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Archived News from February 2007

HOLLAND, D`LARYEA, BUXTON AND MULLINS REACTION
27th February 2007 14:27


D'LARYEA IS OFF THE MARK
Evening Post, 26 February 2007

Jonathan D'Laryea revealed his agent missed out on a cash windfall - because he forgot to place a bet on the midfielder to score.

The former Manchester City player had not scored in more than 50 games. But he had a hunch he was about to open his account and told his adviser to put money on him.

D'Laryea obliged with his first senior goal to give Stags the three points against Wycombe.

However, a phone call to his agent confirmed an opportunity had gone begging.

"It was nice to get on the scoresheet because I wanted to make up for their first goal, which I felt was my fault for giving the ball away," he said. "Against MK Dons I had three or four shots, which was more than I usually have in about four games, so I felt it was coming.

"I said to my agent that he should put money on me scoring.

"But he's only gone and forgot to do it! I can't believe it, but I'm just happy that I've opened my account.

"I have been unlucky not to score with better shots, so maybe it was my turn to have a bit of luck."

D'Laryea admitted that the prayer from club chaplain Tim Mitchell for Matt Hamshaw and his wife Kerry had helped inspire the Stags to victory.

The couple lost their baby just over a week ago - a tragedy that has hit the Mansfield squad hard.

D'Laryea said: "That prayer really motivated us. It made us determined to go out and get the win.

"We worked really hard and I hope Matt is happy for us. I'm sure he will be."

MULLINS ON THE SCORESHEET AT LAST
Evening Post, 26 February 2007

Johnny Mullins is hoping his first goal for Mansfield will put a stop to the constant teasing from his team-mates.

The full-back (pictured right, celebrating his goal with Bryan Hodge) has been tormented by his colleagues for failing to find the back of the net all season - despite going up for set pieces.

But the popular right-back broke his duck with the opening goal against Wycombe and hopes it will be the first of many.

Mullins said: "I've been getting a lot of ribbing from the lads, especially as some of them reckoned I scored at the wrong end against MK Dons [Scott Taylor's shot deflected in off him].

"Simon Brown in particular has been given me plenty of stick so it's just lovely to get off the mark.

"I just managed to get free from my man and got my head to it and it went in, even though the keeper got a touch.

"It would be nice now if I can go on and score a few more because it is a good thing for the team if we can share the goals about."

Mansfield twice went in front in the first half, only to be pegged back by goals from Scott McGleish.

But the Stags won it thanks to Jonathan D'Laryea's late strike and Mullins feels it shows the team have the right belief.

"It was a great result and the winner typified the character that we now have in this side," he said.

With the game locked at 2-2, Mansfield keeper Jason White made saves from Tommy Mooney and Jermaine Easter to keep things all square.

Mullins

said: "I thought Jason was brilliant. He had no chance for either of the goals, but he kept us in it at times. If he had not made the saves when he did, we wouldn't have been in a position to get a winner.

"That is not to say we can't do better defensively.

"We were a lot better in the second half but we know there is still room for improvement."

WIN WAS A BOOST FOR MATT AND WIFE
Evening Post, 26 February 2007

Paul Holland was delighted that Mansfield helped to put a smile back on Matt Hamshaw's face with a win over Wycombe.

Gareth Jelleyman, Martin Gritton and Barry Conlon were not fully fit, so it has been difficult.

The winger and his wife Kerry suffered the tragedy of losing their baby last week.

But assistant manager Holland revealed the Stags' 3-2 win had cheered Hamshaw as he looks to rebuild his life.

"Matt sent a text message saying he and Kerry were smiling for the first time in a week when they saw the result," said Holland.

"Billy spoke to Matt during the week. We have said it would be lovely to see him if he is in on Monday (today) but we aren't bothered if he's not.

"We are just going to take it as it comes and we will give him as long as he needs."

Meanwhile, Holland admitted the game against Wycombe could have easily been lost but he was happy that a patchwork Mansfield side had come out on top.

He said: "Michael and Rory Boulding were both ill and

"It was pleasing to get the points from a game that could have gone either way.

"We started poorly but we came back into the game when we went 1-0 up and it was disappointing to concede at that point.

"We then went 2-1 up but we let them back into it again and words were said at half-time because we knew there were things we needed to sort out."

Holland also praised Johnny Mullins and Jonathan D'Laryea after both netted their first goals for the club.

"Johnny has been unlucky a couple of times before, " he said.

"It was good that Jon got off the mark."
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Holland and D'Laryea interviews from 103.2, click here
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CHAD website
Stags' assistant manager Paul Holland said: "That was a great advert for League Two football with mistakes and plenty of goals and we were just pleased to come out of it with all three points from a game that could have gone either way.
"It was a great result at the end of a very difficult week for us with so many players going down ill.
"It was nice to see John Mullins get his first goal after hitting the woodwork three times earlier this season.
"But then, as usual, we gave them a leg back into the game.
"We scored again but within a minute they were back on level terms.
"There were a few words spoken in the dressing room at half-time. There were things that needed sorting out. The lads knew it themselves but they sometimes just need a push in the right direction.
"Second half they had chances and we had chances but we got the winner at the end of the day.
"Now we have beaten Walsall, Swindon, MK Dons and Wycombe here, all top six sides, but struggled against the lower teams. We know what we've got to work on for the rest of the season.
"I though Bryan (Hodge) was outstanding. That's his first League game and sometimes young lads freeze on these occasions.
"But Bryan looked assured and confident and if he made a mistake it didn't bother him which was good to see.
"It was also nice to get a text messga efrom Matt Hamshaw after the game to say they had seen the result and it was the first time they'd smiled all week."

Disappointed Wanderers boss Paul Lambert said: "I am sure Jamie (Young) will be disappointed with the winning goal. It was a routine save, but I can't be too harsh as he made some terrific saves. But he knows he should have saved it.
"We were excellent in the first half and should have been a couple of goals ahead before Mansfield scored first.
"But we never got going in the second half, though it wasn't for lack of effort.
"You just can't score two goals away from home and not get a point.
"Scott (McGleish) scored two excellent goals and has been terrific since he came to the club."
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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_wycombe_home_manager.ram
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Audio interview with Jake Buxton from BBC Radio Nottingham (RealPlayer needed) http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/realmedia/football/2007/stags_wycombe_home_player.ram
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Audio interview with Johnny Mullins from BBC Radio Nottingham (RealPlayer needed) http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/realmedia/football/2007/stags_wycombe_home_player_02.ram

 

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