Mansfield 4
Shrewsbury 0
Giles Coke set the stags on their way to a four nil blitzing of Gary Peters' Shrewsbury Town at Field Mill this evening. Young Coke's six minute volley was followed up by three great goals in the second half from Adam Rundle, Richie Barker and Gus Uhlenbeek who opened his scoring account in style when he turned and hit a first time shot under the diving torso of Shrewsbury stopper Joe Hart.
Peter Shirtliff made two changes to the side that fell to LeytonOrient at Brisbane Road last weekend. Gavin Peers was absent due to a hamstring injury picked up mid week in a friendly game against the Spirites and Adam Birchall away on international duty for Wales Under 21's.
Some superb passing in the second minute on the counter from a Shrewsbury freekick found Adam Rundle charging down the left channel before crossing wide right to Gus Uhlenbeek who had a great opportunity of opening the scoring but instead of hammering a shot at the goal of Joe Hart he back heeled to Stephen Dawson who had a crack but his shot took a deflection and went out of play.
Six minutes in Giles Coke hit the opener from a perfectly timed volley. Jelleyman sent a ball towards the centre of the park where young Coke hit the full volley beating Hart as the ball fired into the inside of the right upright.
A shot from Brown on twenty five minutes came close to number but his powerful first time shot was well stopped by keeper Hart.
The first Shrews effort came in the 37th minute when Duane Darby stretched a leg out to push a through ball towards Kevin Pressman's goal but the shot lacked power and the stag's keeper stopped the ball with ease.
Other strikes from Richie Barker and Brown came close but even the one minute of extra playing time wasn't enough to extend the lead.
Coming back from the break Gary Peters made a double change bringing on Mark Stallard and Kelvin Lanmead to replace Ben Herd and Duane Darby this meant a change in formation for the Shrews with Whitehead dropping back to a right back position making up a more conventional 4-4-2 shape as oppose to the 3-5-2 he started with.
The Stags made early breaks through Simon Brown and Adam Rundle who both broke free and fired shots over Harts Crossbar. Although it probably would have been better to switch to the right of the eighteen yard box where Gus Uhlenbeek was waiting.
Sixteen minutes into the second half Buxton picked the ball up on the right wing and passed to the far post where Richie Barker headed across the goalmouth where Simon Brown about eight yards out rose above his mark to nod the ball out of play. This was a guilt edged opportunity to extend the lead but just went to prove when you are languishing at the foot of the table luck can often over loo you.
In the 65th minute the second came when Buxton threw a long ball deep into the Shrews half where Simon Brown flicked on for the approaching Rundle to side foot home.
Four minutes later Skipper Richie Barker added his name to the team sheet when previous goalscorer Rundle set play going on the left flank passing to Brown who pulled the keeper of his line before switching for Barker to put the finishing touches to it.
In the 71st minute the Stags were on the score sheet again. This time Gus Uhlenbeek netted after Buxton again from the right sent a ball into the centre of the park where Gus was waiting turn and drive a low shot powerfully under Shrews Keeper Joe Hart.
Eight minutes later in the 79th minute Peter Shirtliff made his first change bringing on Adrian Littlejohn to replace Simon Brown.
In the 83rd minute Shirtliff replaced goalscorer Uhlenbeek with the fresh legs of Callum Lloyd.
As play commenced Dawson fell awkwardly which meant that the Stags were forced into their third and final change of the day bringing Fraser McLachlan into play as the injured Irish man limped off the pitch.
In the third minute of added on time a throw in from Buxton found the head of Fraser McLachlan but as he jumped the ball skidded of the back of his head and almost beat the now frustrated Shrews custodian.
The whistle eventually went and the stags kept their second clean sheet of the season but more importantly four goals and three good points.
Mansfield: Kevin Pressman, Stephen Dawson, Gareth Jelleyman, Gus Uhlenbeek, Alex John-Baptiste, Richard Barker, Jake Buxton, Giles Coke, Adam Rundle, Simon Brown (Adrian Littlejohn 79), Jon Olav Hjelde
Subs Not Used: Rhys Day, Jason Talbot
Shrewsbury: Joe Hart, Stuart Whitehead, Kevin Sharp, Dave Walton, Neil Sorvel, Colin McMeniman, Neil Ashton, Ben Herd (Mark Stallard 45), Duane Darby (Kelvin Langmead 45), Jay Denny, Richard Hope
Subs NOT used: Ben Smith, Glyn Thompson, Gavin Cowan
Referee: Mr E.L Ilderton
Asts: Mr G Mellor, Mr A Taylor
4th Off: Mr N Murphy
