A rocky ride for Stanley in debut season

Last updated : 14 May 2007 By Gary Moss

Final Position: 20


Top Goalscorer:
Paul Mullin (16)


Player of the Season:
Paul Mullin


A whole host of candidates for the ever fighting Accrington. The whole squad showed masses of fighting spirit to ensure them another season in the Football League.


Andy Todd scored and created countless good goals from midfield and Peter
Cavanagh was their defensive rock in a difficult debut season for the minnows.


But, Paul Mullin's contribution of sixteen goals cannot be over-looked as a main factor for their survival.


His finishing exploits proved enough to keep Stanley up.


The veteran front man added steadily to his total over the campaign and led the top line with style. He was voted the fans player of the season and is a firm favourite with the crowd in his role as talisman to Stanley's good season.


The forward has made almost 400 appearances for the Lancashire club- a true Accrington Stanley hero.


Against Notts:
The Magpies took all six points from Accrington but it was by no means easy.


County needed three goals at Meadow Lane to seal the win. By half-time the Magpies were 3-0 up and cruising thanks to a brace from Dan Martin and another from Mike Edwards.


But, in the final minute Paul Mullin and Gary Roberts netted to make the score look respectable.


It was more a case of Notts letting Stanley back in the game but a sound second half display from the visitors always un-nerved Notts. County could count themselves lucky for their first half superiority.


At the Fraser Eagle, Lawrie Dudfield gave the Magpies an early lead inside the opening ten minutes. David Brown levelled five minutes later before Jason Lee hit the games winner with just twenty minutes on the clock.


The game died down but such was Accrington's dogged style, Notts failed to a get a third comfort goal.


Defining Moment:
Assuring League Two survival with a 3-2 win over fellow struggling Macclesfield Town. Andy Proctor netted twice in The Reds final game of the season at The Fraser Eagle Stadium to seal their fate.


Stanley never quite done enough all season to steer themselves out of the frame for the drop but winning from behind over the Silkmen made them mathematically free of worry on the final day of the campaign.


Highlight:
Accrington's season kick started with a 5-0 win over Wrexham.


Five different scorers for the Reds capped an impressive afternoon for the newly promoted side.


They then went on to an unbeaten run of nine games and made the Fraser Eagle a fortress where they picked up ten wins their over the season.


Losing just seven of twenty-three league home games set the platform for a season of survival.


Lowlight:
Stanley finished 2006 without a win in twelve. It looked as if their best was not enough to beat the drop.


At Christmas they were odds on favourite for the drop and survival looked a million miles away. Questions were looming over manager and players alike.


The Mad Verdict:
Boss John Coleman has master-minded Stanley's survival. With a small squad and little money to spend, the aim this season was always to avoid relegation. This has been successful and they can now look forward to their second season in League Two.


It was a bitter blow when they lost striker Gary Roberts to Championship club Ipswich Town but they coped admirably. He was never really replaced but other players have stepped up to the mark and saved Stanley.


A group effort from the team has aided their survival in a season of fits and starts.


Good runs and bad runs left them in and out of the relegation fight but in then end their decent home form was enough.


They struggled to adapt in the early stages of the season but soon found their feet with some encouraging results against the likes of Swindon and Wycombe at home.


They hit a big slump between October and the New Year when it looked as if survival could be asking too much.


But, somehow they scrapped and scrapped and now look well worth their place in the division.


What's Next?
The target next season will again be survival but more so consolidation in the league.


They will be hoping to have safety sealed earlier than the penultimate game of the season this time around.


With only three away wins all campaign on their travels; their away form will be an obvious area to work on.


If they can show a bit more fight away coupled with their impressive home record, Accrington could be in for a high league finish.


Defenders Robbie Williams and Phil Edwards as well as keeper Ian Dunbavin and forward Leighton McGiven have recently signed deals with the club that will boost the Reds for the coming season.


The Stanley
chief is also believed to be having talks with a number out of contract players in an attempt to bolster his squad for a top half finish next year.