Mansfield Town

Stags' right wing-back Hayden White boasted high spirits after his side earned a clean sheet, coupled with three points, on his return to the Mansfield Town starting line-up.

Missing the previous two games because of a tight hamstring, the 23-year-old was brought back into the fold by manager David Flitcroft for this afternoon’s Sky Bet League Two clash.

He was part of a back-line that helped secure a 1-0 victory over Carlisle United and stated that he feels good after an unfamiliar fortnight following the birth of his first child.

“I’m feeling good, really good; obviously I had a few issues at home last week and sleeping in a hospital bed isn’t the best thing for a footballer but no, I’m feeling good today,” he said in a joking manner.

“They’re all good issues. She [the baby] is fit and healthy. The missus is the one that’s been getting up in the middle of the night so there hasn’t been too many disturbances on my part!

“It’s been good in all seriousness – the gaffer, staff and players have supported me all the way so I’m very grateful for that.”

The Stags’ No. 2 produced a display that, alongside the rest of his teammates, merited more than the solitary goal they were able to muster.

He recognised that his side have drawn more games than they probably should have so far this campaign, but this didn’t hinder the 23-year-old’s post-match morale.

He continued by saying: “We just said in the dressing room there that it could have been five, six, seven and another day maybe three or four but the win’s the most important thing.

“We’ve been playing well since the start of the season knowing we needed to turn draws into wins and I’m just happy we were able to do that today.

"We just said in the dressing room there that it could have been five, six, seven and another day maybe three or four but the win’s the most important thing."

“Obviously the clean sheet and the attacking play were fantastic. I think everyone that played and is going to play throughout the season knows exactly what they’re doing.

“A few weeks ago we saw that it can go the other way so it was really nice to not see it go that way [earning a draw] but it’s not a shock to see how well we’re defending because that’s how we’re training. When it comes through in games it’s nice.”

White rounded-off by looking ahead to the Stags’ next fixture – where they face Lincoln City at Sincil Bank in the Checkatrade trophy.

“Every competition we’re in we want to win, and every game that comes out way we want to win as well, and I know the gaffer thinks the same so another game another opportunity to win.

“It’s still early days and the boys are doing well, we’re training hard and playing well so I can only see as the season progresses that we’ll only get better.”

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