Stags youngsters brush aside depleted Solihull Moors with ease in season opener
Mansfield Town’s Education Programme team got their season off to a perfect start with a 10-0 demolition of a depleted Solihull Moors U19 side.
A second-half hat-trick from substitute Divine Iyamu helped get the Stags up and running for the new National Football Youth League season.
The visitors arrived with a barebones squad, and early injuries left them with a mountain to climb.
From the first whistle, Tom Fleet caused the opposition several problems whilst operating in his free role.
After only eight minutes, the exciting attacker provided an emphatic finish to cap off a well-worked corner routine.
Just after the 20-minute mark, Josh Gidlow put Mansfield 2-0 up with a wonderful, curled effort into the bottom left corner.
On the stroke of half-time Fleet was involved again, this time the Stags' No.10 played a delicate through ball to Alfie Clarke, who made no mistake with his finish.
Following the interval, the game was only ever heading in one direction.
Half-time substitute Divine Iyamu drove past the Solihull rearguard and fired a precise finish into the bottom left corner to get his first of the game.
The fifth goal yet again came from a set piece, where Clarke slotted home for his second of the afternoon on the hour mark.
Head coach Keiran Coupe was asked about his side’s prowess from dead-ball situations, saying: “We take pride in our set plays in both boxes.
"Yesterday we had a session where we worked on different routines.
“This was a great chance to take that practice into a live game and they executed three or four of them really well.”
Iyamu added to his tally after 75 minutes with a goal that was a carbon copy of his first.
Thomas Dee grabbed a quickfire double with his cameo off the bench, and Jack Clarke got his goal for the day, which was thoroughly deserved after a strong performance.
Iyamu secured his hat-trick and took the scoreline to double figures with the last kick of the game.
By the end, Solihull were down to nine men due to injuries, but even with a full-strength side there was only ever going to be one winner.
Next Wednesday, the Stags will host Middlesbrough at RH Academy in the NFYL League Cup.