John Coleman’s Accrington Stanley travel to the Spotland Stadium on Saturday to face an in-from Rochdale side, who have been given a big kick up the you know what by new boss Keith Hill.
Stanley go in to the game off the back of a 2-2 home draw with Lincoln City at the Fraser Eagle Stadium. Paul Mullin was the hero in that game as the Stanley top scorer bagged his 12th of the current campaign.
Rochdale have picked up 11 points from their last 6 games, with only one loss coming in that time. Bristol Rovers the winners in that meeting.
Rochdale Team News:
Nathan Stanton misses out for Dale as he begins his two match suspension. Steve Turnbull could make his first Rochdale start since signing on-loan.
Player to watch: Adam Le Fondre
The on-loan Stockport man could cause a lot of problems for the Stanley backline.
Accrington Stanley Team News:
Andy Tretton, Ian Dunbavin and Leighton McGivern remain out through injury, and Robbie Williams serves a one match ban after picking up five yellow cards over the season.
Player to watch: Paul Mullin
Proved on Saturday he is a major threat as he bagged his 12th goal of the season in the 2-2 draw with Lincoln City.
Andy Todd though is becoming a threat to oppostion aswel now though, as he is beating ‘keepers left, right and centre.
Spotland Stadium
The ground has benefited greatly with the construction of three new stands over the last ten years and is quite picturesque, with a number of trees being visible behind the stands. The latest addition is the smart looking Westrose Leisure Stand at one side of the pitch, which was opened during the 2000/01 season. This single tiered stand replaced a former terrace and has a capacity of 4,000. On the other side is another single tier, the all seated Horners Main Stand. This has a number of supporting pillars and some executive boxes at the back. At one end the W.M.G (Pearl Street) Stand is the third of the new stands. This is also all seated and serves as a Family Stand. It has a couple of supporting pillars that are right at the front of the stand. The Thwaites Beer (Sandy Lane) end is the only terraced area remaining. This small terrace has in recent seasons had a roof erected. There is a Police Control Box located in one corner, between the Main & Pearl Street Stands. Spotland is shared with the Rochdale Hornets rugby league team
Match Prediction:
I said it in Accrington Stanley On This Day 2nd March that the score would be:
The Dale 2-5 Accrington Stanley
… so I suppose I have to stick by that.
Contact us at accrington@vitalfootball.co.uk
www.2br.co.uk
This article is officially sponsored by local radio station 99.8FM 2br!
