Bradford City 0-2 Mansfield Town (EFL League Two) 26.02.22

Mansfield Town beat Bradford City in a superb performance start to finish by Nigel Clough’s side that ruined the first game in charge for new Bantams Manager Mark Hughes.

At a packed Valley Parade, party-poopers Mansfield moved into the playoff zone with a confident victory, a thirteenth match unbeaten in the division which takes them back into the Playoff zone and knocking on the door with all the promotion wannabes.

A bright start from Mansfield saw Rhys Oates flash an early effort wide before George Maris blazed over from the edge of the box after good work by Stephen Quinn on sixteen.

Shortly after, Longstaff’s corner found McLaughlin at the front post but the Stags left back couldn’t keep the ball down, O’Connor then fired over an opportunity for Bradford after a home team set play on 27.

Murphy had a shot blocked ten minutes later as Mansfield continued to press for an opener before Rhys Oates, a minute before the break, turned inside the area to fire home left footed into the top corner and put Mansfield one up.

That lead was doubled just five minutes into the second half, Matty Longstaff grabbing his first Stags goal following his loan move from Newcastle United. Oates laying in the young midfielder to finish confidently and give Mansfield a huge advantage going into the later stages.

The goal from Longstaff knocked the stuffing out of any potential Bradford comeback, Mansfield might even have made it three when Murphy’s shot left footed was well saved on 57.

In the closing stages Bradford did manage to force a top draw save from Nathan Bishop as former Stag Andy Cook headed towards goal which was well saved, too little too late from the home side who were well beaten on the day.

Bradford City: Bass, O’Connor, Songo’o, Foulds, Hendrie, Watt, Sutton (Evans 75), Gilliead, Daly (Cooke 60), Cook, Robinson (Lavery 75).

Mansfield Town: Bishop, Akins, Rawson, Hewitt, McLaughlin, Maris (Lapslie 69), Murphy, Longstaff, Quinn (Wallace 80), Oates, Stirk.

Venue: Valley Parade (16,797)

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Rhys Oates scores the games opener for Mansfield.