Richie Wellens lauds two-goal Charlie Kelman as Leyton Orient beat Mansfield

Posted Wednesday, April 09, 2025 by PA

Richie Wellens paid tribute to two-goal hero Charlie Kelman after his spectacular curler saw play-off chasing Leyton Orient win 3-2 in a thriller at Mansfield.

But the O’s boss had to have words with his striker at half-time to up his game.

“I’m pleased for Charlie in the end, but his first half was nowhere near acceptable,” he said.

“He is a goalscorer, but the basics of run, fight and press were not there first half.

“They were two brilliant finishes and his winner was an absolute worldie and I am pleased for him. Second half he was excellent.

“I have said it many times, I love him to bits. There is an unbelievable talent in there. But as soon as he lets things affect him he does not have the same performance levels.

“Our start was so poor tonight, but for the last 20-25 minutes of the first half I thought we were excellent.

“We started with poor body language and no intensity to our game, so we had to change things.

“It was a game of basketball for the second half. The amount of times you could find a pass, counter and go and score was scary.”

Dom Dwyer put Mansfield ahead after three minutes with a far-post tap-in from Elliott Hewitt’s superb low cross from the right byline.

Aaron Lewis also hit the O’s bar before the visitors levelled from their first shot as Dilan Markanday’s effort deflected home on 39 minutes.

Kelman put Orient ahead after 54 minutes with a low finish from Jamie Donley’s first-time pass.

Mansfield sub George Maris made it 2-2 after 62 minutes straight after coming on with a burst into the box from a Lucas Akins pass and confident finish across Josh Keeley.

But the breathtaking winner came in the 69th minute as Kelman cut inside Jordan Bowery on the left and curled the ball superbly into the top right corner from outside the box.

This was a third one-goal defeat in a row for Stags, who are still not mathematically safe.

“It was a very good performance and once again it was fine margins,” said boss Nigel Clough.

“It was a third straight defeat by one goal and we have been in the game in all of them, scored in all the games, one against a side in the top six and the other two close to the top six, and there wasn’t a lot in it again.

“We were finally beaten by an unbelievable goal – a goal of the season contender.

“No team in the world could have stopped that one.

“But I thought we should have had two penalties – one on Lucas Akins in the first half when he was in a headlock and one late on when Jordan Rhodes was smashed in the face.

“To not get either decision we feel very hard done by.”