Nathan Baxter admits he is getting used to being the experienced goalkeeper at a club – an unusual role for the Chelsea loanee.
The 22-year-old joined the Reds in October on a season-long loan from the Premier League side but had to be patient as 19-year-old Toby Savin stayed in the team with some strong performances.
Baxter came in for his Stanley debut in the Emirates FA Cup loss at Tranmere on Saturday and started the Papa John’s Trophy final group game at Barrow on Tuesday, saving a penalty as the Reds won 1-0 to go through to the knock-out stages.
“It was nice to be back on the pitch again,” said Baxter. “It seemed a long time as the last game I played was in the Scottish Premier League for Ross County at Hibernian in February.
“It felt ages so I loved being back out playing. I saved a penalty and made a couple of good saves at Barrow so that was nice.
“I probably made the best save of my career against Tranmere when I headed a shot over the bar but they went on to score and win and it didn’t influence the result so the Barrow save felt better as that had an effect on the final result.
“It’s a funny situation for me here as I am usually the young goalkeeper going up against an older, experienced keeper who has played a lot of games.
“Here Toby is younger than me and Liam (Isherwood) but we are a good unit.”
Baxter admitted he is enjoying the Stanley experience, learning a lot from goalkeeping coach Tony Warner.
“Tony has played at the highest level, like the goalkeepers I worked with at Chelsea, and they all have great information to pass down.
“I am also hoping to pass on information to Toby and Liam as well. I have played all over on loan - in Scotland, in the National League and in League Two with Yeovil.
“Each experience has been different and I have played around 130 games and hopefully I can bring what I have learnt from those to Accrington.
“I am used to playing Saturday-Tuesdays, I have done it for around five years and I am used to managing my body for it.”
Stanley travel to Northampton on Saturday, currently 17th in League One, one point behind the Reds but John Coleman’s side have four games in hand.
“I have played at Northampton before, and our next opponents Swindon, so I know both of the grounds which I think helps. I know what to expect as it’s not the first time I have been there.
“I just hope I have done enough in the two games to give the gaffer something to think about for Saturday.”
Meanwhile, Baxter says he has settled into life at Accrington.
“I am enjoying it, they are a great set of lads, I enjoy the environment and I go into training every day and enjoy working under the gaffer and Tony.
“The gaffer has a lot of experience and so many keepers at Accrington have gone onto play at a higher level so he has seen it all before and I am keen to learn from him.
“Chelsea are keeping tabs on me but, as I said when I came here, I am an Accrington player now and I want to play well for them, impress and help them to get wins.”