Carlton (a)

[Dean]

Disappointing result last night against a side languishing in bottom half of the division, but to be fair to Carlton, they played well and arguably deserved a point. They played with a defensive game plan, and knew who our dangermen were, and their tactics were spot on. We can't expect teams to open up against up when they know how potent we can be going forward.

That said, we still could have easily won the game if we'd taken our chances. Cooke had 2 headers in the 6yd box that he should have buried, Limb should have scored his 1 on 1 before he was taken down (and it should have been a pen), and we had plenty more possession in dangerous areas, but just didn't deliver on the final ball.

In terms of how the game went, they scored after about 20mins, and after that it was mostly us attacking. Their defence was solid and their keeper played well too. Unfortunately both Cosmos (half time) and Tendai had to go off, presumably for injuries? We equalised though from probably our 20th corner when Sean Wright bundled the ball in at the far post. We still had plenty of the ball after that, and i'm sure all the 70+ Stamford fans there could sense a winner, but it just wasn't to be.

In terms of performances, no-one stood out for us. Maybe Vince, who was a terrier in midfield. I thought Hicks did well when he came on for Limb also. Held the ball up far better, and looked more dangerous. Worth pointing out that Morgan didn't look much last night, nor has he in many other games this season. His class will come back i'm sure, but he seems less interested than before?

Anyway, other results weren't terrible for us last night, so no major drama. Let's get back to it next Tuesday night in the league v Worksop.

[stillfatoldgit]

Thanks Dean. That's just how the game sounded on Twitter. Lets hope that our two normally lethal strikers quickly recover. Not that many teams will return from Carlton with points in the bag.

[stillfatoldgit]

Have just read an excellent match report from Carlton's Alan Murphy on the NPL website. Not only did he make the Daniels title favourites he heaped praise on both sides equally. He describes a pulsating encounter which earned deserved applause at the end and thought it would been a travesty had either team lost. This was one of the most unbiassed, considered pieces of journalism that I've read for a long time. Well done Mr Murphy!

[reded87]

Coming a way with a point in the bag wasn’t that bad overall, after the performance from us against a solid defence, which I think we played right into.
Sloppy football in the first half which did improve as the game went on. We seemed far less decisive around the box than we have been over the last few weeks, but still created chances and should of been leading comfortably at half time (include in that, the peno decision)
Worryingly didn’t seem to be a plan B when the two wide men went off and it seemed to come down to just lumping into the box.
Unlucky not to come away with 3 points though, we were the better team and so close to wild scenes at the end when the over head kick came off the bar.
Back at home Saturday, get the goals flowing again ready for a big game next Tuesday.

[anon]

Already been summed up well. Once again we looked off the pace first half which ultimately showed by conceding. Losing Cosmos and Tendai were blows too and shows how much they bring to the team. A much improved second half performance and a back post header from Wright got us back into it and reded is right that we could’ve seen some wild scenes if Hicks’ overhead kick had got under the crossbar who was excellent when he came on.
Don’t like to blame referees but once again we’ve been handed a shocking set of officials who got very little correct on the night, let alone 3 penalty shouts we had and pulling a carlton advantage back when they were through 3 on 1 to goal. think they rightly deserved the tirade they got at the end especially from Haystead.
A large, noisy following as per again last night, Stamford must have made up nearly half the 173 crowd.
Carlton away once again a bogey game for us and we would be sitting top of the league at the moment if we hadn’t dropped points but we’re still in an excellent position and I would probably have taken a draw at the start of the game. FA Trophy game Saturday before another test when Worksop visit the Zeeco.

[daves]

Welcome back ANON, we have missed your logic. Its good this forum is picking up because the team deserve our support on and off the field. Great crowd from Stamford on a wet night just shows how well the lads are trying to get us promoted this season. Like all clubs, we need your support by coming through the gate. These are very uncertain times, even for some bigger clubs. We have always had great Sponsors at Stamford and we certainly appreciate their continued support at a time when their businesses have there own uncertainties with Covid.
As Borderville continues to develop, so will the club. I picked my wife up from the Fitness Centre at 6pm tonight and in 10 minutes waiting the car park was buzzing, I must have witnessed 100 young footballers making their way to and from the 3G pitch with their parents and grandparents, and this continues into the evening. There were blokes carrying Riffle Bags into the main building, so suspect we now have a Riffle Club in residence. We have so much to be thankful for at this moment in time, great facilities, great team, great supporters and a great club to be following.
So bring your friends to The Zeeco Stadium, its the football hub of South Kesteven.
Roll on Saturday. Bring on Lincoln United (again) and PLAY UP THE DANNIES

[Dean]

You're right Dave about bringing your friends. Almost every single person i've introduced to the Daniels has loved it. Judging by twitter too, there's a lot of new fans coming now who normally would have gone to Posh or Leicester, and they're all loving it too. Strange that attendances haven't gone up though really, especially considering recent results.
Do you think there's a core of regulars who aren't coming for health reasons?

[daves]

That could be the case Dean, plus there may be people who have lost jobs also. I think also that new seasons tend to start off a bit slow (don't know why) but if we continue to build momentum on the field, then supporter increase will pick up accordingly. Certainly post Christmas should see increasing gates if we are in the mix. And of course we have the BIG games like Tuesday night against Worksop. They took well over 100 to Market Drayton the other week and we are expecting a large number to travel down the A1 for this game. So should be a great atmosphere under the lights.
Another contribution to our fan base building is The Mercury. Never in my 40 years living in the town have our club and sport in general had such great coverage. James Bedford and his photographers are doing a marvellous job of putting Stamford AFC and other clubs firmly in the shop window. Long may this last.
We also have a number of lads coming along who would normally be following their league club, some have spent time at the Zeeco in the past when not following their teams to away games, and they like what they are seeing and have adopted us as their non-league club, we have a few regularly stand near us.
We were always one of the best supported sides in the UCL, home and away and do seem to have less fickle fans like at our neighbours up the road at The Gingerbreads, so we have a very steady fanbase to build on.
Anyway, onwards and upwards and lets keep getting behind the boys - they really do deserve it.
PLAY UP THE DANNIES

[Dean]

You make a good point about the Worksop fans travelling down. What is the policy with attendance? Presume we could break 400? Is it purely first come first served?

[daves]

We have a limit of 400 Dean, would be nice to fill that quota on a Tuesday night.
Richard Curtis is the best person to advise on entrance procedures.
Pity we have a few injuries at the moment.