In focus: Accrington Stanley match preview

18 February 2021

Take a closer look at the latest stats and facts in our match preview ahead of Town's Sky Bet League One clash with Accrington Stanley.

Accrington Stanley have enjoyed a stellar first half to the Sky Bet League One season as John Coleman's team sit in sixth position - one place above league favourites Sunderland. With 45 points on the board already, the home side will provide a stern test for Salop as Steve Cotterill's men look to earn a third consecutive win.

With Dion Charles at the top end of the league scoring tree, the Salop defence will face a tough afternoon as Accy looks to solidify their position in the play-off places. However, Salop will be feeling confident going into the tie after victories over Swindon Town and Sunderland AFC.

Name: Accrington Stanley Football Club

Nickname: Stanley, Accy.

Founded: 1968 (52 years ago)

Stadium: Wham Stadium

Capacity: 5,450 (3,100 seated)

Chairman/owner: Andy Holt

Biggest win: 8-0, New Brighton, Division Three (North) 1934

Biggest loss: 1-9, Lincoln City, Division Three (North) 1951

Highest League finish: 14th, Sky Bet League One, 2018/19

Read Aaron Wilbraham's thoughts ahead of the tie...

Interviews 18 February 2021

Aaron Wilbraham previews Town's clash with Accrington Stanley

The Manager – John Coleman

John Coleman is currently in his second spell in charge of the club. His first spell at the club saw him become the club's most successful manager as he returned the Reds to the Football League.

The prolific non-league striker joined the club as player-manager after a successful spell at Ashton United in 1999, leading Stanley to the UniBond First Division title at the first time of asking.

In his second full season back with the Reds, he led the side to the brink of promotion, claiming fourth place in League Two before losing out to AFC Wimbledon in the Play-Offs. Coleman clinched promotion to the third tier of the EFL for the first time in their history in 2018, winning 18 of their final 23 games.

Goalkeeper – Nathan Baxter joined Stanley in October 2020 on loan from Premier League outfit Chelsea.

Prior to making the move to the Wham Stadium, Baxter enjoyed loan spells with Metropolitan Police, Solihull Moors, Woking, Yeovil Town, and Ross County. Since joining the Club, the shot-stopper has nailed down the number one spot as he looks to earn game time away from Stamford Bridge.

Defender – Cameron Burgess

Aberdeen-born Australian youth international Cameron Burgess joined Accrington Stanley at the start of the current season. The towering centre-back started his career with Fulham but enjoyed first-team football during four loan spells away from the Club.

Previous to joining John Coleman at the Wham Stadium, the defender represented Scunthorpe United and Salford City. Burgess has represented both the Scotland and Australian youth teams.

Midfielder – Seamus Conneely

Seamus Conneely is one of Stanley's longest-serving players having joined the club in 2015 from Sligo Rovers. The 32-year-old midfielder has since made over 200 appearances for John Coleman's team.

Conneely has represented Galway United, Sheffield United, and Alfreton Town but has enjoyed regular football for five years at the Wham Stadium. He has also represented the Republic of Ireland's under-23 and 21 outfits.

Forward – Dion Charles

Dion Charles joined Stanley in the summer of 2019 from Southport for an undisclosed fee.

The striker began his career with Blackpool and has enjoyed spells with AFC Fylde and Fleetwood Town. Charles is enjoying a stellar season with Stanley having found the net on 13 occasions. The forward has also represented Northern Ireland at under-21 level.

League average stats:

Officials:

Referee: Alan Young
Assistants: Simon Clayton and David Avent
Fourth Official: Robert Madley

Click the banner below to purchase your streaming pass for the weekend's fixture...

Match Reports

Match report: Accrington Stanley 1 Shrewsbury Town 1

20 February 2021

Shrewsbury Town earn another point on the road at the Wham Stadium.

Shrewsbury Town's afternoon in Accrington ended with both teams earning a point after the Shrews fought back in the second half.

Shaun Whalley was the man on hand to score late in the half to ensure Aaron Wilbraham and the Town squad took a point back to Shropshire.

A tightly contested first 15 minutes saw both teams battling to earn a spell on the ball - with neither team able to dominate possession. However, Josh Vela nearly managed to give Salop an early lead. His powerful shot from outside the box found its way on target but Nathan Baxter made a great save to deny Town's midfielder.

Accrginton's best chance of the first half came just short of the 30-minute mark. Paul Smyth found himself bearing down on goal without challenge but Williams recovered well to get his body in the way of a close-range shot.

Shortly after the second period resumed, Conneely found the net for the home side. The Stanley captain caught the ball on the volley from outside the box as John Coleman's side saw the ball whistle past Sarkic and into the back of the net.

Town continued to push for an equalising goal but found it tough against a resolute Stanley defence. However, Salop did make the breakthrough in the 77th minute. Shaun Whalley got on the end of a loose ball in the box and managed to poke home from close range to bring the two sides level.

The fixture ended all square with Town earning a comeback draw against an in-form Stanley side at the Wham Stadium.

The teams:

Stanley: Nathan Baxter, Michael Nottingham, Mark Hughes, Cameron Burgess, Matt Butcher (Jon Russell, 84), Paul Smyth (David Morgan, 45), Ben Barclay, Colby Bishop, Seamus Conneely, Dion Charles, Adam Phillips.

Subs not used: Toby Savin, Joe Maguire, Tariq Uwakwe, Harvey Rodgers, Tom Scully.

Town: Matija Sarkic, Ro-Shaun Williams, Sean Goss (David Davis, 88), Shaun Whalley, Oliver Norburn (David Edwards, 69), Josh Vela, Nathanael Ogbeta, Donald Love, Curtis Main (Dan Udoh, 69), Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Harry Chapman.

Subs not used: Harry Burgoyne, Scott Golbourne, Rekeil Pyke, Joshua Daniels.

Officials:

Referee: Alan Young

Assistants: Simon Clayton and David Avent

Fourth Official: Robert Madley.

Bookings:

Seamus Conneely was shown the first yellow card of the game in the 43rd minute for a foul on Sean Goss in the middle of the park.

Ben Barclay was next in the book just before half-time for a foul on Town forward Curtis Main.

Curtis Main was shown a yellow card in the 56th minute for a foul in the home side's final third.

Ticket News

Match passes: Accrington Stanley

16 February 2021

Match passes are now available to purchase for Town's Sky Bet League One away clash with Accrington Stanley.

iFollow passes are now available for supporters who are wanting to watch Town's Sky Bet League One fixture against Accrington Stanley!

Purchase your match pass here!

Never used iFollow before? Here's our comprehensive guide to make sure you don't miss a kick this season.

iFollow - A step-by-step guide

Shrewsbury Town would like to clarify that whilst iFollow sits on the Club's website, the service is provided by a third-party company on behalf of the EFL. For support, Town fans should contact the below avenues:

Email - ifollow@efl.com

Live Chat – Available by clicking the speech bubble icon that will appear on the Club website during the match

Shrewsbury Town will not be able to supply any technical support and encourage all supporters struggling with the service to contact the above support systems.