Owain Thomas reports from Field Mill as the Stags enjoy an emphatic victory over Crawley Town to start the new season.
Three goals from debutants Kyle Perry and Jake Speight sent Mansfield Town's season off to a stunning start .
Rob Duffy was also on target for the Stags, and were it not for Simon Rayner in the visitors goal it could have been six or seven-nil.
The emphatic win started with a shudder for the home side only nine minutes in as captain Gary Mills was forced off with a hamstring injury, but just six minutes later Perry struck his first to set the Stags off and running.
There was a hint of luck about both Perry's goals, but there was no luck about the Stags deserved 4-0 win.
Perry's first came as he was played onside by a prostrate Crawley defender, but the powerful striker did well to hold off another challenge and his shot was then lifted over the on-rushing Rayner.
His second, Mansfield's third, came two minutes before the interval and effectively ended the match as a contest. Confusion reigned in the Crawley box as the ball was played over the top to Perry, who evaded three defenders and coolly finished past Rayner. The visitors' offside appeals were rejected and Perry turned to celebrate with his teammates.
Sandwiched between Perry's goals was half an hour of physical, furious, frantic play that saw both sides freely attack and counter-attack. Luke Jones, who took the captain's armband from Mills, was particularly impressive at the heart of the Mansfield defence, while Mills replacement in midfield, Matt Somner, combined well with Kyle Nix.
Jones made several key last ditch diving challenges at the feet of Crawley forwards, while at the other end, Rob Duffy was twice just inches away from doubling the Stags lead.
The first of these came as Ryan Williams collected the ball in midfield and fed Perry wide on the left. His low cross ran across goal and just out of Duffy's reach as he was surrounded by defenders. Ten minutes later it was Williams turn to provide the opening for Duffy, again from the left, but this time his fizzing cross flew behind Duffy in the danger-zone as the striker attacked the near post. Duffy even got away a vicious shot from 25 yds out on the turn, but it was straight at Rayner.
He finally got his reward with five minutes to go, however. Craig Armstrong, another of the five debutants, cleverly lifted a ball over the Crawley defence to Duffy who took it on the chest, held off a challenge, and kept his head to bury his effort at the third time of asking.
At the half-time whistle Mansfield were three up, Crawley looked ragged, and their boss Steve Evans was so incensed with referee Curry's performance that he stampeded towards him before being stopped by a member of his own training staff.
The second half began where the first left off, as the visitors tried to haul themselves back into the game with a physical and direct approach, aiming long balls at ex-Stag Jefferson Louis.
Louis competed well with Jones and Scott Garner in the Mansfield defence, but often found himself out-numbered as the Stags midfield supported their defence and goalkeeper. On the one occasion Crawley did get an effort passed Marriott, they found Speight - on in place of the dangerous and creative Louis Briscoe - on the line to clear.
Speight was rewarded for his hard work with the Stags fourth goal in the 82nd minute. Again the Crawley defence fell asleep, and Perry's knock-down was diverted to the tricky forward's feet, who found himself alone in the 18-yd-box. He showed great composure and quick feet to evade Rayner's dive and slot into the left corner.
It could have been even more for Mansfield, which would have been flattering, but Rayner produced excellent saves to deny the outstanding Nix, and prevent Perry and Speight from adding to their tallies. He also tipped over a Daryl Clare header from six yards out, and the forward - who replaced Rob Duffy in the second half - was unlucky not to grab a goal late on when his venomous free-kick flew into the path of Perry and deflected wide.
Kyle Perry was deservedly named man of the match for his performance, but to single out an individual would be unfair in what was a fantastic team effort.
The only thing which will be concerning manager David Holdsworth is the state of Gary Mills injury. It appears though, that his side are strong enough to compete even without their captain, and this victory against a tough Crawley side who gave their all for long spells will be very welcome.
A crowd of 3264 saw the emphatic win which lifts the team to the top of the Blue Square Premier table on opening day.
Mansfield Town: Alan Marriott, Scott Gardner, Gary Mills (c), Luke Jones, Scott Garner, Louis Briscoe, Rob Duffy, Ryan Williams, Craig Armstrong, Kyle Perry, Kyle Nix.
Subs: Tim Sandercombe, Matt Somner, Daryl Clare, Luke Graham, Jake Speight.
Crawley Town: Simon Rayner, Sam Rents, Eddie Hutchinson, Chris Giles, Karl Broadhurst (c), Charles Ademeno, Jefferson Louis, Jamie Cook, Glenn Wilson, Ben Smith, Daniel Powell.
Subs: Simon Rusk, Danny Forrest, Michael Malcolm, Barry Cogan, Nick Jordan.
