Accrington Blues

By: Andrew Doherty
Date: 01/09/2026

IF Town's opening three games have shown us anything, it's that there's work to be done. This isn't a surprise in one way but the starting line-up hasn't changed much since last season, with only Doyle coming in and he's done well.

Defending against balls into the box continues to be a bugbear, while criticism has been directed at Green and Cook, yet it was this pair who provided an assist and a goal on Saturday. Amaluzor baffles. Vernam is due a stellar performance. Questions still remain about Sweeney and Pym. We miss Staunton. On the other hand Turi has become imperious, Morgan is a breath of fresh air, and Finch comes with a good reputation. 5 points from three matches isn't bad however, but it does seem that September is now the month where we need to step up. Hopefully it wasn't going to be a case of "Wake Me Up When September Ends", to quote the Green Day song. Bristol Rovers look to be the toughest test but if we are to fulfil our ambitions, we need to be picking up maximum points against Cheltenham, Crawley, Newport and tonight's opponents Accrington Stanley, who sit near the bottom with a solitary point from their three games.

Town's starting line-up tonight here at the Wham Stadium, itself no Club Tropicana it has to be said, was: Pym – Rodgers, Kacurri, McJannet, Sweeney – Turi – Finch, Green, Reynolds, Morgan – Cook. Town, followed by around 700 travelling fans tonight in a largely empty ground of 1,900 spectators, wore their smart blue kit, matching the home side's equally appealing red shirts with white tops. Within the first 90 seconds, Morgan saw space and struck a wicked low shot from range. It just went wide of the goal and Accrington keeper Moulden. With 4 minutes 51 seconds gone a customary McJannet long cross pass found an Accrington head. Like a Spot the Ball or Golden Goal competition, there should be a prize for guessing the time of the first McJannet Lump. But Town quickly got the ball back and put together a fine passing move involving Morgan and Cook and then Turi who threaded a perfect pass to Rodgers who passed the ball across from the right. Anderson stuck his leg out and deflected it into his own net. Accrington 0, Town 1. Town won a corner on 8 minutes. Morgan received the ball on the left and placed a perfect cross to the onrushing Cook's head. The header went wide. This was a good opportunity but one which was wasted. Accrington had an unthreatening spell before Sweeney showed sublime skill on 19 minutes and started a move. Kacurri crossed from the right. Moulden made the save. With half of the first period gone, Town looked by far the livelier side. Town were forced to defend on 25 minutes but did it well. A hashed clearance following a Green cross landed with Cook on 29 minutes. Cook's drilled shit was saved low by Moulden. Brilliant work by Green on 34 minutes led to a cross from the left. Finch was there to meet it and volleyed it, only for Moulden to make another good save. On 37 minutes a McJannet lump found a Grimsby head. The ball was played on to Green who crossed for Cook to flick the ball home. Accrington 0, Town 2. The game stopped for an injury to Morgan who appeared to be kicked by Moulden while challenging for a bouncing ball. Accrington had their best attack just before half time. Pym made a good save from Love's close-range effort. Town withstood the brief pressure and launched a good attack themselves. Cook struck a shot wide. Pym then denied the advancing Mols. The ball ran out to Walton, who was upended by Turi with a clumsy challenge. Penalty to Accrington. Woods stepped up and sent Pym the wrong way. Accrington 1, Town 2. This was the score at half time. Town had a comfortable lead until Turi's moment of rashness. This apart, Town looked bright and fresh in their play.

Auton came on at half time for Pym, who was injured just before Accrington's penalty. Early in the second half Green cut out a threat and Accrington won a corner before the impressive Morgan had a volleyed attempt from a long ball. On 55 minutes Finch created space, cutting inside but firing his shot wide. A superb ball down the right from Green led to a cross, a Morgan shot and a Town corner. A Sweeney interception then led to an attack as Town sought to reassert themselves. On 59 minutes Accrington attacked. A cross came in from the left. Warren shook off Sweeney. Love was waiting at the back of the 6 yard box and passed to Walton who flicked the ball in. Accrington 2, Town 2. After Town's first half dominance this was a big blow. Accrington had muscled their way back into the game, and to capitalise, brought on their experienced players. On 63 minutes Vernam and Doyle came on for Reynolds and the injured Morgan. On 65 minutes Cook came close to robbing Matthews but Town were unable to make anything of it. Accrington had an attack on 68 minutes. Auton did well to make a save from Whalley's header after a Love cross. McJannet went close on 72 minutes when following up on a corner but Moulden was on hand. A superb move upfield on 74 minutes led to Green crossing for Cook to run on. Cook's effort hit the outside of the post. McJannet was then booked for a foul on Walton. Walker replaced Green on 77 minutes and immediately won a free kick. Town won a corner on 81 minutes after endeavour from Rodgers. Moulden punched clear. Great vision by Cook earned an interception but Finch's screwed shot from Cook's pass lacked composure. Cook went close on 88 minutes, supplying Finch and receiving the return but only succeeding in hitting the side netting. 7 minutes were added. Matthews got a yellow card for flattening Vernam on the left. Vernam struck but Moulden was able to punch clear. Both sides looked to score the winner. Vernam had a weak effort blocked and saved. With 98 minutes gone Kacurri burst clear on the right and crossed. Cook headed the ball downwards and brought out a superb reflex save from Moulden. Time had run out. The game ended. Accrington Stanley 2, Grimsby Town 2.

Head Coach Artell will undoubtedly witter on about improvement and progress but back to the here and now Accrington were there for the taking. Town dominated the first half and were cruising but Turi's rush of blood at a critical time cost us, leading to a nervy second period in which the home side saw their opportunity. Town had their moments in the second half but were unable to match the gnarly Lancastrians. It wasn't a defeat but the naivety on Town's part was worrying and resulted in tonight's great giveaway. It's not quite a case of September sorrow but if we're going to fulfil our promotion aspirations, we need to do better than this. Our blue kit may be smart but our game management wasn't.

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