Mansfield boss Flitcroft praises loan stars

Posted Wednesday, October 31, 2018 by PA

David Flitcroft heaped praise on Mansfield’s loan contingent as they made the difference in a 3-0 win at Crewe.

Derby’s Slovenian midfielder Timi Elsnik struck twice in classy fashion before the break at Gresty Road.

Nottingham Forest striker Tyler Walker was a threat throughout and added the third just over the hour mark as the Stags set a club record of 11 away games without defeat.

“Timi was back in the team and the rest has done him good,” said Mansfield boss Flitcroft. “He’s not had the pre-season the others have was flagging, but he looked energised after his break and his quality is there for all to see.

“I am chuffed for Tyler (Walker) as he has been back on it in the last two or three games. I told him there is no secret about scoring goals – you design it
through the work you do and the runs you make.”

Elsnik handed Mansfield a flying start in the sixth minute when he hit the bottom corner with a low drive as Crewe defenders backed off him. Walker wasted the chance to extend the lead when he fired into the side netting, but Elsnik made no mistake when he hammered the second into the top corner 10 minutes before the break.

While Crewe had their chances to stay in contention with Shaun Miller shooting wide from close range and Charlie Kirk wasting a one-v-one
with keeper Bobby Olejnik, it was the slick visitors who always looked likely to add to their tally.

Walker did when he backheeled in from close range just after the hour mark following some good work from CJ Hamilton, who should have added the fourth but shot wide when put clear.

Flitcroft added: “It was a victory that had everything – we were aggressive and on the front foot and we caused Crewe problems. We were almost like a runaway train in the first half.

“Crewe are one of the form teams at home and they like having it their own way, but they didn’t get that tonight as we really dominate the game.”

Crewe boss Dave Artell said he will include an alleged headbutt on Kirk by Stags defender Hayden White in his report to referee Chris Sarginson.

The Crewe boss felt the incident was a “game changer” as his side were only trailing 1-0 at the time.

“Their lad (White) headbutts Charlie Kirk. I watched it at half-time and how Chris Sarginson (referee) has missed it I don’t know,” said Artell.

“He said he missed it, but he will get it in his earhole from me because it is a key match decision and the lad will get three games (ban) I’m certain of it – that changes the game.

“It was disappointing and it was not like us at home. We were good in possession in the first half, but we never took the chances that were presented to us and goals change games.”