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U's Vs Accrington - Durham's Preview
Saturday, 7th Apr 2018 12:05 by Durham Exile

This weekend sees an intriguing clash at the WHCS between the Promotion and League Title favourites and the momentum fuelled John McGreal inspired Super U’s.

In truth it could be argued that there is a battle between two Colemans within football at present. John is taking his Stanley charges up to league One, whilst Chris is dragging his Black Cats down to League One. This of course will be an interesting scenario next season with the Stadium of Light potentially housing in one game more than have seen Accrington play all season at the Crown Ground (Wham Stadium). But that in essence is the beauty of football, with David versus Goliath occasions playing throughout the Leagues.

Accrington Stanley of course are the club who refused to die and are worthy Champions elect. They have won 14 out of their last 16 games and already have 80 points on the board after 39 games.

Earlier in the season we were abject whilst losing 3-1 to the Reds and we lined up as follows that afternoon:

Walker
Eastman Kent James
Jackson Lapslie Murray Slater Wright
Johnstone Mandron
Subs:
Gilmartin Vincent-Young O’Sullivan Issa Kpekawa Szmodics Kinsella

Only six of that starting XI are likely to run out on Saturday which shows how the team has changed and evolved over the season.

Now their Owner Andy Holt has just been cleared to continue buying the £200 worth of McDonald’s for the players when they win a game. Well Andy there will be no burgers for your team this Saturday in Colchester, save them for Exeter City on the following Saturday at the Wham.

The Reds will also welcome back first choice goal keeper Aaron Chapman after his car accident en route to the home match against Notts County last Monday in front of 3,039.

I do not need to mention Billy Kee after my posts about him before the start of this season but arguably Kayden Jackson is also a real goal threat.

All this of course is coffee house crap, nothing matters but the 90+ minutes on Saturday afternoon when we go toe to toe against the surprise side this season. JM knows that although talk of the play offs is still premature he must be thinking that we have a great chance and indeed another 5 victories will confirm our place. 76 points might even secure sixth spot but lets only worry about seventh place for now.

The problem is that we still have niggling injury worries: Dickenson and Lapslie remain doubts and Drey Wright limped off at FGR on Easter Monday.

JM is the home side and he will want to strike early (another 16 second goal wouldn’t go amiss) If everyone is fit then he will line up 4,4,2:

Walker

Jackson Eastman Prosser Vincent-Young

Wright* Comley Stevenson Dickenson*

Szmodics Mandron

Subs:

Barnes Murray Shodipo Senior Ogedi-Uzokwe Kent Loft

Of course, if neither Marmite* nor Dickenson or Wright can play then Senior* and Comley* will play as at FGR, perhaps with Shodipo getting another outing dependent upon Loft’s fitness.

I was impressed with young Shodipo on Monday and so JM does have options. Ben Stevenson is simply sublime.

This is the biggest game of the season for many reasons, three points will keep the run going and bring the play offs closer, whilst sending out a message to the four remaining sides that we still have to play that we mean business.

Accrington Stanley have become the Arsenal of years ago with so many 1-0 victories recorded. They will be no push overs and it is to Coleman’s credit that they have beaten all before them when it has mattered. He has of course just secured the Manager of the Month award, which as we all know carries a curse with it.

Colchester’s weather will be a balmy 16 degrees Celsius on Saturday with some cloud. A decent crowd will be there for this one. Hopefully 4,500 including 500 from Lancashire.

5 Cup finals

Accrington H
Notts Co H
Lincoln A
Swindon H
Exeter A

League table:

Accrington 39 80
Luton 41 77
Wycombe 41 74
Exeter 40 69
Notts Co 41 67
Lincoln 40 67
Coventry 40 65
Mansfield 40 63
Swindon 40 62
COL U 41 61

Enjoy the game

Keep the faith — the Play Offs are within touching distance

Up the U’s

Photo: Action Images



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