Stanley boss not worried cup thrashing will disrupt Charlton preparation

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Accrington Stanley boss Jon Coleman has brushed aside their midweek 6-1 mauling at Mansfield ahead of Saturday’shome game against Charlton Athletic.

He made six changes for their League Cup tie on Tuesday night and they were on the end of a heavy defeat.

Next up for the Stanley – who finished top of League Two last season – is Charlton at their Crown Ground.

Coleman said: “Let’s get one thing straight – Accrington won’t win this cup and neither will Mansfield.

“It’s just disappointing we couldn’t reward the fans that travelled and earn a few bob out of the competition, which our club does need.

“We’d have got a good payday if we’d got through to the next round but our main priority is the league.

“I can’t take anything away from Mansfield – they were excellent. We had a very young defence and they capitalised on that.”

Charlton manager Lee Bowyer made 10 changes for their 3-0 defeat at Milton Keynes and opted to watch from the stands as Johnnie Jackson took charge.

The Addicks are missing Jake Forster-Caskey, Billy Clarke, Igor Vetokele, Jason Pearce, Tariqe Fosu and Ben Reeves.

The two clubs have only met twice before – in the 1924 FA Cup. A 0-0 draw at Accrington was followed by a 1-0 home victory for the South Londoners.