7th March 2007

CORBY TOWN U18s 0 STAMFORD AFC U18s 1

 Inspired by a resolute defence in which goalkeeper Jones was outstanding Stamford U18s became the first team to beat Corby U18s this season as they triumphed by 1-0 at Corby. This result was thoroughly deserved and could have been more emphatic if the run of the ball had gone the visitors way. Indeed Asher was close to opening the scoring early on but headed just wide, Kemp troubled the home defence as a lone striker with his pace and Oliver was prominent throughout the game down the left hand side. After shots from Hardy, Kemp and Oliver were saved Corby came back into the game but the defence of Butler, Sparks, Firman and Vorley were in fine form and held the Corby attackers at bay with strong tackling and heading when required. Behind them Jones was in inspirational form and one double save in particular was sensational. However, it was not all one way traffic as Stamford broke quickly at times to threaten the home defence and Oliver's shot was close to opening the deadlock. When Stamford did take the lead Hardy was the instigator with a peach of a quick free kick that was ince perfect for Oliver to run onto and fire home (0-1). Just before the interval Asher was upended in the box after a good run but the referee denied the visitors the penalty. After half-time, Corby stepped up the pace but although Sparks had been replaced owing to injury Bashford came on and played solidly in a still strong back four. However, Corby were awarded a clear-cut penalty after Jones, having made a great stop, brought down the attacker in the box. The penalty was brilliantly saved by Jones and Stamford drew inspiration from this great effort and went looking for a second goal. Kemp was unlucky with his shot that hit the keeper, the tireless McDonald smashed a shot against the woodwork from a tight angle and Oliver was still creating problems with his overlapping wing play. Pegged back by a Corby side desperate to retain their unbeaten record, Hardy and Whylie came into their own with some strong defending and corners in quick succession were cleared by them as Corby pressed forward. This was the home side's final effort though and Stamford gamely held on to earn their best reult this season in a well-deserved victory. Given that senior players missed this game through illness and injury and others were pressed into playing when not 100% fit due to lack of numbers this victory was just the tonic management, players and supporters deserved.

 Jones, Butler, Sparks (Bashford), Firman, Vorley, McDonald, Asher, Hardy, Whylie, Oliver(1), Kemp (Wright)

14th March 2007

  THRAPSTON TOWN U18's 1 STAMFORD AFC U18's 1

With several changes once more to the starting lineup Stamford immediately took the game to their opponents with Oliver and left back Vorley prominent in the early exchanges. Thrapston were playing deep with many players back in defence in order to deny Stamford space. Consequently with the exception of a couple of crosses which fizzed across the area which no-one could get on the end of, chances were at a premium. However a goal did come midway through the first half when from a rare break a shot rebounded to a striker who gleefully gave the Thrapston team the lead. Back came Stamford and despite plenty of possession half time came with them still a goal in arrears. The second half started with Stamford again dominating but just lacking the creative spark required to break down a resolute defence. Harrison returning from long term injury replaced Brennan himself returning from missing the previous game and shortly after Morrison replaced the excellent Bashford who was victim of a dubious tackle. At this stage Stamford went to three at the back and pushed further players forward.

  The lively Harrison crossed for the hardworking Kemp who slid in six yards out to bring a superb blocking save from the home keeper. kemp was not to outdone though and with the minutes ticking away he spun his marker to unleash a brilliant left foot shot into the roof of the net. In the remaining time left Stamford went in search of a winner which was not to be against a team who were obdurate and worked hard. For Stamford another example of their never say die effort and their ability to keep going to the final whistle.

Stamford : Tunstall, Butler, Vorley, Asher, Firman, Bashford,(Morrison) McDonald, Whyley, Kemp(1), Brennan,(Harrison) Oliver Sub not used Jones

28th March 2007

STAMFORD AFC U18's 3 CORBY TOWN U18's  0

An excellent home win by Stamford U18s against League high flyers Corby U18s was well deserved in a fiesty local derby on Wednesday night. A resolute back four of Butler, Firman, Sparks and Hardy restricted the Northants outfit to minimal chances throughout the match and a confident Jones in goal dealt comfortably with any danger that arose. With this solid platform as a base a strong, hard working midfield unit of McDonald, Whylie, Vorley, Oliver and Asher combined to create most of the scoring chances in a tight first half when defences were on top. Kemp worked tirelessly to get into the channels and harassed the visitors defence which were pressurised by his determination. Indeed, a succession of Stamford corners looked like the best way of unlocking Corby's defence and from one such early corner a Whyley header was just saved by the keeper and Kemp hit the rebound just past the post. Asher was next to get a shot away but his effort failed to test the keeper from just outside the box. Stamford were on top but as half time approached the teams looked like going in level at 0-0 before the home team struck with 2 goals in as many minutes. WHYLEY headed past the keeper from a corner, and as Corby struggled to regroup OLIVER beat a couple of defenders straight from the kick off and his shot beat the keeper on his near post. The second half continued in the same vain for the first 20 mins with Stamford playing some good football as they pushed Corby deep in their own half. BRENNAN came on for the excellent Kemp and was immediately in action netting a rebound from a fine save to make the score 3-0 to the young Daniels. Unfortunately, the game degenerated somewhat at this point as physical battles took precedence over football leading to the sending off of a Corby player for violent conduct. When the game concluded with a fine league double over their local rivals the home side could reflect on the progress they have made since the start of the season.

Stamford: Jones, Butler, Firman, Sparks, Hardy, McDonald, Asher, Whyley (1), Oliver (1) (Bosher), Vorley, Kemp (Brennan (1))

4th APRIL 2007

STAMFORD AFC U18's 3 ROTHWELL TOWN U18's 2

Stamford's Young Daniels continued their run of wins against top opposition with a closely fought victory against Rothwell Town. This developing young team had to work hard to gain the upper hand against opponents still hoping to clinch the league title. Indeed the early exchanges were very even and neither team had created any real chances when a Stamford breakaway led to the first goal. Breaking from defence McDonald played Kemp in with a great through ball and in a one-to-one with the visiting keeper, the lone striker netted with a well placed shot. Almost straight away, tricky play by the Rothwell winger allowed him to slip past 3 defenders to equalize with a neat finish. Another through ball, this time from Sparks to Asher, saw the midfielder fire his shot over the bar as the halftime whistle went with the score at 1-1. Rothwell forced the early pace in the 2nd 45 minutes and Jones had to scramble to tip a cross shot onto the bar and over for a corner which came to nothing. Whylie and Vorley had now started to play more forward and as a result were able to support Kemp more often. Indeed, a fine pass from Vorley to Oliver allowed the latter to send Kemp in on goal and once again the improving youngster finished well to put the home side ahead again. Whylie had a great chance to put the game beyond a good passing side in Rothwell but his header from Vorley's free kick went wide. Unfortunately, more trickery by the Rothwell winger resulted in a cross that was headed out by Sparks but a Rothwell player volleyed a shot underneath an unsighted Jones to equalize at 2-2. At this point the new resilience of this young team kicked in and 3 substitutions galvinised Stamford to go on and search for a winner. With Firman playing well at the back the home side could push forward collectively and Harrison and Brennan created problems for Rothwell from the outset. For the second week running determined running from Brennan chasing a lost cause went in his favour and he beat the keeper to the ball to fire home the winner at 3-2. Another great win with some dogged performances from everyone was evidence of the progress being made by this side who looked capable of finishing in the top 4 in their first season.

 Jones, Butler, Firman, Sparks, Bashford (Harrison), McDonald, Asher, Vorley, Whyley, Oliver (Bosher), Kemp (2) (Brennan 1)