AFC Mansfield cruise into next round of FA Cup

A brace from man-of-the-match Ryan Williams and goals from Ollie Fearon and Jimmy Ghaichem sealed the home side’s fate.

Shepshed’s Dovecote Stadium was bathed in sunshine and while it made a pleasant viewing experience for the fans, it was going to be difficult for the player in the heat.

Both sides competed well in the opening 15 minutes. Grant Allott denied Matt Langham on five minutes with a timely block and, at the other end Ollie Fearon fired wide.

Ryan Williams found the head of Lynton Karkach on 10 minutes, but his flicked header drifted wide of the far post.

Shepshed went close with a Liam Read effort after Brad Wilson’s clearance had been blocked.

The opening goal came soon after, Lynton Karkach raced down the left flank and put his cross in to the far post.

Ryan Williams gained possession and delivered a curling cross onto the head of Ollie Fearon, who guided the ball into the corner of the net.

Jason white had to be at his best around the half hour mark getting down to his right to turn Michael Reeves low drive around the post.

AFC Mansfield started the second half on the front foot and it was no surprise when they doubled their lead on 52 minutes.

Indecision and a failure to clear their lines saw the ball drop to Jimmy Ghaichem who looked up and saw the keeper off his line.

From 30 yards out the winger calmly lifted the ball over the stranded Tom Holyoak and into the net.

Manager Rudy Funk replaced his front two of Fearon and Karkach with another excellent pairing of Craig Mitchell and Gary Bradshaw on 65 minutes.

Ten minutes later and the pair combined to see Mitchell’s low driven effort parried by Holyoak only for Ryan Williams to pick up the loose ball and fire it into the top of the net.

The home side looked visibly drained now although White still had to be alert to deny Sam Moore’s goal-bound effort five minutes later.

Shepshed continued to press and White made another standard save to protect his clean sheet.

The final nail in Shepshed’s coffin came a few minute from time.

That indecision and resurfaced at the back with Ryan Williams volleying home from a similar distance to Ghaichem’s goal. Again keeper Holyoak stranded as the ball flew over him.

Shepshed Dynamo: Holyoak, Hohn, Morrall, Pheasant, Betts (C) (Guest 20), Whymark (Attwood 63), Porter (Prenderville 63), Moore, Langham, Reeve, Read. Subs not used: Preston, Rigby, Rawdon & Hands

AFC Mansfiekl: White, Wilson, Plummer, Allott, Timons (C), D’Laryea, Williams, Karkach (Mitchell 65), Patterson, Fearon (Bradshaw 65), Ghaichem (Naylor 75). Subs not used: Madin, Wright & Chadburn.

Referee: Mr Martin Beard.Assistants: Mr Stephen Davies & Mr John Stevens.

Attendance: 168.