December 2007

Saturday 1st December

STAMFORD 4 FRICKLEY ATHLETIC 2

The Daniels picked up a vital victory to halt their slide down the UniBond League Premier Division.

As always Stamford forced their supporters to endure the whole range of emotions, building up a three goal lead and allowing their visitors back into the contest before wrapping up the win in stoppage time.

A dire first half hour was almost entirely devoid of goalmouth action but Stamford took a 34th minute lead when a short back pass was intercepted by Leon METTAM who rounded keeper Jon Hood and rolled the ball into the empty net.

The crossbar denied Danny French a second before the interval as the Daniels finally began to produce some football to warm the fans on a chilly afternoon at the Vic Couzens Stadium.

Stamford doubled their lead five minutes into the second half. Robert Hughes and Mettam combined to free Tyrone Kirk on the right and his cross reached the far post where Martin WORMALL fired home.

On 56 minutes the lead was three goals. Hughes laid the ball into the path of French whose perceptive pass sent Mettam running clear of the pedestrian Frickley defence. His run was halted illegally by Chris Hilton and METTAM converted the spot kick himself.

Sloppy defending then allowed Frickley back into the game. They opened their account after 61 minutes when substitute Steve OLEKSCWYCZ headed in from a corner and five minutes later Lee MORRIS diverted the ball home from close range.

It could have been worse for the Daniels as Morris was inches off target two minutes after Frickley’s second goal.

Manager Graham Drury introduced Steve Towers and Tony Battersby to the fray and Battersby missed two opportunities to settle Stamford nerves before Phil Lindley headed narrowly over from another Frickley set piece.

Stamford finally sealed victory in stoppage time. Lee Marshall’s pass sent Mettam away. The Daniels’ top scorer rounded the keeper but was unable to convert, but nonetheless retrieved the ball and squared for BATTERSBY to control, take the ball round Hood and tap in.

Stamford: Sanna, Taylor, White, Julian, Jones, Marshall, Kirk (Battersby 67), Hughes (Towers 67), Mettam,Wormall, French. Sub not used: Colkin.

Attendance: 235.

Saturday 15th December

STAMFORD 1 WITTON ALBION 1

A brave and hard working display by the Daniels saw them hold runaway UniBond Premier Division leaders Witton Albion to a draw at the Vic Couzens Stadium on Saturday.

The tabletoppers played some sparkling football at times, but grit and determination kept Stamford in the contest and their efforts were rewarded as Robert Hughes’s first goal for the club earned the Daniels a precious point.

Stamford started brightly enough although clear chances were few and far between in the opening minutes of the match.

Hughes was off target from distances before Witton posed the first real threat of the match with the impressive Adam Warlow bursting down the right and firing inches wide of Chris Sanna’s right hand post.

The visitors then enjoyed a good spell with Steve Brodie firing wide from the edge of the box and Rod Thornley cutting in from the left to curl a shot against the far post.

Stamford’s first clear opening saw Martin Wormall play strike partner Leon Mettam clear but visiting keeper Jon Kennedy spread himself well to save.

Witton had Stamford pinned back in the closing minutes of the half. Thornley’s clever chip over Sanna was net bound but Scott Taylor chased back to clear the ball via the inside of the post.

Warlow then shot over after a thirty yard run, while in the dying seconds of the half Sanna turned away a fierce strike from the edge of the box from Kyle Wilson.

There was a lively start to the second half an inswinging Daniel French corner deceiving Kennedy and bouncing to safety off the bar, while a Witton break saw Rob Lloyd unleash a goalbound effort which Sanna tipped onto the crossbar.

Kennedy made a superb save from Steve Towers who latched onto Wormall’s flick into space while Mettam cut in from the left only to shoot wide of the target.

Lloyd twice went close with long range efforts before Witton snatched the lead after 75 minutes. Substitute Neil Wood’s pass played BRODIE in behind the Daniels rearguard to fire past Sanna.

The Daniels raised their game and went on the offensive with Mettam narrowly wide with a snap shot before his header from a Taylor cross was saved by Kennedy.

Just five minutes remained when Stamford levelled with a great strike from HUGHES. The former Nottingham Forest youngster had worked hard throughout and impressed with the range of his passing and he showed he could finish too with a great strike, hard and low into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

With a minute to play a clever turn on the edge of the box left Mettam with a chance to win the contest for Stamford, but his shot was too high.

Stamford: Sanna, Taylor, White, Jones (Bowater 65), Julian, Marshall, Towers (Kirk 77), Hughes, Mettam, Wormall, French (Battersby 67).

Attendance: 220. Match sponsors: Warners (Midlands) plc.

The Daniels now hit the road with a trip to North Ferriby on Saturday and to Worksop on Boxing Day. Both matches kick off at 3 p.m. and there will be a coach on Saturday leaving the Vic Couzens Stadium at 10.30 a.m. Bookings can be made with Jeremy Biggs on 07958-288464.