Match Report: Stamford vs. Lincoln United, 17th Dec 2011

Stamford started this Lincolnshire derby on the front foot and never really looked troubled throughout the match. The first chance came within minutes of the start Bruno Holden cutting inside the box and a smart shot fizzed just wide of the post.

Nathan Watson had a run from halfway beating several Lincoln players on his way he played the ball in to Holden who shot into the side netting. Watson then had a free kick from 25 yards out tipped round the post by Phil McGann in the Lincoln goal.

Stamford opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when a great period of passing that involved five players with Watson finding Luke Garton on the right wing, his cross was inch perfect for an unmarked Danny Brooks to loop a header over the keeper and in. Brooks then had a free kick that was spilled out by the keeper but an on-rushing Nick Ghislanzoni couldn't quite connect with the ball.

Lincoln's first chance of the game came when Tom Garrick had a shot from just inside the area and debutant keeper Ross Whalin managed to get down smartly to his left and make a superb save.

The Daniels then made it  two on 41 minutes,  Brooks was played in on the left and got to the line and chipped the ball to the far post where a brave towering header from Nick Gislanzoni saw the ball bounce over the line and in with the keeper stranded.

The second half started slowly and Lincoln huffed and puffed to start with but didn't create any clear cut chances and the half chance they did have was well saved again by Whalin.

Holden picked the ball up in the Stamford half and charged all the way into the Lincoln penalty area before crossing to Giz who somehow managed to miss with his diving header.

Tommy then brought Andy Toyne on in the 79th minute and he managed to score the third with his first touch, Bruno picked the ball up on the edge of the area and smashed in a fierce shot that the keeper could only beat out to Toyne on the edge of the area and he smacked it back in there was some debate over the ball deflecting off Giz and in but Toyne claimed it for a goal with his first touch.

Lincoln were reduced to ten men in the 88th minute when Sean Wright was shown his second yellow for a crude lunge on Nathan Watson the only surprise was it took 88 minutes for a sending off with Lincoln having been shown 6 yellow cards and some players looked like they were trying to be sent off for most of the game.

Stamford sealed off a fine win on 90+3 minutes when Nathan Watson found his brother Kieren with a wonderful crossfield pass -  Kieren turned Terry Fleming inside out before driving the ball low and hard past the keeper to cap a good display of football and a clean sheet for the Daniels.

Att 153

Stamford:- Whalin, Garton, Hewitt, Diuk, Pheasant, Staff, Watson N., Flett (Toyne 79), Holden, Ghislanzoni (Watson K.) 80), Brooks (Deane 85)

Subs not used:- Gibson, Steadman

MOM Nathan Watson