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Accrington Stanley
EFL Cup | Round Two
Aug 24, 2016 at 7.45pm UK
 
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Pearson (120')
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Live Commentary: Accrington Stanley 1-0 Burnley - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's coverage as Accrington Stanley dump Burnley out of the second round of the EFL Cup with an extra-time victory at the Wham Stadium.
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Accrington Stanley welcomed the visit of Burnley in the second round of the EFL Cup as John Coleman's side sought to produce a relative giant-killing at the Wham Stadium.

Both sides had opportunities to win an industrious fixture in east Lancashire, but it was Accrington's Matty Pearson who made all the difference with a goal in extra time in order to send his side into the third round at the expense of the Premier League outfit.

Relive all of the action with our minute-by-minute updates below.


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Good evening everyone and thank you for joining us as we bring you live coverage of Accrington Stanley's EFL Cup clash against Premier League side Burnley at the Wham Stadium.

These two sides will be pitting it out tonight for a place in the third-round draw of the competition, which takes place following the conclusion of this contest.

Sean Dyche and his men come into this fixture having produced a memorable 2-0 victory over Liverpool in the Premier League at the weekend and they will be aiming to build on that with a solid victory here. However, we do expect some changes from that side that battled past the Reds.

Tonight could provide the perfect opportunity for Stanley to provide an upset, however, and they will be hoping that the steel shown in their 11-10 penalty-shootout drama will serve them well at the Wham.

These two sides reside pretty close to each other and the commute this evening will be a short one. Having said that, these two sides have never faced up in a competitive contest in recent times. In fact, you have to go all the way back to 1983 to find something competitive between these two in the record books. Time to make some history tonight then!

Time for some team news now...

BURNLEY STARTING XI: Pope; Darikwa, Tarkowski, Long, Flanagan; Kightly, Ulvestad, O'Neill, Gudmundsson; Vokes, Jutkiewicz

BURNLEY SUBSTITUTES: Lafferty, Gray, Boyd, Arfield, Anderson, Massanka, Robinson

As expected, Dyche has made a number of key changes from the victory over Liverpool. Up top, Andre Gray has dropped to the bench in place of Lukas Jutkiewicz, who is partnered by Sam Vokes. Virtually the whole of Burnley's back-line has changed, including a swap in goal as Nick Pope comes in for Tom Heaton. New signing Johann Berg Guomundsson gets a start out on the left, while Michael Kightly starts over on the right. In the middle there are two changes too, as Fredrik Ulvestad partners youngster Aiden O'Neill in the centre.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY STARTING XI: Parish; Donacien, Beckles, Hughes, Pearson, O'Sullivan, Hewitt, Conneely, McConville, McCartan, Kee

ACCRINGTON STANLEY SUBSTITUTES: Davies, Jones, Boco, Hery, Lacey, Chapman, Sykes

Stanley look in strong shape ahead of the contest and they will be led by Shay McCartan and Billy Kee up top this evening. The game appears to have come a little too earlier for former Burnley boy Chris Eagles, who doesn't make the bench.

Those raft of Burnley changes have definitely made this game up for grabs you feel, especially on Accrington turf. The home side have not endured the best start to the new League Two season, however, having picked up Stanley have taken four points from a possible 12 so far this campaign.

As for Dyche and his men, they have three Premier League points from a possible six after an opening-day defeat at home to Swansea City before producing that standout 2-0 win over Liverpool last weekend. This side is much-changed from that victorious one, though, and the visitors could be in for a real battle this evening.

Burnley boss Dyche has been speaking to the press ahead of the clash, where he has made clear his appreciation of Stanley manager John Coleman. Here's what he has had to say, according to the official Burnley website: "John's done a great job there over many years and I always look forward to seeing him when I can. I'm sure they'll be competitive because it's an important game for both clubs for different reasons.

"I think it makes for a great game for all concerned, and, of course, it goes without saying we are going there to win. That's our objective every time we play. There is that winning mentality here and we want to continue that, of course. I think our players are in good shape, physically and mentally and I'll think they'll look forward to the challenge."


Coleman too has expressed his admiration for the home side's opponents this evening: "I have a bit of an affinity to Burnley because they're one of the first teams I saw at Anfield when I was a kid. I remember them drawing 3-3. They had some good players then in the old first division. They've been in the bottom flight, they've worked their way back to the top and they should be an inspiration to every team at our level. They've helped us out hugely in the past coming down to play games against us and plenty of other things too. I hope they can continue to help us out too. It'll be enjoyable to play them in a competitive game."

Here's a quick clip from the ground... the weather seems to be set fair for the rest of the evening:


Jon Flanagan will be one to watch this evening for Burnley, with the full-back making a start after being ineligible against Liverpool at the weekend. Young Australian midfielder O'Neill could be a future star for the Clarets too, while Gudmundsson will be keen on continuing his adjustment to English football with a spot out wide on the left. It will be interesting to see if development striker Ntumba Massanka makes it off the bench later on, as he is viewed in a very positive light by a number of the Burnley faithful.

It's sad to see that Eagles has been able to make the squad for Accrington in time to face his former club. The winger made 120 league appearances across three seasons for the Clarets, scoring 33 goals in the process after joining the club back in 2008.

PREDICTION! We've got just under 15 minutes to go until kickoff now and it is time for me to make a prediction. Burnley making 10 changes away from home has potentially made this contest a lot more competitive on paper, but I still think that the Clarets will have enough to make it into the third round. If things do not go to plan for Dyche, he has some real match-winners on the bench too. I'm going for a 3-1 victory to the visitors inside 90 minutes.

The atmosphere is building nicely inside the Crown Ground. These sorts of ties can really help clubs in the lower leagues out in financial terms. If they are able to get beyond Burnley tonight, Accrington will have the chance to face up to some of the Premier League's giants. The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur all await in the next round.

Welshman Vokes will delighted following the news that he has been called up for the first game of his country's World Cup qualifying matches. He will surely be a key man tonight up top...

Five minutes until kickoff now. You'd expect that Accrington will want to put some early pressure on the visitors. It's never easy coming to compact grounds and the hosts will be hoping to shake the Clarets in the opening stages.

The players are now awaiting to come out onto the pitch over in the corner of the ground, no glamorous tunnels here!

We've got a full house here at the Wham and the home fans are in full song as the teams emerge onto the field. Just a couple of minutes and we'll be underway...

Burnley feature in blue tonight, while the home side are in red and white stripes.

KICKOFF! Accrington start proceedings then as the ball goes in long towards the Burnley defence, where Tarkowski heads clear at the first attempt.

The away side make some early inroads down the left flank through Flanagan who is able to win a cheap corner. The ball is whipped into the front-post, where Donacien heads away.

Burnley start to flex their muscle in the opening stages as Vokes brings the ball down before feeding Gudmundsson outside down the left flank, but he is unable to produce the goods as his cross into the middle of the area is easily cleared by Hughes.

The home side haven't backed off in these early stages, however, as Conneely shows some great feet over the on the right flank, although he is unable to do too much more when he cuts inside before being challenged by Ulvestad.

CHANCE! The visitors almost carve out the first goal of the evening as Ulvestad turns brilliantly in order to drill a cross into the area, where Vokes is just a little behind the play much to the delight of the stranded Stanley defenders.

McConville has the chance to chuck a long ball into the Burnley area, where the knock-down drops kindly for Pearson at the far post. Instead of taking his time, the full-back lashes a wild shot into the side-netting without troubling Pope.

Some lovely holding work from Vokes sees some space open up for Kightly down the left channel and the wide-man is able to run into space unmarked. His cross is a poor one, though, as Hughes clears comfortably.

Accrington get away with one now as a corner is sent to the near post, which allows Ulvestad to get a smart flick-on into the centre of the box. It looks as though Vokes has pulled away at the vital moment, but Beckles gets a crucial touch before it reaches him.

YELLOW CARD! Ouch... Some industry here from Accrington as the ball goes long into McCartan. The frontman is dispossessed easily by Long and he then retaliates by flying in with a raised boot onto the shins of O'Neill. That should have been red really, but instead he gets away with a yellow card.

Another poor challenge from the home side presents Gudmundsson with the chance to send a ball into the box, where Parish comes off his line to tip the ball away for a corner. The resulting kick is also dealt with by the stopper, who decides to punch this time. Burnley are just moving beyond second gear now...

Ulvestad manages to wriggle free over on the right wing and he sends a decent ball into the area for Kightly, who gets a good connection on the ball only to see his header kept out by a swiftly moving Parish in the Accrington goal.

CHANCE! The best chance of the half falls to the home side. Pearson gets the ball out on the right channel and swings a beautiful cross into the box, where Hughes arrives late at the back-post only to guide his half-volley just wide of the target with Pope looking a tad worried.

CLOSE! Vokes almost replies instantly as he runs off the shoulder of the last defender. He's picked out by a willing ball from O'Neill, but can only guide his shot across the face of goal and wide of the target.

Dyche will be fairly happy with what he has seen in the first 25 minutes here. His side have gradually grown into the contest and now look like the more dominant side. They'll be keen to get on the scoresheet sooner rather than later, though...

The visitors have controlled the past few moments with some neat possession football. Strangely, there's a dog sitting on a nearby roof watching the game with its owners...

Burnley opt for something long this time as Vokes reaches a flick-on that almost meets the run of Jutkiewicz in behind his marker. Luckily for Stanley, Hughes gets across and is able to clear the danger.

YELLOW CARD! Vokes goes into the book following a late challenge on Pearson after losing the ball inside the Stanley half. Frustration, mainly...

After a bright start, Stanley haven't really been able to get their collective foot on the ball in the first half. They might just be looking for the counter or to take advantage of set-pieces as we go for. Burnley have moved into a strong position but still don't have that vital goal to show for it.

ALMOST! Burnley nearly carve out an opener as Gudmundsson breaks in behind the home defence, only to be thwarted by Parish who races off his line to intercept. The Clarets come back again not long after though through Kightly, who beats his marker before flashing a shot across goal. It looks like Jutkiewicz might get a toe to it, but Accrington get a reprieve as his slide comes to nothing.

YELLOW CARD! The ball goes into McCartan and he produces yet another rash challenge, this time on Long. He manages to get away with it, although Conneely goes into the book following some back-chat.

Accrington get a cheap free kick over on the right channel, leaving McConville with the chance to turn something into the area. His cross is poor, however, allowing Long to head away the danger. Pretty safe at the back for Burnley.

Things have just quietened down over the past few minutes and you can't hear a peep out of the home fans. Burnley come forward through Darikwa down the right, whose cross is a poor one and goes out for a goal kick with troubling Parish.

We're going to have two minutes of additional time...

HALF TIME: ACCRINGTON STANLEY 0-0 BURNLEY

So the referee calls time on a fairly intriguing first half at the Crown Ground. Burnley have looked much the better side although their play in the final third has not been completely up-to-scratch. Jutkiewicz's chance was clearly the best of the half, but Accrington will look to that Hughes effort as an opportunity spurned too. The Clarets will still fancy winning this, though, given their quality on the bench and their dominance in that first 45.

What will Dyche do then as we await the start of the second half? Probably not too much for the first few stages, but if his side are unable to open the door he'll surely look to that strong bench for an answer.

KICKOFF! Burnley get things going again here, hopefully we'll have a bit more action in the second offering of 45...

We've already settled back down into that turgid pace of the first half as Burnley knock the ball around at the back.

Finally some invention! Kightly and Gudmundsson combine nicely to set in the former on the turn. All he has to do is find Vokes in the box, but his cross is a terrible one and Stanley clear the ball without trouble.

That was close! Parish rushes off his line to claim the ball with Vokes on his shoulder. Hughes doesn't quite communicate with his keeper and sends a header beyond his own stopper, before scrambling back with just enough time to make up for his original mistake.

CLOSE! Almost now for Vokes who takes a ball down brilliantly and his eyes light up on the turn just inside the Accrington box. Thankfully for the hosts, Donacien cuts across the striker with half a second to spare and is able to prevent the striker from getting a shot away on goal.

SHOT! Vokes finds more space now and he dips his shoulder before striking a dipping effort from distance, which Parish flicks over the crossbar for a corner. The Clarets cannot profit from the set-piece as Beckles gets a head to the corner.

CHANCE! More possession from Burnley now but it isn't really getting them anywhere as Stanley stand firm at the back. The visitors need to up the tempo here if they want to get the better of their opponents. Vokes produces a telling run into the area, though, where he dinks a cross over for Jutkiewicz, who can only head wide with the goal gaping. Much better, more of that please...

The more this stalemate holds the more confident Accrington will be of snatching something. They have done very little in the second half but a moment of brilliance or a set-piece could easily change that. Burnley really need this first goal...

Might Dyche look to that bench soon? You'd think that the pace and strength of somebody like Gray might turn the tide of this game pretty quickly. The visitors will surely want to get this done inside 90 minutes too. No activity on the bench just yet, though.

CLOSE! Stanley almost carve something out of the blue here... It comes via the pace of O'Sullivan who has the beating of Flanagan. His cross almost picks out McCartan, but Long clears at the back-post after the striker stumbles and misses his kick.

SUBSTITUTION: Dyche makes a change that could shake things up here. Andre Gray comes on to replace Vokes up front... McCarten also comes off for Stanley and is replaced by Rommy Boco.

SHOT! Some wonderful approach play has the home fans applauding as the ball is switched over to McConville on the right. He opens up his body and strikes a shot towards Pope, who holds without trouble down low.

Burnley aim to make some progress down the right channel through Gudmundsson, who eventually cuts inside before flashing a shot straight at Parish in the centre of the Stanley goal.

The Clarets are just sharpening up now and they nearly go ahead when Darikwa finds some room down the right wing. The full-back gets his cross into the box, where Hughes intercepts the danger with Gray lurking inside the penalty area.

O'Sullivan is creating a little bit of bother for Flanagan over on the right. The winger gets the beating of his marker this time, before seeing his cross cleared away by Lon, who has dominated at the back this evening.

YELLOW CARD! Ulvestad goes into the book for Burnley as he is unable to pinch the ball away to prevent a Stanley counter. The first goal will likely win this contest.

SUBSTITUTION: Burnley make another change, this time as Kightly is replaced by Scott Arfield.

Wonderful skill from O'Neill sees the midfielder skip away from his man in the centre of the pitch. He attempts to play in Gray, but Beckles is across to cover in time.

Burnley continue to dominate at the moment but they are bereft of that bit of quality in and around the Stanley area. It looks like we're heading into extra time here...

CHANCE! Accrington almost win it late on... Boco makes terrific progress down the right and he picks out Lacey in the middle of the box. The substitute can't quite adjust his feet in time and Burnley just about recover to block his shot.

CHANCE! Now a chance for Burnley to steal it... Darikwa races down the right channel before getting his head up to pick out Gray at the near post. The striker side foots towards goal, but his effort goes beyond the far post and wide.

Three minutes of additional time, will we get some late drama?

CHANCE! What a moment for Parish! The ball runs through the Accrington box where Jutkiewicz cuts the ball back into the path of an unmarked Gray. The Stanley keeper reads the danger, though, and races off his line to smother Gray's shot.

SCORES ARE LEVEL AFTER 90 MINUTES - WE'RE GOING TO EXTRA TIME!

KICKOFF! We're back underway in extra time now. Burnley were looking likely to make something happen during the final stages of normal time. Can they find a winner in the added 30 minutes?

Stanley have started positively here but no chances to speak of just yet. The hosts have had Burnley penned in their own half in the opening stages of extra time. At best this game has been industrious, not really one for the neutrals...

Gudmundsson's pace causes some issues for Pearson down the right channel, but he cannot make the most of the space having jinked inside to get off a fairly tame shot towards Parish.

You'd think that a mistake might just decide this contest at the moment. Both sides have had possession before carelessly giving it away. It's been the final ball that's proved the real problem for Burnley, who have seen attack after attack break down at the important moment.

CLOSE! Davies winds up in a bit of space following a poor Burnley clearance. The Accrington man fires off his shot which takes a wicked deflection and loops just over Pope's crossbar. You can almost hear that sigh of relief from the Burnley men.

CLOSE! Burnley come back now through Arfield down the right channel and he has the beating of his marker. His shot produces a good save down low from Parish before Stanley hoof away rather desperately.

HALF TIME IN EXTRA TIME AND WE'RE STILL LEVEL AT 0-0!

Burnley get the game going in the final offering of extra time. Can somebody find that vital goal? My money's on Burnley after that first period...

You can clearly tell that we're deep into a game in the early stages of the season. The pace has slowed right down now as Burnley crowd around the Stanley box. Still nothing moves for either side, attritional is the word I'm looking for!

SAVE! Wonderful save from Burnley stopper Pope. The hosts scramble the ball down the right where a cross is put in for Boco. The substitute thinks that he's done enough to score, only for the Clarets stopper to somehow get a hand to the effort down low.

Burnley have ditched the possessional stuff now and they're aiming to just get the ball forward to Gray and company. This time O'Neill shifts to find some space only to see his effort dip just wide of Parish's post.

The standard of football has suffered in the last few minutes as penalties loom on the horizon. Both sides are evidently tired and it seems like we're just waiting for the inevitable now...

The players are clearly running on empty at the moment but that does not really excuse Burnley's lack of quality in the final third throughout the evening. They've had so much of the ball but have done little with it.

GOAL! ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1-0 BURNLEY (Matty Pearson)

They've done it! The hosts get a corner and the two big defenders go forward to challenge inside the area. Somehow the ball breaks kindly to an unmarked Pearson at the back-post, who takes his time before lashing confidently beyond Pope.

FULL TIME: ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1-0 BURNLEY

What an ending to a rather drab game as the minnows provide a relative giant-killing in the second round of the EFL Cup. The home side now move into the third round for the first time in their history. What a remarkable achievement. Burnley just did not do enough to win this fixture... That's going to be all from me tonight, thanks for joining us!

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