Opening pace surprised Stags in first friendly

Mansfield Town were surprised by the pace and intensity of their opening pre-season friendly against Vitoria De Setubal on Saturday, but believe they will be all the better for it.
SPORT: FOOTBALL: Mansfield Town FC : Pre Season Tour Portugal : July 2018SPORT: FOOTBALL: Mansfield Town FC : Pre Season Tour Portugal : July 2018
SPORT: FOOTBALL: Mansfield Town FC : Pre Season Tour Portugal : July 2018

In high temperatures at the end of their week-long training camp in Portugal, the Stags were expecting a more leisurely first game.

Instead it was fast and at times highly competitive as the hosts won 1-0 with a 77th minute goal.

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Assistant manager Ben Futcher said: “It was a fantastic workout.

“It was probably a lot higher intensity than everyone expected.

“In that heat – it was over 30 degrees - it’s normally a slower tempo but they came out of the blocks and made it a really competitive game.

“It was a brilliant workout and was just what we wanted – probably better than what we wanted.

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“Everyone got 45 minutes in and the young U21s who were involved never let themselves down and did themselves proud.”

Stags now turn their attentions to a trip to Bradford Park Avenue on Thursday (7.30).