Hatfield could get big chance for Accrington Stanley (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Hatfield could get big chance for Accrington Stanley

11:00am Friday 9th March 2012 in Sport By Chris Flanagan, Sports reporter

ACCRINGTON Stanley boss Paul Cook says Will Hatfield is pushing for a place in the starting line-up for tomorrow’s trip to Southend United after the midfielder again came off the bench to score in midweek.

Hatfield found the net in injury time to give Stanley a 1-1 draw at Bradford on Tuesday, just five minutes after coming on as a substitute.

It was a repeat of the 20-year-old’s performance against Port Vale on Saturday, when he scored only four minutes after coming on to secure the Reds a point.

They were Hatfield’s first two appearances since rejoining the club, with the former Leeds youngster previously having to wait for his chance.

“Will Hatfield deserves great credit,” Cook said.

“He has come on in two games and scored two goals.

“He has not had great minutes on the pitch but his contribution for us has been immense.

“Fair play to him for being so patient and taking his opportunity.

“We haven’t seen a lot of him. The team has been picking itself and we haven’t had a lot of training time because of the amount of games.

“But I think after scoring two goals in two games he has to look to start, to be fair to the lad.”

Stanley are currently 14th in League Two after back-to-back draws put a stop to Cook’s three-match losing start to life as boss.

And the Reds could move up a place before tomorrow’s trip to third-placed Southend, with Port Vale due to be deducted 10 points if as expected they go into administration today.