CONCORD Rangers’ FA Cup goal hero Joe Gardner says winning at Mansfield Town would give him a third reason to celebrate this weekend.

The Beachboys First Round tie comes the day after Gardner’s 24th birthday and the day his mum Lorraine turns 50. And the midfielder is aiming to round off the perfect weekend with another decisive contribution in Concord colours.

Gardner has been an important member of Danny Cowley’s squad this term, having joined in February, and has been a vital component of the club’s march to its first ever FA Cup First Round appearance.

He hit the only goal at St Albans City in the final qualifying round and the Beachboys would not have made it past the second qualifying round had it not been for his injury time equaliser at Wealdstone. Concord won the replay 2-0.

“It is a big weekend for me,” said Gardner. “It isn’t every day you play in the FA Cup First Round and it happens to be the same day as my mum’s birthday. I turn 24 today so it would be the perfect way to celebrate if we could beat Mansfield.

“My mum would have loved to have come and support the team, but she will be doing that from home.”

Gardner does know what it feels like to win in the First Round, having been part of the Redbridge team that beat Oxford City to reach Round Two in 2011.

And he aims to draw on that experience tomorrow.

“It helps having played in this round before,” he said. “I have spoken to the boys about it and it brings back good memories and I want to make new memories with Concord Rangers.

“It is a great group of boys. I look at the bench sometimes and think what a great squad we have and a win would bring us even closer together.”

Gardner admitted he was pleased to score the winner against St Albans in a high-profile match, but was quick to pass off his contribution as a team effort.

“I have scored a few goals in the cup and another one would be great,” he added.

“The team was excellent that day and, but for a few great saves from the keeper, the defence didn’t look like letting anything through.

“We will need to repeat that tomorrow but have confidence in our ability and believe we can win.”

 

OPPOSITION FOCUS

MANSFIELD Town welcome back powerful striker Matt Rhead for the visit of Concord Rangers.

Rhead, who won three of the club’s four individual awards last season, came through a behind-closed doors friendly in his recovery from a hamstring injury in the week. His return could see the Stags revert to their favoured 3-5-2 formation.

They were missing nine first-team players for the visit of Southend United last weekend and their squad includes former Concord Rangers man Ryan Tafazolli, although he will miss tomorrow’s game through injury.

QPR’s Jamie Sendles-White and Huddersfield’s Daniel Carr are eligible after their parent clubs gave them permission to play.

Mansfield have not won in their last seven matches, slipping to 18th in the League Two table.

And manager Paul Cox told Echosport his team would not be taking Concord lightly.

“We’ve had Concord watched and they’re a good team,” said Cox.

“We're in for a tough game and it's going to be even tougher if we play like we did in the opening 75 minutes against Southend.

“The way we applied ourselves during that time won’t be tolerated.”

Concord beat St Albans in the final qualifying round, and will be aware that Mansfield crushed the Hertfordshire club 8-1 at this stage last season.