O/T Let's talk Footy.

[loobyloo6]

Accy Staney were still 2-0 up the 88th minute against the League leaders Chesterfield earlier this afternoon...a goal in the 88th minute and an equalizer in the 90+4th minute cost up dearly...we need to play to the final whistle..switched off with 15 mins to go and cost us 2 valuable points.

[loobyloo6]

Stanley 2 Portsmouth 2
Accrington Stanley picked up their first points of the season in a 2-2 draw against Portsmouth in the early kick off at the Store First Stadium.

Man of the Match Peter Murphy bagged a brace in an entertaining match that should have seen more than four goals.

The Reds could have been a goal up inside the first minute, with Marcus Carver heading agonisingly wide of the front post.

Former Preston striker Patrick Agyemang should have bagged a brace for the visitors in the first half. The striker missed a gilt edged chance from six yards on 25 minutes and was denied by Accrington keeper Ian Dunbavin.

Portsmouth’s Danny East saw an early yellow card for a challenge on Nicky Hunt after good link up between the right back and new boy Kal Naismith in the 25th minute, a one footed jump off the ground sent the defender flying and many inside the ground thought a different colour more appropriate.

It was goalless at the break but the Reds were in front soon after when Murphy was expertly picked out by former Pompey striker Danny Webber for his first. The unmarked midfielder buried a curling shot past a diving Phil Smith from 30 yards out to send the Reds a goal up after 47 minutes.

Accrington’s lead was short lived, Connolly capitalised on an Agyemang knockdown, poking an equaliser past Dunbavin on 57 minutes causing the Portsmouth fans to celebrate with a little too much enthusiasm.

Dunbavin and the Accrington defence managed to thwart the lively Andy Barcham and keep the towering aerial presence of centre back Joe Devera at bay, the keeper made a sublime two-handed save from a screaming Padovani shot on the hour.

All of the Sky Sports may have centred on a penalty to Portsmouth that never was, defender Rob Atkinson with his hands up in the area, but all cries of hand ball were waved away by referee Eddie Ilderton on 67 minutes.

And Portsmouth erased that perceivied injustice, and changed those headlines, in the 78th minute, the referee awarding a penalty after two challenges inside the box. The decision was awarded for the first challenge inside the box on Agyemang by Tom Aldred after a Hunt back pass. So no red card was shown to the last man Hunt who made the second challenge on Connolly.

Connolly dusted himself down to convert his second of the game and lead James Beattie’s side behind for the first time.

Naismith, who had signed hours earlier on a free transfer, looked a million dollars. The right winger tore apart the Portsmouth defence and played a key role in the second goal.

Aldred redeemed himself with an assist, heading the ball back across goal from a Naismith cross to tee up a tap in header for Murphy on 85 minutes and Beattie’s men were level.

The Reds held on in a tense finish and in front of 2531 fans achieved the manager’s goal to build upon their Capital One Cup success..

Also had the pleasure of meeting Ex Portsmout player Ray Crawford at today's game, Very nice man. One or two of us have his autobiography ...signed of course.

[thehornets]

I have to admit, it has been a very entertaining start to the season as a Watford supporter. With away games at Birmingham and Reading, plus Forest home today, and the other game v Bournemouth who have had some interesting results, it has been a tough start to the season, so I am more than happy with 8 points from the first four games.

As I cannot get to games very often I am signed up to Hornet Player, and on Mondays get an extended highlights video that normally runs circa 23/24 mins of the previous game. It helps me follow the players properly. It was not needed today with the Forest game live on the box.  Very, very good game of football between two sides who will be top 6 contenders along with Reading from last week. Really good fun to watch. First goal Forest have conceded and they lost their 100% record, but both sides remain unbeaten. I think the draw was better for Watford than Forest. Great goals from both sides as well, and interesting that McGugan scored for Watford against his former side - how often does that happen! Another big game for Watford next week. With Forest still top, Watford are now away to Blackpool who are second.

It bodes well for the season. Already getting points on the board and against big sides. Last season Watford struggled for a while and it was not until the end of October / early November that they started playing yet still reached the play-offs in 3rd place.

I have to say well done Plymouth aqain. Another win and knocking on the door of the playoff spots. Hopefully Accy will find similar form soon.

[mr_clough]

As a Forst fan I agree we will both be top six this year and it was a very entertaining game. I'm not a big Billy Davies fan but the club have certainly invested this summer.

[thehornets]

A little dose of reality for the players at Watford today with their first bad day at the office this season. 19 shots on goal including a missed penalty suggests the chances were there, but Blackpool fought for a 1-0 win.

[mr_clough]

Can't believe Blackpool's start to the season, surely they won't keep it going!

First defeat for Forest today too, we've had a tough start and come out of it with decent points though. The next two months' games look on the face of things a little easier, but you can never tell in the Championship.

[thehornets]

A couple of good results for Watford this week. They needed those to prevent the season from slipping. Had a cold over the weekend, so yesterday afternoon slumped in front of the tv for some rare tv footy time. I sampled BT Sport for the first time. Watched the Dundee United v Motherwell match. Definitely not used to the pundits having a desk on the pitch, and walking over to chat to players in the warm up. Lively game that finished 2-2 and four great goals including one for ex Watford player Lionel Ainsworth who is on loan to Motherwell and was a sub yesterday. I then watched the 2nd half of the Manchester derby. I would never have predicted that scoreline, but it looked a fair result from what I saw.

[loobyloo6]

Stanley 2 Bristol Rovers 1
Accrington Stanley picked up their first league win of the season, coming from a goal down to beat Bristol Rovers 2-1 at the Store First Stadium.

James Beattie named an unchanged starting XI from the 0-0 draw with Oxford United with new signing George Bowerman immediately placed on the substitutes bench.

The visitors started brightly and had two chances to open the scoring within the opening few minutes.

Ryan Brunt’s quick free-kick released Ellis Harrison down the right-hand side and his pace allowed him to get the better of Tom Aldred, who slipped as he challenged the forward. Harrison pulled the ball across the face of goal but the resultant shot was deflected behind for a corner by Dean Winnard.

From the corner, John Joe O’Toole found himself free at the near post but he could only put his header over the bar.

It proved to be temporary respite from the early Bristol Rovers onslaught for Stanley as the Gas took the lead with their next attack.

Alex Henshall’s harmless cross looked to be a routine catch for Marcus Bettinelli, but the ball went through the goalkeeper’s grasp and into the back of the net to gift Rovers the lead after five minutes. It was a horrible moment for the man of the match from Saturday’s draw with Oxford.

Aldred had Stanley’s first sight of goal following a long throw from Nicky Hunt but he could only produce an air shot to the despair of the home supporters.

Henshall then saw his shot from the edge of the area deflected into side netting before Stanley equalised against the run of play after being on the back foot for the opening quarter of an hour.

Peter Murphy’s pass was taken in his stride by James Gray and the Northern Ireland under-21 international composed himself before finishing coolly across Steve Mildenhall to get the home side on level terms after 18 minutes.

The goal seemed to inject confidence into Stanley with Kal Naismith’s foray inside and subsequent shot from range showing that the confidence was manifesting itself into the performance.

Stanley were in the ascendancy and a quick counter-attack ended with the lively Gray’s cross-come-shot being tipped over by Mildenhall as the home side looked to make the most of their dominance.

The comeback was completed on 29 minutes when Danny Webber’s lay-off found Naismith, who arrowed his shot into the bottom left corner for his first goal in English football.

The set-piece deliveries of Lee Naylor were proving invaluable and almost resulted in Accrington doubling their lead on two occasions.

First, Webber’s glancing header was off-target before Aldred nodded wide from close range after another fantastic cross from the experienced left-back.

Webber had the final chance of the half but his shot from an acute angle was turned behind the post by Mildenhall as Stanley went into the break with a slender one-goal lead.

Stanley were still the better side after half-time with Gray breaking into the area but he was expertly tackled as he was about the pull the trigger. The ball fell to Webber who could only rifle into side-netting.

Nicky Hunt made a rare break forward into the Bristol half from right back and slipped in Webber but Mildenhall was quick off his line to smother the shot.

A late challenge from Harrison on Naismith resulted in handbags from both sides with the forward fortunate to only be booked for the rash challenge.

Naylor then went close with free-kick from 20 yards which was palmed over by Mildenhall as it headed towards the top-right corner.

Rovers responded as Tom Lockyer fired a shot in from distance but fortunately for Stanley a deflection took it wide of Bettinelli’s goal.

Webber, still looking for match fitness after returning from a hamstring injury, was replaced by Will Hatfield as James Beattie looked to make his side more compact in the closing stages of the game.

The Gas had struggled to create chances in the second half but Eliot Richards almost found an equaliser with five minutes left on the clock as his shot clipped the top of the crossbar.

Five minutes were added on by the referee but they passed by trouble-free as Stanley made it 13th time lucky to record their first win of the season.

[thehornets]

Pleased for you Alex. Now for more of the same and a table climb.

[film4watcher]

Thought of you when I saw the result last night, Alex. Let's hope the results continue to go your way.

[rcsmg1]

Well done with your first win of the season Alex,hopefully Argyle will win another soon.

[loobyloo6]

Morecambe 1 Stanley 2
Accrington Stanley picked up a dramatic win over local rivals Morecambe with Peter Murphy scoring the winner in the 93rd minute.

The midfielder slammed home from 10 yards in front of the Stanley faithful to cap a great week for Stanley, who have picked up seven points from a possible nine and successive wins.

James Beattie named an unchanged team from Tuesday night’s victory against Bristol Rovers which meant that new signing George Bowerman had to be content with a place on the bench for the second consecutive game.

Stanley started well with Luke Joyce and Piero Mingoia both having long-distance shots blocked by the home defence before Danny Webber curled over from the edge of the area.

The Shrimps looked to open the scoring themselves with former Stanley loanee Jack Sampson curling an effort wide of the post after a quarter of an hour but the shot did not come close to troubling Marcus Bettinelli.

James Gray was involved in the thick of the action and went down after an altercation with Andy Parrish to the displeasure of the home fans, who thought the forward had gone down easily.

The Northern Ireland under-21 international made himself even more unpopular with the Shrimps faithful a minute later as he won the penalty which led to the opening goal.

He raced onto a through ball and was taken out by Morecambe goalkeeper Barry Roche with referee Mark Haywood showing no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.

Webber stepped up to send Roche the wrong way and give Stanley the lead with his first goal since the opening day of the season at Newport.

Jim Bentley’s side looked to hit back immediately and might have done if Stewart Drummond had kept his composure but the midfielder blazed his effort over the stand after Kevin Ellison’s header was blocked.

As with most derby games, this was a scrappy affair with little to choose between the sides. Morecambe were trying to put pressure on without looking dangerous.

Former Red Padraig Amond had the last chance of the half but he fired his shot over the bar as the half came to a close with Stanley in the lead.

The advantage didn’t last long into the second half as Morecambe equalised with their first attack.

A shot from distance by Fleming wasn’t held by Bettinelli and Ellison poked towards goal where Sampson had the easy job of smashing the ball into the empty net to level proceedings.

The home side almost completed the turnaround five minutes later as Bettinelli again spilled a shot from range but Tom Aldred was on hand to help his goalkeeper and clear the ball.

Stanley went close to re-taking the lead as Lee Naylor’s shot from distance stung the palms of Roche, who turned the ball away.

Amond almost got himself a goal against his former club as he got on the end of a long throw from Sampson but Bettinelli’s reactions were spot-on to turn the header over the bar.

From the corner, a cross came in and Sampson rose highest to get his head to it but it went just past the post with Bettinelli at full-stretch.

At the other end, a free-kick out on the touchline from Naylor almost went straight in but Roche was equal to the effort, stopping the full-back from scoring his first Stanley goal.

George Bowerman came on for his Stanley debut with just over 10 minutes remaining and was involved immediately, twisting and turning inside the area before seeing his shot caught by Roche.

Stanley smelled blood and continued their search for a winner with Kal Naismith testing Roche from 25 yards but the keeper got a glove on the ball to stop the winger scoring for the second game in a row.

Eventually, the persistence paid off and James Beattie’s side found the winning goal in the third minute of injury time.

Bowerman found Mingoia in space on the left and the winger drove towards the home defence, beating the full-back and putting the ball across the area. It was missed completely by the Morecambe defender and fell perfectly for Murphy to hammer home the winner in front of the 373 travelling Stanley supporters, sending them back down the M6 in a state of delirium.

Onwards and upwards..."Keep the Faith".

[rcsmg1]

Good to see Accrington picking up some wins,and an Argyle win as well with Neal Trotman scoring in the 93rd minute for us long may it continue.

[loobyloo6]

F.A Cup round 1

Accrington Stanley V Tranmere Rovers.

[thehornets]

Nice draw that Alex - should be a great cup tie for Accy. With Tranmere struggling a bit in League One they will not be looking forward to a trip away to a form side in the division below.

[loobyloo6]

Didn't deserve to loose as we did in the 90th minute but if you don't take your own chances you cannot win............................

Stanley 0 Tranmere Rovers 1

Accrington Stanley’s FA Cup adventure ended at the first hurdle as Ryan Lowe’s 90th minute winner put Tranmere into round two.

Injuries forced James Beattie into making two changes to the side that picked up a point at home to Wycombe last weekend. Lee Naylor replaced Laurie Wilson whilst Kayode Odejayi, who famously scored the winner for Barnsley against Chelsea in the quarter finals of the competition in 2008, came into the starting eleven in place of Danny Webber.

Although the visitors dominated possession in the early stages, it was Stanley who had the first chance as James Gray fired narrowly over the crossbar after collecting Odejayi’s flick-on.

The Nigerian then broke free of the Tranmere defence, getting into a one-on-one with Fon Williams but the Welsh goalkeeper collected the ball as the striker attempted to take it around him for a tap-in on an empty net.

It was one-way traffic with Stanley well on top and Peter Murphy should have opened the scoring but his shot went just past the upright with Fon Williams grasping at thin air following some slick interplay between Gray and Odejayi.

Tranmere had their first effort on goal as Jason Koumas put a free-kick over the bar before Naismith jinked his way into the box and put his shot straight at the goalkeeper with the rebound being volleyed over the top.

The visitors began to threaten with Jason Koumas spraying the ball about in the middle of the park and his pass released Chris Atkinson but Marcus Bettinelli made an excellent stop with his legs to deny the man on loan from Huddersfield.

Ryan Lowe thought he had opened the scoring as he headed home a Koumas corner, but the referee ruled it out for a foul elsewhere in the penalty area so the teams went into the break goalless.

The second half wasn’t as eventful as the action-packed first, but the visiting side started well with full-back Liam Ridehalgh having the first chance but his shot was well over the bar.

At the other end, Gray saw an effort deflected over the bar by Jim McNulty but the corner came to nothing.

In an attempt to win the game, Ronnie Moore changed his system to 4-4-2, taking off midfielder Tom Hateley to bring on Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro just before the hour mark.

James Beattie also shuffled his pack with George Bowerman replacing James Gray as the game ticked into the final ten minutes.

Naylor fizzed the ball right across the face of goal but no Stanley touch to convert the cross was forthcoming and the chance went begging.

Just as it looked like a replay would be needed to try and separate the two sides, Ryan Lowe struck with the last kick of normal time.

Akpa Akpro’s chipped pass found Lowe, who had sprung the offside trap from a static Stanley defence, and the frontman slotted the ball past Bettinelli to give Tranmere a late lead and put them into the round two draw.

[loobyloo6]

After a super away win on Saturday down at Cheltenham.............................................

Accrington Stanley can confirm that the club has been fined £20 000, with £15 000 of this amount suspended, for breaching Football League regulations regarding manager coaching qualifications.

This is a regrettable situation and measures have been put in place to ensure that James Beattie has gained the required qualifications by the deadline of 1st May.

The club do not intend to appeal against the charge.

Accrington Stanley will make no further comment on this subject.

[thehornets]

That's a hefty fine for a club in League 2.

[loobyloo6]

Even with £15,000 suspended it's £5,000 we can ill afford to pay.

[thehornets]

I am kind of curious of about Watford's cup game at Man City on Saturday, with the same morbid curiosity I have when watching a horror film. City are scoring for fun, and I think Watford will have done extremely well if they restrict City to no more than three goals.

[sylouisetruebluechelsea]

I know it must be a tie that Watford can do without Yes City are scoring for fun but Blackburn held them too a 1-1 so not impossible Nigel and the new man at the helm at Watford has sorted out the defensive problems I know I for one will be rooting for Watford as a close friend is a Watford die hard .SO COME ON YOU HORNETS :):);)