- Year Founded: 1968
- Nickname: Accy or Stanley
- Major Honours: EFL League Two:Winners: 2017–18
- Conference National:Winners: 2005–06
The current club was formed in 1968, two years after the collapse of the original Accrington Stanley, which played in the Football League from 1921 to 1962 after initially competing in the Lancashire Combination. The town’s original club, named simply Accrington, were founder members of the Football League in 1888, though folded just six years later.
The early 21st century saw the club win three promotions over the course of seven seasons under the stewardship of John Coleman to gain a place in the Football League. They won three divisional titles in each of their three promotions: Northern Premier League Division One (1999–2000), Northern Premier League Premier Division (2002–03) and the Conference National (2005–06). They then spent 12 seasons mostly in the bottom half of the table in League Two, though did also lose two play-off semi-finals, before Coleman led them to promotion into League One as League Two champions in 2017–18.
Blackpool 2 Northampton 0 – League One
The former Leyton Orient defender, who scored his first for the Tangerines in a 5-0 whitewash of Wigan a week ago, was on target again after 12 minutes.
But Blackpool had to wait until stoppage time before striker Jerry Yates sealed another three points.
Ekpiteta’s scruffy close-range effort after Sullay Kaikai’s cross caused confusion in Town’s defence will not win any goal of the season contest, but the improving Seasiders have now lost only once in five games.
Kevin Stewart should have marked his first start for his new club with a 61st-minute goal. Instead, the ex-Liverpool and Hull midfielder hit the post after Kaikai’s speedy break from halfway.
Keith Curle’s Cobblers are the division’s lowest scorers and rarely threatened to build on last week’s goalless draw at Fleetwood.
Now with only one win in nine, the visitors enjoyed their best moments in the first half. The lively Ryan Watson twice tested Chris Maxwell but Pool’s keeper kept out his right-foot efforts.
Yates’ close-range finish late on made sure of the points for Blackpool.
Accrington 6 Bristol Rovers 1 – League One
Dion Charles scored a hat-trick as Accrington beat Bristol Rovers 6-1 in a game delayed for 30 minutes due to snow.
There were five goals in the opening 28 minutes as the game got off to a breath-taking start.
Joe Pritchard put Stanley ahead in the eighth minute, getting on the end of Colby Bishop’s cross.
In the 11th minute, Rovers equalised through Sam Nicholson who capitalised on a defensive error and raced through before finishing well.
A minute later Charles received the ball on the edge of the area, made space and fired Stanley back ahead.
Charles got the third in the 17th minute when he got on the end of Nathan Baxter’s goal kick and drilled home.
Bishop headed home from Sean McConville’s corner to make it 4-1 in the 28th minute.
It was 5-1 four minutes after the break when Bishop scored his second of the match, pouncing after a Charles strike could only be pushed out by visiting goalkeeper Joe Day.
Charles celebrated a first league hat-trick in the 70th minute, flicking home a Paul Smyth ball from close range.
Rovers have now lost six of their last seven league games
Saturday 31st January 2015 – Accrington 1 Northampton 5
Northampton Town played more than 50 minutes with 10 men but still managed to comprehensively beat Accrington.
The Cobblers led through Ricky Holmes, who was then fouled by Adam Buxton to allow Marc Richards to score a penalty.
The hosts had hope when Ryan Cresswell was sent off for hauling down Sean Maguire as the last man on 38 minutes.
Piero Mingoia put in the rebound after Matt Duke saved Luke Joyce’s subsequent penalty, but a Lawson D’Ath brace and another from Richards sealed it.
Chris Wilder’s Northampton, who were 20th in League Two at the turn of the year, are now 12th, four points above their opponents, and only seven points outside the play-off places.
Northampton Town manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Northampton:
“We’ve had two absolutely ridiculous games against Accrington, this season. It was a big test for us today and one we have come through.
“I’m really struggling to pick out any individual player. We’ve conceded two goals this month and one of those was a penalty.
“The work-rate of the team was excellent; we looked a proper solid team and I’m delighted for everybody.”
| Played | Won | Draw | Lost | F | A |
| 15 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 28 | 15 |
| Biggest Win over Accrington | 31/01/15 – 5-1 – WHAM – Chris Wilder |
| Biggest Loss over Accrington | 02/04/2011- 3-1 – WHAM – GARRY Johnson |
| First-Ever Game | 18/08/2009 -3-0 W – WHam – Stuart Gray |
Mark Hughes
Our played for both focus this week you can look at his playing record here. To view our ever growing player collection all you need to do is login or sign up. You can view more players that played for both aswell.
The Merseyside-based official will travel to the WHAM Stadium for his 21st game of the season and sixth in Sky Bet League One. 2020-21 is his third year in the EFL after being promoted to the National List of Referees in the summer of 2018.
He began his referee journey in the Southport-based Craven Minor Football League before spending time in the referee academy programme run by Liverpool County FA at both Everton and Liverpool Football Clubs, alongside a spell with Durham County FA whilst completing his studies at university in the north east.
So far this season Mr Wright has managed 20 games and booked 60 players and sent 2 players off.
His latest Cobblers Game
| Date | Comp | Match | Y | R | |
| 07/03/20 | League Two | Northampton 1 Mansfield 2 | 6 | 1 | |
| 02/11/19 | League Two | Oldham 2Northampton 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| 17/11/18 | League Two | Exeter 2 Northampton 2 | 2 | 0 |
Accrington Stanley Games
| Date | Comp | Match | Y | R |
| 02/03/19 | League One | Accrington 0 Coventry 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 06/11/18 | League Trophy | Accrington 2 West Brom u21 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 02/09/18 | League One | Accrington 1 Doncaster 0 | 4 | 0 |
PETER WRIGHT
Thomas Harty and Scott Williams
Fourth Official : Ross Joyce
Northampton Town travel to Accrington Stanley on Saturday and you can purchase a match pass to watch the game live on iFollow.A match pass for this game costs just £10 for all UK based supporters and can be purchased here.
Fans overseas will be able to view on Season Passes or by purchasing a match pass.
Due to the BBC’s current travelling restrictions for reporters, there will be no BBC Radio Northampton commentary accompanying the iFollow pictures on Saturday.
On iFollow, viewers will have the choice to watch the game with stadium sound only or with home commentary.
BBC Radio Northampton audio commentary will be available for listeners in Northamptonshire on 104.2 or 103.6 FM and DAB, and for audio only subscribers on iFollow.
BBC Radio Northampton commentating from the iFollow feed from the studio for radio use only. Unfortunately, this would have too much of a delay to be used alongside the iFollow pictures.
- Accrington Stanley have one win from their last four matches against Northampton Town in the English League (D1 L2). However, the win was achieved during their most recent encounter against the Cobblers (1-0).
- Northampton Town are unbeaten in their last four away league matches against Accrington Stanley (W3 D1). They have scored 11 and conceded just four in these matches.
- Accrington Stanley won 6-1 in their previous game, at home to Bristol Rovers – this was their biggest margin of victory in a league game since November 2019 (7-1 v Bolton).
- Northampton have won just one of their last nine league games (D2 L6), beating Gillingham 3-1 in December.
- Northampton Town are winless in their last five away games in League One (D2 L3), this after managing back-to-back wins against Wigan and Burton in October and November.
| Stats | NORTHAMPTON | Accrington |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 24 | 22 |
| Goals | 20 | 35 |
| Shots on target | 71 | 103 |
| Shooting accuracy | 40.10% | 45.40% |
| Goals conceded | 40 | 24 |
| Clean sheets | 4 | 10 |
| Yellow cards | 43 | 27 |
| Red Cards | 3 | 3 |
Storylines
😤 Putting things right
⬆️ Move up the table
🏟️ Cobblers @ the WHAM
👨 Old Faces
Storylines to follow heading into Saturday’s Sky Bet League One clash with Accrington at The WHAM StadiuM👇
Syd Russell
Another fantastic article by Peter Stephenson, make sure you give it a read.
Played for Both
👞 + 🔴⚪️
Ahead of the weekends fixture with Accrington Stanley, we have taken a look back at some players that have played for both sides.
- Nik Tzanev
- James Wilson
- Bobby Tebbutt
- New Signing – Liam Moore
- NEW SIGNING – Dominic Gape
- NEW SIGNING: Louie Moulden
- NEW SIGNING : Tony Springett
- Head 2 Head – Swansea
- FLASHBACK – Northampton 4 Swansea 2
- Match Officials – Swansea (A)
