Saturday 15th September

FA CUP Qualifying Round 1

STAMFORD 5 SPALDING UNITED 0

The Daniels notched up their biggest FA Cup win for twenty two years overwhelming a Spalding side including eight ex-Stamford players in the closing stages of this derby tie at the Vic Couzens Stadium. The opening goal arrived 16 minutes in when Leon Mettam’s pass set up Adam JONES to beat Gareth Jones in the Tulips goal with a low shot.

Spalding suffered a further setback when one of the ex-Stamford contingent Danny George was forced out of the action through injury. Ben Garrick was narrowly too high for the visitors after Dave Frecklington’s quick free kick caught out the Daniels rearguard, while at the other end Tyrone Kirk’s solo run ended with a shot which bounced to safety off the top of the crossbar.

Stamford doubled their lead in the final minute of the first half, Chris Sanna’s long clearance flicked into space by Kevin Childs for Martin WORMALL to expertly lob the stranded Jones. Former Stamford favourite Garath Pritchard missed two chances to haul the Tulips back into the contest early in the second half, before three goals in the space of seven minutes wrapped up the Daniels’ place in the next round.

Kirk’s accurate cross was met with a diving header from Spalding defender Mark HONE into his own net after 70 minutes and two minutes later Andy Toyne’s ball into the box found Tony BATTERSBY who found the net as Jones punched the ball onto him. The pick of the nap hand came after 77 minutes when Wormall’s superb crossfield pass played in Daniel FRENCH to finish clinically as Jones advanced.

By now the Tulips were a broken side and further chances went begging in the closing minutes.

Stamford: Sanna, Burns (Toyne 61), Colkin, White, Jones, Marshall, Kirk, Childs (Battersby 61), Mettam (Jacques 55), Wormall, French. Sub not used: Hallcro. Attendance: 319.

Saturday 22nd September

BUXTON 2 STAMFORD 3

The Daniels picked up their first away points on Saturday with victory in this thrilling contest at the Silverlands. Attacking football was the order of the day from the off with Chris Sanna quickly into action to thwart Andy Parton and the recalled Tony Battersby chipping over after Tyrone Kirk’s shot was blocked.

With just 19 minutes played a tactical change saw Robert Hughes introduced in place of Kirk and a switch to three at the back. Stamford took the lead after 25 minutes, BATTERSBY heading in from Daniel French’s left wing corner.

The dangerous Anthony Foster twice went close for Buxton and as the home side stepped up the pressure late in the half goalline clearances from Bobby White and Adam Jones denied Paul Walker and Michael Towey, the latter after Sanna had taken the pace off the shot. Early in the second half great control by Battersby created a chance out of nothing only for the wide travelled striker to shoot over.

Buxton levelled after 55 minutes when a disputed free kick just outside the box was superbly converted by half time substitute Steve RIDLEY. Stamford came back and home keeper Scott Hartley did brilliantly to turn away a top corner bound French effort.

The Daniels regained the lead after 59 minutes when Jones crossed, Martin Wormall cut the ball back and Lee MARSHALL threaded his shot through a crowded penalty area into the net. Sanna performed heroics to preserve the lead with his best save a point blank stop from Walker whose initial shot struck the post.

Buxton equalised after 78 minutes in controversial circumstances. Sanna collected a cross only to be blatantly fouled by home substitute Anthony Bingham and Bucks record marksman Mark REED slotted home after the referee gave the nod to play on. Five minutes later it was the home side whose fans were up in arms after Leon Mettam stumbled under Scott Maxfield’s challenge, the penalty awarded on the assistant’s signal after the man in the middle waved play on.

The drama still wasn’t over as METTAM’s spot kick was parried by Hartley only for the ex-Lincoln City man to follow up and smash the loose ball into the net. Stamford still had to negotiate seven minutes of stoppage time as Buxton pressed for an equaliser, and the home side were denied right at the death as Sanna plunged to his right to turn a Reed shot round the post.

Stamford: Sanna, White, Colkin, Jones, Piercewright, Burns, Kirk (Hughes 19), Marshall (Julian 76), Battersby, Wormall (Mettam 60), French.

Tuesday 25th September

LINCOLN UNITED 0 STAMFORD 1

The Daniels avenged their defeat in the Lincolnshire Senior Shield with this win over a rugged Whites side at Ashby Avenue on Tuesday evening. In the first half Lincoln enjoyed the majority of the attacking play but Stamford stood up to their hosts’ direct football and Chris Sanna wasn’t greatly overworked. He smothered a Justin Jenkins effort midway through the half and dealt competently with a long range Chris Glarvey free kick but was otherwise untroubled.

A sharp turn and shot wide by Leon Mettam from a rare half chance was Stamford’s most noteworthy effort until the closing stage of the half. The contest hotted up towards the end of the first half. Scott Taylor, an early substitute for the injured Bobby White, cleared off the line from Jenkins before featuring at the other end with a well struck free kick saved at full stretch by Ben Scott in the home goal.

The home keeper was again brought into action in stoppage time to tip over Lee Marshall’s dipping volley. The second half provided more entertainment with Mettam and Daniel French having chances for Stamford and Gavin Knight going close for Lincoln.

The Daniels broke the deadlock after 83 minutes. From French’s corner Martin Wormall laid the ball off for Tony BATTERSBY to fire home despite a defender’s attempts to clear off the line. Lincoln piled on late pressure but it was Stamford who looked dangerous on the counter attack and it needed a fine save from Scott to keep Wormall off the scoresheet after skipper Lee Colkin’s diagonal pass played the striker in.

Stamford: Sanna, White (Taylor 28), Colkin, Jones, Julian, Burns (Hughes 10), Kirk (Wormall 60), Marshall, Battersby, Mettam, French.

Saturday 29th September

FA CUP Qualifying Round 2

STAMFORD 3 GEDLING TOWN 1

The Daniels overcame the stubborn resistance of Gedling Town to reach the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round for the first time since 1985.

An even first half saw Leon Mettam graze the outside of the post for Stamford after 18 minutes and Bobby White rescue the Daniels three minutes later with a goalline clearance from Alan Jeffries who had rounded home keeper Chris Sanna.

Stamford went ahead after 43 minutes when an inswinging corner from skipper Lee Colkin deceived visiting custodian Louis Spriggs and found the net at the far post.

In the dying seconds of the first half a lack of concentration by the Daniels was punished as Jeffries crossed for strike partner Phil Massingham to haul Gedling on terms.

The outcome remained in the balance until two well taken goals from Daniel French turned the tie Stamford’s way.

The wide man’s first moment of magic arrived after 65 minutes when he met Mettam’s deep cross with a stunning volley which flew in off the far post.

Ten minutes later the win was sealed by a second from French who raced onto substitute Kevin Child’s defence splitting through to ball to slot home.

Stamford: Sanna, White, Colkin, Bowater (Kirk h/t), Julian, Marshall, Wormall, Hughes (Childs 65), Battersby, Mettam (Toyne 71), French. Subs not used: Taylor, Hallcro. Attendance 283.