Stanley take on
ACCRINGTON Stanley’s preparations for the 2017/18 League Two campaign stepped up a gear in the last week as the Reds entertained two Premier League sides at the Wham Stadium.
Top-flight new boys Huddersfield edged a 1-0 win three days before the visit of Everton, who shared six goals with John Coleman’s side.
Despite running two top sides close, the Reds boss was left frustrated after both games having witnessed his team pass up a number of good opportunities.
Coleman felt both Huddersfield and Everton were let off the hook.
First up were the Terriers, for whom new signing Tom Ince netted the only goal of the contest.
As expected, the Yorkshiremen fielded two teams, one in each half, and each was peppered with multi-million pound players including new £3.5m signing Laurent Depoitre, defender Scott Malone and £11.5m Benin international Steve Mounie.
Former Montpellier striker Mounie had the first notable chance of the evening when he latched onto a long ball from goalkeeper Jonas Lossl and lobbed the outrushing Aaron Chapman only to see his effort run wide.
Winger Jordan Clark who had Stanley’s first effort, his strike blocked and running to Sean McConville who curled the rebound wide.
Stanley grew into the game and Matty Pearson saw his header was cleared while neat buildup play between captain Seamus Conneely and Clark on the right ending with defender Janoi Donacien firing over.
Coleman made five changes at half-time as new signings Mekhi McLeod and Liam Nolan made their Wham Stadium bows.
Omar Beckles had an early chance but guided his header wide while former Bradford City frontman Nakhi Wells unleashed a fierce strike which wasn’t far away for David Wagner’s side.
Ince opened the scoring when he squeezed home at the second attempt, the ball squirming into the bottom corner beyond Chapman.
Hull loanee Jonny Edwards forced a good save out of Terriers keeper Joel Coleman and another Reds new boy, Erico Sousa, entered the fray in the 70th minute, along with Rommy Boco.
Reagan Ogle, who signed his first professional contract in the summer, also came on for the Reds and tricky winger McLeod almost got a late leveller with a fierce drive which flew just wide.
Chapman pushed Ince’s free kick over the top and denied Wells late on as the game closed 1-0 to the visitors.
On Saturday, Stanley twice squandered the lead as they drew 3-3 with an under 23s Everton side.
Coleman utilised the majority of his squad yet again, including new arrival Ben RichardsEverton.
Aaron Chapman pulled off an early save to deny David Henen before Stanley were awarded a penalty in the third minute of the match and Billy Kee kept his cool to convert.
Winger Sean McConville tested Renshaw while Kee, Jordan Clark and summer signing Liam Nolan all saw efforts deflected wide.
McConville blasted wide following an indirect free kick in the area and with Stanley mounting up a host of missed chances, Everton started to come out of their shells and went close to a leveller through Conor Grant.
The Toffees equalised just before half-time when Henen got on the end of Atonee Robinson’s cross and fired home.
And the lead was doubled before the half time whistle as Josh Bowler got the ball unmarked in the area and guided it past Chapman to mark a swift turnaround.
After receiving an earful from Coleman at the break, the Reds started the