Rhys Oates looking to 'carry on' where he ended last season as Mansfield Town top goal-scorer
Rhys Oates scored his and Mansfield Town’s first goal of the League One season in their 2-1 win over Doncaster Rovers.
The striker was given the nod to lead the front line on Saturday alongside Michael Smith as Stags welcomed Grant McCann’s Rovers to the One Call Stadium.
Mansfield made sure not to repeat last season’s 2-1 home defeat to Doncaster and instead finished the match on the right side of the same score-line. Oates opened up Stags’ account for the 2026/27 season with his first half goal, getting his personal tally up and running early.
The 31-year-old finished last season as Mansfield Town’s top goal-scorer, netting 11 across all competitions. It was a strong season for Oates but there’s competition for a spot in the starting line-up this season following the signing of Smith and David McGoldrick, plus Tyler Roberts’ commitment to the club.
Oates’ goal against Doncaster Rovers was the first of the afternoon. McCann’s side found an equaliser through Jack Senior but Louis Reed ensured Stags took all three points with his strike late on in the second half.
“It feels really good, the main thing today was the win but it’s always nice as a striker to start the season with a goal,” Oates said after the match.
“It’s always important that whenever you play, you do your best for the team. We know things are going to rotate, there are so many games this season, players are going to rotate in every position so you need to make sure that you’re ready whenever your chance comes.
“I want to try and carry on from where I ended last season and thankfully I’ve started that today.”