Accrington Stanley vs Blackpool on 21 Sep 19 - Match Centre

Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman will be hoping his side can build on Tuesday night's draw with Wycombe Wanderers when they face Blackpool at the Wham Stadium on Saturday 21st September, 3pm kick-off.

The Reds had opened the scoring during Tuesday night's visit to Adams Park through a Dion Charles header, but a second half penalty from Nick Freeman ensured the points were shared.

Blackpool come into the game on the back of a 1-0 away victory over Doncaster Rovers, with striker Armand Gnanduillet grabbing an injury time winner.

The Seasiders are managed by Simon Grayson, who returned in July 2019 to take charge of the club for a second spell.

Grayson's side currently occupy 5th place in the table, with Stanley sitting 20th.

The corresponding fixture last season saw a 2-1 win for Blackpool, with the reverse fixture resulting in a 1-1 draw.

Blackpool Line-Up Against Doncaster Rovers (3-5-2)

GK: Jak Alnwick
CB: Ryan Edwards
CB: Ben Heneghan
CB: Curtis Tilt
RM: Liam Feeney
CM: Matty Virtue
CM: Jay Spearing
CM: Jordan Thompson
LM: James Husband
ST: Joe Nuttall
ST: Ryan Hardie

Key Players

Jay Spearing - Spearing began his career with Liverpool and he went on to make 55 appearances for the first team, including two appearances in the UEFA Champions League. Following loan spells at Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers, the midfielder joined the latter on a permanent deal in August 2013. The 30-year-old made 173 appearances for the club over the course of his two spells with The Trotters. Spearing joined Blackpool in October 2017, and he has made nine appearances so far this season.

Sullay Kaikai - Kaikai is a product of the Crystal Palace Academy and he made 11 appearances for the club. During his time at Palace, the winger went out on loan to five different clubs, before joining Dutch side NAC Breda permanently in January 2019. Six months later the 24-year-old joined Blackpool and he has found the net on four occasions this season.

Armand Gnanduillet - Gnanduillet began his career in France before joining Chesterfield in January 2013, with the striker then going on to make 98 appearances for The Spireites. A move to Leyton Orient followed before he signed for Blackpool in August 2016. The 27-year-old joined South African side Baroka in the summer of 2018, but he was never formally registered as a player for the Polokwane-based club, and he then returned to The Seasiders in July 2018. Gnanduillet has made over 100 appearances for the club and has scored six goals so far this season.

Team News - Blackpool

Simon Grayson will still be without Nathan Delfouneso, who is the club's only injury absentee.

Team News - Stanley

Striker Colby Bishop is a doubt for Saturday's fixture after suffering an ankle injury during Tuesday night's draw with Wycombe Wanderers.

To read Stanley manager John Coleman's pre-match quotes, CLICK HERE!

Tickets

Tickets for the match at the Wham Stadium are still on sale and will be available right up until kick-off tomorrow afternoon, CLICK HERE for ticket prices!

Kit

Stanley will be wearing their home kit for Saturday's Sky Bet League One game at the Wham Stadium, CLICK HERE to buy yours!

Match Previews

Accrington Stanley suffered late heartbreak at home to Blackpool as an added time equaliser from Matty Virtue earned Simon Grayson’s side a 1-1 draw, after an own goal from Curtis Tilt had given Stanley the lead in the first half.

The visitors were the better side for the opening minutes of the game, but the goal for Stanley came on 16 minutes when Sam Finley crossed superbly into the box and Tilt’s attempted block saw the ball bounce off him and loop into the far corner over goalkeeper Jak Alnwick.

Following the goal, Blackpool striker Joe Nuttall found himself through on goal but he thought about his shot too much and was tackled just before he was about to fire an effort at goal, with the ball then coming to Ryan Hardie, who forced an excellent save from Dimitar Evtimov.

The chances continued to come for both sides as the first half progressed, with the best chance coming from Dion Charles, as the striker’s header crashed against the crossbar following another superb cross from Finley.

After the break, the visitors started piling on the pressure on John Coleman’s side, but the Stanley defence remained strong.

On 56 minutes, multiple objects and a flare were thrown onto the pitch towards Evtimov from the visiting supporters in what can only be described as unacceptable scenes, which led to there being a lengthy stoppage in play as the objects and flare were removed from the pitch.

Stanley had an excellent chance to double their lead on 76 minutes when Charles squared the ball for Sean McConville, but the latter just couldn’t reach the ball.

McConville again came narrowly close to grabbing a goal as he beat his man before firing an effort wide of the target, with the referee then adding five minutes of added time at the end of the second half.

It was during those five added minutes that Blackpool enforced late heartbreak on Stanley, as Virtue hit an impressive effort at goal and it bounced into the net off the post.

Next up for Stanley is an away trip to Southend United on Saturday 28th September, 3pm kick-off.

Accrington Stanley

Standings

Preview: Blackpool (H)

Stanley 1-1 Blackpool