Ayodele’s hot streak goes on as PNE Under-19s see off Stags
Michael Ayodele continued his recent goalscoring form in PNE Under-19s’ 3-1 win over Mansfield at Springfields.
Playing against the wind, PNE opened the scoring when the industrious Marshall Longson's deflected shot from just inside the area beat the wrong-footed keeper.
Named as captain for the match, Ayodele scored his side’s second goal when he curled in a superb strike into the top corner of the net from just outside the area.
PNE began brightly, almost taking the lead in the second minute when recent recruit from Hamilton, Finlay Cameron, smashed a shot against the underside of the bar after being set up following a good run on the left by full-back Aaron Garrigan.
North End had the best of the attacking play with Ed Nolan going close and Longson forcing Stags keeper Milla Shore into making a great save.
Mansfield did manage to give PNE the odd first half scare. Goalkeeper Jonathan Swift did very well to save with his knees then Charlie Whalley made a decisive challenge in the penalty area just when it seemed almost certain that Stags would score when Riley McLachlan was through on goal and about to pull the trigger.
After Ayodele's corker on the hour mark, Longson was instrumental in bringing about PNE's third goal in the 66th minute when he twisted and turned inside the area before teeing up Garrigan at the back post, whose shot took a deflection off a defender to end up in the back of the net.
It was a great win for North End as Mansfield's side contained three first year professionals.
One of these was the lively centre forward McLachlan who did manage to score a brilliant consolation goal when he hit a 30-yard shot into the roof of the net.
NORTH END: Swift, Hickey (Stanford), Garrigan (Nickson), Green, Whalley, Nolan, Forshaw, Longson (Tempest), Reid (Jackson), Ayodele, Cameron. Sub not used: Latham.