On 72 minutes, Mansfield’s number eight scored the game-winning goal, firing a shot into the bottom corner to extend the team’s unbeaten run this season to 11 games.
“That was a good performance from us and a good team effort to grind out a 1-0 win,” he stated in a post-match interview with iFollow Stags.
“Even if we weren’t playing at our best, it feels good to win and score the goal.
“Playing against them is difficult. At times this season, they are probably more direct than we are accustomed to.
We handled that fairly nicely, I think.
Although there wasn’t much goalmouth activity in the first 45 minutes, the 31-year-old was certain Stags would score when they attacked the Quarry Lane End.
It was one of those games when, after a scoreless first half, you think, “Coming back down towards our fans in the second half is something to really draw us in,” he added.
“When the crowd is really on our favour, the ball can be sucked home occasionally.
Today was one of those occasions where we improved in the second half.
Ollie commented on his goal, saying, “That was great for me. I’ve always been comfortable on both feet to strike a ball.
It was awesome to watch it go in at the area’s edge with a low drive.
The midfielder made the crucial difference this afternoon despite missing the most of preseason and not being entirely match fit.
The hardest thing to obtain is match fitness, and I was absent from every preseason game, he claimed.
“I was miles behind entering the first week, and then I was doing extra running, and your body needs time to recover from sessions,” the athlete said.
“I’ve moved past the first few games, and now I need to get focused and catch up as quickly as I can.”
With their victory today, the Stags climb into the top three and maintain their perfect record for the whole season.
“We understood we had to act in this way. For the past few years, we have lived there or nearby.
“This season we have the squad and the foundations that have been created over a period of time that allow us to really go at it and go after teams.
Everything is in position for us to have a strong year this year and hopefully accomplish the goals we’ve had for the past two or three years.
I’m hoping we can continue.
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