SANDS IN THE STAND AS STAMFORD WIN DERBY

STAMFORD AFC 2 LINCOLN UTD 0
EVOSTIK EAST @ ZEECO STADIUM
5 JANUARY 2019 --- 3PM

ZEECO STADIUM HOME OF STAMFORD AFC

John Sands delayed debut for Stamford broke the deadlock with a goal at the end of a swift move that saw him show what it meant to him by vaulting the barrier to celebrate in 'row H' of the stand with the ecstatic Daniels fans.  With the addition minutes later of a second thanks to a wonderful strike from Joe Boachie it was a bright start to the new year for the home side in this Lincolnshire derby.
The recent flip-flopping of fixture selection continued with this one not really appearing on the list until Friday evening but in balance it was a ground that had long been on that 'to do list'.  Having travelled past the old Hanson's Field ground adjacent to the station and failed miserably to see a fixture on the hallowed turf before its gradually disappearance under bricks and mortar today would be just the second visit to Stamford as a town.

GREETINGS FROM STAMFORD

Morning departure would see the local entrepreneur with his Sponge Bob Square Pants emblazoned play bus parked on the street making me wonder what comedic efforts at public transports awaited me and one Saturday I have thought about hiring the said beauty for travel.
Shock of shocks bus to base station was on time from there it went Pete Tong the two trains with change at Leicester were late as were the return journeys at night and with the no show of an hourly bus from base town in the evening it was all pretty much were it had left off in 2018, welcome to public transport UK style in 2019.
Stamford is a town that to use my old descriptor there is more than enough history to shake two sticks at never mind one with its enthralling stone properties, former castle sites, five Parish Churches and the river and town meadows adding to the feel of a well to do town.  Last weeks South Emlsall visit the home of Frickley Athletic is a direct conflict and it would be interesting like on the TV reality shows to do a swop for a week although I fear the Lincolnshire town may not get their base back in one piece!  As with all these on the surface well to do towns buses across the town are almost non existent with just one seen during the whole afternoon but when there a 4x4 or Range Rovers awaiting why bother eh.

FIRST VIEWINGS ON ENTRY AT THE ZEECO

The town centre was bustling and on just my second visit I have to say looked to be doing well with many boutique type shops alongside the high street favourites.  Walking out towards the ground which sadly is now situated about as far away from the station apart from being in nearby Ryhall, although it might test the boundaries. there was a pre planned call at Birdys Chippy for sustenance.
A well recommended stop for any future visitors but the call was onwards to The Zeeco for this
enticing Lincolnshire derby as the houses and commercial units are left behind you do wonder if the ground will appear but in the dip in the road just ahead is the stone and gated entrance to the leisure complex which is a similar version to Stockport Town in The NWCFL.  The Borderville Sports Centre offers a variety of fitness facilities plus outdoor football pitch, full size 4g and Stamford AFC's home base its all very smart and tidy and although the descriptor says good access it is if you have a car otherwise its a 35 minute walk, that though is the only downside.

AND FROM THE OTHER ANGLE FEATURING LARGE CLUB SHOP

Last weeks nostalgia blog and history at Westfield Lane drew a direct comparison to modern day box build stadiums like todays but this is one that I enjoyed and I guess this was helped by an attendance of just over 300 where the fans made an exciting atmosphere for the encounter.
Quick descriptor upon entry to the right is the business end with changing rooms, toilets, snack bar and first floor hospitality offering a smart feel to the club.  Moving further around, after purchasing a smart programme, the steep terrace behind the goal is made up of non slip sheet metal and is quite unique in that sense.  Snuggled up to the side is a nicely stocked club shop with a wide selection of past programmes, the far side contains the dugouts and uncovered one step terracing.  Behind the far goal its uncovered terrace and returning back to our entrance a modern stand with red tip up seats sits adjacent the touchline.  This is a well done affair and one that during my visit received a positive feel from and will look forward to visiting again.

BENCH ACTION WITH GRAHAM DRURY ON THE RIGHT.

The Daniels I discovered, a fact I think I probably knew but had forgotten, were named after Daniel lambert at the time the heaviest man in England who on his death in Stamford weighed in at 52 stone 11 pounds.
As ever lights on before the start so in murky conditions there is not much to write home about with the pictures.
Onwards to the encounter and in a feisty first half their was a collection of five yellow cards for Derbyshire official Martin Beard to collect and with an early penalty appeal by the home side harshly turned down, one that would probably have been given in the seventieth minute, it was onwards to the next one Boachie was clipped in the box but referee said 'no'.  In good old Cilla Black terms "surprise, surprise" first appeal at the other end and Lincoln get their spot kick.  Up steps Mathew Cotton in front of the home fans on the banked terracing and for what felt right for the game Stamford keeper Danny Haystead flung himself across the white line to save.

FIRST HALF STAR MAN REFEREE BEARD WITH FIVE CAUTIONS

Goal less at half time it had really been a case the longer the half went on of keeping a lid on the emotions and I suppose the referee had done this with a regular selection of yellows.
The second half set off at a calmer pace on the feisty monitor but no less of a commitment was on show as both sides gave it their all, Stamford encouraged on by their enthusiastic manager Graham Drury small in stature but a lion in the technical area, it was great to see him afterwards clapping the fans backed by the excitement of the final score-line.

STAMFORD ON THE ATTACK

Sometimes debuts are written and with John Sands making a delayed start for The Daniels, I believe due to injury, Drury told him 'go on and get me a goal'  and of course that's just what he did.  Into the action on 55 minutes and on 72 he had scored from a lovely flowing move.   It all started with Rob Morgan whose through ball was met by a deft flick from Jon Challinor that found Olly Brown-Hill who laid the ball off to Sands to sweep the ball home.
Great scenes of celebration as Sands vaulted the barrier and found himself at the rear of the terracing celebrating with the fans a wonderful display of club bonding and even as a neutral fantastic to witness football and entertainment coming together.  Needless to say we were soon back down to earth when referee Beard produced the mandatory yellow card, now stop enjoying yourself come on lads!

HERE IS A CARD THIS TIME FOR LINCOLN UTD

As if that wasn't enough five minutes later the games was wrapped up when Boachie created a little space for himself 25 yards out and unleashed a divine thunderbolt that nestled in the top left hand corner within a fraction of a second after leaving his boot.
That was all we needed really a dour, feisty, industrious affair sold to all Stamford fans by two wonderful moments enough to light up the surrounding minutes.
Off onto the chilly evening street of Stamford warmed by the two goals this had capped off a very enjoyable visit to The Zeeco Stadium and one I would hope to make again soon.