11th APRIL 2007

DESBOROUGH TOWN U18's 3 STAMFORD AFC U18's 4

Despite the close scoreline Stamford U18s continued their rich vein of form against top 3 opposition by winning comfortably at Desborough by 4-3. Indeed despite an encouraging early start the young daniels conceded a sloppy goal after 10 minutes to go 1-0 down but the measure of this vibrant team is their ability to bounce back quickly and Kemp and Hardy were only thwarted by great saves from the home keeper. A great Vorley through ball gave Kemp a second opportunity but the keeper once again kept his side in it with a fine stop. Not to be denied Stamford turned the game on its head scoring 2 goals in quick succession midway through the 1st half. Whylie headed onto Hardy who fired a rasping shot into the corner of the home net to equalize at 1-1. The, within minutes the same player repeated his first effort with a great drive to put the visitors 2-1 up. Stamford had taken control at this stage and were playing flowing football from back to front and just before halftime Kemp continued his goalscoring spree with an opportunist strike after a great Asher pass had put him one-on-one with the keeper. 3-1 at the break Stamford continued to turn the screw in the 2nd half as Whylie, Vorley, Hardy and Oliver drove their team forward. Kemp provided a superb cross for Asher who headed against the bar with the keeper beaten but Oliver seemed to have put the game out of the hosts reach scoring with a long range effort with his weaker right foot. At 4-1 Stamford appeared to be home and dry as Bashford, Sparks and Firman kept the attackers at bay but a free kick against the run of play resulted in a fine header from the home centre half beating Tunstall to the cross and the score was 4-2. At this point Desborough were on top and resolute defending by all Stamford players was required as the home team pressed forward. Harrison on for Kemp had a great chance creating the opportunity for himself but chipping over the bar with the keeper beaten. Had this gone in the game was over but it inspired Desborough to try again and from a disputed corner the ball was fired home through a ruck of players to make the scoreline appear closer than the game actually was. The game finished with Stamford in the ascendancy and they ran out worthy winners against top opposition for the 3rd game running.

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

17th April 2007

 STAMFORD AFC 5 STEWART & LLOYDS CORBY 1

After an excellent run of victories against top opposition Stamford U18s convincingly despatched a spirited but lowly Stewart & Lloyds XI by 5 goals to one at Stamford on Tuesday night. Nick Hardy was the star of the show with 3 great goals but he was supported by a rampant midfield of Asher, McDonald, Whylie and Vorley who provided a number of goalscoring opportunities for their colleagues. Asher was on target early from a great Whylie pass and Hardy made the most of a defensive mistake to make it 2-0 with 15 minutes gone. Surprisingly, a shaky defence was breached playing a woeful offside trap to reduce the deficit to 2-1 but there is a real difference in this bright young outfit and Hardy soon restored the 2 goal margin with a fine effort to make 3-1. By now it was one way traffic and just before half-time Kemp was onto a through ball from man-of-the-match Hardy to finish effectively and the teams went in at 4-1 to Stamford. The second half was all Stamford and chance after chance came and went without a deserved increase in the scoring. Whylie headed a Sparks free kick over the bar, Firman was unlucky with a header from a corner, McDonald hit the post after great work from Asher & Hardy, Oliver just failed shoot home another inch perfect Sparks free kick and Hardy shot wide after a fine run. At this point Stamford were in full command although Jones on for Tunstall made a great save from a rare Stewart & Lloyds shot. Finally, Hardy chased a lost cause and beat 3 defenders in a mazy run before placing his shot past the keeper to make the final score 5-1 to the home side. A thoroughly deserved victory kept the Young Daniels on course to finish the season in style with a realistic target of 3 more wins to complete the programme. A testament to the progress these lads have made is that all felt that as a team there was room for improvement on the night and better, more clinical finishing, would have earned a more comprehensive victory.

Stamford: Tunstall (Jones), Bashford, Firman, Sparks, Oliver (Bosher), McDonald, Asher (1), Whyley, Vorley, Hardy (3), Kemp (1)

23rd APRIL 2007

STAMFORD AFC 7 STEWART & LLOYDS CORBY 0

Having beaten Stewart & LLoyds (S&L) last week by 5-1 it took a little while for the resurgent Young Daniels team to get going on Monday night's reverse fixture. However, after this sluggish start Stamford took the game to their opponents and began to open up the home defence at will. Indeed a free kick from Sparks found Kemp who fired home before the same player latched on to a great Vorley through ball to beat the keeper and put Stamford 2-0 ahead. Next it was Vorley's turn to score as his fierce drive found the far corner after great work by Oliver set the opportunity up. At 3-0 Stamford passed the ball around confidently at times driven forward by Whyley, Vorley and Hardy who played with a slight injury. After half time Whyley did well to cross the ball before it had gone out of play and a static home defence was punished by Kemp who deserved his hatrick to make it 4-0. Little was seen of the home forwards who were dealt with comfortably by Firman and Sparks, a partnership that has improved over the season. Outside of them full backs Oliver and Bashford proved resolute defenders and quick to join in attacking play to support Kemp the lone striker. Add to that an uncompromising midfield quintet of Whyley, Vorley, Hardy, McDonald and Asher and it was no surprise that Brennan on for Bashford scored his usual goal moments after coming on (5-0) after interplay created his chance. A long Sparks throw was won by Brennan whose tenacity meant that he was able to supply the hard-working McDonald an opening which he brilliantly converted (6-0). Butler came on for Hardy and did well as did Harrison who completed the scoring with a fine effort to make the final score a comprehensive 7-0 to the visiting Stamford U18s. As Wednesdays match against Whitworths was awarded to Stamford 2-0 because they were unable to fulfill the fixture Stamford enjoyed a 6-point week with 9 goals for and none against. The final game against Rothwell Corinthians is at home on Wednesday 2 May KO 7.45.

 Tunstall, Bashford, Sparks, Firman, Oliver, McDonald (1) Hardy Whyley, Vorley (1) Kemp (3) Asher Subs: Brennan (1), Harrison (1)

3rd May 2007

STAMFORD AFC 5 ROTHWELL CORINTHIANS 2

Stamford U18s finished their inaugural season in great style with a 6th victory in 7 games when they beat a spirited Rothwell side by 5-2. Goals from Whyley (2), Harrison and Bosher (2) meant that the young Daniels finished on 38 points some 8 points behind the Champions but in a top 4 position. However, in a season of development, the players have improved as a team and by beating all the top teams in recent fixtures they have shown how much better they have become. Credit to Managers Dave Smith, Nigel Asher and Terry McDonald for their input and the players themselves. Furthermore, Graham Drury's regular visits to watch these youngsters play has also inspired them to produce good individual performances. As many of these young players have played on loan with good local teams and proved themselves at a high standard they now they wish to do the same for Stamford AFC next season. If you have not seen them play this season watch them at Stamford on Bank Holiday Monday next week against Kettering Town U18s KO 11.30am.

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