Stanley half-term report

YOU know the feeling when you make the move from primary school up to secondary school.

You've been at the little school for years and built up a reputation to be feared. You walk around with your chest puffed out. You're bigger than everyone else.

But then you're thrown in at the deep end. From the big fish in the little pond you're suddenly drowning among the big boys.

The same couldn't be said for Accrington Stanley who bossed the Conference last season and convincingly won their return to the Football League.

The Reds adapted to their new surroundings superbly early on although the tide has turned somewhat since October and there is a real danger John Coleman's men will sink back down again.

Admittedly lady luck has not been kind to them this season and injuries, suspensions, one or two dubious decisions and a selection of their best players leaving for pastures new have not helped their cause.

And yet it all looked so different in Torquay at 4.45pm on Saturday, October 14.

Second half goals from Michael Welch and Gary Roberts earned the Reds their first away win in the Football League, extended their unbeaten run to seven games and took them to just four points off the play-off positions.

It was to be the last time Roberts would play for Stanley and the last time the Reds would win in the league until Monday.

Roberts was lured to Portman Road on a loan deal to Championship side Ipswich Town, while midfielder Ian Craney was also loaned out to Swansea City a month later.

During that time, Rommy Boco suffered a stress fracture in his back while on international duty with Benin and captain Peter Cavanagh injured his knee.

Robbed of its flair players the team naturally struggled.

Coleman tried to bring in able replacements but again the cruel twist of fate moved to scupper his plans. David Mannix signed from Liverpool on loan, but the youngster, who has had four operations on a troublesome knee, was sidelined after just one match with his new club - and required operation number five.

December proved a difficult month for the defence in particular with the loss of 15 league goals, although the side managed credible draws against Shrewsbury, Macclesfield and Bury.

Midfielder Andy Todd has stepped up to the plate during the tough times with some crucial goals - his total for the season is six, including three from the penalty spot.

Victory at Canvey Island last year on January 7 kicked off a fantastic run for the Reds, who went on to lose just three games before clinching promotion at Woking in the middle of April.

Stanley will be hoping for a similar set of results as they try to ensure their Football League dream doesn't turn into a nightmare.

GRADE B-

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