Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Paul Mullin was partnered up front by St Vincent international and former Torquay, Crewe, Rushden and Oldham striker, Rodney Jack, who recently scored Wrexham's third goal after Lee McEvilly's second against Liverpool. Stanley had the better of the first half with goals from Jagielka and Barry. Rocky and Flynn looked solid in front of Stuart Jones.

Phil Starbuck's side came into it more in the second half and scored what might have been a consolation goal had Accy not immediately given away a penalty that Arnold happily converted to the cheers of the home fans.

A slight worry is the injury to Paul Mullin midway through the first half (see Kipax's pics). I hope it's nothing more than a slight knock.

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Spoke to paul just after the game and he said not a worry.. just needs a rest

thought jacks played exteremely well

got back to accy at 10 to 12......... what about you smiffy and fearon.. what time ?:)

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

This was a game of two halves in which Stanley scored two well worked goals in the first half against a team four levels below them in the national football pyramid. They could have had two more. One shot from directly in front of the goal just outside the penalty area nearly broke the metal crossbar.

The second half was different because of an improved Arnold Town, and because some of our better players were substituted, as a result of which we hardly had a sniff of goal. Towards the end of a half in which Stanley could not get going, and possibly thought the match was won anyway, Arnold scored twice. So it wasn’t won, just as it wasn’t towards the end of last season when we were 2-0 up at Burton Albion and survived for a 2-2 draw, two points dropped in a match which virtually ensured that we did not get promoted.

Three questions. When did a football team manager last take his team from Unibond Division One to the Football League? When will Stanley learn that a half time lead is not game over? Why does Paul Cook get a game in our team? Playing him is like playing with ten men against eleven because he is too slow for this level of football. Opposing players, maybe fifteen years younger than him, run past him with ease. Both Arnold’s goals were scored after he came on. This supporter will not be inclined to watch Stanley if he is going to play this forthcoming season.

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Just got back about 30mins ago :)

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

This supporter will not be inclined to watch Stanley if he is going to play this forthcoming season.[/QUOTE]

Well chuff off then pretty simple really. Don't bother coming if you have that attitude.

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Hmmm... Rodney Jack certainly has a pedigree, but he hasn't played much first team football recently.

Apparently he played only 10 games for Oldham last season, the last one was last October, due to injuries and they cancelled his contract in April. He was on trial at Wrexham this preseason, who obviously aren't looking to keep him if he played for us last night.

He's 32 now, but if he's fit and raring to go again, maybe he could do a job for us? According to Oldham fans he plays best with a 'big forward' who can flick the ball on for him, so maybe he could form a partnership with Mullin?

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

justin who?

just a thought

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Rodney jacks played against accy in barbados... Based on this and other stories I did ask about his age last night but no one seemed to know....

I will say that by half time.. every accy fan I spoke to where in agreement that he looked very good.... even based on that game and now knowing his age.. I would be more upbeat if I heard he has signed..

Also noted that the new goalie had the number 1 shirt... looks like danny will be the understudy again..... have to say new goalie did look good enough :)

I know there only friendlies... but played six and not won any.. even against poor opposition.. I worry what that does for team morale.

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

we are saving it for wigan kipax :)

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

I must admit to being surprised that we didn't win last night, especially against a team 4(?) leagues below us.

They say that winning is a habit. Maybe we need to start before the season begins?

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Had a long chat with Rodney after the game just before we set off home and he told me that he's still on trial with Wrexham and Rodney has till Friday to make a decision whether he wants to sign for them. Coley has apparently offered Rodney a contract so if he has definately got another offer and one to fall back on. He seemed very happy with our setup, he told me he liked the management and the players he said he would definately come here.......and by the way he was speaking to us it sounded like he wanted to turn down Wrexham and come here!

He will be playing for us against Wigan next Wednesday.

Well yesterdays performance......First half we dominated as expected, we played very well and looked the better side. Both the goals were sweet strikes one from Jaggers and one from Anthony Barry very good goals and Ian Craney (Curry) was very unlucky with his 25 yard lightening strike which nearly snapped the crossbar!... The second half was poor, team took it like a stroll in the park and the effort and determination level was poor totally different to the first half. We should of really done a lot better. But all credit to Arnold they came out in the second half and played some good football and deserved to pull the game back to 2-2.......

Maybe we'll see the first WIN at Dundonald on Saturday! I hope so!!

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Wrexham are only allowed to sign 20 players of professional standing under the rules of administration. They have already signed 18 so maybe Rodney Jack will not be offered a contracy by them.

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

He has been offered a contract by Wrexham so he told me and Fearon last night and has till Friday to decide......From the way he was telling us about Wrexham it didnt look like he wanted to sign for them and he wanted to come here...

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Which one was you at the game then?????

You obviously aren't a supporter of ASFC! how can you say you are not going to support us just becasue Paul Cook, who didnt do one thing wrong yesterday, played in a PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY as Cammy said you have a fantastic attitude!

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Good report Smiffy keep em coming. Nice possitive attitude.

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Have the players STILL not learnt the lesson of last season??!!:(

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Come on Rodneywe know you are not quite a scouser but please sign we need some help

Ta very much

Loweiy

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Yes, this was a pre-season friendly, but if it is not planned to play him in competition matches why play him in a pre-season friendly? He was poor last season so he won't be any better this season will he? What is the justification for playing him? Maybe the Manager could inform us. Maybe he didn't do anything wrong against Arnold, but on the other hand he didn't do much and is far too slow for this level of football. I could stand in open space receive a pass and then make one. Was it coincidence that Arnold's 2 goals were scored after Cook came on?

Not sure how selecting my games can stop me being an ASFC supporter, however I don't see much point in watching a side that deliberately fields only 10 players in effect, especially as I usually have to travel a long way to watch games.

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

If you could do that then you would make a very good footballer that most of the Premiership teams would be after, because most of the Premiership players cannot stand in an open space, receive a pass and then make one, so please put yourself forward for a trial at Stanley then we could sign you and sell you for millions.

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

word to the wise, wporter - spouting venom against someone wearing the Stanley shirt will only get you nominated as the antifan. I saw Paul Cook captain Burnley down south against Crystal Palace only 3 or 4 years ago and made him my man of the match - a bit slower now maybe, but class is class and an experienced presence can be worth far more than a novice flying about the pitch like a blue bottomed winged thingy. Slagging players will cost us points - lets make a pact to cut it out right now - united we stand and all that.

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

'Venom' is too strong a word. It is my opinion that, however good though Paul Cook may have been in the past, and he was probably 100 times better thn I ever was, he is not now Nationwide Conference material. At the age of 38 that is hardly surprising. My criticism is as much of the Manager for picking him, not just the player.

Discussion of teams and players has been going on since football began and I don't see why it should be excluded from this forum. Having stood on the Peel Park Terraces, as did my Father and Grandfather before me, and my Great Grandfather having been an Officer of the then Club in the 1880s, I feel that I have an interest in the well-being of this successor Club. If, however, discussion of players (and the Manager) is not allowed, and if there are other topics that are banned from discussion please let me know.

We have, at last, won a pre-season friendly (just), and although one should not read too much into these games, the results are not encouraging. Who are Dundonald Bluebells and at what level of the struggling Scottish football scene do they play?

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Don't worry, Wsupporter! I was similarly chided for suggesting that Ged Brannon's performances last season were not up to much, but I have only been watching Stanley since 1953, so what do I know?

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Just because you have been watching Stanley since 1953 doesnt make you a bigger fan than any of us and we dont have to agree with you on your opinions of players performances do we?

Or is it that we have to because you have been watching Stanley since 1953 and that gives you a certain power over the rest of us?

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Certainly not, Smiffy - in fact your eyes are probably in much better nick than mine. I was merely trying to say that it is not necessarily disloyal to state an adverse opinion on a player, in support of Wporter's post.

Re: Arnold Town 2-2 Stanley
 

Sorry, Wporter, - hadn't realised you were a fellow peelparker and so mis-judged the validity of your remarks. Suffering the frustration of being isolated down south I am desparate for positive vibes and just haven't seen any ( before the Wigan report that is ). Unreservedly withdraw the venom and antifan jibes and just accept a differing view from my own.
On a lighter note, today entered one of these fantasy football comps at work - have called my side Stanley Reserves - asked how I reckoned to only play a lad called S.Gerrard in a reserve side, I looked astonished at the ? and told this bunch of Phillistines that they obviously hadn't seen Rocky Williams play. Keep smilin'.