Jordan Bowery credited his relationship with strike partner Rhys Oates this afternoon – claiming it was like ‘old times’ operating in attack as a pair.
Stags’ number nine has played a lot of this season at right-back but repaid boss Nigel Clough’s decision to partner him up front with Oates with a fine goal in the first-half as part of a 2-1 win away to Salford.
Oates and Bowery first struck a successful pairing in Mansfield’s run to Wembley for the Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final in 2021/22.
Speaking to iFollow Stags post-match, Jordan said: “I enjoyed it playing up there with Rhys again – it brings back memories of old times.
“We enjoy playing up front together, but I’ll play anywhere.
“Nine times out of ten Rhys is going to run in behind, we know that because he’s so quick and powerful, so I’ll try and occupy the centre-halves and come to feet.
“We work off each other quite well.”
On the importance of today’s win, the forward said: “[It was] Very important. I think one year we got a point but other than that we have never beaten them here so it’s good to come away with the victory.
“I think we defended brilliantly.
“They keep the ball well, we knew this.
“The second-half defensive display was fantastic.”
Jordan’s opener at the Peninsula Stadium was a well-struck curler.
“It was nice. It’s always nice to score,” he said.
“The win is the most important thing but after that, there’s nothing better than scoring a goal.
“Having number nine on my back and playing in all these different positions – it’s such a good feeling to get up there and score a goal.”
Stags’ scorer also credited his goalkeeper Christy Pym for some outstanding saves.
“He always gets us out of jail.
“He made some great saves and is important to us.
“We all worked hard, and it was a great team performance.”
