Unhappy birthday for Stanley boss Coleman

Posted Sunday, October 13, 2019 by PA

Accrington boss John Coleman admitted he is growing sick of the sight of Rochdale – and Ian Henderson in particular – after suffering a 2-1 defeat at the Crown Oil Arena.

The visitors dominated long periods of the game but succumbed to Henderson strikes either side of the break.

Joe Pritchard’s stunning goal gave them hope, but Stanley left empty-handed despite mounting a late barrage on the Dale goal.

The day marked Coleman’s 57th birthday, but he said: “To say it was a massively frustrating birthday would be an understatement, but we gave it a good go and we’ve been undone by a better finisher, that’s the harsh reality.

“Ian Henderson is a good finisher at this level and he gobbled up two of the three chances that he had. Sometimes you need a player like that and he has been a top finisher all his career and he’s punished us.

“You can have as much of the ball as you want, you can create all the chances but if you don’t convert the chances you don’t win the game.

“Rochdale are becoming a bit of a bogey side for us. That’s the third time we have played them in League One and we’ve been the better side on each occasion but have lost by the odd goal every time. And Ian Henderson has scored three of the four goals we’ve conceded in those games.”

Stanley were the better side for 40 minutes, with Dale keeper Robert Sanchez keeping out Jordan Clark’s effort and Offrande Zanzala twice denied by defensive blocks.

Henderson’s first goal, after 40 minutes, came against the run of play, with the striker slamming the ball into the roof of the net after Dimitar Evtimov had spilled Ollie Rathbone’s shot.

And Henderson made it two four minutes into the second half, lifting the ball over Evtimov after seizing on an error in the Stanley back line.

The visitors were back in it after 54 minutes, when Pritchard sent a swerving 30-yard drive into the top corner of the net.

And it took fine saves from Sanchez to keep out Clark from distance and a late Colby Bishop header.

Dale boss Brian Barry-Murphy said: “It was a great result for us, the players have put in another week of hard work which resulted in a good performance.

“A very tough and a very different type of performance, but I am so proud of the players for the way they found a way to beat a team who are equally as determined and no less skilled than we are.

“Accrington fought right to the death and it was a great derby and one of those occasions you really appreciate being part of, especially when you finish on the winning side.

“John Coleman’s sides are very good teams, very skilled teams and they carried on going to the very last whistle.”