Week to remember for Stags’ new father Howell

Stags central midfielder Anthony Howell had a week to remember last week as he celebrated the birth of his first son with a first team recall and a crucial goal.
Mansfield Town's Anthony Howell  -Pic by:Richard ParkesMansfield Town's Anthony Howell  -Pic by:Richard Parkes
Mansfield Town's Anthony Howell -Pic by:Richard Parkes

That followed a midweek wing role in the reserves when he also found the net.

Howell bagged the important second goal just before half-time, 60 seconds after Lee Stevenson had levelled, giving Stags the platform to hit the goals trail in the second as they saw off St Albans City 8-1 in the FA Cup.

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It ended a run of six games without a win and five games without a goal, and Howell said: “Everyone needed that victory.

“They came strong out the blocks and gave us a hard time. But we went in 2-1 up at half-time and that gave us the boost to go on and score all those goals.

“It was a good finish by Lee, but we really needed my goal just before half-time so I think mine was the more important to be honest,” he smiled.

Howell also enjoyed his midweek outing playing wide, adding: “It was like rolling back to the old days when I was a winger. But it is a job I can do. I will do a job wherever the gaffer wants me to play.

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“The midfield has been busy since the start of the season with a lot of quality players. So I am keen to cement my place at the moment.”

Howell admitted the embarrassment of seeing yourself make an error on TV now the club is back in the League is an extra spur not to err.

“You can’t get away with mistakes in the Football League like you could in the Conference. Make a mistake and you more or less give away a goal,” he said.

“It is more important to keep the ball and work hard as a team.

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“You don’t want to see yourself on the Football League Show giving away goals at the end of the day.

“Sometimes when I’ve made a mistake I won’t record it! But we are a team and we are all in it together.

“After eight goals on Saturday I hope we can carry it on this Saturday. But it will be a tough task. The lads must go out there, roll up their sleeves and do their best.”

Howell is already enjoying fatherhood but the sleepless nights are proving a shock to the system.

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“It’s great, but I am tired – I’m not going to lie,” he said.

“I am getting a lot of information at the club, getting lots of advice, and they say I will get used to it.

“It’s early days yet. But it’s hard getting up early and then going into training. I make sure I get my rest in before games, though.”

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