Stanley take on Chester

ACCRINGTON STANLEY take on Chester City on Saturday afternoon hoping to add a win to a home record which reads: Played – 15, Won – 4 Drawn – 0 Lost – 11.

Stanley’s last home victory came as Stanley beat Chesterfield on the 15th December, with Stanley coming from a goal down to snatch all three points in the dying minutes.

First an Andy Procter goal from the penalty spot put Stanley on level terms, after Jamie Ward had put the visitors ahead early on in the first half. Roscoe D’Sane bagged in the 89th minute to seal a Stanley win.

And since the win Stanley have twice been beaten at home, firstly through a Shrewsbury Town win and lastly through Bradford City on New Years Day.

The last time Stanley met Chester though, was at the beginning of February last season, when Paul Linwood grabbed the victory for the visitors.

The last time Stanley managed to get a point out of Chester was at the beginning of the 2003/04 season, in the Conference, when Stanley held City to a 3-3 draw at the Saunders Honda Stadium. Stanley’s goalscorers on the day were Paul Cook, Lutel James and Rory Prendergast.

Every meeting since that day has ended in a Chester City victory.

League Table going in to the game:
10. Chester
11. Shrewsbury
12. Stockport
13. ACCRINGTON
14. Barnet
15. Brentford

Latest Results:

Accrington Stanley:

Accrington 0 – 2 Bradford
Mansfield 1 – 2 Accrington
Grimsby 1 – 2 Accrington
Accrington 1 – 2 Shrewsbury
Accrington 2 – 1 Chesterfield
MK Dons 5 – 0 Accrington

Chester City:

Chester 0 – 2 Grimsby
Brentford 3 – 0 Chester
Morecambe 5 – 3 Chester
Chester 2 – 1 Bury
Chester 1 – 2 Peterborough
Chester 3 – 0 Barnet

Accrington Stanley Team News:

Stanley skipper Peter Cavanagh is still out for up to three months, after undergoing an achilles operation, so veteran striker Paul Mullin is set to continue as captain.

However John Coleman is boosted by the news that Sean Webb has extended his contract with Stanley until the end of the season, while Ian Craney has re-signed for the club from Swansea in a deal worth £85,000 and was signed in time to play in the game.

Andy Todd is set to continue on the left side of midfielder, after rejoining from Rotherham on an initial one month loan deal.

Player to watch: Andy Todd

The explosive winger is back and will be looking to prove a point during his one month loan spell with Stanley.

If he can redescover the form that earnt him a move to Rotherham then it wouldn’t do any harm to the midfielder’s chances of breaking in to the Millers’ team.

Chester Team News:

Chester are currently on a three match winless run, and as injuries begin to pile up on City, there may be troubles in getting together a team for the match.

Former Stanley midfielder Tony Grant misses the game with an hamstring problem, whilst Tony Dinning is out with a knee injury.

Laurence Wilson and Nathan Lowndes may also be sidelined for the game and face late fitness tests.

Player to watch: –

Match Prediction:

Accrington Stanley 2-0 Chester City