Sheffield United fan and former Blade Louis Reed delighted to help Mansfield Town sink his boyhood club in FA Cup drama
Sheffield United fan and former Blades player Louis Reed was delighted, despite his mixed emotions, to see his brace help Mansfield Town to a historic 4-3 away win at Bramall Lane in today's FA Cup third round classic.
Stags produced a first FA Cup giantkilling win over a side from the top two tiers for 55 years as Reed's goals plus strikes from Lucas Akins and Rhys Oates put Stags 4-1 up to silence the Championship club's home fans.
Two goals in four minutes brought the Blades back into it, but Stags stood firm and went through with Reed, who came through United's academy and made his debut for them under current boss Nigel Clough when he was boss there, one of Mansfield's heroes on the day.
“It is a bit of a bitter-sweet one for me, obviously, supporting Sheffield United. But the main thing today was doing the best we could to get into that hat and I was delighted to be a part of it,” he smiled.
“It was great scenes at the end. Coming to Bramall Lane and filling the away end, the fans were brilliant from start to finish.
“So it's great to reward them with victory and getting into the next round of the cup.
“I don't think it could have gone any better really, apart from the three goals we conceded.
“To go 4-1 up at a place like this is incredible.
“Obviously they are a great team and they have some very good players. But we were on it today.”
Reed blasted Stags in front from 20 yards on 13 minutes and said: “It was probably the first shot I have hit the target with this season and look what happened.
“I had a bit of time on the edge and managed to take a touch and put it away, so I was delighted.
“I just wanted to get it on target. There were a lot of bodies in there that the ball had to travel through which may have unsighted the keeper a bit. And once it got through I thought it had a chance.”
But Gus Hamer's 20 yard rocket finish soon levelled matters.
“Going one up we had to try to defend as best we could, but they have good players and their lad has hit a good goal as well – one of those you can't be too disheartened with as it was such a great strike,” said Reed, who then netted a second a minute from the break.
“But the way we responded to that was brilliant.
“My second goal was from a similar position. It took a big deflection, but it was on target so I am definitely claiming that one.
“Next job was to get in at half-time at 2-1 and build from there.
“It is the best time to score as you go into half-time with all the momentum.
“Then we wanted to come back out and add to what we'd done in the first half – and we did that.”
Oates then raced magnificently down the right from his own half to the by-line to set up Akins for a volleyed finish on 55 minutes.
“That was Oatesy to a tee,” said Reed.
“Since his suspension he has come back in and been on fire.
“It was a great assist. He laid it on a plate and Lucas tucked it away with a great finish.”
Oates then showed great skill to control and lift a dropping ball over Ben Mee before drilling in the fourth and Reed said: “The goal summed Oatesy up – the touch and the pace to get the other side of him, then the composure on the finish was brilliant.
“You get to 4-1 and think can we hang on for another 10 minutes and kill the game? “But a team like Sheffield United are never going to give in and they got back in it at 4-3 and it was time to dig in.
“We just needed to get through it, get the leg work in, help your mates out where you can, and this team did a similar thing at Bolton, getting blocks in and Robbo (Liam Roberts) coming and taking crosses for us, which relieves pressure.
“We stuck to our job well and got there in the end.”
Stags are now in tomorrow night's draw and Reed said: “We would now love any Premier League side or a team we fancy our chances against and see how far we can get.”