The Shots have steered a tricky course though the league's bottom two sides during the week, and the competition continues to remain tough this Saturday afternoon when Dean Holdsworth’s side face another club with play-off aspirations.
After enduring a frustrating campaign of draws however, The Shots have found themselves with somewhat of an outside chance of making their own late push towards the top half of the table and Holdsworth’s men will be hoping to continue their winning run as the season enters the final weeks.
The Shots enter the match in 14th place in League Two with 51 points from 38 games, while Stanley are four places higher in 10th with two points more, but having played two games less.
Shots Team News
The Shots enter the game on a run of six games without defeat and with an impressive four straight victories, and speaking to the Premium Shots ahead of the match assistant boss Matt Bishop told is: ”Accrington are a good team and they’ve been on a fantastic run. It will be a difficult game for us but one we look forward too. At the end of the day, it isn’t going to be an easy game for them coming to a team that have won four on the bounce, we’re unbeaten in six and we won’t make it easy for them so hopefully we can get the three points and carry on this run."
Jack Randall remains the only Shots player sidelined [broken leg] while Reece Connolly, who scored in the Reserves midweek fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion remains on loan at Dorchester Town.
Shots from: Jamie Young, Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz, Ben Herd, Simon Grand, Luke Guttridge, Anthony Straker, Darren Jones, Anthony Charles, Ben Harding, Danny Hylton, Manny Panther, Aaron Morris, John Halls, Peter Vincenti, Clayton Fortune, Jermaine McGlashan, Wade Small, Luke Medley, Alex Rodman, Damian Spencer, Adam Mekki and Tim Sills.
The Opposition
Stanley boss John Coleman wasn’t expected to make any signings ahead of the loan window closing on Thursday evening and with his side in the midst of a purple patch which has included just one defeat in their last nine games, he is well aware that the pressure will be on his side to continue that form to the end of the season if they are to emerge victorious from one of many clubs who are still in with a chance of making the top seven.
”There are lots of teams playing and all we need to do is try to win ourselves,” he told his club's official website earlier this week.
”Whatever happens around you – everybody can’t win every game, so if you can win yourself, you get yourself in the winning position. We’ve been through it last year and we have to try and learn from where we went wrong and be stronger.
”The players are going in to every game that they play, very confident, and so they should be with the type of players they’ve got around them.
”The benchmark for the play-offs is usually 70-72 points so that has to be our first objective, but every team we play will still think they have everything to play for all the way down to 17-18th still have a chance of getting into the play-offs and the ones below that are struggling against relegation so you’re not going to play any dead rubbish between now and the end of the season.”
Terry Gornell was carried off during Tuesday evening's match against Crewe before receiving six stitches to a wound to his left knee and he will face a late assessment on his availability
Accrington from: Alex Cisak, Ian Dunbavin, Jonathon Bateson, Dean Winnard, Sean Hessey, Kevin Long, Andrew Procter, Jimmy Ryan, Charlie Barnett, Crag Lindfield, Ray Putterill, Sean McConville, Phil Edwards, Leam Richardson, Luke Joyce, Andy Parkinson, Chris Turner, Peter Murphy, Rory Boulding, Alan Burton, Zak Riley, Andrew Owens, Tom Smyth, Terry Gornell, Joe Jacobson and Ian Craney.
- You can visit the official Accrington Stanley website here.
Taking Charge
Phil Crossley will be taking charge of the match and will be assisted by Ryan Atkin and Wes Linden. Mark Pottage is the fourth official.
Weather Forecast
The BBC weather forecast for the match given as white cloud with highs of 11°C.
Ticket News
Tickets for the match are set at:
Adult seats: £19, terrace: £17.
Concession (Over 60s, Military and students (both on production of ID cards only) seats: £15, terrace: £13.
Under 16s seats: £1, terrace £1.
For information on Family and Disabled ticket prices, please click here.
The match is not all-ticket and supporters can pay on the turnstiles on the day.
Please Note: Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Other News
- BBC Radio Surrey
Supporters unable to make the match can hear live coverage from the match on BBC Radio Surrey (on 104.6 fm) which is brought to you by the regular team of Gavin Denison and Aldershot Town Media Manager Steve Gibbs.
Supporters are reminded that there is no internet coverage of this match.
- Supporters are invited to stay behind after the match and enjoy the Wales vs England European Championship Qualifier which is kicking off at 3pm at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. We have large screen TVs in all of our bars and hot and cold food will be available in the Phoenix Lounge - so why not make a day of it, and enjoy the hospitality on offer and have a great day of top football action?