Match Report: Newcastle Town vs. Stamford, 10th Sep 2011

Still without an away league win, Stamford faced a much weaker Newcastle Town than the team who had finished second in the league last season but this season, with many changes to the squad, were struggling to get their season going.

It was another blustery day making the Stamford supporters nervous remembering how poorly the team has played in windy conditions.  Stamford started brightly playing the ball around well but went behind after ten minutes.  Anthony Malbon had been involved in every Newcastle move and it was his teasing cross which set up the goal, beating the Stamford defence and then being driven home at the far post by Kyle Blake.

Four minutes later Newcastle were close to increasing their lead when the Stamford defence struggled to clear a Newcastle corner.

Stamford settled again and took control of the game playing some good football.  The equaliser came on 29 minutes and what a goal.  Lee Beeson beat a couple of defenders before crossing to Sam Mullarkey.  Beeson kept on running and Mullarkey delivered the perfect pass for Beeson to sweep the ball home.

Two minutes later more good play set up Danny Brooks but his shot struck a Newcastle head and out for a corner.  From the corner, the ball went straight through the Newcastle defence to Sam Mullarkey who put the ball away to give Stamford a deserved lead.

A typically strong tackle by Danny Steadman won the ball and then he played a great ball to Jake Gibson.  His shot from 25 yards was dipping under the bar but Dave Dyson in the Newcastle goal stretched to tip the ball over.

Minutes later there was almost a repeat as another corner went straight through to Mullarkey.  This time his shot hit a Newcastle defender and rebounded to Gary King but his header back cleared the bar.

The wind had increased as the half progressed but Stamford had played some good football and deserved their lead.
The first chance of the second half went to Danny Brooks but his 30 yard shot drifted wide of the Newcastle goal.  Minutes later a foul on Beeson gave Brooks a chance with the free kick.  It looked like a goal but Dyson did well again to stretch and turn the ball over the bar.

With hardly a foul in the game, the referee suddenly started showing yellow cards with three Stamford bookings in as many minutes.  That unsettled the team and Newcastle had their best period of the game but were well controlled by the Stamford back four.

At the other end, Miles Chamberlain delivered the perfect ball for Mullarkey to pull away from his marker, but his shot scraped past the post.

There were no more chances for either side but Stamford finished well in control of the game and ended with their first three points of the season away from home.

Stamford:    Mario Ziccardi, Matt Cook, Robbie Maddox, Danny Steadman (Seth Burkett 81), Miles Chamberlain. Michael Jacklin, Lee Beeson (David Staff 74), Danny Brooks, Gary King, Sam Mullarkey, Jake Gibson.  Subs not used:    Jake Walton, Craig Hill.

MOM    Michael Jacklin

Newcastle    Dave Dyson, James Askey, Jack Lane, Dave Harper, Matt Bradbury, Aaron Carter, Kyle Blake (Kyle Diskin 68), Dave Macpherson, Leon Ashman (Curtis Price 62), Anthony Malbon, Greg Daniels.  Subs not used: Jack Harrison, Jake Stribling, Ryan Connor