Mark Hemingray's Youth Team suffered their first defeat of pre-season last evening as they were beaten by a strong Rainworth MW side 3-0 at Kirklington Road.
Hemingray's side included three familiar youth team faces, graduates Scott Rogers, Adam Somes and Jobe Shaw all got game time ahead of the new season along with some new faces including third year left back Abadu Barry and midfielders Curtis Turner and Nuha Jabbi.Up against a physical Rainworth MW side it was the Stags who came the closest in the opening exchanges as Jordan Vilums struck the post of five minute. Intricate play between youth team graduate Scott Rogers and new signing Nuha Jabbi saw the latter play Vilums down the left channel. The skilful midfielder, playing in a more advanced role, cut inside and saw his driven effort cannon back of the inside of the post before the Wrens defence scrambled to safety.
The hosts then tested the water with two corners in quick succession but failed to break the deadlock as new youth team captain Ben Horsley rose at the far post to head away former Stags youngster Ryan Goward's corner.
Mark Hemingray's side were facing up well to the Wrens seniority however were pegged back with 14 minutes gone as quick movement saw Alex Bolt with space on the left hand side. Bolt delivered the cross and the young Stags defence failed to pick up the run of another ex-Stag Danny Bacon who broke free to head home at the near post.
Hemingray's boys were dealt a further blow four minutes later as impressive midfielder Nuha Jabbi picked up a knock and had to be replaced by Jack Hawkins.Â
And it was the latter who was involved in the Stags next chance as he picked out Vilums on the left hand side. Villums then chipped a delightful ball into the box for Adam Somes to latch onto and the deadly front man was stopped at the last by a strong sliding challenge from the Lee Cooksey.
A Scott Rogers free kick had the hosts on the back foot with 34 minutes gone after the tough tackling midfielder was fouled to the right of the box. Vilums rose unmarked at the back post but was a whisker away from connecting.
Goalkeeper Ryan Hopkins was called into action with four minutes to go before the break as Callum Lloyd broke free past Jobe Shaw and skipper Horsley. Lloyd, another former Mansfield player, struck well but was denied by Hopkins who recovered to collect the follow up cross, ensuring it was only a one goal lead the Wrens held at the break.
It was the hosts who  started the second period the brighter but Ryan Hopkins was again on form to keep out Jared Holmes' effort from the edge of the box - the first of three Rainworth corners which failed to trouble. At the other end,  Jobe Shaw blazed over on the volley from the edge of the box following a Liam Marsden cross.
Despite Mansfield showing more pace as the second half progressed, it was sloppy defensive play which saw the hosts grab a second on 52 minutes. Danny Bacon played a crisp pass to the right of the box for Alex Bolt who beat Hopkins to the ball and rolled across the face of an inviting net with Ryan Goward on hand to tap in from four yards.
Ten minutes later the Stags came close to reducing the deficit as new recruit Curtis Turner gained ground and curled wide from the edge of the area,
Turner again tested the water from a free kick from the same spot as he was upended on 81 minutes.  Substitute Joe Flint also saw an effort curl wide as opportunities for a comeback opened up; however the more senior Wrens soon put the game beyond doubt in empathic fashion with five remaining. A long throw from the right hand side caused havoc and wasn't dealt with and a weak headed clearance saw the ball sit up nicely for Wrens substitute Barry Payne who smashed into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
Attendance: 255
Referee: Sean Richardson
Stags: Ryan Hopkins, Liam Marsden, Ben Horsley (C), Jobe Shaw, Abadu Barry, Curtis Turner, Scott Rogers (Dean Robinson), Nuha Jabbi (Jack Hawkins), Matt Harris (Joe Flint), Adam Somes (Matty Jones), Jordan Vilums (Danny Barke)
Subs Not Used: Remmi Davies, Callum Pursglove, Lewis Chambers, Blake Vincent.Â
