Goalscorer Danny Rose says to score on his debut is a ‘nice feeling’ after netting the second goal in Stags’ 3-2 win over Newport County this afternoon.
Stags were twice pegged back after Jack Compton’s free-kick cancelled out striker Matt Green’s opener before Exiles’ midfielder Joss Labadie made it 2-2 after Rose had given Stags a 2-1 lead with an arrowed effort into the bottom corner.
However midfielder Kevan Hurst curled a wonderful effort into the top corner in second half injury time to give the Stags a 3-2 opening day victory.
And Rose, who joined the club from Bury at the start of the summer, was pleased to get on the scoresheet on his first competitive outing in Stags’ colours.
“It was nice feeling to get on the debut, three goals away from home’s good but we can’t really concede two goals like that, set pieces as well, away from home, so we’ve got to work on that,” Rose said.
“It’s a tough place [to come]. It’s a good time to come here because conditions can get hard later on in the year but it’s a very good three points, it’s a great way to start [the season].”
The 22-year-old frontman also praised the goals scored by strike partner Green and creative midfielder Hurst on a warm August day in Wales.
“We’ve all took our goals well. Greeny could’ve had another but it’s a great save from the guy (Newport 'keeper Joe Day) and he’s had one offside to be fair to him.
“It was going towards a draw but fair play to Hursty, it’s a brilliant finish, I’d want to see that back to be fair to him, it’s a great goal.”
Rose says the heat at Rodney Parade forced players on both sides to ‘tactically’ go down in order to have a drinks break and says although the win is a good start to the season, Stags will focus on each match as it comes.
“I think there was a tactical little going down and [getting] a little drink break in but yeah it was very hot out there, but it was the same conditions for both [sets of] players so what can you say.
“It’s very early doors. It’s a great win, like I said, teams will come here and struggle but it’s a great win to start.
“We’ve got a tough test in the cup; we’ve got Blackburn next and then Cheltenham at home I think but we’ll give a good account of ourselves and see what happens from there.”
Supporters will be able to view Danny Rose’s post-match interview on Stags PlayerHD later tonight.
