NOVEMber 2007

Saturday 3rd November

Unibond League Challenge Cup Round 3

North Ferriby 3-1 STAMFORD

The Daniels’ cup interest for the season came to an end on the banks of the Humber on Saturday as struggling hosts North Ferriby overturned an interval deficit to progress to Round Four of the UniBond League Cup.

A low key first half saw little goalmouth action until the 20th minute when Lee Marshall’s run into the box was halted illegally by Paul Foot and Tony BATTERSBY scored from the penalty spot for the second week running.

Stamford controlled the game for the remained of the half without creating many clear openings. Scott Taylor was closest to a second goal heading over from a Daniel French cross.

The second half was a different story. The Daniels made all three substitutions at the break but they didn’t really work as the home side seized the initiative.

Ferriby equalised when Danny Ryan beat goalkeeper Chris Sanna to a long ball forward on the hour and nine minutes later the home side were in front. James McGarry’s shot flew past Sanna only to strike the post and Alex Davidson slotted home the loose ball.

Stamford found themselves forced back as Ferriby dominated proceedings striking the woodwork on a number of occasions with Sanna also making some good saves to keep the Daniels in the game.

Stamford finished strongly but both Leon Mettam and Steve Julian failed to hit the target from Scott Taylor crosses.

Stamford: Sanna, Taylor, Colkin (Julian h/t), Towers, Wall, Marshall, Maddox (Kirk h/t), Hughes, Battersby (Mettam h/t), Wormall, French.

Attendance:96.

Tuesday 6th November

Matlock Town 3-1 STAMFORD

The Daniels missed the opportunity to move into the top half of the table as they suffered their second defeat at Causeway Lane in a fortnight.

Just about everything that could have gone wrong on the night did so, starting with an accident on the M1 which delayed the arrival of manager, several players and the kit, causing a fifteen minute delay to the kick off. A further setback saw loanee defender Stuart Wall injure an ankle warming up forcing a change in the starting line up, Robert Hughes stepping in and Steve Towers moving to a defensive role.

As for the match itself, Stamford felt that key decisions went against them during the contest. Understandably the Daniels were sluggish at the start and Chris Sanna was brought into early action to thwart Gary Webster.

The Gladiators also had their injury problems with both Simon Barraclough and Matty Caudwell departing early through injury. Despite these setbacks the home side had the better of the first half and Lee Colkin headed off the line from Steve TAYLOR, who broke the deadlock after 24 minutes with a spectacular overhead kick.

The match turned decisively against Stamford after 53 minutes. Taylor surged into the box and was brought down by Towers who was red carded. Laurence HALL sent Sanna the wrong way from the spot, but Daniels fans were aggrieved that a handball in the move leading to the penalty was missed by the officials. Colkin cleared off the line from James Pidcock as Matlock threatened to run riot, but the ten men settled down to enjoy their best spell of the game. They had a good shout for a spot kick of their own ignored by the officials when Leon Mettam appeared to be impeded by Paul Riley.

Stamford were back in the game after 68 minutes when METTAM punished misjudgement by Glenn Kirkwood and chipped Andy Richmond who got a hand to the ball but couldn’t prevent it crossing the line. Five minutes later the Gladiators were home and dry with a controversial goal. A foul on Rob Maddox in the centre circle went unpunished and Taylor surged into the box before going to ground easily as Steve Julian challenged. The assistant flagged for the spot kick which was converted by HALL although Sanna got his fingertips to the ball.

Stamford didn’t give up with Richmond saving a Mettam header and then turning away a top corner bound drive from Maddox.

Stamford: Sanna, Taylor, Colkin, Hughes (Wornall 60), Julian, Marshall, Maddox, Towers, Battersby, Mettam, French (Kirk 67).

Attendance: 193. Mercury Man of the Match: Colkin.

Saturday 10th November

STAMFORD 1-1 Kendal Town

On a grim day at the windswept Vic Couzens Stadium two teams lacking in confidence played out a dull stalemate with little excitement to cheer a disappointing crowd.

Stamford were without goalkeeper Chris Sanna due to a shoulder injury with Boston United’s second choice custodian Chris Wright stepping into the breach. With top scorer Leon Mettam suspended Martin Wormall was handed a starting shirt. Tony Battersby blazed over early on for Stamford before a good move involving Tyrone Kirk and Lee Marshall set up Martin Wormall whose shot was well saved by David Newnes in the visiting goal. Towards the interval Wright was called upon to prove his worth with good saves at the near post from the lively Zach Clark.

Stamford took a 55th minute lead when Battersby controlled well on the right of the penalty area before crossing for Daniel FRENCH to fire home.

The lead lasted barely 90 seconds as Stamford’s vulnerability to set pieces resurfaced once again. A controversially awarded free kick in a central position saw Michael COLE’s shot find a hole in the wall and the corner of Wright’s net. Kendal grew in confidence after the goal and almost took the lead after 73 minutes, but Scott Taylor cleared off the line from Craig Hobson to keep the Daniels on terms.

Most of Stamford’s best football involved French and late on the flank player almost won the contest for Stamford after taking a return pass from Battersby to cut in from the left.

Stamford: Wright, Taylor, Colkin (White 72), Wall, Jones, Marshall (Hughes 35), Kirk, Towers, Battersby, Wormall, French. Sub not used: Julian.

Attendance: 205.

Saturday 17th November

STAMFORD 0 BUXTON 1

The Daniels are now without a win in eight matches after this reverse against a Buxton side unbeaten on their travels this season, and a turnaround in fortunes is now needed urgently if the season is not to become a battle for survival.

Chris Sanna returned between the posts for Stamford while Martin Wormall and Tyrone Kirk were both excluded from the squad after missing midweek training. Leon Mettam was back in the line up after serving his one match ban and John Burns was named on the bench.

Stamford started playing three men at the back, skipper Lee Colkin in front of the defence, four in midfield and two up front but later reverted to 4-4-2.

The first half saw opportunities for Tony Battersby early on and Steve Towers late in the half but in between the Bucks had the better of things and Sanna was kept busy making fine saves from Paul Walker, James Turley and Steve Ridley to keep the interval scoresheet blank.

Buxton took a deserved lead after 48 minutes although it was a bad goal to concede with Scott Taylor’s wayward pass gifting the visitors possession and Paul WALKER made the most of the opportunity with a clever chip over the advancing Sanna.

Stamford raised their game after that and Scott Hartley in the visiting goal saved well from Mettam with Battersby failing to hit the target with his follow up.

Grant Black then came to Buxton’s rescue clearing Stuart Wall’s header off the line at a corner.

Towers forced Hartley to save from distance but the Daniels could find no way through in a half that became fractious in the closing stages.

Stamford: Sanna, Wall (White 73), Julian, Jones, Colkin, Marshall (Burns 84), Taylor (Hughes 64), Towers, Battersby, Mettam, French.

Attendance: 306.

Saturday 24 November

FRICKLEY 2-1 STAMFORD

Stamford’s dismal run of results continued on Merseyside on Saturday as a goal four minutes into stoppage time condemned them to their ninth reverse of the campaign.

Both sides had early chances with Darren Byers running onto a long clearance only for Chris Sanna in the Daniels goal to save while at the other end Leon Mettam failed to hit the target after Robert Hughes and Martin Wormall combined.

Sanna made a fine tip over from Karl Connelly who then had another effort blocked by Scott Taylor.

Prescot took a 33rd minute lead when Colin Flood collected a throw in and crossed for Gavin LYNCH to steer the ball under Sanna.

Stamford upped their game in the second period and with eight minutes of the half played the scores were level. The home defence failed to clear a Danny French corner and Tony Battersby played the ball across goal four Adam JONES to head home.

The Daniels went on to dominate the second half although with the final ball often missing chances were scarce.

Wormall charged down a clearance only for the ball to drop narrowly the wrong side of the post, and there was heartbreak for the Daniels four minutes into time added on. A French cross was intercepted and a long clearance put the home side on the attack, which ended with substitute Sean TIERNEY heading home.

Stamford: Sanna, Taylor, Colkin, Jones, Julian, Marshall, Wormall, Hughhes, Battersby (Kirk), Mettam, French. Subs not used: Wall, White.

Attendance: 168.

On Saturday Stamford host bottom club Frickley Athletic at the Vic Couzens Stadium with a 3 p.m. kick off.