August 2007

STAMFORD 2 GUISELEY 3

The Daniels made a losing start in the UniBond League Premier Division as Guiseley’s set piece expertise earned them the points.

The game had a lively start with Guiseley taking a third minute lead. Mark Bett’s ball over the defence played in James HENSON who rounded keeper Chris Sanna to slot home.

The Daniels produced an immediate response with Leon Mettam and Daniel French setting up Tony BATTERSBY who fired into the roof of the net with just four minues on the clock.

Guiseley goalkeeper Steve Dickinson produced two exceptional saves in quick succession from Battersby and Adam Jones, and it was the visitors who regained the lead six minutes before the interval. Lee Colkin conceded a free kick in a central position and skipper Richard DUNNING scored direct from the kick.

Two minutes into the second half another free kick doubled Guiseley’s lead with BETT catching Sanna out at the near post.

Stamford struggled to get back into the game but they did produce a rousing finale to the contest. A well worked move ended with FRENCH sliding the ball past Dickinson and just inside the far post after 85 minutes, but heavy late pressure failed to produce a leveller.

Stamford: Sanna, Jones, Colkin (White), Julian, Burrows, Burns, Taylor (Toyne), Childs (Hughes), Battersby, Mettam, French.

ILKESTON TOWN 2 STAMFORD 1

The Daniels suffered their second defeat in the UniBond League on Wednesday going down by the odd goal in three at the New Manor ground.

Stamford could have few complaints as they were second to the ball in all areas for most of the contest but it was frustrating that both home goals arrived from unnecessarily conceded set pieces.

The home side created a couple of half chances early on with Colin Hunter setting up Dougie Wade to fire wide from distance and Barry Woolley glancing a header wide from a set piece.

Ilkeston took the lead after 21 minutes. Adam Jones went up to challenge for a corner to the near post and handled the ball, Adam MULLER converting the spot kick.

A further setback for the Daniels saw skipper Lee Colkin sidelined by a gash to the shin which required hospital treatment, Steve Julian deputising.

Stamford’s first real opening arrived after 36 minutes, Scott Taylor feeding Leon Mettam whose shot was blocked by veteran keeper Paul Pettinger and Taylor shooting narrowly wide from the follow up.

Three minutes before the interval Robert Hughes was caught in possession and a quick Ilkeston break was ended by a foul. From Wade’s free kick the Daniels defence failed to clear their lines and Ross GARDNER volleyed home.

A flicked header from Mettam was just wide as Stamford sought to get back in the game.

The second half was a non event with the Daniels rarely threatening a comeback.

Muller was narrowly wide for Ilkeston early in the half while he turned provider for substitute Jermaine Palmer who was thwarted by Chris Sanna with a quarter of an hour remaining.

Former Ilkeston player John BURNS headed in a Daniel French cross two minutes into stoppage time but it was too little too late for Stamford.

On the evidence of the first two matches the Daniels may need to rethink their style of play if they are to compete successfully in this league.

Stamford: Sanna, White, Colkin (Julian 28), Jones (Childs 62), Burrows, Burns, Taylor (Toyne 62), Hughes, Battesby, Mettam, French.

Attendance: 286.

WITTON ALBION 4 STAMFORD 0

This third successive defeat left the Daniels anchored to the foot of the UniBond League Premier Division on Saturday evening.

A bright start by Stamford promised to banish the memories of two indifferent displays in the opening week of the campaign and Leon Mettam almost made the most of a fine cross by Scott Taylor, only for keeper John Kennedy to save at the second attempt. The optimism evaporated after 14 minutes though when midfielder Robert Hughes was rightly red carded for a kick at Rob Lloyd.

The handicap of playing a man light proved too big a hurdle for Stamford to overcome and they fell behind after 23 minutes when midfielder Mark PEERS cut in from the left and worked his way into space before unleashing a stunning 30 yard shot which left Chris Sanna in the Stamford goal beaten all ends up.

A further setback for Stamford saw Mark Burrows forced out of the action with a dislocated shoulder before the half hour mark.

Witton extended their lead after 38 minutes when Peers swung in a free kick and METTAM headed past his own keeper Sanna in attempting to clear.

A rare Daniels attack saw Mettam’s header from a Taylor cross saved.

The contest was all over on the stroke of half time when Steve Brodie’s cross from the left was swept in by the unmarked Adam WARLOW.

After the restart Albion continued to exploit the space and Stamford were indebted to Sanna who made some good saves and Scott Taylor who made a couple of goalline clearances.

The only goal of the half arrived after 58 minutes. Liam Brownhill surged forward from defence and fed Peers whose measured cross from the left was headed in by Brian PRITCHARD at the far post.

Stamford: Sanna, Taylor, White, Julian, Burrows (Childs 29), Burns, Mettam, Hughes, Battersby, Wormall (Toyne h/t), French. Sub not used: Colkin.

Attendance: 353. Man of the Match: Taylor.

STAMFORD 2-1 MATLOCK TOWN

The Daniels bounced back from their reverse at Witton to claim a first UniBond League success on Monday afternoon with a last gasp winner condemning visitors Matlock to their first defeat of the new campaign.

Stamford handed a debut to former Manchester City player Tyrone Kirk on the right of midfield but were forced to change their plans an hour before kick off when John Burns added to the growing injury list in the warm up.

The opening half hour saw chances at both ends as the game developed into an even contest, but it was the visitors who went in front after 31 minutes when a diagonal pass split the Daniels rearguard and Steve TAYLOR raced through to slot home.

Andy Richmond in the Gladiators’ goal made a superb tip over to keep out Leon Mettam’s free kick as Stamford replied.

The Daniels were presented with a gilt edged chance to level in the first minute of the second half when Mettam was brought down by visiting skipper James Lukic in the box but Tony Battersby’s spot kick cleared the bar by some distance.

An equaliser arrived after 57 minutes with Kirk’s teasing cross from the right met by a deft glancing header from BATTERSBY which was perfectly placed just inside the far post.

The Daniels had a let off after 65 minutes when Ryan Laight headed against the crossbar from Lukic’s knock back while at the other end Mettam’s cross shot was also kept out by the woodwork.

A brilliant save from Sanna in the 90th minute kept out Simon Barraclough’s full blooded volley but in stoppage time it was the Daniels who clinched victory. Substitute Martin Wormall won a tussle with a defender on the right and crossed for METTAM to gleefully smash the ball home.

Stamford: Sanna, Taylor, White, Colkin, Julian, Toyne, Kirk (Wornall 75), Childs, Battersby, Mettam, French.

Subs not used: Hallcro, Hughes.

Attendance: 275.