Cammel Laird 0 Accrington Stanley 1 - IAN Craney scored the winning goal as Stanley’s first team got their first run out against UniBond Premier side Cammell Laird on Saturday
John Mullin and Colin Murdock made their Reds’ debuts while left back Chris King is still waiting for international clearance from Wales to play for Stanley.
Midfielder Mullin played in a first half which included Ian Dunbavin, Leam Richardson, Andy Procter, Robbie Williams, Andrew Smith and Chris Turner.
In the second half, Paul Mullin parnered Craney up front while Murdock and Phil Edwards looked stable at the back.
Trialist Jimmy Ryan, a former Liverpool trainee, also showed some nice touches in the centre of the park.
In a game of limited chances, Paul Mullin had one effort cleared off the line while Craney finally broke the deadlock in the 75th minute, poking the ball home after the Wirral side failed to clear their lines.
"It is nice to score and good to be back," said Craney who turns 26 this month.
"When you are off in the summer, you always want to come back and get fit and it has been a great few weeks of training. The first game back is always hard, especially as you are just playing half a game but it is all about fitness really.
"It is probably more towards the Burnley game, and the ones after that, that we will start concentrating on how we play - now it is just fitness."
Craney, a subject of two bids from Morecambe last month, can’t wait for the season to start.
"We only have a small squad at the moment but all the lads have worked hard and want to get fit and take this club forward. We should be aiming for the play-offs this season."
The Reds’ record signing Craney played in the striker role but expects a replacement soon.
"We definitely need a striker to help Paul out as he basically gets all the bombardment," he said.
"If he doesn’t score, it doesn’t always tend to happen and we have to take some of the pressure off him.
"Roscoe (Dsane) did well for him last season and we need a nippy forward who can get in behind as it gives the likes of me a greater outlet.
"My best role is in centre midfield but if the gaffer wants me to play elsewhere then I will do my best for him."
EX-RED Graham Branch is expected to sign for Cammell Laird.
