Archived News from November 2006
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SHIRTLIFF AND RODGER REACTION
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SHIRTLIFF DELIGHTED WITH RUN OF SUCCESS
Evening Post, 01 November 2006 MATT HALFPENNY Peter Shirtliff is delighted that his Mansfield side maintained their momentum with a 3-0 win over Grimsby. The Johnstone's Paints Trophy may not be the club's priority, but the Stags boss knows the importance of getting on a roll, saying: "It's nice just to get that continuity of being five unbeaten and three wins on the bounce." Shirtliff praised two-goal striker Chris Beardsley and was pleased to see Simon Brown and Michael Boulding back in contention. He said: "I'm happy for Chris because he works hard in training, he's an enthusiastic boy and a great member of our squad. "The goals will boost his confidence, which is good for the club and the squad. "With Simon Brown back tonight and Michael Boulding looking sharp, I suddenly have a lot of options and that's a fantastic problem to have." The match saw the competitive debut of Michael Boulding's brother Rory following his return from a loan spell at Ilkeston. "He's not fazed at all, has got good experience out on loan and has come back stronger for it. He has pace and an eye for goal," said Shirtliff. The Stags boss is to speak to Leicester about extending left-back Alan Sheehan's loan. The Irish youngster is set to play the final game of his second month at Mansfield at Bristol Rovers on Saturday. Any deal to keep him at Field Mill would not be struck until after the Stags' FA Cup first round tie with Accrington as the Foxes do not want the player cup tied. ---------- Beardsley is the toast of Field Mill CHAD website STAGS striker Beardsley was the toast of Field Mill last night as his late match-clinching brace of goals killed off the challenge of Grimsby Town in the Johnstone's Paints Trophy second round at Field Mill. Beardsley had not scored a goal for 18 months - he was playing for Kidderminster Harriers at that time. Since then he missed most of last season with a broken leg and then struggled to get into the side at Mansfield this season. But in a rare start last night, striker Chris Beardsley fired home two late goals in five minutes to secure Mansfield Town's passage into the area quarter-finals. "I am pleased for Chris," said Shirtliff. "He works hard in training, he is an enthusiastic boy and a great member of the squad. "Those goals will boost his confidence which is good for the club and the squad. It gives us more firepower and that's what we are after. "With Simon Brown back tonight and Michael Boulding looking sharper I suddenly have a lot of options and that's a fantastic problem to have, "It was nice to see Simon back out there and Michael Boulding needed that 90 minutes to top up his fitness. "Rory Boulding did well when he came on too. The lad was not fazed. He got good experience playing on loan at Ilkeston and is getting stronger and has pace and an eye for goal. Both his shots were on target and forced decent saves. "That's five without defeat and it's nice to have some continuity. Tonight was an opportunity to rest a couple of players and give others a game which is important." Stags were gifted a half-time lead when Danny Boshell turned a Matt Hamshaw corner past his own keeper from close range in the 36th minute of a dour first half. Mansfield then dominated the second half and were rewarded with two excellent Beardsley finishes inside six minutes near the end. Grimsby boss Graham Rodger added: "After all the great effort that went into Saturday's performance it was always a concern that we would be a bit low on fuel tonight. "The difference from Saturday to Tuesday was marker. "The first goals was a bit of a freak and quite fortunate for Mansfield as it took a couple of deflections before going in off one of our players. "For the second we were trying to chase the game and hold a high line and they broke through well. "The last goal was the most disappointing as it was down to a total lack of communication. It was a poor performance and we looked very leggy but, after Saturday I am not reading too much into it." ------------ Audio interview with Peter Shirtliff from BBC Radio Nottingham (RealPlayer needed) http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/realmedia/football/2007/jpt_stags_grimsby_home_manager.ram ------------ |
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