A brace from Matty Stenson helped the Bucks to an impressive 3-1 win at fellow promotion hopefuls Stamford.

The Daniels, who had the division’s best home record heading in the game, started much better than the Bucks, as they dominated the early stages. And after a constant barage of Stamford attacks, the Lincolnshire took the lead on 20 minutes when Richard Gregory slotted home after good work from Lee Shaw.

But that goal seemed to wake the Bucks up. Jimmy Armson headed against the post from a corner in the 27th minute, but Armson had the ball in the back of the net just moments later. Remi Walker skipped past the Stamford defence down the left, and his low cross was bundled home by Armson to make it 1-1 in the 30th minute.

Walker came close to adding a second for the Bucks soon after Armson’s leveller, but his stabbed effort was well saved by Stamford stopper Tom Jackson. The sides headed into the break at 1-1.

After a slowish start to the second half from both teams, the Bucks whirred into life and took the lead in the 55th minute through Matty Stenson. Ricardo Dinanga’s slide rule pass found Stenson on the left of the box, and the Bucks front man rounded the keeper before powering a shot into the net.

Having taken the lead, the Bucks became to dominate and turned in a wonderful second half performance. Wilkin’s men extended their lead in the 78th minute thanks to Stenson‘s second goal of the goal. The Bucks no.9 showed great composure, delaying his shot to work a better angle before bury the ball into the net from 12 yards.

The Bucks restricted Stamford to very little in the second 45 and could have added one or two more goals too – most notably when Walker danced his way through before hitting the post. After a ropey opening 20 minutes, this was perhaps the Bucks most complete performance of the season, and they were worthy 3-1 winners against a strong Stamford side who have impressed so far this season.

The win sees Wilkin’s men leapfrog Stamford and a few others, as the Bucks climb up to 3rd in the Southern Premier League Central table.