Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Match Previews

Preview: Accrington Stanley

1 April 2022

Match Previews

Preview: Accrington Stanley

1 April 2022

April, the final month of the League One season, begins with a visit to Accrington Stanley on Saturday (kick-off: 3pm).

Cheltenham Town and the club's hosts from Lancashire are joint on points in the middle of the league table, and the game is a great opportuntiy to try and edge in front of John Coleman's side who have continued to show how hard to beat they are on home soil this term.

The shackles are very much off the Robins squad who are determined to record as high a finish as possible in what has been a successful first season back in League One.

Accrington provides a different type of test in what is a third consecutie away match after recent visits to Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday, and Michael Duff's men will be hoping to return back from Lancashire with something to show for the long trip north.

Team news

A decision will need to be made on whether forward Kion Etete is fit enough to be involved after his late substitute appearance in last weekend's loss at Sheffield Wednesday.

Charlie Colkett (pictured) and Ben Williams are unavailable due to injury, while Charlie Brown is also likely to be unavailable.

Media talk

Michael Duff says he has admiration for how Accrington have modelled themselves as a club over the years to achieve success at competing at League One level.

"Every year they stay in this League is a success and they've sold a lot of players. They are a really hard team to play against," he said in Thursday's press conference.

"They go man-for-man a lot of the time all over the pitch. They play a back three but if you flip your midfield to a two and a one they'll change, if you play a one and a two they'll change.

"They are really good at home. They are probably mid-table because their away record is so poor."

Watch the full interview with Duff for free on iFollow where you can also see Liam Sercombe provide his thoughts ahead of Saturday's fixture.

Opposition

It's three straight seasons for Accrington in League One and they look all but set to confirm a fourth consecutive campaign at this level as they occupy a mid-table position heading into the final weeks of the season.

The Lancashire side have proved a tough nut to crack once again this season with their home form impressing. Their last outing, a defeat to Gillingham, was their first home loss since the beginning of December.

Their squad continues to feature a number of young talents, interspersed with some long-term regulars and non-league pick ups who continue to provide the perfect blend at this level.

Wide player Sean McConville has over 300 League appearances across two spells for the club under his belt, while central defender Michael Nottingham and former Cheltenham midfielder Harry Pell are wise older heads in their ranks.

Some of the exciting young players in their set-up include Northern Irishman Liam Coyle and Congolese born Rosaire Longelo, while centre back Ross Sykes rose through their youth ranks to become a regular first team player.

The manager: John Coleman

Vastly experienced manager John Coleman has been in charge at Accrington since September 2014. It's his second stint in the role having led the club between 1999 and 2012 - a period where he guided them from the Northern Premier League First Divison to the Football League.

A forward in his playing days, he played non-league football at the likes of Southport, Morecambe and Kirkby Town before going into management firstly at Ashton United - the final club of his playing career.

He's also taken charge at Rochdale, Southport and League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers and his number two is long-term assistant Jimmy Bell.

Previous meeting

A late goal from Kyle Vassell proved to be the difference when the two teams met at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium earlier in the season.

The Northern Ireland international finished well when he reacted to a Toby Savin save from a Will Boyle effort that had been lofted towards goal in the second half.

Tickets & travel

Tickets are available to purchase on the day at Accrington at the following prices:

Adults £20
Senior (64+) £15
Student £15
Under 18 £10
Under 12 £5

Robins fans will be located in the Studio Stand for the match and if you wish to transfer to the Coppice Terrace you can do this with a seated ticket.

Wheelchair users should contact Jo Ashton on 01254 356950 if they have any additional requirements beyond tickets.

There's no more away travel on sale with the Travel Club coach full for the match. It leaves from the car park at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium at 9.30am.

Coverage

Social media: For match updates follow @CTFCofficial on Twitter. You can also keep an eye on the latest score by following the club's Instagram and Facebook account.

Website: After the match check out the match report on the club website. You can also watch the post-match press conferences.

Listen: Tune in to full match commentary by buying an audio match pass on iFollow for £2.50.

Highlights: On iFollow you'll be able to view extended highlights with shorter highlights available on YouTube, Sky Sports and Quest.


Advertisement block

iFollow Next Match Tickets Account