"Bucks preparing for crunch game with promotion-chasing Stamford"

Match Date : November 9th, 2024 3:00 pm
Competition : Southern League Premier Central
Ground : Zeeco Stadium, Borderville Sports Centre, Ryhall Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1US
Kick Off : 15:00

The Bucks will be looking to prove their promotion credentials this Saturday, when Kevin Wilkin’s men travel to high flyers Stamford.

The Lincolnshire club narrowly missed out on the playoffs last season, finishing just three points shy of the top five. In fact, the Daniels would have faced the Bucks in the playoff semi final had they beaten Mickleover on the final day, but a 3-0 saw them finish up in 7th spot.

It was still an impressive campaign from Stamford following their promotion the season before. And the Daniels look like they will be there or thereabouts again this season. Stamford started the season with 13 points from the first five games, and while their momentum has slowed a little since then, they still find themselves in a strong 3rd place, level on points with current leaders Kettering, albeit having played two games more.

The man in charge at the Zeeco Stadium is Graham Drury, who is currently in his third spell in charge of the club. Drury first took the reins in Lincolnshire back in 2005 but left in 2008, spending four years in charge of Corby. Drury then briefly returned to the Daniels in 2012 before an even briefer spell in charge of Boston United followed. Drury finally returned to the Zeeco in November 2015.

Drury has kept the core of his squad together but still strengthened with a number of new faces over the summer. Key arrivals include keeper Tom Jackson (North Ferriby), combative full back Charlie Marzano (Quorn via Kettering), defender Jordon Cooke (Cleethorpes Town), young attacker Tobias Liversidge (Lincoln United) and veteran forward Richard Gregory (Halesowen via Walsall Wood). Last season’s top scorer, Jack Duffy, has five goals to his name so far this season, while experienced forward Lee Shaw is another of Stamford’s main threats.

The Bucks managed to narrowly beat the Daniels in two hard fought games last season. Kevin Wilkin’s men won 1-0 at the Zeeco Stadium in February before running out 2-1 winners at home just a few weeks later. With only three points currently separating the top eight teams, the Bucks would make a real statement of intent if they can pick up another win against the Daniels this weekend.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/stamfordafc

Ground Address: Ryhall Rd, Stamford, PE9 1US