Match Report: Stamford vs. Brigg Town, 24th Sep 2011

The former Posh defender-turned-Daniels chief’s touchline antics are enough to make those of Martin O’Neill appear mundane.

He heads every ball, makes every tackle and is not afraid to tell his players what he thinks. It’s also clear that being employed as a drinks bottle by Stamford AFC is a precarious business.

Clark didn’t react too kindly to one visiting fan’s request for him to return to his tiny technical area at the Premier Kitchens Arena either. You suspect a leash might be required to prevent him prowling like a man possessed while his team aim to mount a promotion challenge.

But Clark had every right to react angrily to the two goals conceded by his side in the opening half of a contest - watched by a season’s best turnout of 238 - which ultimately cost Stamford their 100 per cent home record.

The first blot on the copybook arrived just four minutes in when they unwisely gifted marauding Brigg full-back Liam Davis a clear run down the right. Although his wickedly swerving cross was plucked out at the near post by on-loan Posh goalkeeper Alex Archer, forward Bruno Holden was on hand to mop up the scraps.

Stamford’s response was impressive and immediate as striker Sam Mullarkey classily struck an equaliser from 15 yards, but failings at the other end had them in trouble again.

A dozing back-line failed to heed the warning as Brigg regularly attempted to get wideman Lawrence Heward in behind.

The first time that happened he trod on the ball and went base over apex with just Archer to beat, but there was no mishap when he burst through again 11 minutes before the break.

Parts of Clark’s half-time address to his mis-firing players were apparently heard a few junctions up the A1, but whatever he said clearly did the trick. The real Stamford – the side that uses the grass and prides itself on slick passing while playing at a high tempo - appeared for the second period.

Star wideman Lee Beeson was a constant menace down the right. He forced one fine save and flashed another shot just wide before Brigg defender Joe Lamplough took to unconventional means to try to stop him.

Pinching and tickling proved just as unsuccessful as tackling though for a player soon substituted as plenty more Stamford men went close. Michael Jacklin’s effort from a corner deflected inches wide and Gary King’s blast was kept out by a brilliant last-ditch block.

It was pretty much one-way traffic but Stamford were reliant on a fine one-on-one save from Archer to keep their hopes alive and that proved a key moment when they finally forced a leveller soon after.

King was the man to come up trumps when slotting into an empty net after winning a challenge with keeper Tom Woodhead.