Stags striker aims to sink old club

AARON O'Connor has already proven in this fledgling season he has an insatiable appetite for goals.

But this afternoon he will be wanting to find the net just that little bit more, simply because of who Mansfield are playing against.

The striker was part of the Grays Athletic squad last season that finished tenth in the Blue Square Premier.

But while he was offered fresh terms at the end of 2008-2009 to stay in Essex, he turned down the opportunity to return to his native county.

Nottingham-born O'Connor was once on the books of Forest and also tried his luck at Ilkeston and Scunthorpe United before eventually making a name for himself at Gresley Rovers.

But after 18 months on the side of the Thames, he was delighted to join the Stags on the eve of the new season.

And, having scored three goals in five games so far, including two in Monday's 3-2 home win over Northwich, O'Connor is hoping for the chance to add to that tally and shoot down his old club in the process.

But the 25-yearold knows it will not be easy against the Blues because of their liking for an attacking approach.

"Grays are a familiar club to me having played there last year, so I am more than up for it," said O'Connor. "I will definitely have a look at the team sheet and give the boss a few tips.

"Grays are an on-and-off side, or at least they were last year anyway. When they get it right, they are a very good side.

"They changed the management team towards the end of last season when they sacked Justin Edinburgh and they started to do very well. I think they only lost one game in maybe ten.

"I know they have not started too well this time, but they are a decent passing side with some good experience.

"We can't expect them to come here and play for a draw because they won't."

Mansfield are looking to make it four wins out of four at Field Mill this season having already beaten Histon, Kidderminster Harriers and Northwich Victoria on home soil.

O'Connor rates Histon as the toughest of those victories and thinks a meeting with Mick Woodward's team will be just as tricky – if for entirely different reasons.

He said: "I thought the way Histon played made it very hard. Because Grays play football, it will be a different kind of test.

"Teams who bang it are difficult to play against, so hopefully the way Grays play will benefit us.

"We haven't done too well with goals conceded at home. We want clean sheets, but we have got three wins out of three.

"With the teams play and movement, we know we are going to create chances and score goals.

"Hopefully, that will give us an advantage because teams will be keeping a look out for us and be wary of us."

O'Connor knows his early goals are no guarantee of a regular start because strike rivals Mark Stallard (four) and Jason Lee (two) have also hit the goals trail early.

But he backs his ability to do a job at this level and be at the forefront of manager Billy McEwan's thoughts this season.

"You have to be confident of winning a first-team place in the long run. If you are not confident in yourself, then who will be?" said O'Connor.