Nothing gives in
IT ended up in stalemate at the Crown Ground last Saturday as Sky Bet League One’s in form teams, Accrington Stanley and Blackpool failed to break each other’s defence on an eventful afternoon in East Lancashire.
It was only the third time either side had drawn this season, with Stanley just shading the contest without managing to take all three points.
Heading into the game there were no changes to the team that won at Gillingham earlier in the week, players and fans alike knew that there was a possibility of moving into a play off position if results favoured the Reds up and down the country.
As we so often see in Stanley games the opening minutes are a good sign of how the game will be played, the opening moments here were spent feeling each other out, both teams had players who could hurt the other and the sides huffed and puffed to gain a foothold on proceedings.
Sean McConville, Stanley late hero at Bloomfield Road last December, was pulling the strings in the centre of midfield and looked to get things moving.
On six minutes he played a clever dink over the Seasider’s defence which was just missed by the advancing Dion Charles, but Stanley had found their rhythm.
On 13 minutes McConville almost turned provider once more, this time from a corner kick.
His ball was met by Ex Blackpool man Michael Nottingham, but his header nestled straight into the arms of Blackpool captain, Chris Maxwell.
McConville’s busy opening period culminated on 16 minutes when Nottingham turned provider, floating a perfectly timed ball over the heads of the scrambling defenders and into the path of the Stanley number 11 who took a good first touch but couldn’t quit set himself to get the shot away before the advancing Maxwell smothered the ball and the Visitors were able to clear and the clean sheet lived to fight another day.
The game was electric to watch and the teams looked very much worth their in-form labels.
On 26 minutes Black
‘It was a good, open game between two very good teams’
pool had their first sight of Nathan Baxter’s goal.
Kenneth Dougall sent a searching ball forward to be chased by Cameron Burgess and Christopher Hamilton.
Burgess attempted to shepherd the ball out of play but was caught short when Hamilton got a foot to the ball. He crossed to Jerry Yates on the edge of the area who shot well, only to see his effort bounce back off the post to be eventually cleared by Matt Butcher.
Gary Madine was causing problems for the Stanley defenders up front and had his shot saved well by Baxter after he’d been released to run at the loanee keeper.
In the second period
the heavens opened, presenting difficulties for both sides.
Stanley felt they should have had a penalty when Nottingham was brought down just inside the oppositions box, but as Stanley shouted the Visitors almost made them pay.
Hamilton was released down the right wing and had time and space to run into, he did so with pace. He cut inside and played a pass on to the onrushing Yates who’s shot was met at point blank rage by Baxter. Stanley were incensed, but the scores remained even.
The spectacle was about as entertaining as any goalless draw could be, a sentiment that was shared by Coleman after the game: “It was a good, open game between two very good teams.
“Our lads showed a great appetite for the game and it was end to end in the second half, very entertaining to watch.”
The weather was creating chances on its own now and a long clearence was missed completely by the Blackpool defence and seized upon by McConville, he again attempted to play in Charles, but Maxwell was again equal to anything the Stanley striker could muster up.
There was still time for more action as Stanley looked the more likely in front of goal.
Colby Bishop won possession well and set Charles up, but his shot was sent wildly over the crossbar. Charles then narrowly shot wide in the closing moments to ensure the teams shared the spoils as we head into Christmas.
Stanley captain and star performer on the day, Conneely, was happy overall with the result: “We’re not overly disappointed with a point but we could have taken all three as well.”
He was also pleased to carry on this excellent run of form the team are currently enjoying: “It keeps momentum going, to lose today would have felt like a kick in the teeth so we’ll take that and keep our unbeaten home run going.”
Coleman, up until now has been very conservative when dealing with questions of his side’s capabilities this season, but was clear what he thought his team could go on to do after the match: “Today we looked like promotion candidates, you have to have that air of confidence about you and I think we showed that.”
The draw took Stanley up to 30 points and means they occupy 8th place in Sky Bet League One at Christmas.
They are five points off league leaders Portsmouth having played three games less than the men from Hampshire.
Up next for Coleman’s side is a trip to Doncaster Rovers on Boxing Day, Donny themselves are flying high in fourth position, three points better off than Stanley.
The coming weeks are set to be crucial for the Reds, their next four matches are all against sides in the top half of the division, three of which are in the top seven.