Match Report: Stamford vs. Loughborough Dynamo, 13th Sep 2011

The Visit of Loughborough to the Premier Kitchens Arena saw a very entertaining game unfold with the visitors playing some very good football but it was not enough to beat a resilient Daniels side.

Before kickoff there was a minutes silence as a mark of respect after Daniels fan Ron Aldridge passed away on Monday morning.

Stamford once again started on the attack and after only a couple of minutes had gone by Gary King found himself with a yard of space for a shot which was straight at the keeper. On the quarter hour mark Loughborough had a very good chance when Jamie Allen played Matt Langham through but the striker scuffed his shot straight at Mario Ziccardi.

Stamford opened the scoring on 23 minutes when a Lee Beeson corner was met by Miles Chamberlain and his header was too powerful for the goalkeeper to stop hitting the back of the net. Minutes later Jamie Allen was making causing problems again this time with an over head kick after a corner that went narrowly wide.

The Daniels doubled their lead just before the half hour when Lee Beeson was fouled near the main stand and Danny Brooks took the free kick which missed everyone in the penalty area and went straight in.

The second half saw Loughborough come out with all guns blazing and they piled on the pressure but the Stamford rearguard stood firm until the 61^st minute when a long ball was flicked on by William Grocott to Langham who was clean through on goal only for Miles Chamberlain to turn from hero to villain by bringing the striker down in the area the referee had no hesitation to point to the spot and show the Daniels man a red card. Loughborough captain Karl Noble duly dispatched the penalty without any trouble.

Although it was backs to the wall time the defence reshuffled and the Daniels had a good chance to go further ahead when Brooks free kick was headed back across the goal by Jacklin to King but his shot was blocked on the line.

Loughborough had a lot of possession but with Robbie Maddox in inspirational form at centre half they were left with few chances to score their only real notable chances of the last fifteen minutes were a cross from Grocott to Alvin Jarvis who’s volley brought a flying save from Ziccardi and Jarvis was in the thick of it again a few minutes later with a snap shot just wide.

A thoroughly entertaining game with some very good football played by Stamford who defended well and deserved the win.

ATT 131

Lord Burghley MOM :- Mario Ziccardi