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YOUNG TEAM ROUT SEASONED RIVALS
Mansfield Town 4 - 0 Sheffield Wednesday
WHATEVER Peter Shirtliff says to the contrary, he's sitting on something special.
The Mansfield manager was scratching around for reasons to quell the enthusiasm that accompanied last night's 4-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday - but one of the best-kept secrets in the lower leagues is now out.
If freak storms washed out a potential victory against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, it was Shirtliff who put the dampeners on an even more impressive performance by his band of young players.
Whatever the mitigating circumstances, Mansfield systematically dismantled a side two leagues above them. That it came on the back of such assured displays against Derby and Forest only goes to emphasise Mansfield's promotion potential this season.
Shirtliff doesn't want to raise expectations, but there's only so long he can ignore what is in front of him.
"Sheffield Wednesday have just been to America and are probably a bit leggy from the traveling," he said. "But not taking anything away from our players, I thought we played quite well.
"If you get decent performances and score a few goals then obviously it breeds a bit of confidence. Hopefully we can take that into the season, but we're not sitting back expecting it to be easy."
The vibrancy and enthusiasm of his young band is infectious and the 4-0 scoreline did not flatter them.
A first-half penalty from Ritchie Barker put them in control after Wednesday started brightly, then Stephen Dawson, Barker again and Jonathon D'Laryea turned an impressive performance into a rout.
It prompted Mansfield supporters to goad their opponents. "Championship? You're having a laugh," they chanted towards the visitors.
Still, Paul Sturrock's men could have taken control inside the opening minutes when Steve MaClean twice found himself in promising positions, but failed to hit the target.
Mansfield picked themselves up and began to take the initiative. In the central midfield pairing Giles Coke and D'Laryea, they have an engine room with legs and lungs while in Simon Brown they have someone with pace and trickery to spare. He was outstanding throughout - and if he can avoid the injury problems of last season, he and Barker could terrorise the defences of League Two.
Wednesday found him a problem as he picked holes in their rearguard.
When the pressure paid off in the 23rd minute it was a result of Wednesday struggling to keep up with their lively opponents as Deon Burton hauled down Matt Hamshaw in the penalty area.
If awarding a spot kick was a formality, so was Barker's conversion, sending Adamson the wrong way.
Chances came and went at both ends, but Wednesday's best opening came right on half time when Burton was denied by Muggleton when one-on-one with the keeper.
A Lee Bullen rocket shaved the outside of the post just after the break, while Muggleton was impressive again to block MaClean from close range. At the other end Brown forced a wonderful save from Adamson.
Substitutions from both sides briefly affected the fluidity, before Mansfield opened the floodgates. Dawson struck the post after good work from Brown and Barker with 15 minutes left, but just two minutes later found the back of the net stabbing the ball low past Adamason with the outside of his boot.
Barker then got his second of the match, meeting Hamshaw's 84th minute corner with a towering header that crashed into the roof of the net.
Visiting supporters left with each goal but for the ones that remained there was more misery to endure as, with only a minute left on the clock, D'Laryea fired a fourth.
It was richly deserved for his hard work throughout, as proven by the fact that he was still prepared to chase into the Wednesday penalty so late in the game to meet Callam Lloyd's cut back.
Mansfield: Muggleton, Mullins, Jelleyman, D'Laryea, Hjelde (Buxton, 64), Baptiste, Hamshaw (Beardsley, 85), Coke (Dawson, 71), Barker (Lloyd, 85), Brown (Reet, 81), Boulding (Birchall, 67)
Wednesday: Adamson, Simek, Bullen, Lunt (McCallister, 74), Coughlan, Bougherra (Spurr, 58), O'Brien (Whelan, 58), Folly, Maclean, Burton (Graham, 58), Brunt. Subs: Whelan, O'Donnell, Spurr, McCallister, McCardle, Bodin
Referee: R Shoebridge
Att: 3,665
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Stags supporters meanwhile have probably been here before, with strong pre-season performances not really counting for league form, some reaction from them has seen quotes as "Whilst the performances have been superb against Derby/Forest and now Wednesday, the real test is away at Shrewsbury, it's alright doing this at home to teams just testing out players, we have to play like this away when 3 points are at stake."
"We look like promotion material already, Shirtliff is building something special here, both Hamshaw and Mullins look quality signings"