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Preview: Grimsby v Accrington Stanley

By: Kevin Dolan
Date: 24/11/2006

ACCRINGTON Stanley visit Blundell Park for the first time in over 45 years as Grimsby Town desperately seek a home win to push themselves away from the relegation zone.

Home > 2006-2007 Season > Previews > Accrington (h)


The Opposition

Overview
Accrington Stanley were relegated from the football league in 1962 and after many years spent in the wilderness, stunned the football world by storming to the Conference title last season and retaking their position as a league team. Only seven years previous in 1999, Accrington were relegated to the Unibond Division 1 (3 divisions below league 2), but then appointed John Coleman who has overseen a dramatic upturn in the club’s fortunes.

Promotion to the Unibond Premier was at the first attempt in 2000 and they were promoted back to the Conference in 2003. After two seasons finishing tenth, Stanley made a solid start to last season before hitting top form in November. They picked up an incredible 50 points from a possible 54 (including 10 successive victories), opening up a 16 point lead and comfortably securing the championship with three games to spare.

The Team
Accrington currently lie in 18th place in League 2, three points ahead of Town. They made a reasonable start to the season and sat in 9th place only 6 weeks ago, however they are now on a run of four consecutive league defeats. Their away form has been starting to slip and they have lost their last three away games including an FA cup defeat at Mansfield; the only win on their travels this season came at Torquay. Their highlight of the season so far was undoubtedly knocking Notts Forest out of the Carling Cup.

The majority of Accrington’s team formed their success last season and originate from the non-league. Due to the club’s finances influencing the playing side, both this season’s top scorers, Gary Roberts and Ian Craney, have both gone on loan to higher division teams (Ipswich and Swansea respectively). Left back Leam Richardson (left) is one of the most experienced players at the club having played for Bolton and Blackpool, whilst defenders Peter Cavanagh and Robbie Williams have both racked up well over 200 appearances each.

Key Player
After years spent in the non-league game, Paul Mullin joined Stanley in 2000 at the age of 26. Since then he has scored 162 goals and won the player of the year award for four of the last five seasons. This season he has six goals so far and, in the absence of Roberts and Craney, is the major threat up front.

Recent Form

TownAccrington
LNorthampton(h)0-2 (FAC)
DWycombe(a)1-1
DNorthampton(a)0-0 (FAC)
LMK Dons(h)1-3
LMansfield(a)0-3 (JPT)
Currently 22nd in League Two.
LHartlepool(h)12
LMansfield(a)0-1 (FAC)
LPeterborough(a)2-4
DBlackpool(h)4-4 (JPT)
LHereford(h)0-1
Currently 18th in League Two.

Top Scorers

TownAccrington
Peter Bore5
Gary Jones4
Roberts8
Craney5
Mullin5

Team News

TownAccrington

  • Tom Newey returns after being suspended for the Northampton replay.

  • Anthony Pulis and Martin Paterson (both Stoke) and Peter Till (Birmingham) have all joined on one-month loan deals and are all included in the squad.
  • Rikki Bains (Leek Town), Sean Doherty (Southport) and Ian Craney (Swansea) have both left the club on loan whilst Adam Dugdale (Crewe), Joe Jacobsen and Curtis Mcdonald (both Cardiff) and Danny Mannix (Liverpool) have all joined on loan.

  • Captain Peter Cavanagh has been ruled out for three months with a knee injury.

  • Midfielder James Harris was sent off last week and starts a three-match ban.
  • Probable Teams

    TownAccrington
    1Phil Barnes
    20Gary Croft
    5Nick Fenton
    6Justin Whittle
    3Tom Newey
    TBAPeter Till
    4Gary Harkins
    8Paul Bolland
    23Nick Hegarty
    19Gary Jones
    TBAMartin Paterson
    25Ian Dunbavin
    TBAJoe Jacobsen
    4Robbie Williams
    5Michael Welch
    3Leam Richardson
    TBAWhalley
    TBADanny Mannix
    6Andy Proctor
    14Romuald Boco
    17Andy Todd
    10Paul Mullin

    Subs

    TownAccrington
    13Robert Murray
    2John McDermott
    10Ciaran Toner
    16Danny Boshell
    18Peter Bore
    27Rob Elliot
    12Phil Edwards
    TBAAdam Dugdale
    TBACurtis Mcdonald
    9Andrew Mangan

    Head to Head

    The Mariners have not faced Accrington for over 45 years, although before then The Mariners did hold an impressive 100% home record over Stanley, winning all of the 11 meetings at Blundell Park. The last time Accrington visited Blundell Park was in the 1959/60 season when Town won 4-0.

    P 22 W 16 D 0 L 6 F 50 A 23

    Accrington Head-to-Head (3rd on The Opposition Ladder)

    Prediction

    Town 2-0 Accrington

    Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Blundell Park (left).

    Admission Prices

    Click on the link for ticket prices to Blundell Park.

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