Mickey Mansell sees off Tomoya Goto fightback to set up Clayton clash at World Darts Championship

Mickey Mansell has qualified for the second round at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship. Although the Northern Irishman was nowhere near his level at the last Grand Slam of Darts, he still managed to win 3-1 over Japan's Tomoya Goto.

Goto started the match with a 74-finish to open his account but then immediately had to cede the leg to Mansell, who tied the match via a 13-darter. The Japanese had trouble finding trebles, allowing 'Clonoe Cyclone' to take the next two legs in 17 & 19 darts to lead 1-0 in sets.

Follow the PDC World Darts Championship 2025 via our LIVE SCORE!

Read also

Schedule Friday night at the 2025 World Darts Championship: Michael van Gerwen begins hunt for fourth world title, as the Irish descend on the Ally Pally

The 51-year-old Northern Irishman then also took the first leg of set two. Goto came back to 1-1 with double 8, but in the next leg the Japanese was still on 223 when Mansell hit double 15 for 2-1. The 28-year-old from Tokyo hit a 110 to equalize the score but in the end it was Mansell who hit double 12 to make it 2-0 in sets.

The Japanese started the third set exactly the same as set 1: with a 74 finish. In this set it was Mansell who did not give up at all, allowing Goto to lead 0-2 in legs rather easily via double 2 as well.

However, the Northern Irishman was not waiting for a comeback fought his way back into the set via two 24-darters, thanks in part to the poorly scoring Goto. This left Mansell just one leg away from victory. The Japanese, however, straightened his back in the deciding leg and came back to 2-1 in sets via a 16-darter.

In this fourth set, the first two legs were evenly matched. Goto had three chances on tops in the third leg to take the lead, but failed. Mansell used this opportunity to throw out 80, but the Japanese player forced a fifth and deciding leg again with double 16. This time the 'Clonoe Cyclone' finished off the match with a 19-darter.

Mickey Mansell now gets to enjoy the rest of the weekend off and will not return to action until Monday afternoon, December 23. In that second round match, the Northern Irishman will take on 'The Ferret' Jonny Clayton.

Read also

Everything about the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship: Schedule, results, TV guide and prize money

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate darts experience—subscribe today for exclusive access to top stories.

Subscribe