Accrington v Gillingham preview
Friday 3 August 2018 15:39, UK
Accrington begin life in League One with a new striker on their books after securing the permanent signing of Offrande Zanzala from Derby.
The 21-year-old scored one goal in six games on loan last season and has signed a two-year contract at the Wham Stadium.
Boss John Coleman is still hoping to add another couple of new faces, with a goalkeeper top of the list. Aaron Chapman left at the end of last season to join Peterborough, so Jonathan Maxted is set to start Saturday’s clash with Gillingham.
Kayden Jackson is attracting a lot of interest but remains a Stanley player, unlike Janoi Donacien, who left to join Ipswich this week. Teenage striker Ross Sykes will hope to be involved after a strong pre-season, while new signings Will Wood and Sam Finley could make their debuts.
Gillingham are hopeful last season’s leading scorer Tom Eaves will be available for the clash. He has managed just two halves of action during pre-season after suffering an ankle injury but is progressing well, while Conor Wilkinson is battling to be fit following a thigh strain.
There are also doubts over new signing Josh Rees (ankle), Elliott List (shoulder) and Josh Parker (dead leg), but Mark Byrne will not face any further action following his pre-season sending off against Colchester. New signings Barry Fuller, Dean Parrett, Regan Charles-Cook, Brandon Hanlan and Callum Reilly will hope to be involved.
Opta stats
Accrington Stanley will be making their debut in the third tier since their reformation in 1968, only two of the last eight sides playing in League One for the very first time have lost their opening match, Dagenham and Redbridge in 2010 and AFC Wimbledon in 2016.
Gillingham have only won one of their last seven league matches away from home on the opening day (D3 L3), including starting out with a 0-0 draw at Doncaster last season.
Accrington Stanley have won just one of their last five league meetings with Gillingham (D2 L2), losing their last meeting 1-0 back in 2013 in a League Two fixture.
The last three meetings between Accrington and Gillingham at the Wham Stadium have produced 20 goals, including a 7-4 victory for Accrington back in 2010, the most goals Stanley have ever scored in an EFL encounter.
Accrington boss John Coleman has not lost on the opening day since 2009, drawing four and winning two of his last six such matches.
