Accrington Stanley’s John Coleman believes his side were “like rabid dogs” in their 4-2 away win at AFC Wimbledon last night.
Stanley had a lightning-quick start at Plough Lane, with Joe Pritchard and Tommy Leigh making it 2-0 within 10 minutes. Pritchard got his second of the night just 24 seconds after the break, but a fightback led by Omar Bugiel with a brace of his own put Dons back into the contest with 20 minutes left.
Accrington put the game to bed, with the midfielder becoming the provider as Joe Hills drove his header into the back of Alex Bass’ goal.
Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, John Coleman lauded his team’s effort.
“I thought we were fantastic, from start to finish.
“I told the lads at half time, 27 years I’ve been managing, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team start like that. We were like rabid dogs.
“Everything I wanted from them tonight they’ve showed.”
Coleman was also glad that Johnnie Jackson’s men got back into the game following Stanley’s third.
The 61-year-old added: “In a perverse sort of way, it’s more character-building for us for them to get us to 3-2. If that would have petered out to 3-0, our character wouldn’t have been tested.
“Our character was tested to the hilt and we’ve passed it with flying colours and that can only improve us.”
The Kirkby-born manager focused on Brad Hills, Joe Pritchard and Shaun Whalley in his appraisal of the players’ performances.
“Brad Hills, he was battered and bruised, for his years, you would swear he was a 35-year-old. He’s winning headers, winning tackles, his passing was great, scored an absolutely fantastic goal.
“Joe Pritchard scoring two, he could have had the match ball, a constant threat, always looking dangerous. Shaun Whalley in the last 15 minutes was like Pirlo or Messi, he just ran the game.
“When you’ve got players who can do that that takes the pressure off of you.”
The win puts Stanley in a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions, winning their last five games ahead of welcoming Colchester United to the Wham Stadium on Saturday.
Writer’s View
With all of the off-field drama brewing in Accrington looming over the club, John Coleman’s men provided a stellar performance at Plough Lane. They didn’t take their foot off the pedal in the opening exchanges, and quickly amassed a hard-to-beat lead. Even with the later Wimbledon comeback, Accrington never looked like relinquishing their advantage and put the game to bed through Brad Hills.
Joe Pritchard put together a season-best performance, with his two goals and assist now putting him on six scoring contributions from eight appearances in League Two this season. Accrington’s red-hot form sees them play strugglers Colchester United next, which must make this pack of rabid dogs salivate at what damage they could do on Saturday.
