Mansfield Town

Goals in each half from midfielder James Baxendale and frontman Adi Yussuf secured the 2-0 win at Kirklington Road this afternoon.

Commenting on the first pre-season friendly of 2016-17, boss Adam Murray said: "To put the lads into a match situation so early, after the week we've had, we knew there'd be a little bit of rustiness out there.

"We were quite sluggish at times but we got a lot out of it. I thought some of the play was excellent and we got some of the 'pictures' painted which we had worked on this week.

"The biggest thing was to get the lads back into a game situation, that's always the point of these early games.

"It's about getting people's minds on the game scenario and allowing the natural pictures to occur.

"It was interesting to see certain permutations play together and obviously these next five weeks are about seeing what works and what doesn't work."

"I'm really chuffed with today. There's been a lot of physical work this week so this game allowed people to use the ball and got them back in the frame of mind to win football matches.  Overall, I'm very happy with some of the performances and it's the start of a long journey."

Meanwhile, the manager revealed that he had no concerns on the fitness of defenders Lee Collins and George Taft, who were left out of the squad today, confirming that the duo would resume training on Monday. 

"A little like we did with Greeny (Matt Green) last year, it's about making sure that Tafty is ready for starting the season. He's joined in with everything this week in training so we're chuffed to bits with where he is at. It was always the plan not to throw him in today. 

"With Lee, his groin was a little tight yesterday and we're obviously not going to risk anything at this stage of the season. It's nothing major and they'll both be ready to train for next week."

Goalscorer James Bexandale added: "It was quite a warm day, so a good test for the boys and we carried out a few patterns of play which we've been practising.  

"We're doing a lot of formation work and pattern play and want to build our intensity heading into the league season."

On his goal he added: "Greeny (Matt Green) has done some good work to get into the box. I have followed it up, hoping that something would drop out to me. Thankfully the run paid off and I managed to poke it into the corner."

View the interviews with both Adam Murray and James Baxendale now on Stags Player HD.