Mingoia off after ‘tough decision’
SHELDAN KEAY
PIERO Mingoia insists that Accrington Stanley will always hold a place in his heart after he left the club to join Cambridge United.
The 24-year-old has made nearly 150 appearances for the Reds, but will now depart at the end of his contract.
It is a big blow for Accrington, but Mingoia has revealed in a message to supporters on the club’s official website that it was an extremely tough choice to make.
“A huge thank-you to everybody at the club I’ve been fortunate to call my home for the last three years and gave me the chance to play in the Football League,” he said.
“Since day one I’ve been treated unbelievably well by everyone, from the people in the office to all the coaching staff past and present.
“I have always given my all for my shirt every time I have worn it which I think helped me create a special relationship with the fans – who I truly appreciate.
“The club is in very good hands and will only head in the right direction due to the quality of the people involved.
“I thank the gaffer and Jimmy for all the faith and truly believe it is an opportunity I had to take for me and my family.
“I would also like to thank James Beattie, Paul Stephenson and Peter Marsden for bringing me to the club and allowing my career to begin and again for treating me and my family so well.”
Meanwhile, ground improvement work has been taking place at the Wham Stadium as the club continue to prepare for the new season.
The Clayton End has undergone the most work, with all of the seats removed from the stand to make it all terracing again.
The Jack Barrett Stand is also undergoing renovations, while the football pitch has been levelled and reseeded, and the irrigation system has been put back in this week.
The work that is taking place at the Wham Stadium means that Stanley won’t have any pre-season games at home this summer.
Three games at Barrow, Stalybridge and Skelmersdale have been announced so far.
CRICKET MATT JONES
IN last weekend’s Lancashire League action, Accrington beat Church by six runs at Blackburn Road.
Accrington won the toss and elected to bat, professional Ockert Erasmus top scoring with 50 while captain Graeme Sneddon contributed with 28.
Stuart Crabtree (25) and Jake Clarke (19) kept things ticking along as Accrington posted 145-10 in 45 overs.
Sub professional Usman Tariq took 5-32 and Kamran Basharat 2-36 for Church.
In reply, Jimmy Hayhurst took 4-34 with Accrington bowling Church out for 139 in 46 overs after being 129-6.
Bilal Abbas top scored with 29, while Craig Fergusson added 26, Jack Gaskill 24 and Joel Gaskill 23.
Rishton tied with East Lancs as both teams came out with nine points.
Rishton won the toss and elected to bat. Mini Bhada took 6-14 and Mo Bhada 2-39 as East Lancs bowled Rishton out for 148 after being 115-2.
Professional Shaun Von Berg top scored with 43 and Brad Boddie contributed 25.
Von Berg then took 6-25 as East Lancs collapsed from 79-3 to 148-10.
Professional Andries Gous top scored with 51 before he was bowled by Von Berg.
Niall Boyle hit an unbeaten 39 but no other batsmen could stay with him as Von Berg removed Lewis Pearson (10), Mark Bolton (0), Adam Bolton (2) and Tayib Asif (4). Matt Lambert also took 2-37.
Enfield were comfortably beaten by seven wickets at Dill Hall Lane.
Enfield won the toss and decided to bat. Professional Ashton Turner took 5-22 and Matt Collins 3-34 as Enfield were bowled out for 129 in 35.5 overs.
Tiarnen Hamill top scored with 28, while Lewis Wright added 21 and Liam Bedford 17.
Western Australian Turner then hit an unbeaten 49 as Todmorden chased down Enfield’s target in 31.2 overs.
Simon Newbitt also contributed with 31. Hamill picked up 2-35.