STANLEY new boy John O’Sullivan admitted it was the ‘perfect’ debut as he scored twice in the 5-4 win at Northampton last Saturday.
New boss John Coleman had barely got his feet back under the table when he signed the midfielder and Sean Maguire on month-long loan deals on Friday.
And the pair made an instant impact as West Ham striker Maguire also got on the scoresheet while O’Sullivan, on loan from Blackburn, grabbed an assist as well as a brace.
“There was a lot of pressure as it was my first game, it was Northampton away and there were a lot of expectations,” said O’Sullivan, 21. “But I got two goals and an assist and I couldn’t ask for a better start.”
For his first goal, O’Sullivan ran onto a long ball, outpaced the defence and kept his composure to slot past keeper Jordan Archer.
“When you are one-on-one you are expected to score and thank goodness I did,” he added. “I hadn’t scored many in pre-season so to score two on my debut is perfect for me.”
For his second, he again had it all to do as he beat two defenders to fire home from a tight angle.
“I beat my man, looked up, saw no-one was in the box and just thought I would score myself,” he said.
“There was nothing else on and I just thought I’d have a go and thankfully it went in. It was a bit nerve-racking after I came off but we held on for a great result.”
O’Sullivan has already played under Coleman on loan at Southport last season and looked like he had played for Accrington all his life.
And he admitted the Stanley players made it easy for him to settle into the Store First Stadium.
“They are a great group of lads,” he said. “There is a good mixture of young lads and a few senior lads and they have all welcomed me from when I came in on Friday. There have been no ifs and buts - they have all made me feel at home.
“It doesn’t matter if I hadn’t scored two or got an assist as long as we won. Now we want to push up the table.
“Gary Bowyer text me on Friday night and I am sure he will be on the phone again,” O’Sullivan added.
“Everyone has been looking out for me, they know the potential I have and I am just happy to get the win for the lads.
“In my month here, I want to help Accrington Stanley and progress as a player.”
Coleman also had Maguire on loan at Sligo Rovers this year and the 20-year-old was delighted to link up again with him and assistant Jimmy Bell.
“As soon as I found out I wanted to come straight here because I know this is a great club,” said Maguire.
“I’m really happy to be here now. I have a good relationship with John and Jimmy so I’m really excited to be working with them again.”
