Coleman’s pride in Stanley defeat
JOHN Coleman spoke of his pride in his Accrington Stanley players after they fell foul of poor officiating again at the University of Bolton Stadium on Easter Monday.
The Reds had picked up a point in a goalless draw against stalemate specialists Burton Albion on Good Friday and went into the game at Bolton looking to make it back to back wins on the road fol
‘We were told our number 15 was offside – we haven’t got a number 15 playing!’
lowing their success at Fleetwood earlier in the month.
And the Reds looked on course to take something out of the game when Tommy Leigh levelled things up for the second time in the game at 2-2, Jay Rich-Baghuelou having earlier cancelled out Dapo Afolayan’s opener.
However, a late flag ruled the strike out – though for exactly what remained something of a mystery.
“We have had about three explanations,” said Coleman.
“First, we were told that our number 15 was offside – we haven’t got a number 15 playing! But it’s pointless me going on about that because we’re told it’s offside, then we’re told it’s a foul
“I don’t know, I don’t think anyone knows. There were four big decisions in the game but I don’t want to speak about them, so let’s leave it at that.”
Despite the result and his disappointment with some of the big calls in the game from referee Thomas Bramall and his team, Coleman was pleased with his side’s performance at the UniBol and felt they “dominated” at times.
“I thought we were excellent, I’m proud of the way we played,” he said. “Difficult circumstances to play the game but we did well.
“It is a great place to come. You look at some clubs who have tumbled out of the Premier League and they haven’t got the right things in place.
“This is a wonderful stadium, unbelievable pitch – as good as you will see in any of the top four divisions.
“They have got a good set of players who play good football.
“I thought it was a smashing advert for League One football and we showed how good we are. We took the game to them, dominated the game for big spells. A bit unlucky but we have been unlucky all season.
“But I am really proud of the way we approached the game, the way we stuck at it and kept our discipline. On another day we would have won the game so if we keep playing like that, we will be okay.
“Bolton are a good side and we nullified them. They were barely a threat. They had one attempt on our goal in the first half and they scored with it and that’s probably been the story of our season – come to a big place, dominate and then concede.
“Bolton have got everything in place for it to go places.
“They play good football, they’ve got a few bob to spend which you need if you’re going to get out of this league and then compete in the next league, but they’ve got everything in place to go right back to the top of the Championship and it’s good to see
“These are a good side, possibly not in the position that they should be in the league for what they’ve got going forward. They showed a little bit of defensive frailty which we capitalised on more and should have capitalised on more.
“There’s a lot of lot of quality in this league but there’s no standout team who is miles better than everybody else and you just need a little bit of luck. Today Bolton got a little bit of luck and we didn’t.
“On another day, other teams have had luck and probably Bolton haven’t, but you’ve just got to keep going.”
Rich-Bag hue lou’ s equalising goal was his first in senior football and gave the travelling supporters something to cheer.
“Jay played well and it was good to see him celebrate with the fans,” said Coleman.
“I thought they were magnificent again. They came in their cumbers – for us, that’s a good amount, it might be paltry for Bolton but it’s good away following for us and they sang their hearts out.
“They will go away disappointed with the result but you can’t be disappointed with the way that we played – at times we were outstanding.”
Saturday brings Stanley’s final home game of the season when they take on Lincoln City at the Wham Stadium.
They finish a week later when they travel to AFC Wimbledon.