Coleman hails Red hopefuls
DAVID CLARKE
ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman was full of praise for his youthful squad after Tuesday night’s 4-0 Checkertrade Trophy triumph away against Wigan Athletic.
The Northern Group B game featured relatively young selections from both sides, but Stanley’s men prevailed after a convincing performance.
“It was a good, professional performance,” Coleman told the club’s official website after the game.
“We’ve played a similar team in the three games in this competition and we’ve done well in it.
“I know we lost to Blackpool, but we should never have lost that, possibly that was our best performance that we turned out of the three [games] but we lost.
Stanley took the lead after 12 minutes through Jonathan Edwards, before a second half brace from Erico Sousa and a late strike from Mekhi McLeod sealed the victory for the visitors.
“They played a lot of young lads, [but] we’ve got to beat what’s in front of us.
“I thought we were quite methodical about the way we approached the game, and [I was] pleased to keep the clean sheet,” Coleman added.
Accrington Stanley have now qualified to the second round of the Checkertrade Trophy, finishing second in their group behind Blackpool.
Colemen’s men now await the draw for the next round which takes place on November 10, before their trip to Cambridge United on November 11.