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We lined-up fresh from our disappointing cup exit with a strong side. Alex-Ray Harvey, Wes Fletcher and James Craggs all returned to the starting XI. Stef Ritchie was selected in goal and, with the continuing absence of Ben Hoskin, the regular back four was again in place.
We started brightly with Harvey in particular troubling the Stanley back line. He first had a free kick flash just over, then saw a weaving run into the box end as he lost his footing under challenge, just as he was about to pull the trigger. Our start was rewarded on around ten minutes though as Fletcher stroked home when the keeper could only parry a Craggs half chance.
A rare Accrington attack down the left was snuffed out but presented us with a problem none-the-less as Dan Brown fell awkwardly when making a challenge. He required treatment to his knee and returned to the action very gingerly but, despite his desire to continue, he was clearly struggling.
We continued to dominate and Michael King looked like he may get his name on the score sheet with a snap shot across goal following neat work from Craggs. It didn't take too long though for our superiority to be converted into goals. A through ball was played from deep, turning the defence, and sending Fletcher racing clear. He measured the situation perfectly and calmly lobbed the onrushing keeper, finding the back of the net.
We were clearly in control so Pash decided to protect Brown, allowing him to ice his knee while Dil Chaggar took his place at right back. Dan's performances in an unfavoured position have greatly impressed me so hopefully it won't be too serious an injury.
Chris Anderson was unable to repeat his feat against Shrewsbury when he fired a direct free kick against the bar and behind. When the ball was knocked back down field by the keeper it offered Stanley no respite, as it was returned at pace up the right wing by Dom Knowles. His cross found Fletcher in the box and the striker spun his marker, feeding King at the far post and the winger slotted home just inside the post.
We then decelerated and paid the price. Accy should have scored when Ami was found in the box unmarked, but he headed over. They did bag though, as a Strode free kick Ronaldinho would have been proud of found the top corner, past the outstretched arms of Ritchie. It was the last act of the half so we went in with a 3-1 lead.
The 2nd half started with us once again taking the game to Stanley. Craggs fired in a long range effort after he surged from a deep position, but it just cleared the bar.
The writing was on the wall soon after as Ami saw red for a shocking challenge on Chris Anderson. It was a late, two-footed jump and the punishment definitely fitted the crime and Anderson was lucky to escape unharmed. Soon after we won a corner which King swung on to the head of Nik Kudiersky, who glanced past the keeper to make it four.
A brief scare came with a mix up at the back but Ritchie saved well in a one-on-one situation. We then made a double substitution with Liam Newman and Oliver Devenney replacing Anderson and King. Newman could have made an instant impact but he powered a free header wide after a deep Knowles cross.
It didn't take him long to register on the scoresheet though and within five minutes he had stretched our lead. A Stanley set piece was repelled by us and our forwards raced up field. Craggs drew the defender to him and released Newman who had just held his run. He rushed clear and calmly beat the keeper.
At 5-1 we were well in control and rained in some more shots from distance. We should have added more goals in fairness and most guilty was Newman who dinked the ball over the keeper as he went to ground but, instead of following in to make sure of the goal he began to celebrate, allowing a defender to hack off the line. The team-mates of the Welshman were less than impressed and let him know about it, but the final whistle was blown soon after.
Team :- Stef Ritchie, Dan Brown (Dil Chaggar), Jake McEneaney, Nik Kudiersky, Chris Lynch, Chris Anderson (Oliver Devenney), Alex-Ray Harvey, Dom Knowles, Michael King (Liam Newman), James Craggs, Wes Fletcher.
Not used :- Ben Woodhead