Conneely wants revenge

SHELDAN KEAY

SEAMUS Conneely insists that his Accrington Stanley side will not take their final game of the season against Stevenage lightly despite having nothing to play for.

The Reds had hopes of finishing in the play-offs a fortnight ago, but back to back defeats have ended those ambitions.

They now end the campaign with a trip to Stevenage, in a repeat of last year’s final match of the season.

The game took place at the Wham Stadium on that occasion, with Stanley needing a win to earn automatic promotion and only managing a draw.

This time around, it is Stevenage who will hope to pick up a victory to try and book themselves a play-off place, but Conneely says his team will have revenge on their mind after last season and there will be no let-up.

“It is a strange quirk of the fixture list. They came here last season and spoiled our day so we will be looking for revenge,” he told the club’s official website.

“It was hard to take at the time and then the play-offs were a lottery and we know we have to go there and do our best.”

Stanley are currently in 13th place, a far cry from where they were earlier in the campaign when there looked to be a real possibility that the side may get relegated.

Conneely is glad that the side have managed to turn things around after what had been a difficult start for the club.

“It has really been a season of two halves. The first half of the season was difficult, we couldn’t win or score goals despite playing OK,” he said.

“I think the Crewe win on New Year’s Eve was the turning point and we kicked on from there but disappointingly have fallen just short.

“We also have had two great cup runs with trips to West Ham and Middlesbrough a highlight of the season although I think the game I will remember most is beating Burnley at the Wham Stadium. That was a special night.

“The best goal has to be Sean McConville’s from the halfway line against Leyton Orient – although I think that has been given as an own goal!

“The season isn’t over yet though and we will be going all out to win at Stevenage.”