Two goals on professional debut was a dream come true for Mansfield Town teenage Spurs lrow
Teenage Spurs loanee Oliver Irow admitted his professional debut for Mansfield Town yesterday could not have gone any better and was a dream come true.
Irow hit two goals in a magnificent Man of the Match display in the second half of Stags' 3-0 home win over Port Vale.
A dour first half saw Vale the better side and the sides go in 0-0.
But Irow made the breakthrough, Will Evans added a second and he then set up Irow for a spectacular third as three goals in 12 minutes had Vale on the canvas.
“We got the three points, which is most important. But for me personally, to get two goals, there was not much more I could have asked for.
“First half was tough and I think we did well to go in at 0-0 at half-time.
“We spoke at half-time and were told to go out with energy and bring what we can, and that's what I felt we did second half.
“To come away with three goals, a clean sheet and three points, as a team that's what we dream of.
“Everyone brought energy second half, we had to do it as a collective, and as a team we were very good.”
Irow netted his first when Vale keeper Ben Amos could only parry a Rhys Oates shot, leaving Irow to follow-up and then enjoy wild celebrations with fans and team mates in front of the Quarry Lane Stand.
“I saw Rhys come in and I know he likes to shoot off his left foot,” he said.
“So in case the keeper parried it, I knew I had to be in the right area at the right time.
“Then it was just about concentrating on the finish and putting it in the back of the net.
“I don't really remember what happened after that, but it was a good moment for me and the team.
“Going 2-0 up was a confidence boost for the whole team and then it was just about sticking together and not conceding any goals.”
The third goal was magnificent as Irow curled an inch-perfect finish over Ams and under the far angle from the left of the box.
“It is something I have trained and worked on. Then you hope to bring it into a game and score,” he said.
“That moment that happened today and there was not much more I could have asked for personally. Well maybe one more goal. That would have been unbelievable.
“I am very grateful for what's happened and excited for the next game.
“It is what I have dreamed of. To come on and score goals.
“Today was exactly what I try to do as a player and show everyone what I am capable of.
“I have to make sure I keep bringing it. There are loads more games coming up and the team have to keep pushing.”
Irow also sent over some superb far post crosses.
“I see the deep runs the midfielders make and the strikers make round the back post, so I have tried to hit in into those areas,” he said.
“It is a type of cross I enjoy playing and hopefully we can be more clinical and use that to our advantage in games coming up.”
It has been a whirlwind first week for the 19-year-old.
“The boys have been outstanding and everyone has helped me out,” he said.
“I have been here for just over a week now and feel very welcome and very together with the group, the staff as well. Everyone has been outstanding.
“Everyone being so close has just helped me being able to show what I can do.”
He added: “My family travelled up so it was nice to see them all smiling at the end.
“I didn't even know a Man of the Match award was a thing that happened, but there is not much more you could ask for from your first professional game. It's a dream.”