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Archived News from February 2007

HOLLAND, GRITTON AND KUBIC REACTION
1st February 2007 13:27


Five star Stags could have had more
CHAD WEBSITE
ALTHOUGH Stags swept bottom club Torquay United aside by an emphatic 5-0 scoreline last night, some of the side were disappointed they didn't play even better.
"I thought that was a great performance," said assistant manager Paul Holland.
"I know some of the lads were disappointed with their performances but that's how they are.
"We got points on the board and a 5-0 win which is more important than the performance."
Stags even finished with 10 men after using all three substitutes with Matt Hamshaw limping off.
But Holland said: "Matt only came off as a precautionary measure. If it had been 1-0 or still in the balance then he would have stayed on until the end.
"He should be fine for Saturday."
With Barry Conlon suspended, last night provided an opportunity for Michael Boulding to play in his preferred position as an out and out striker.
And he responded with a goal and excellent display.
"Michael was unlucky to be left out the team when the new boys came in," said Holland.
"But being the good pro he is, he has kept quiet, done the business in training and was unlucky not to score more than one tonight."
However, hero of the night was Martin Gritton who bagged his first professional hat-trick.
"Martin's first goal did look miles offside," said Holland.
"But, to be fair to him, he still stuck it in the net and that's what you have to do. If the flag is up then the flag is up.
"Martin works hard and tonight he got his just desserts. He is a pleasure to work with and the lads look up to him.
"I hope he has worked out a deal with the chairman though as he's had the match ball and I think we've only got three of those yellow balls left!"
Stags will now prepare for Saturday's visit of Shrewsbury Town.
Holland said: "Billy is a bit 'flued-up' and a few of the lads are under the weather.
"So we will all have Thursday off and then work hard to prepare for Saturday."
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STAGS HAT-TRICK HERO - JUST IN TIME!
Evening Post, 31 January 2007

Martin Gritton scored the first hat-trick of his career to sink old club Torquay then revealed: "The boss was just about to take me off!"


The striker became the first Mansfield player since Liam Lawrence to score three in a match as the home side posted a season-best 5-0 victory.

But if Mansfield had not been awarded a 77th-minute penalty, he may well have been substituted after he had scored two.

"The boss had shouted to me just before that I had got five minutes to get a hat-trick because then he was bringing me off," said Gritton.

"So it was great that we got the penalty and that I was allowed to take it. I was itching to get hold of the ball."

"I owe Mickey Boulding for that because he was the one who earned the chance with his run and I thought his pace caused them problems all night.

"It wasn't the prettiest hat-trick, but it is a hat-trick nonetheless and I'm delighted. The ball is certainly going to take pride of place in my house, until the end of the season at least.

"I have got all the lads to sign it so I know in years to come who was in the side when I did it."
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Audio interview with Paul Holland from BBC Radio Nottingham (RealPlayer needed) http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/realmedia/football/2007/stags_torquay_home_manager.ram
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Audio interview with Martin Gritton from BBC Radio Nottingham (RealPlayer needed) http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/realmedia/football/2007/stags_torquay_home_player.ram
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Evening Post website:
KUBIC: "ERRORS COST US DEAR"; HOLLAND: "WE WERE GREAT"

Torquay manager Lubos Kubic paid tribute to rampant Mansfield after they ripped his side to shreds in a 5-0 win at in Field Mill.

Former Gull Martin Gritton grabbed his first-ever professional hat-trick as the Stags put on a performance that left Kubic applauding his tormentors.

"Give Mansfield credit, they are the best team we have played since I came to Torquay," said Kubic. "They deserved to win but five goals was too much.

"We started well but an individual error cost us the first goal and then the second was offside.

"We tried to get back into the game with the substitutions at half time, but another individual error cost us for the third goal.

"That gave Mansfield all the confidence and took all of ours away. We must defend better as a team, not just the defenders."

Torquay had chalked up their first League win in 20 games on Friday night and Kubic had hoped it would be a turning point.

Instead they were left embarrassed after being given the run-around by a home side rapidly pulling away from trouble themselves.

Stags' assistant manager Paul Holland said: "I thought that was a great performance.

"But I know some of the lads felt disappointed with their performance, which is how they are.

"But we will take the points on the board and a 5-0 home win and not the performance.

"Martin Gritton works very hard and the lads look up to him. He got his just desserts with a hat-trick.

"I find it hard to believe it was his first hat-trick.

"I must admit he looked miles offside for his first goal. But, to be fair him, he stuck it in the net, which is what you have to do and if the flag is up, the flag is up.

"I was pleased for Michael Boulding to score too. He was unlucky to be left out the team when the new boys came in.

"But, being the good pro that he is, he kept quiet, did the business in training and I thought he was unlucky to end the game with only one goal."

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Gritton celebrates first ever hat-trick
CHAD WEBSITE

NEW Stags' favourite Martin Gritton savoured the first hat-trick of his career - after his treble helped to blitz Torquay United 5-0 at Field Mill tonight.
The outstanding Gritton, clutching the match ball which he said would take 'pride of place' at home, said: "It was a great performance by the lads . . . and it's just great to score a hat-trick.

"It wasn't a pretty hat-trick, but a hat-trick nonetheles and a night I will never forget."

Gritton, who took his tally to five goals in as many games since joining the Stags on loan from Lincoln, looked offside as he converted Stephen Dawson's mishit first half shot.

Then he pounced on an error by keeper Miller, finishing clinically after a solo run, before completing his treble with a penalty.

Gritton added: "I might have been offside for the first goal, but I just put it in anyway. That's the second lucky goal at that end in the last two home games, but I was just delighted to get it.

"I must also thank Micky (Boulding) for letting me take the penalty."

The striker's man of the match display sunk one of his former clubs and afterwards Gritton added: "They must be sick of me. I scored a last minute winner against them earlier in the season for Lincoln

 

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