Accrington Web - Prediction League Game 21; Burton Albion (home)

Accrington Stanley

Burton Albion

Prediction League – Game 21; v Burton Albion (home)

Six players were released by the Brewers in the close season, including one Romuald Boco (Sligo, Stanley and Benin); Guy Branston signed for Torquay on a free (his 15th club, including loans); 8 came in, including striker Lewis Young (brother of Villa’s Ashley) who signed from Watford; 36 year old Jamaican internationald Darren Moore came in from Barnsley (having played at Derby, West Brom and Portsmouth to name but 3); keeper Adam Legzdins arrived from Crewe; and defender Nathan Stanton (9 years at Scunthorpe, 4 more at Rochdale); 19 year old Republic of Ireland u21 striker James Collins has joined from Villa on loan. Main goal threats are strikers Shaun Harrad (22 goals last season, 15 the year before and 17 the year before that) and Richard Walker (4 years at Blackpool 2001 -4), plus defender Aaron Webster, now in his 13th season at the Pirelli, who is good for 7 or 8 goals a season most years ……..

They won the Conference in 2008/9 by 2 points, having been 19 points clear in February (they lost their last game at Torquay, but Cambridge could only manage a 0-0 draw at Altrincham); Roy McFarland left as Manager, replaced by Mr Karen Brady (Paul Peschisolido). They ended last season comfortably in 13th place (62 points and a +1 goal difference – 2 places, 1 point and 13 goals better off than us). Our record last season was one win each – we did them over 2-0 away on a Tuesday in December (Billy Kee and Michael Symes), but they won at Fortress Crown during last season’s Bad Run (not to be confused with this season’s Bad Run), also by 2-0, and also on a Tuesday night; this is our first ever Saturday League meeting (assuming the game can be played!)

They lost in the Carling, 4-1 aet away at Cardiff, and in the JPT 2-1 at home to Rotherham; they are, though, still in the FA Cup, having beaten Oxford 1-0 and Chesterfield 3-1 (both at home); their reward is a home 3rd Round tie with Middlesbrough. In the League their record overall is P19 W6 D6 L7 F26 A23 Pts 24 for 12th place; at home their record is W5 D3 L3 with a goals difference of +6, away they’ve W1 D3 L4 F8 A11. Highlights have been hitting 4 at home 3 times in the League (Morecambe, Hereford, Bradford and Southend), and away the high spot was a 2-1 win at Chesterfield (in fact they beat them twice in a fortnight). Overall P23 W8 D6 L9 F32 A30, their leading scorers are Shaun Harrad with 10, Aaron Webster with 7 and James Collins with 4; no one else has more than 2 ………… They’ve won 4 and lost 2 of their last 6, but only one of those has been away from home ……

The deadline for entries is, as ever, scheduled kick-off time, which is 3pm on Saturday 18th December. Will it happen? If it does, will we win it? Big win for Christmas? Little win for Christmas? Anything for Christmas? “Dear Santa, For Christmas I would like – 3 points plus a stuffing (for them)”. Roll up, roll up – place your bets!

Good luck to everyone ………… and thanks for playing!

:alright: