DEFENDER QUITS CLUB IN RECORD DEAL
ACCRINGTON ................ 1 BLACKBURN................... 0 BY SHELDAN KEAY
ACCRINGTON Stanley ended their pre-season campaign on a positive note after a hard-fought win against Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
Billy Kee got the only goal of the game at the Wham Stadium to ensure that Accrington came out on top against one of their nearby rivals.
Stanley boss John Coleman was pleased to get the win, and hopes it can give his side a big boost ahead of the League One season opener this weekend.
“I was pleased we won the game. There were patches where we hit a flat spot around half an hour into the game, but we were excellent at the start,” he said.
“We were dominant and got on top of them and scored a good goal, but then we lost our way a bit and they came back into the game.
“Maybe they woke up a bit, as then in the first 10 minutes of the second half they battered us and committed a lot of men forward, which in a league game I don’t think they would do. We had to adjust and then in the last half hour we nullified them, so it’s pleasing that we were able to adapt to a different system and come out winners.
“It will be unbelievably different once the league gets underway, but all we can do is prepare in the best way.
“We’ll do our best to come up with a formula and a plan that will mean we can beat teams.
“The players have worked hard in pre-season and it’s been no secret that it’s been really hot for the last five weeks.
“We didn’t want to overexert the players and they haven’t complained with things, they’ve worked their socks off and hopefully that stands them in good stead for a long hard season.”
Blackburn had the first chance of the game as Stanley goalkeeper Jonny Maxted was required after just two minutes to deny Joe Nuttall.
Accrington then began to take over from that point onwards and they opened the scoring soon afterwards.
Kayden Jackson, who has been linked with a move to Championship side Ipswich Town all week, played a great ball into the box, with Kee get-
JANOI Donacien has left Accrington Stanley to join Championship side Ipswich Town for what is set to be a record fee received for the club.
The defender, 24, has initially joined the Tractor Boys on loan until the end of the season, with the deal set to become permanent as soon as his work permit comes through, which is expected shortly.
The Reds have agreed an undisclosed fee with Ipswich, which will be activated once the work permit is granted.
Janoi has spent two seasons at Stanley after coming through the ranks at Tottenham and Aston Villa before a number of loan moves.
He only missed one league game last season as the Reds charged to the League Two title.
Stanley’s best previous incoming deal was the departure of Matty Pearson to Barnsley last summer.
John Coleman said: “Janoi has been fantastic since he has been here. He hasn’t been an ounce of trouble and I am surprised no one has come in for him sooner.
“Once people started treating us properly in the transfer market, that gives players the opportunities. We can’t let them go just to better their career, it has to be good for the club as well and that’s my responsibility.
“The money will mean a lot to Accrington, we will use it to improve the infrastructure of the club.”
Chairman Andy Holt said: “Janoi is a great lad, he is a model professional. He came here, grafted, helped us win the league title and fully deserves his opportunity. That’s what we are about at Accrington. The fee means a great deal to us and for us, it’s going into new changing rooms.” ting on the end of it and firing home to make it 1-0.
The Reds went close to doubling their lead after 16 minutes when Sean McConville fired a free Blackburn chances that they were now creating.
They almost equalised on 52 minutes when Craig Conway’s cross was pushed out by Maxted into the path of Jacob Davenport, but he could only head over from six yards.
Piero Mingoia and Sam Finlay came on for Stanley on the hour mark, while Erico Sousa and Danny Williams also made appearances as the action quietened down and Accrington began to get a grip of the game once again.
There were late chances for Jackson and Mingoia for Stanley, while Lewis Hardcastle was denied for Blackburn late on too, with Coleman’s men holding on to earn an impressive 1-0 victory.
Their attention now turns to this weekend’s opening League Two opener as they take on Gillingham at the Wham Stadium.