Mansfield Town first team coach Andy Garner says away performances ‘don’t get much better than that’ as Stags recorded a magnificent 3-1 victory at Doncaster Rovers this afternoon.
Goals from captain Ollie Clarke, George Maris and Lucas Akins gave Mansfield a first away win of the season.
The Stags were rallied on by a staggering 2,826 travelling supporters at Eco-Power Stadium.
Speaking to iFollow Stags after the match, Andy said: “First of all, it was an incredible result.
“[It was] A fantastic performance, our first points on the road.
“We’re absolutely delighted.
“We needed a result away from home and I thought we were absolutely outstanding at times.
“We’ve got good players, we’re a good side, we play good football, but you have to work, you have to run, you have to sprint and all these things [mentioned] you have to do.
“These are the places [Doncaster] that you have to come to, and you have to really work first and foremost.
“We’ve scored three goals.
“It doesn’t get much better than that.
“Full credit to all the players.”
Ollie Clarke began the scoring on 15 minutes with an unbelievable left-footed volley.
“It was certainly a brilliant volley that was for sure,” said the coach.
“Wow. If he’s meant it [then] fantastic.
“I hope he has,” he said with a smile.
Stags’ second came courtesy of neat build up play between Lucas Akins, George Lapslie and eventually George Maris – who finished expertly into the top corner.
“It’s a fantastic goal,” Andy said.
“It’s [the type of] things that we do in training quite a lot.
“I thought Lucas Akins [who was involved in the move] was absolutely outstanding today.
“It’s a brilliant goal.”
The first team coach praised the role of the travelling Mansfield fans.
The Stags scored two second-half goals attacking a buoyant away end.
“It’s really nice when you walk out, and you hear that noise.
“It’s loud.”
“We appreciate the support they give us.
“To get on that bus with three points and three goals [scored], that’s for them.
“That’s for everybody in the club.
“We thank the fans for their support today, it was magnificent.”
With a first win on the road secured, Andy says the Stags have now put their previous barren spell away from home behind them.
“We’ve put a line under Sutton, a little bit like last year. Our season starts now away from home,” he said.
“With our work rate and our quality that we’ve got, we’ll be a match for anybody in this league if you’re on it.”
Defender Elliott Hewitt was named in the starting XI but was replaced in the lineup by Riley Harbottle. Andy provided clarity on Hewitt’s withdrawal.
“Before the warmup started, players were coming over and saying Elliott won’t be coming out.
“I didn’t really know too much about it but apparently, he was violently sick in the toilet.
“[It was] Fantastic by Riley. It’s not easy when one minute you’re not playing and the next you are.
“I thought he played very well as well.”
