Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Mansfield Town (EFL League Two) 24.09.22
Mansfield Town produced a stunning late comeback to take all three points at Gresty Road in Cheshire.
The away side were much the aggressor against Crewe Alexandra and pressed their hosts for an opener with chances missed in both halves as Okonkwo in the Alex goal saved a Hawkins header from a Maris free kick before tipping over an Ollie Clarke volley, Mansfield’s two best efforts denied.
Despite their pressure, which for long periods looked like Mansfield were most likely to forge an opener, it was the home side with just twenty minutes remaining who scored against largely the run of the games play. Although this after Agyei had hit a post during Crewe’s best spell of the match, Courtney Baker Richardson striking to sink Stags hearts.
That looked to be enough to win the game too, but substitute Will Swan, on loan from Nottingham Forest, had other ideas, and when he was played in by Jason Law on 87 to level, that set up a tense finish, where the Stags were in the hunt to go and win the match.
And with three minutes of injury time played, win it they did, Kieran Wallace crossing for big Oliver Hawkins who headed home to send the away fans wild.
Matchwinner Hawkins stating after “It was utter relief and exhaustion. The last five minutes I was going back and forth for long throw-ins and set-pieces.
“There’s nothing better than stoppage time winners and what a feeling, with the away end today. To be one nil down and to score the winner is unbelievable.
“I was glad I could get my head on it and good enough power against a really big goalie and see it go in.”
The win moving Mansfield up one in the table to sixth with nineteen points from ten games played.
Crewe Alexandra: Okonkwo, Mellor, McDonald, Offord, Thomas, Baker-Richardson, Ainley (Adebisi 63), Agyei, Leshabela, Sambou, Uwakwe.
Mansfield Town: Pym, Gordon, Hewitt, Hawkins, Harbottle, McLaughlin, Clarke (Swan 72), Maris (Law 85), Quinn (Wallace 67), Lapslie, Akins (Bowery 72).
Venue: Gresty Road (4,942)
*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Kellan Gordon & Oliver Hawkins celebrate Stags late winner.
