AFC Mansfield thrash Chadderton to storm into last 16 of FA Vase

Strikes from Chris Timons, Ryan Williams, Jordan Vilums and a brace from Craig Mitchell did the damage in the 5-0 thrashing to set up a mouthwatering home tie with NCEL Premier Division leaders Tadcaster Albion on Saturday, 7th February.

It was Chadderton’s biggest crowd of the season, bolstered by many travelling AFC fans.

The Bulls were without top scorer Dean Rick and influential midfielder Danny Naylor, so manager Rudy Funk brought youngsters Brad Wilson and Danny Williams into the squad.

The opening 10 minutes saw both sides feeling their way a little, but the first warning of problems to come arrived on 14 minutes when AFC Mansfield’s Craig Mitchell netted from a flick-on, only to be flagged offside.

However, Chadderton’s respite was only temporary as the visitors took the lead two minutes later with a well-worked goal.

Williams delivered a corner into the near post from the left and AFC skipper Timons timed a late run perfectly to get in front of the Chadderton defence and glance a header into the top corner of the net at the near post.

Daniel Murray fired wide from 20 yards on 20 minutes as the home side looked to get back into the game.

But the Bulls doubled their lead on 34 minutes when Mitchell threaded the ball through to Williams.

Williams flicked the ball over the onrushing Dale Latham before rounding him and firing home from 10 yards.

Chadderton missed a great chance to get back into the game on 36 minutes when a John Rogers’ header from a corner was cleared off the line by Kyle Ludlow.

Two minutes later Dan O’Connor was unlucky when he picked up the ball in midfield and as the defenders backed off he unleashed a cracking 30-yarder that AFC keeper Jason White tipped onto the crossbar.

The home side came at the Bulls in the opening 10 minutes with Adam Whitehead going close with a free kick, James Curley’s effort turned around the post by White and Dan Murray’s header blocked by Mark Dudley.

Unfortunately this left the home side open to the counter attack and this was demonstrated perfectly on 58 minutes.

Joe Naylor’s 40 yard cross field ball found Williams on the left flank. He delivered a first time cross into the path of Mitchell, who smashed his volley past Latham from eight yards.

This had a devastating effect on Chadderton and they were visibly shaken.

AFC Mansfield began to dominate the game and the fourth goal came on 73 minutes.

It was the same combination of Williams’ delivery and Mitchell’s accuracy in front of goal with a header planted firmly in the bottom corner to leave Latham stranded.

The final goal followed five minutes later when substitute Vilums collected the ball out on the right flank.

The wide man turned his marker one way then the other and finally hit a deep cross to the far post.

The flight of the ball deceived Latham and it found the back of the net courtesy of the inside of the far post.

The final 10 minutes saw Mitchell go close twice to completing his hat-trick, but the game ended with cheers from the travelling faithful and now a tough home game against Tadcaster Albion awaits.

CHADDERTON: Latham, Harewood, Pauley (Sultan 57), Greenidge, Rogers, O’Connor, Curley, Sherwood, Murray Russell, Whitehead.

AFC MANSFIELD: White, Ludlow (Wilson 80), Dudley, Kitchen, Timons, J. Naylor, R. Williams, Buxton (Tighe 82), Whitman (Vilums 74), Mitchell, Cotton. Subs not used: Brewin, D. Williams.

REFEREE: Martin Woods.

ATTENDANCE: 166.

AFC MAN OF THE MATCH: Ryan Williams.