Accrington Stanley Preview

[Match Reports]

A massive clash between Accrington and York awaits, with both sides knowing that three points are essential to both get one up on their promotion rivals, and close the gap to leaders Grays Athletic.

Team News

For City, again the Minstermen are somewhat limited because of injury in central defence. Skipper Mark Hotte is likely to be out of action for some while yet following his collarbone injury picked up against Canvey Island, so James Dudgeon and David McGurk will both start in central defence. Another injury concern surrounds left back Nathan Peat. The ex Hull defender was injured in the game at Gainsborough and brought off as a precaution by boss Billy McEwan. It is thought that he is 50/50 for the game, but if he does not play McEwan will recall Dave Merris to the side. In midfield, Emmanuel Panther is also 50/50 for the game at The Interlink Express Stadium, and if he isn't available Lev Yalcin will continue. Up front, McEwan will more than likely stick to his three pronged attack of Andy Bishop, Joe O'Neill and Clayton Donaldson. Between them, City's frontmen have scored 22 goals this season. O'Neill in particular will want to impress against his home town club, who incidentally have his brother Matthew in their squad.

For Stanley, manager John Coleman will be hoping his side can bounce back from their FA Cup exit to Worcester City on Monday night. However, they have several injury concerns - they will definitely be without Danny Alcock, Andy Tretton and Andy Procter, and centre back Robbie Williams and ex Liverpool full back Peter Cavanagh are doubtful. The loanee players that Stanley have called upon in recent weeks should be back in contention for selection - keeper Darren Randolph and Wigan players Kevin Lee and Philip Edwards. A number of Stanley players have had excellent seasons so far - perhaps the most notable being midfielder Ian Craney. The former Altrincham player was signed in summer 2004 and contributed 14 goals last season. This season he has scored 5 goals already. In attack, ex Hereford and former Man Utd striker David Brown has 7 goals this season in just 16 games and will have to be marked well by the City defence. His possible strike partner Paul Mullin is well known as a prolific scorer at this level also, with 1 goal every 2 games for Accrington. He scored in both games against City last season. And in defence, veteran former Stockport County defender Mike Flynn is another familiar player to City fans, he played in the successful Stockport side of the 90s and was their key defender.

Possible Teams

City: porter; price, dudgeon, mcgurk, peat; convery, panther, dunning; bishop, o'neill, donaldson. Substitutes: stockdale, yalcin, mallon, stewart, merris.

Accrington: randolph; ventre, butler, flynn, williams; jagielka, craney, boco, roberts; brown, mangan. Substitutes: mullin, barry, richardson, dibble, cook.

Current Form Guide (Last Five Games)

City - WWDWW - Tamworth (A), Exeter City (H), Gravesend & Northfleet (A), Canvey Island (H), Gainsborough Trinity (FA Cup) (A).

Accrington - WLDDL - Hereford United (H), Stevenage Borough (A), Rotherham United (LDV Vans) (A), Worcester City (FA Cup) (H), Worcester City (FA Cup) (A).

Last Season

Accrington 2-2 City

City squandered a two - nil lead in the Easter Monday fixture. Jon Maloney scored from close range from a corner from the "awesome" Kev Donovan, and Andy Bishop scored a deflected effort from outside the area, before Mullin's header and Roberts' close range header got Stanley a point.

Useful Links

http://www.accringtonstanley.co.uk/index.php?main=preview/york.txt - Excellent Accrington Preview
http://www.accringtonstanley.co.uk/ - Accrington Official Site
http://www.accystan.co.uk/ - Red Passion Site
http://www.accrington-stanley.co.uk/ - KIPAX Site (Photographs)
http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=93 - Accrington Forum
http://yorkcityfc.com/away/accrington.php - Away Travel Information
http://yorkcityfc.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4 - Away Travel Forum
http://yorkcityfc.com/pl - Predictions League