Hyndburn Tropy

STANLEY'S African international Romuald Boco has played in front of a 95,000 crowd for his country Benin in a clash with Cameroon.

But, despite the fact there was only 277 people at the Interlink for the Hyndburn Trophy on Tuesday night, the debutant celebrated his goal like thousands were watching.

Benin captain Boco got his chance to start for the encounter with North West Counties side Great Harwood for the annual event with Stanley needing to gain some revenge following their penalty loss last season.

Despite manager John Coleman playing his fringe players - and including himself and assistant boss Jimmy Bell on the bench - the score was never in doubt from the sixth minute.

Then the lively Andy Mangan did well to outpace the defence put in a ball which Boco got a slight touch to but Paul Brown, on loan from Tranmere, was there to force the ball over the line at the far post.

Boco then delighted the watching fans with an overhead kick which was narrowly wide as the attacking midfielder showed all his dazzling tricks.

And it was one way traffic in the early stages as Andy Procter was at the hub of everything against his former club and he had a header well saved with Mangan just unable to put the follow up into the net.

Ex-Welsh international goalie Andy Dibble, making his Stanley debut after signing on non contract terms two weeks ago, did have some action as he had to push over a Harwood header.

And he suffered a shaky moment when he was judged to have caught the ball outside his area and he did well to save the resulting free kick.

Then, whatever Boco can do, Mangan can try and do better as he attempted an overhead kick but he, too, couldn't find the back of the net.

Coleman also started ex-Tranmere midfielder Alan Navarro as he looks to earn a contract at the Interlink and youngster Nathan Cross at left back but they couldn't add to the tally and it was 1-0 at half-time.

The Reds, though, soon showed their superiority after the break when Boco raced down the wing and outpaced the Robins' defence and unselfishly set up Mangan in the area for an easy second goal.

And it wasn't long before the crowd was delighting when Boco got the ball on the edge of the area on 61 minutes, tricked his way round the Harwood defence and finished superbly hopefully displaying a glimpse of things to come for the Conference clashes.

He ran away celebrating, showing how much it meant to him to open the scoring for his new side and, if he hadn't already, he certainly had won over the home fans by then.

Boco had played his part in the first three goals but number four came from Procter who did well to set up Paul Brown for his second of the game.

With the game sewn up, number 40, Jimmy Bell, and, 42, John Coleman entered the fray looking for their little bit of glory. But Coleman fired a free kick just over the bar and Bell drilled the ball wide after bursting through with the goal at his mercy.

It ended in celebrations although there was a worry when Boco limped off injured but, as he hasn't played since May, it was just cramp and he is expected to be fine for Saturday.

"We lost this game last season but I think the difference was having me and Jimmy on the bench," joked the manager. "You don't have to use it just show it!

"Jimmy did well to get in there and have a good chance and I got the closest to scoring with a free kick for our team this season. I have told the kitman to put my shirt in the bag for Saturday!

"But I was pleased with the whole attitude of the players. They put on a professional performance, passed the ball well and were keen to work hard. They have given me a few problems for tomorrow's game now but it is better to have that than the team picking itself."

STANLEY TEAM: Dibble, Welch, Brannan, Ventre, Cross, P Brown, Cook, Procter, Navarro, Mangan, Boco. Subs used: Bell, Coleman.