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Accrington Stanley 2-0 Yeovil Town

Last updated on .From the section League Twocomments193

Accrington Stanley celebrate after being promoted
Sixteen wins in 19 matches have propelled Accrington Stanley into League One for the first time

Accrington Stanley clinched promotion to League One for the first time in their history as striker Billy Kee's double saw them beat Yeovil Town.

Kee, the top scorer in League Two, headed in Sean McConville's corner to open the scoring and he added a second with a rebound just moments later.

John Coleman's side - unbeaten in 14 matches - also extended their lead at the top of the table to four points.

Kee almost had a hat-trick late on, but volleyed in to the side-netting.

A minimum of two wins from their remaining four games would guarantee Stanley the League Two title after 12 consecutive seasons in the division.

Third-tier football will be the highest level Stanley have played at since their reformation in 1968, having resigned from the English Football League for financial reasons in 1962.

After returning in 2006, the Crown Ground club lost League Two play-off semi-finals in 2011 and 2016 - both under Coleman - yet they finished in the bottom half of the table in all their other seasons since returning.

However Coleman, who returned for his second spell in charge in 2014, has now overseen arguably the greatest triumph in the Lancashire outfit's history.

He has guided them to 16 wins in their past 19 games to leapfrog all their promotion rivals, with three Stanley players included in the PFA League Two Team of the Year.

Jubilant fans invaded the pitch at the full-time whistle, after a game the hosts controlled and could have won by more, McConville having a lob that hit the bar midway through the second half.

Visitors Yeovil, who were second best amid the party atmosphere, remain nine points clear of the relegation zone, with three matches to play.

Accrington boss John Coleman said: "It's been a tough season. We lost one of our apprentices Jordan Moseley, one of our former directors John Demaine died last week and we wouldn't be where we are now without him.

"And it's my late dad's 91st birthday and you would like to think he played a part.

"You can't help but get emotional but it's all about the players. They were fantastic against Yeovil, it was 2-0 but it could have been 16-0 as we really turned on the style in the second half.

"The fans have come out in their numbers and I am delighted for them. The whole team and staff have worked so hard and we have got our rewards. We will give it a good go in League One, it is a massive achievement. It's absolutely fantastic."

Billy Kee (right)
Accrington's Billy Kee (right) has scored 24 league goals this season....
Billy Kee
... And could not contain his emotion after the final whistle
Fans invade the pitch at the Crown Ground to celebrate Stanley's promotion
Fans invaded the pitch at the Crown Ground to celebrate Stanley's promotion

Line-ups

Accrington

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1Chapman
  • 26Johnson
  • 3Hughes
  • 2Dunne
  • 4Donacien
  • 7Clark
  • 28Conneely
  • 8Brown
  • 11McConvilleBooked at 33mins
  • 10Jackson
  • 29Kee

Substitutes

  • 5Richards-Everton
  • 6Nolan
  • 9Zanzala
  • 12Williams
  • 16Maxted
  • 17Esteves Sousa
  • 32Rodgers

Yeovil

Formation 4-4-2

  • 12Maddison
  • 23James
  • 17Sowunmi
  • 27Donnellan
  • 11Dickson
  • 15GreenSubstituted forSeagerat 67'minutes
  • 20GobernSubstituted forBirdat 71'minutes
  • 6Wing
  • 7KhanSubstituted forBarnesat 50'minutes
  • 18Fisher
  • 9Browne

Substitutes

  • 4Bird
  • 5Mugabi
  • 8Smith
  • 19Barnes
  • 21Seager
  • 24Phillips
  • 30Santos
Referee:
Steve Martin
Attendance:
3,176

Match Stats

Home TeamAccringtonAway TeamYeovil
Possession
Home58%
Away42%
Shots
Home23
Away9
Shots on Target
Home8
Away3
Corners
Home12
Away1
Fouls
Home9
Away20

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Accrington Stanley 2, Yeovil Town 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Accrington Stanley 2, Yeovil Town 0.

  3. Post update

    Billy Kee (Accrington Stanley) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Tom James (Yeovil Town).

  5. Post update

    Billy Kee (Accrington Stanley) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  6. Post update

    Foul by Marcus Barnes (Yeovil Town).

  7. Post update

    Corner, Accrington Stanley. Conceded by Omar Sowunmi.

  8. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Kayden Jackson (Accrington Stanley) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

  9. Post update

    Attempt missed. Sean McConville (Accrington Stanley) right footed shot from the left side of the box is too high.

  10. Post update

    Attempt missed. Sean McConville (Accrington Stanley) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right.

  11. Post update

    Corner, Accrington Stanley. Conceded by Shaun Donnellan.

  12. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Billy Kee (Accrington Stanley) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

  13. Post update

    Attempt saved. Shaun Donnellan (Yeovil Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner.

  14. Post update

    Foul by Mark Hughes (Accrington Stanley).

  15. Post update

    Jared Bird (Yeovil Town) wins a free kick on the left wing.

  16. Post update

    Attempt saved. Sean McConville (Accrington Stanley) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Callum Johnson (Accrington Stanley).

  18. Post update

    Rhys Browne (Yeovil Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  19. Post update

    Attempt missed. Jared Bird (Yeovil Town) header from the centre of the box misses to the right.

  20. Post update

    (Accrington Stanley) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

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193 comments

  • Comment posted by Can we have our ball back , at 22:45 17 Apr 2018

    Pep wins the title spending millions. That's the modern game, and well done to City, but in reality at Pl level football is just business trying to manifest itself as sport. Stanley a throwback to a time when football was still in essence a sport. Many who know football existed before 1992 will feel more empathy with John Coleman than Pep. Sunderland v Accy will be irony itself next season.

  • Comment posted by The Goose, at 00:44 18 Apr 2018

    I walked through the overgrown long grass & weeds at the ground with my late Grandad when I was 8yrs old which was in 1972.

    He told me about the good old days of Accrington Stanley..if only he knew what would eventually happen

    He'd be so proud..
    he was part of Accrington Stanley & they were a part of him..

    Accrington Stanley will always be a part of me until I die because of him👏👏

  • Comment posted by memphis55, at 22:16 17 Apr 2018

    I hope I speak for the vast majority of Burnley Fans when I say Congratulations !! Absolutely brilliant achievement !! Well done, Stanley !!

  • Comment posted by Mannie Power, at 22:18 17 Apr 2018

    That's great Accrington. But don't milk it.
    (Sorry)

  • Comment posted by JohnnyRT, at 22:12 17 Apr 2018

    Congratulations Stanley !

  • Comment posted by pauld, at 22:20 17 Apr 2018

    Congratulations Accrington....bring on Sunderland!

  • Comment posted by Wee Brian, at 22:24 17 Apr 2018

    Fantastic achievement with particular congratulations to inspirational striker Billy Kee who has suffered from depression.

  • Comment posted by Sheepy, at 22:32 17 Apr 2018

    My hometown club. Seen them many times over the years when they were non league, playing at places like Droylsden, Stalybridge and Horwich RMI. I never thought I'd see them reach the League in the first place never mind get promoted from League 3.

    Well done! A great boost for the town. On Stanley On!

  • Comment posted by hi this is a fake name, at 22:23 17 Apr 2018

    Always nice to see stories like this. I hope Accrington's success can continue into the next campaign.

  • Comment posted by Hughmungus, at 22:45 17 Apr 2018

    I'm merely a football fan, and I love stories like this.

    Congratulations to Accrington on this wonderful achievement.

  • Comment posted by Dirty Harry, at 22:13 17 Apr 2018

    Accrington Stanley, who are they?

  • Comment posted by MarkG2, at 08:28 18 Apr 2018

    What a brilliant achievement. The conference and leagues one and two are where proper football still exists. It's where fans are still connected to the clubs they support and can relate to the players. It's honest and real. I'm afraid the Premier league lost its soul a long time ago.

  • Comment posted by Mike ATFC, at 00:05 18 Apr 2018

    As an Aldershot Town fan, I understand what it is like to see your club die mid-season, and then rise like a Phoenix back into the League (and Accy have stayed there!)

    I am so pleased to see Accy get promotion tonight, especially after they came so close 2 years ago. What a fantastic achievement, well done! Hope the Shots can emulate this in years to come (after we win the playoffs next month).

  • Comment posted by Richard, at 22:16 17 Apr 2018

    Harry, there's a lot of folks not old enough to get that one. Congrats Accy.

  • Comment posted by Peoples Champions, at 23:16 17 Apr 2018

    34: To see a grown man crying with emotion at a football game is much better than seeing a grown man being abusive and fighting.. His feelings for his team are just as strong as fans of the big clubs. Well done Stanley, and the gentleman concerned, we salute you! 2years ago I was crying,Leicester fan.

  • Comment posted by petef, at 22:51 17 Apr 2018

    Congratulations on a great achievement. A special congratulations to (from a fan of relegated to non league obscurity Torquay Utd ) ex player Billy Kee who I know has been suffering with depression and who had the courage to make it public.

  • Comment posted by City til I die, at 00:02 18 Apr 2018

    Superb for Coleman and Accrington Stanley. Hopefully they can at least stay in League One next season!! I hope that they all get pay rises too, as these boys won't be on phone number money!! What a pick-me-up for the town too!! Well done to all involved with the club!! Brilliant Story!!

  • Comment posted by obaldeagle, at 08:26 18 Apr 2018

    Massive congrats to a small but big-hearted club. As others have noted, stories like this revive our passion for football. Coincidence isn't it that near neighbours Burnley have also done well under a strong, down to earth manager. Small East Lancs towns represented by great football clubs - it's a throwback to a long ago age and to be celebrated.

  • Comment posted by Stewart Frazier, at 01:14 18 Apr 2018

    @65, every so often a comment appears on these threads which can only have been written by an imbecile. Accrington Stanley are a league, not non-league club, and no, you do not speak for most of the country in needing more articles about foreign money drenched clubs or millionaire players. Real football, as you call it, is all about grass root clubs which have survived against all the odds.

  • Comment posted by We all laugh at the London stadium, at 22:17 17 Apr 2018

    Founder members, not a pot to pee in: John Coleman, quite incredible.

    Fantastic achievement.

As It Stood

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Accrington42276970412987
2Luton432411890444683
3Wycombe432212976552178
4Exeter432371360491176
5Notts County4320131066452173
6Lincoln City4218141057431468
7Coventry422081453411268
8Mansfield4317161062481467
9Swindon43197176464064
10Carlisle431614135851762
11Colchester431613145249361
12Newport411415125152-157
13Crawley43169185461-757
14Cambridge421512154655-957
15Stevenage431313175660-452
16Cheltenham431312186261151
17Crewe43145245773-1647
18Yeovil421210205567-1246
19Port Vale431113194759-1246
20Morecambe42917164154-1344
21Forest Green42127234970-2143
22Grimsby431012213665-2942
23Barnet43910244065-2537
24Chesterfield4298254474-3035
View full League Two table

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