Mansfield’s Aaron Lewis volleys the Accrington keeper’s clearance, first-time, to score a beauty in one of the the best goals of the day.
The 25 year old scored a spectacular 40-yard volley to help Mansfield keep their unbeaten start to the League Two campaign on track with a 3-0 win at the Wham Stadium.
Lewis got everyone talking when he got onto a Toby Savin clearance on 75 minutes, struck it first time into the far corner of the net to complete the scoring as the Stags climb to third in the table.
The thud off his boot, the arc of the ball, the celebrations behind the goal.
Beautiful from Mansfield’s Aaron Lewis at Accrington Stanley today. pic.twitter.com/mjtdXSQ8Bl
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) September 9, 2023
Mansfield broke the deadlock on 29 minutes with James Gale sending the ball into the box before being chested down by Davis Keillor-Dunn and then produced an overhead kick into the top of the net.
The away side made it 2-0 on the 36th minute thanks to Keillor-Dunn who put in a low cross to George Maris, who made no mistake from eight yards.
Then came the Lewis wonder goal to seal three points for Mansfield.
Mansfield boss Nigel Clough spoke on the netbusters: “They were special goals.
“The third will take everybody’s attention. I’m not sure how far he [Lewis] hit it from, I think it was the distance and the fact he hit it first time which made it remarkable.
“It was one of those where everything freezes, time freezes as everyone just watches the ball float towards the goal to see if it’s going to dip underneath the crossbar or not, but it was a magnificent effort.”
On the first two goals he said: “When you score an overhead kick at any time it’s a special goal.
“I loved the build up for the second one.”
Stags always looked in control of the contest and the manager was pleased to see his men stretch their unbeaten run to nine games.
“It was a brilliant result. The standard of the goals [was pleasing] and an excellent clean sheet which I’m delighted with.
“There are aspects of the performance which we still need to improve upon.
“[But] I thought we showed more than in glimpses and passages how we were a few weeks ago before the disruption of the injuries and at times our moves were very good, especially leading up to the second goal. It was the most unremarkable finish of the three goals but I thought it was the best team goal.
“We’ve been looking to finish off some of the opportunities which we create and we were quite clinical today.
“We got back on it today, playing with a bit of rhythm against a good footballing side.
“I thought the 3-0 might have flattered us a little bit because they had some opportunities and I thought Christy Pym had to make three or four very good saves today.
“We said to the players, ‘you don’t want to be chasing the game in this heat’, so to get the two goals and look after it, and when we got the third goal that killed it.”
Stags earned a first away win of the season in style and Nigel said: “It’s about time we won on the road, we should have won at Doncaster and we should have won at Crewe. It’s taken us a few weeks too long and we have long trips to Colchester and Gillingham so it’s a nice way to start.
“I’ve said to them [the players] if we are going to be serious challengers you must get points on the road. It’s lovely being unbeaten but you can’t afford to draw too many games, you have to win your fair share as well.”
🗣️ Hear from the boss following our 3-0 victory at Accrington.#Stags 🟡🔵 pic.twitter.com/29UUIuzx0M
— Mansfield Town FC (@mansfieldtownfc) September 9, 2023
Speaking to iFollow Stags post-match, midfielder Aaron Lewis said: “It was a great afternoon.
“To come away with three points on the road, three goals and a clean sheet is a great afternoon for everyone.
“I think it was a great performance.
“We got a goal early which has helped settle it down and then we’ve just stepped on from there.”
On his goal of the season contender strike, on 75 minutes, Aaron added: “It was just a bit of instinct.
“Obviously, it’s come to me and the ‘keeper is not in his goal as a player the first thing you think about is [to] shoot.
“I was always going to hit it.
“I may have had a few boys not happy with me if it hadn’t gone in, but it has, luckily.
“It’s obviously nice to come straight back in [to the side].
“I think it shows that people can come in and out so fluently with the team we have and the great squad depth.
“It’s nice to come in and try and influence it [the side] as much as I can.
“Everyone is in a good mood in there [the dressing room] but we know we’ve got to take it into next weekend and go and do the same thing.
“Taking the momentum from each game and going on to the next [has been key to Stags’ good start to the season].”
Here’s how Twitter users reacted as Mansfield’s Aaron Lewis volleys the Accrington keeper’s clearance, first-time, to score a beauty…
@HayleyRebeccaX0: Two cracking goals In our game today && STILL unbeaten 💛💙 #upthestags
@WintDave: Absolutely magical 💛💙🦌👍👏🏆🤩
@matt_eyres: That’s unreal tbf 👏
@nigel_1518: great strike @aaronjameslewis fair play 👏👏👏
@MKT1882: Perfection! 👏
@danhardymusic: Goal of the season contender already. Not sure you’ll see better technique. Great goal @aaronjameslewis COYS 🟡🔵🟡🔵
@mrpalm3r: What a volley 😎
@babylonrass: Accy “playing out from the back” ! When will teams learn 🙄
@mtfcbrandon: give it the Puskas Award.
@js7___: Just to add to the fact he’s going to be our player of the season
@alexgress: you’ll struggle to see a better goal. outrageous technique
@F1Jacko: Had numerous times to clear it up the pitch instead of just pissing around at the back. Savin might be one of the youngest Gks in league 2 but that’s shocking
@MRossi_UK: Well…. That’s the Puskas award settled then! That is absolutely disgusting 😍😂
@secretgreyfrair: Good fucking grief. What a goal.
@BenStokes2: Mate that’s fucking unreal, first time volley wow
@Puds1970: Great goal. Looks a very good player too.
@JakeShaw00: Get in the bin that’s outrageous
@kdove1995: Don’t save that! ⚽️
@Fulhamflutter: That is absolutely sensational. Brilliant 💥😮💨
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