THE Stags continue their march towards the finals with a 5-0 demolition of Mittagong at Cookbundoon on Saturday.
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For the Stags, it keeps their unbeaten record at home in tact and keeps them atop the Highlands Premier League ladder six points clear from the rest of the opposition.
For Mittagong, things didn’t go to plan from the get go.
A hand-ball from their goal-keeper early in the game, deemed outside the box, gave the referee no option but to produce a red card.
From there the Stags took advantage and flew five goals past the under-manned side.
“Once they went to 10 men we sort of relaxed mentally,” Stags Skipper Aaron Swanson told the Post.
The skipper, in his return from injury game, netted two goals in the rout.
Goals also fell for Jarrod Twaddle, Jason Broadbent and Richard Gelsenan, who also returned from a knee injury.
Tommy Swanson was awarded with the man of the match.
“The win was expected to be honest,” Coach David Jones said.
“They are in a re-building phase, but what makes me happy is that we haven’t had a full-strength side since round three and we’re still on top.”
He attributes the success to club depth.
“All three teams, premier league and reserves, train together so they know how each other play,” he said.
Stags Captain Swanson agreed saying: “It just goes to show how much the club has performed this season to overcome this.”
However with the finish-line now in sight, things could get even better. Along with the return of the skipper and Gelsenan on the weekend, Scott Dimini is expected to return from a knee operation in the coming weeks.
Brothers Jake and Jerremy Mutton also return from overseas soon.
An injury free run home would then see the Stags firm favourites to power through the finals.
The club is now eyeing a mouth watering clash against second placed Moss Vale next month.
The side are nipping the heels of the Stags on the ladder and Swanson says a win against them would be “the benchmark of the season.”
“They are looking like the other team that looks to be the one to beat. It’s going to be huge for us.”
Stags take on Hill Top away this weekend.
