Accrington Stanley 4 Crawley Town 0

Last updated : 28 August 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Accrington manager John Coleman was a happy man as his side put behind them last weeks thrashing at Stevenage and powered to a comfortable win over conference new boys Crawley Town.

There was little to choose between the two sides in the opening 15 minutes of the game, before Lutel James put the home side in front from the penalty spot after Kevin Hemsley had been fouled.

The visitors then offered very little resistance as Stanley dominated the game for large spells.

Crawley keeper Andy Little denied Accrington another goal their approach play deserved, spectacularly keeping out a powerful header from Steve Halford, but after 29 minutes the inevitable happened and Paul Mullin doubled the lead, heading home a right-wing cross from Peter Cavanagh.

Despite making two changes during the break and looking a little more determined, Crawley Town found themselves 3-0 down on 55 minutes.

The ever dangerous Ian Craney went on a typical run and drilled a shot beyond Little, to nestle nicely in the back of the net.

Then Mullin added a fourth on 64 minutes after heading home a pinpoint cross from Craney.

The match was over as a contest and Crawley started to get a little more time on the ball as Stanley relaxed their grip.

Charlie MacDonald for the visitors was unlucky to see a shot come off a post, but not to be outdone Stanley too hit a post just before the end, as a Rory Prendergast cross ricocheted off a defender and on to the woodwork.