Goalscorer Chris Beardsley believes the hard work of both the players and the management during the week was key to today’s victory over Crawley Town.
Beardsley netted a second-half header to hand Mansfield all three points at the Checkatrade.com Stadium, which sealed a superb week for the Stags following Tuesday night’s excellent comeback at Morecambe.
And the frontman believes the preparation on the training ground was integral to being successful in West Sussex this afternoon.
“[It’s] brilliant, [it’s a] second win in a week away from home – a good three points on the board, a clean sheet and a solid team performance.
“I think we carried the game planout that we set out all week, we knew it was going to be a battle. We knew their strengths and weaknesses, and we knew the pitch wouldn’t be conductive to free-flowing, attacking football.”
In addition, Beardsley was keen to point out that it was Adam Murray’s training ground work which was another key facet to getting the goal that would be the difference between the sides.
“We’d won a lot of corners and the big lads weren’t getting the joy they have done – Ryan (Tafazolli), Krsytian (Pearce) and Collo (Lee Collins). Mal (Benning) gave us the signal that he was going to whip one and I’ve just made sure I’ve got across the front post and [I was] glad to see it hit the back of the net.
“You know the gaffer loves to chuck a huge amount of set-piece work at us – at times like that, the delivery’s key and he’s put it just where I wanted it. At all levels, set plays are key.”
Beardsley, who now has his first goal of the 2015-16 campaign under his belt, has had a frustrating season which has been blighted by injuries – but he’s started in the last two Sky Bet League Two fixtures alongside Matt Green, who he was eager to praise for his attacking endeavours.
“I’m nowhere near match-fit in terms of regular 90 minutes on the pitch. My timing’s out, but I’m just plugging away and trying to give what I can for as long as I can and bring something a bit different to the team.
“Greeny’s black and white – you know his strengths and today proved when we get our gameplan right, we can create a lot of chances for Matt.
“At League Two, Greeny’s a menace; he plays on the shoulder and he’s as quick as anyone I’ve played with. He looked a threat throughout and that does give you a bit more space and time to work in. As a team, we’re slowly learning each other’s strengths.”
