FLITCROFT’S FUMING AFTER STAGS SLUMP
Mackail-Smith’s winner huge for Notts
DAVID FLITCROFT lambasted his side for failing to represent the town after Mansfield’s promotion bid stuttered with defeat to a resurgent Notts County.
Craig Mackail-Smith’s firsthalf volley propelled County to back-to-back wins in their first victory over the Stags since 2005 – reigniting their bid for League Two survival.
But the result was far from a fluke against an underwhelming Mansfield, leaving Flitcroft questioning which of his players are up for the fight.
“The way we have represented the town and football club was not good enough,” he said.
“It was lame and it is not something we have experienced many times this season.
“The players are aware of that and know what they need to do next week to represent the town.
“We did not turn up and that is unlike this group. I have managed them with tough love. The players will make sure we get it right and clamp down on the work we did not do.
“We should have got tighter on the goal and we got a lot of things wrong. We are desperate to put it right, the players have got to understand what it means.
“It has hurt me and the town and our supporters, we have got to give them the love back.
“It’s been a tough day but tough times don’t last, tough people do.
“We will find out who is up for the fight now and who is prepared to dig in. Those will be the players that I’ll be picking.”
Mackail-Smith’s sumptuous volley following Rob Milsom’s knockback after 19 minutes was his first strike since October, coincidentally the last time County had registered back-to-back victories.
That was reward for a strong first half, with veteran striker Jon Stead coming close to doubling the hosts’ lead before the break when he nodded Mitch Rose’s cross wide.
The Stags failed to test Ryan Schofield in the County net and needed a second-half response, with substitute Nicky Ajose almost making an immediate impact when looping his header wide.
Minutes later CJ Hamilton lashed over from Ajose’s cutback as the visitors upped the pressure.
But County held on as Enzio Boldewijn and Kane Hemmings both missed chances to double the lead – with this character showing a sign of things to come for boss Neal Ardley.
“I think the last three performances have just got better and better,” he said.
“I made that statement two-and-a-half months ago after my first league game against them that there was a gulf in class between us and Mansfield.
“They made a lot of noise afterwards and made it clear that they had won, which hurt. “I said my job was to see where we are in two-anda-half months’ time and I knew we’d be a match for them. Did I think we’d dominate like we did?
No. But I’ll take it. Ryan [Schofield] hasn’t had to make a save and against a team with their threats, that’s excellent.
“We could have scored a few. All around the pitch it was a complete performance.
“They all know their jobs and are putting in the performances. They’re working well together and we’ve stuck to the system we want to play.
“I think the togetherness in the team really got us through. They all gelled together and got the job done, which is really pleasing. It feels good, but we haven’t finished yet. We’ve got a long, long way to go.
“It can get you down, the pressure of trying to do something, and it puts a smile on your face.”
NOTTS COUNTY: Schofield 8, Rose 8, Milsom 7, Barclay 8, Stubbs 9, Mackail-Smith 7, Doyle 8, O’Brien 8, Boldewijn 8, Stead 8 (Alessandra 83, 6), Gomis 8 (Hemmings 83, 6). Subs not used: Fitzsimons, Tootle, Bird, Vaughan, Hewitt.
MANSFIELD TOWN: Smith 7, Preston 6, Pearce 6, Turner 4 (Ajose 46, 5), Jones 6, Mellis 5 (MacDonald 66, 5), Bishop 5, Grant 5, Benning 4 (Khan 84, 5), Walker 4, Hamilton 5. Subs not used: Smith, Logan, Tomlinson, Atkinson.