Mansfield Town

Goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley couldn’t possibly have had a better birthday present as he kept an important clean-sheet on his debut in our victory over Stevenage this afternoon.

The 31-year-old, who joined us on loan from Newport County on deadline day, was barely tested all afternoon in terms of shots, but still commanded his area with great authority.

Pidgeley re-iterated his belief that our team’s hard work in training, when it came to overall defensive structure and defending of set-pieces, paid off in today’s positive result against a Stevenage team fighting for a play-off spot. 

“I can’t ask for more on my debut and birthday, it has been a good day”, said Pidgeley. “The way I played a high line allowed us to keep them away from the goal. 

“Our defence was solid today and it was quite easy to come in and play behind our defenders. I pride myself on communication, setting up properly and keeping ourselves organised and I feel we achieved this today.”

The goalkeeper praised a preparation done by manager Adam Murray prior to the match, saying that the side were meticulously prepared for the way that their opposition would play. 

He paid further praise to the management staff for the team’s success in limiting the chances Stevenage could create throughout the match. 

“It doesn’t really matter how you win in this position, as long as we are getting points on the board,” added the ‘keeper.

Delving into his personal situation after signing for the club this week, Pidgeley stated that he was looking forward to getting some game-time after being told that he wasn’t in the immediate plans of parent club, Newport County. 

When asked about his choice to join us, he added: “It was a no brainer for me to come and get game-time in the Football League and at a big club like Mansfield Town.

“No one here is switched off, everyone is focussed and putting their bodies on the line to stop the ball going in the back of the net.”