It was a blend of experience and youthful enthusiasm that guided Mansfield Town to an impressive victory over a frail Fulham side this afternoon.
Keith Cassells bagged a brace whilst teenage midfielder David Hodges secured Town’s first league win of the season in stunning fashion with Andy Sayer’s late goal providing scant consolation to Ray Lewington’s shell-shocked Fulham side.
The Stags made a bright start with Cassells heading straight at Jim Stannard from a dangerous cross from impressive young right back Craig McKernon inside two minutes. Fulham failed to heed their warning as Cassells gave Mansfield a fifth-minute lead by redirecting a cross from Gordon Owen as he slid in the back post. The Stags could easily have doubled their lead before the half hour mark with Cassells, Hodges and Owen going close as they penned the Cottagers pack.
By contrast, Fulham were fitful in attack. Their only genuine opening of the first half fell to Gary Barnett, but the midfielder’s tame effort was easily held by goalkeeper Brian Cox. Mansfield doubled their lead five minutes before half time when Hodges deftly chipped a grounded Jim Stannard from close range after the Fulham goalkeeper had blocked Steve Chambers’ drive with his legs.
There was no way back for the Londoners when Cassells scored his second of the afternoon ten minutes after half time. Owen streaked away down the left flank and his low cross was heading towards Mark Kearney when Stannard palmed the ball away from goal. It broke kindly for the former Brentford forward to poke home.
Fulham had already hit the bar early in the second period when McKernon challenged Barnett and the ball bounced off the crossbar with Cox beaten but Lewington’s side, fortunate not to concede a penalty when substitute Kevin Hoddy appeared to have brought down Owens from behind, only featured again as an attacking force in the final five minutes when Sayer slotted past Cox to make the scoreline a tiny bit more respectable.
MANSFIELD TOWN: Cox; McKernon, Coleman, Foster, Kenworthy, Chambers, Charles, Hodges, Owen, Cassells, Kearney. Subs (not used): Stringfellow, Ryan.
GOALS: Cassells (5, 55), Hodges (40).
FULHAM: Stannard; Langley, Elkins, Eckhardt, Thomas, Skinner, Barnett, Wilson, Walker (Hoddy 65), Cole, Sayer. Subs (not used): Kerrins.
GOAL: Sayer (84).
REFEREE: Alan Simmons.
ATTENDANCE: 2,737.
