Match Report: Stamford vs. Leek Town, 29th Oct 2011

Stamford’s unbeaten home run came to an end with Leek running out easily the best side seen at the Premier Kitchens Arena this season so far.

Stamford started ok with an early Lee Beeson cross finding Nathan Watson in space but his low shot only found the side netting.

Leek took the lead after five minutes Devon Gibson beating Miles Chamberlain to a long ball and his shot was well saved by Mario Ziccardi only for James McCarthy to be quickest to react to tap the ball home. The lead became two just before the twenty minute mark when a neat ball split the Daniels defence and left Gibson with a one on one which he slid past the out rushing Ziccardi.

Stamford were handed a lifeline on 27 minutes when Gary King took a clattering some 30 yards from goal and Beeson stepped up to fire a free kick into the top corner which left the goalkeeper rooted to the spot which was Lees last goal for the club as he will sign for Corby Town.

The second half was much the same Stamford trying to get back into the game but the Leek defence stood firm throughout and they scored their third on 55 minutes a Sam Mullarkey lost the ball on the halfway line and it was quickly played up to Gibson who played a neat one two with McCarthy and his shot from the edge of the area found the far corner of the net.

Stamford then made some changes with Gregg Smith, Jake Gibson and Andy Toyne all coming on and they tried to get us back into the game.

Beeson managed to bring a reaction save out of visiting keeper Danny Roberts and the resulting corner saw Smiths header cleared off the line by Tim Sanders. Nathan Watson had a good run with the ball and his shot was spilled by the keeper and cleared.

Leek took advantage of the Daniels pushing on and a great run by Devon Gibson and cross to McCarthy saw the best of Ziccardi once again only for him to be let down once again by his defenders as the ball fell to an unchallenged Christian Millar to shoot into the empty net.

Stamford’s last chance fell to Watson, Andy Toyne won the ball really well in midfield and played a great pass over the top to Watson and his first time shot almost caught the keeper out but Roberts somehow managed to tip it over for a corner.

Stamford:- Ziccardi, Cook (Gibson 66), Barrett, Staff, Chamberlain, Pheasant, Beeson, Deane (Toyne 66), King, Mullarkey (Smith 56), Watson

Subs Unused:- Burkett

Att 252

MOM Lee Beeson.