Accrington Stanley youth players given taste of action in Colne defeat

Although the Reds went down to a 4-3 defeat to ambitious North West Counties Premier Division side Colne on Wednesday night, the game offered valuable experience to their youth team players.

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A number of Stanley’s Under-18s have been training with the senior team since the squad returned to training after their summer break.

And manager John Coleman is relishing the prospect of providing a pathway to first team football.

“It just gives us a chance to get to know the youth team,” he said of his decision to include a number of youth team players in first team training sessions.

“That’s something I’ve pushed for and something we’ll implement over the season.

“It gives them a natural progression and an eye for what they’ve got to do to achieve the goal of being a professional footballer.”

After fielding a line-up made up of youth team players, first year professionals and trialists at Colne, Stanley will put a stronger side out for tomorrow’s visit of Blackburn Rovers at the Store First Stadium (kick-off 3pm).

But there were some positives from their defeat to at the XLCR Stadium, not least the stunning goals scored by new professionals Kealan Steenson and Max Hazeldine.

Colne took the lead through Accrington-born Jason Hart, who got the better of goalkeeper Chris Evans.

Stanley used the slope to their advantage in the first half and hit back when Steenson fired into the top corner.

Two in two minutes from Hazeldine –the first from 25 yards, the second a solo effort – gave Coleman’s side a 3-1 half-time lead.

The Reds boss then made changes to give more youth team players and trialists a run-out.

But Colne stepped up a gear and, despite a number of saves by England youth goalkeeper Jack Little, Danny Boyle scored twice either side of Joe Garvin’s goal to secure a 4-3 win for the home side.

Admission for tomorrow’s friendly match will cost £15 for adults, £10 for over-65s and students and £5 for under-17s.