Leading scorer Matt Green has urged Mansfield Town to ‘keep winning games’ in Sky Bet League 2 as they look to keep pressure on the sides above them in the play-off race.
The Bath-born striker now has 16 goals in the current campaign after bagging a goal in each half against Notts County, and said he had previously imagined scoring against the Magpies in the run-up to the game.
“I sort of picture these things and I’m glad it sort of happened today and the ball fell to me in the right areas. But, you know, it was great work-rate and endeavour from the team throughout to create those chances.
“It’s a bit weird to be honest with you (imagining what will happen) but it’s something I do and it works for me. I envisioned definitely scoring and getting opportunities today and the team winning.
“It means a lot because the team have still got an outside chance of getting these play-offs. We never gave up hope in that sense and we just need to keep winning games. Every game, we need to keep winning, obviously there was a little bit more on this one, but it’s a fantastic victory.”
The 29-year-old says he is looking forward to visiting Nottingham in the future, but on a more serious note, he believes the result has been long overdue.
“I go to Notts to do a bit of shopping here and there so I’ll be fine showing my face around there, I’m sure! It’s just so important for the club and for the fans, games like this, it gives us a lot of pleasure too.
“I think it was due. We’ve been close so many times this season to battering teams five-nil. To do it in a derby just makes it that bit more special so [it was] a very confident and comfortable win.”
After only leading one-nil heading into the second period, Green says the players responded to manager Adam Murray’s half-time words of encouragement.
“I knew we were well on top in the first half. I just thought we needed a little bit more belief in the final third because we were a little bit wary as well, we didn’t want to concede any sort of goal.
“[Before the] second half, the gaffer said: ‘just get after them, relax, enjoy it, you’re going to ‘beat these up’ if you do that’ and to be fair we responded brilliantly.”
Despite the words of delight following the encounter, Green issued a word of caution and knows that celebrations can’t hamper their game on Tuesday night at Exeter City (7.45pm kick-off).
“I’m sure it will be a memorable moment for the history of the club. It’s just great to be back here with a big smile on my face yet again, playing under a good manager and [with] the club moving in the right direction.
“We won’t get too excited. We’ve got a game on Tuesday, but it’s a very good, confident victory.”
Supporters can log in to Stags Player HD to view Matt Green’s post-match interview.
