Preview: Accrington Stanley v Fleetwood Town

3 December 2021

Fleetwood Town face Accrington Stanley on Saturday 4 December at Wham Stadium in Sky Bet League One, and we have all you need to know ahead of the 3pm kick-off in our match preview.

Fixture: Accrington Stanley v Fleetwood Town

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 4 December 2021

Kick-off: 15:00

Venue: Wham Stadium, Livingstone Road, Accrington, BB5 5BX

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FLEETWOOD TOWN

The Cods head into their second League One clash in just seven days on Saturday as Interim Head Coach Stephen Crainey is on the search for his first three points when they face Accrington at the weekend.

In the last outing, a young side battled hard throughout their Papa John’s Trophy cup tie against Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday evening but fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat. The youthful eleven looked to have matched the experienced Trotters side, but it was Kieran Lee’s strike that was the difference on the night.

In the game before, Town came from behind to rescue a 2-2 draw on their travels to AFC Wimbledon, in what were horrible conditions. Fleetwood fought back late on after Ged Garner’s opener was cancelled out by Ayoub Assal’s and Luke McCormick’s second-half goals, Callum Johnson grabbed a late equaliser to ensure Town walked away with a point.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY

Accrington have had similar league form to Fleetwood over the last month but managed to get a win on their outing on their trip to Sincil Bank to face Lincoln City last Saturday.

In a game where The Imps seemed to dominate in terms of possession, John Coleman’s side stood strong ad created plenty of chances throughout the game, eventually breaking the deadlock ten minutes into the second half through a Colby Bishop effort.

Since then, they also had Round Two action in the Papa John’s Trophy, same as Fleetwood, but they had to host Wigan Athletic at the Wham Stadium. Harry Pell had given Stanley an 18^th minute lead, but a deflected strike levelled the scores on 53 minutes and Wigan then hit the post twice before the shoot-out.

It was 5-4 with Ethan Hamilton needing to score but his penalty was saved by Jamie Jones and so Stanley exited the competition at the last 32-stage.

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LAST THREE MEETINGS

Fixture: Fleetwood Town 1-4 Accrington Stanley

Competition: Papa John’s Trophy

Date: Saturday 9 November 2021

Venue: Highbury Stadium

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Fixture: Fleetwood Town 1-1 Accrington Stanley

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 27 February 2021

Venue: Highbury Stadium

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Fixture: Accrington Stanley 1-0 Fleetwood Town

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Tuesday 20 October 2020

Venue: Wham Stadium

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	Fleetwood Town	Draws	Accrington Stanley
H2H results	4	3	5

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PRE-MATCH QUOTES: STEPHEN CRAINEY

Interim Head Coach Stephen Crainey spoke to the press ahead of his side’s trip to face Accrington Stanley in another Sky Bet League One clash on Saturday. Here is what he had to say in his interview:

“We want to go there and get a positive result. Accrington are a really good side in League One, we know it’s going to be a tough game, but we want to go there with confidence and will look to try and win the game.

“We know it will be a battle going there and we need to go and compete, first and foremost, and then hopefully our footballing ability can take over from there. I think it will be a tight encounter, but at the same time, I want us to come away with the three points.

“It’s easy having a structure going into a game, but that can get blown apart in just the first few minutes due to certain situations, so you just need to be really adaptable with the ideas you’ve worked on as you play. Hopefully, we are going to be ready for the game as we’ve prepared well.”

GET YOUR ONWARD CARD TODAY!

The best way to watch Fleetwood Town this year is by purchasing the Onward Card. For adults, you will pay as little as £170 for 23 Sky Bet League One matches, with many benefits included in the deal. Click HERE for more details.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Town fall short in league defeat to Accrington

4 December 2021

Fleetwood Town fell short in their defeat to Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium in Sky Bet League One on Saturday afternoon.

It was a highly contested start to the game but neither side managed an effort on goal in the early stages. However, in the sixth minute, both sets of fans came together to applaud Arthur Labinjo-Hughes who will never be forgotten.

Fleetwood had the opening chance when Cian Hayes danced his way through a crowd of players down the right-hand side. His fearless run created space for a shot, but he saw his effort blocked.

Soon after, Accrington responded when Joel Mumbongo headed a deep cross into the path of Sean McConville who fired his volley into the gloves of Alex Cairns.

In the 23rd minute, Dan Batty was dismissed for his challenge on Harvey Rodgers after McConville and his teammates surrounded the referee.

Stanley took the lead just before the half-hour mark when Ethan Hamilton fired past Cairns from inside the area, despite Danny Andrew and Connor McLaughlin’s best efforts to clear off the line.

Paddy Lane came close for Town when he cut inside from the left. His strike from the edge of the box looked dangerous, but it found the wrong side of the post.

At the other end, Harry Pell tried his luck with an optimistic effort from range which Cairns was able to deal with – calmly pushing the ball over the bar to safety. The resulting corner came to nothing.

Town pushed for an equaliser as the first half come to a close. After a neat piece of build-up play with Hayes out wide, Callum Morton looked to pick out the top corner from the edge of the area. However, his curling strike was too high.

McLaughlin followed suit as he looked to level the score before the break. Andrew’s free-kick picked out his defensive counterpart on the penalty spot but he could only fire over the crossbar.

Colby Bishop doubled Stanley’s lead just a minute into the second half when he latched onto McConville’s long ball over the top, bringing the ball down on his chest inside the area before slotting past Cairns.

Hamilton looked to grab his second of the game when he picked up the ball 20 yards from goal, but he sliced his effort wide of the left post.

In the 56th minute, Fleetwood pulled one back. Hayes played the ball into space for Morton to run into on the left-wing. His low cross into the box found Harrison Biggins who poked home from the penalty spot.

Callum Johnson made a vital block to prevent Hamilton from doubling his tally when he blocked the midfielder’s effort which looked destined for the net.

After McLaughlin was seemingly fouled in the area whilst dealing with a long throw, Liam Coyle pounced onto the loose ball and added the host's third. Bishop grabbed his second of the game with 10 minutes to go when he met Rodger’s driven ball across the six-yard box. Hamilton made it five just before the end.

Town XI: Cairns (GK), Andrew (C), McLaughlin, Clarke, Morton, Garner (Biggins 26’), Batty, Johnson (Morris 74’), Lane (Conn-Clarke 74’), Hayes.

Unused subs: Crellin (GK), Boyle, Johnston, Bird

Accrington XI: Savin (GK), Rodgers, Hamilton, Sykes, Pell (O’Sullivan 85’), Bishop, McConville, Nottingham (Malcolm 89’), Mumbongo (Coyle 67’), Conneely (C), Amankwah.

Unused subs: Trafford (GK), Proctor, Mansell, Nolan.

Attendance: 1901 (away: 321)

Match Reports

Ticket News

Support the Cods as they travel to Accrington this Saturday!

2 December 2021

Get behind the lads as they travel to the Wham Stadium on Saturday to take on Accrington Stanley in a Lancashire derby - we want to hear you load and proud at the 3pm kick-off!

Stephen Crainey fielded a young side in Town's last outing, who proved to be a worthy opponent for an experienced Bolton Wanderers side, pushing them all the way through the game and doing all of the travelling Cods proud on the night. It's another Lancashire derby coming up at the weekend and Crainey will be searching for his first win in charge of the side.

Here's all the details regarding tickets and travel for Saturday's game:

Tickets

The Cod Army will be located in the Coppice Terrace & The Studio Stand (Seating) with prices as follows:

Adults: £20

Seniors (64+)/Students: £15

12–17-year-olds: £10

Under-12s: £5

Coach Travel

Coaches will be departing Highbury Stadium at 11:30am, costing only £5 for all Onward Card Holders and £15 for Non-Onward Card Holders.

To purchase either coach travel, visit the club shop at Highbury Stadium or call 01253 775080.