Somner impressed by Blue Square

HAVING played 31 games for Aldershot in the 2005-2006 season, Matt Somner already knew a thing or two about playing at Blue Square Premier level before joining Mansfield.

The 25-year-old Londoner signed for the Shots after leaving Bristol Rovers – and it proved to be a successful move.

Although the Recreation Ground side were still a couple of seasons away from winning promotion to the Football League, it was a rewarding career move for the player.

In acquitting himself well in a right-back role, Somner was picked up by Notts County, where he earned a two-year contract at Meadow Lane.

But after the departure of Steve Thompson as Magpies boss, the player gradually fell out of favour at Meadow Lane once Ian McParland took over.

After being released at the end of last season, the midfielder has now come round full circle to find himself back in the highest echelon of non-league football with Mansfield.

In his view, little in the intervening time has changed. The Blue Square Premier is still, in his view, a tough league to crack.

"I think the standard is very similar to when I played in it the first time," said Somner, a former Brentford trainee.

"It is always a very physical league and everyone says it is just all crash, bang wallop.

"But there are a lot of teams who have played in the Football League and also a lot of players who have been there too.

"Every week you play you recognise some of the names and faces who you have played against in the past.

"There are teams we have played against, like Histon, who do just like to get it up there and make it hard for you.

"But we are also going to play against some passing teams, which gives us the chance to get it down and play it, which we can do well."

Tonight, Mansfield's hectic campaign thus far continues with the comparatively short trip to York City.

The Minstermen have enjoyed a decent start themselves and it is a match that is sure to push the Stags hard.

Somner said: "The big games against the established teams are what players look forward to – and this is one of them.

"As players you have high expectations and you always want to test yourself against the best.

"It would be great to get that first away win and great to do it here, because it would give us a big injection of confidence.

"It is not as if we have played all that badly in our two away games, but maybe errors now and then and a lack of concentration has cost us.

"One thing is for sure, we are definitely going to go for it and not sit back and play for the draw.

"The boss doesn't want us to go to other teams and defend, he sets out to win every game."

The match will be the first time Mansfield have featured live on Setanta Sports, who give extensive coverage to the Blue Square Premier.

"I think I have only ever been live on television twice before," said Somner.

"It gives you an extra incentive to do well, knowing your family and friends will be watching. It gives everyone an extra boost and I'm sure the lads are looking forward to it as much as me."

It is also a fixture Stags boss Billy McEwan will be desperate to win, having previously bossed City.

Somner insists the Stags players will be giving nothing but their all to make sure that happens.

He said: "The York game is going to be a good game for him especially, going back to his old club. "He knows all about it and did really well during his time there.

"They might be up for the game against their old manager but I know they boss will make sure we are even more up for it."

matthew.halfpenny@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk