Stags' under-18s recorded an emphatic 7-0 victory over Huddersfield under-18s at PPG Canalside on Saturday afternoon.
Striker Rhys Sarson put the Stags ahead early on, with Tyrese Sinclair scoring a magnificent free-kick to double the lead inside the first 20 minutes.
Defender Jamie Chisholm chipped in with a goal from a corner, and Sarson scored a second just before half-time to take a 4-0 lead into the break.
Three goals in a four minute spell, from Rio Molyneaux and Jimmy Knowles, topped off an excellent display by the amber and blue.
The Stags took an early lead through Sarson, after Huddersfield ‘keeper Luke Mewitt came out of his goal to challenge Knowles. The ball eventually fell kindly for Sarson, who was left with the simple task of firing home into the vacated Huddersfield net.
The hosts responded well, with winger Andrew Issiwole delivering a dangerous set piece which was initially dealt with, however the second ball in found forward Calvin Kitiba who could only poke wide from close range.
Remi Thompson threatened for the Terriers again on the ten minute mark, yet his low driven effort was wide of the Stags’ goal.
Sarson came close to a second after a back-pass to Mewitt was slightly under hit, with the forward sliding to reach the ball first, which rolled out of play before the striker could get to it.
Mansfield did double their lead in the 17th minute, when Tyrese Sinclair won a free-kick on the edge of the box and dispatched it wonderfully into the top left corner.
Moments later, it could have been three after some brilliant build-up play saw Sarson release Knowles, with the forward placing it just wide. However, had he scored, it wouldn’t have counted as he was offside.
The Stags were denied a third by the referee after Sinclair’s challenge on Huddersfield ‘keeper Mewitt was deemed a foul.
Sinclair had another brilliant opportunity to add to the lead, yet fired his effort over the bar.
The pressure continued from Mansfield, with Mewitt making a fine double save to deny them a third, as the home side were on the back foot.
On the half-hour mark, the Stags finally got their third after a superb delivery to the back post found defender Chisholm, who was there to head home and increase the lead.
Mewitt was forced into another excellent save after Knowles was played through by a brilliant flick-on from captain James Tague, parrying the ball out of play for a corner.
From the resulting corner, Sarson tapped in at the back post to get his second and Mansfield’s fourth as the Stags continued to dominate the game.
Sarson had a chance to grab his hat-trick only three minutes later, looking to chip Mewitt, yet the Terriers' 'keeper stood tall to keep hold of the effort.
The second-half started as the first finished, and within the first five minutes of play, Sinclair came close with a header from a Tague corner, forcing Mewitt into making a brilliant save down low to his right.
Issiwole looked to grab a goal back for the hosts from a free-kick just outside the box, however his attempt was over the bar and never troubled Keaton Marrs.
Huddersfield had another golden opportunity to get a goal, with substitute Darnell Mintus firing over from just inside the area.
Riley O’Sullivan seeked to add his name onto the scoresheet, finding space inside the area to get a shot away yet seeing his effort rifle into the side netting.
The Stags had an opportunity to make it five when Sinclair’s header forced another brilliant save out of Mewitt, who did well to reach the ball and tip it over the bar.
Mansfield eventually did find the fifth when substitute Molyneaux cut in from the left-hand-side to curl the ball into the top right corner with a magnificent finish.
Only two minutes later, and Molyneaux got his second after Knowles delivered a dangerous ball which was missed by Mewitt and finished by the substitute to make it six.
Knowles then added himself onto the scoresheet another two minutes later after he was released by Sinclair and rounded the ‘keeper to slot into the empty net, concluding a brilliant four-minute spell for the Stags in which they scored three goals.
Mansfield defended well in the closing moments of the game to ensure they clinched the clean sheet.
STAGS XI: Marrs, Tomlin (King 72’), Sketchley (Davis 84’), Chisholm, Armsden, Cornell (Lathall 61’), Tague, Sinclair (Saunders 74’), Sarson (Molyneaux 65’), Knowles, O’Sullivan.
UNUSED SUBS: N/A
HUDDERSFIELD XI: Mewitt, Mills, Alfieri, Annakin,Diaby, Padden, Issiwole, Thompson, Shipley, Garcia, Billam (Mintus 34’)
UNUSED SUBS: Latiba
