season back in the Football League saw Oates score six goals and record three assists, however, the fairytale was over after that as the forward only made five league appearances the following season and was released by the Shrimps.

Hartlepool were the destination for the second time of his career as the forward moved to the Pools for the 2020/21 season. It proved to be a fantastic season for Oates and the club as his 18 goals fired the Durham-based club back into League Two.

The dream return was over after a season as even though Hartlepool gained promotion, the forward was lured away with a move to Mansfield Town in the summer.

So far, Oates has recorded eight goals and four assists in 31 appearances for the Stags. Alongside Bowery, the duo have been a force to be reckoned with and have complemented each other very well.

With the amber and blues only three points outside the automatic promotion places, Oates’ goals, pace and trickery are going to be valuable if Mansfield are to move up to League One.

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