John Coleman pays tribute to Accrington strikeforce

Posted Sunday, December 15, 2019 by PA

Accrington boss John Coleman praised his strike force as three second-half goals helped them to a 4-1 win over in-form Portsmouth.

Pompey were unbeaten in seven League One games and took the lead at the Wham Stadium through a Ronan Curtis header in the 35th minute.

However, Ellis Harrison headed a corner into his own goal just before the break to draw Stanley level.

The Reds then took charge with frontman Dion Charles firing through keeper Craig Macgillivray’s legs on 62 minutes and then striker Colby Bishop scored a double in the 69th and 77th minute to take his tally to 12 goals for the season.

Stanley also hit the woodwork in each half, through Jerome Opoku and Joe Pritchard.

“I know my two strikers and I know they will only get better,” said Coleman, whose side are now four unbeaten in the league and have scored 11 goals in their last two home League One games.

“We have been working with them over the last couple of weeks, talking to them, showing them clips and discussing things.

“We have been chatting about what they can do better and it’s great when it comes off.

“We had a setback going behind but I think a big difference is that, at 1-1, our keeper Josef Bursik made an unbelievable save and our confidence seemed to grow from that.

“I am delighted for the lads, they got their rewards for their efforts. We scored three good goals and hit the woodwork twice against a good Pompey side who will be thereabouts at the end of the season.

“Some of our football in the second half was breathtaking and when the chances go in, it increases your confidence and you could see that as the game went on. We did also work really hard though.”

Kenny Jackett had a makeshift backline due to injuries but the Pompey manager wasn’t prepared to make excuses as their run was halted.

“We went ahead with a good header but they had had a couple of chances before that. The own goal is frustrating, Ellis Harrison has misjudged the flight of the ball and that’s got them back in the game.

“Then they took their chances and we can’t have any complaints. When you come here you are looking to be resilient but that wasn’t the case. They made it difficult for us.

“Accrington deserved the win, we looked too open at times, they played two up front all game and that caused us problems.

“We assessed the game after and we talked about what we need to do better in situations and we have to try and improve defensively.”