Town lose out 2-1 to Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium

Stanley: Connor Ripley, Callum Johnson, Mark Hughes, Michael Ihiekwe, Jordan Clark, Connor Hall (Offrande Zanzala, 71), Sean McConville, Sam Finley, Nick Anderton, Dan Barlaser, Billy Kee.

Subs: Jonny Maxted, Ben Richards-Everton, Scott Brown, Offrande Zanzala, Ross Sykes, Erico Sousa, Andrew Mangan.

Town:  Steve Arnold, Ryan Haynes, Mat Sadler, Greg Docherty, Fejiri Okenabirhie, James Bolton, Aaron Amadi-Holloway (Lenell John-Lewis, 45), Luke Waterfall, Josh Laurent (Alex Gilliead, 73), Ollie Norburn, Anthony Grant (Lee Angol, 88).

Subs: Joel Coleman, Josh Emmanuel, Lee Angol, Lenell John-Lewis, Alex Gilliead, Charlie Colkett, Ryan Sears.

Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge

Assistants: Matthew Perry and Richard Woodward

Fourth official: Joe Hull

Attendance: 3061 (770)

Town were unable to take any point away from Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium.

Ollie Norburn’s second-half penalty wasn’t enough to see Town get any points as the home side notched twice in the first-half.

Team News: Sam Ricketts named an un-changed starting line up for this afternoon’s fixture, same as the previous team who beat Coventry City 1-0.

First Half:

The game came to life with just 30 seconds on the clock. Stanley number seven Jordan Clark picked up the ball on the edge of the box and his tidy feet saw the player have a yard of space in the box. His right-foot effort flew into the corner of the goal – giving the home side an early lead.

The first 10 minutes fell in the favour of the home side. John Coleman’s men looked dangerous going forward and were predominantly the team on the front foot.

A good interception by the home side gave Stanley a golden opportunity to double the lead and they did just that. An intercepted ball on the right wing was played into Billy Kee - the striker hit his effort first-time and the ball nestled into the corner of the goal in the 22^nd minute.

One of Town’s few chances came just a minute after the home side’s goal. Greg Docherty received a nice pass from Fejiri Okenabirhie and the midfielder was in a good position to shoot. Unfortunately for Town, the ball flashed just wide of the post.

Jordan Clark was given a yellow card in the 36^th minute for pulling down Okenabirhie as the forward broke on the counter-attack.

Town came inches away from pulling a goal back with almost the last kick of the half. Docherty did well on the right side to beat his man and managed to flash a cross into the box. On the end of the cross was Josh Laurent, but his headed effort whistled narrowly passed the post.

The home side went into the break deservedly in the lead. Stanley had a number of chances and manage to put away two to give themselves a good advantage.

Second Half:

Town were awarded a penalty in the 50^th minute as Okenabirhie was pulled down just inside the Stanley box. Ollie Norburn stepped up to take the penalty and calmly slotted the ball into the left corner of the goal – sending the keeper the wrong way.

Mat Sadler was booked in the 54^th minute for blocking the on-coming Stanley player.

The next 10 minutes of the half consisted of both teams looking to progress up the opposition half at any given chance. Docherty was doing well to find space in the final third, but the home side were defending well as a unit.

An almost instant impact by Alex Gilliead nearly saw Town back on level terms. The winger did well to drive into the box but his effort dragged just wide of Connor Ripley’s goal.

The second-half had a much more competitive edge as time went on. Town were constantly looking to go forward but the home side also looked dangerous on the break and had the Shrews stretched at times.

The game came to an end with the home side seeing out the game to take all three points.