Source: Stamford Mercury Published Date: 14 August 2009
THE Daniels start their UniBond League Division One South programme on Saturday without goalkeeper Danny Bircham and striker Danny Matson. Both are missing from the squad to attend weddings when Stamford kick off their season at the world’s oldest club Sheffield FC at 3pm.
Matson continued his recovery from last season’s cruciate injury with an impressive second half display in the 4-2 defeat at Soham last Saturday, and on Tuesday evening he played a half for UCL side St Ives in their match against Holbeach.
Wide man Dan Cotton is also an absentee for Saturday’s opener, as he starts a three match suspension as punishment for his pre-season dismissal against Northampton Town. Cotton, who scored 18 goals for the Daniels last season, is a wanted man – the club have received seven day notices of approach for the player from Quorn, now managed by former Daniels boss Dougie Keast, and Premier Division Boston United who are looking to fill the gap left in their squad by Tyrone Kirk’s departure to Macclesfield.
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Source: Stamford Mercury Published Date: 07 August 2009
Stamford AFC’s Supporters Player of the Year last season Tyrone Kirk has signed for League Two club Macclesfield Town.
Kirk impressed in two trial matches for the Silkmen whose manager Keith Alexander is himself a Daniels legend from an earlier era, having scored in Stamford’s FA Vase final success against Guisborough back in 1980.
He could be in line for his League Two bow when Macclesfield visit Northampton on Saturday.
Alexander said: “We always want to have different attacking options and Tyrone offers us something different.
“The lad has got a great deal of ability on the ball, can beat a man and can create you a chance out of very little.
“He’s someone we liked the look of in his trial and in training so we’re happy to have been able to bring him to the club.”
Kirk was a trainee with his home town club Scunthorpe, a trialist with Manchester City and a national winner in the Nike Freestyle Soccer awards in 2003 before joining Stamford in August 2007.
In the 2007-08 campaign he made 39 appearances scoring three goals, and last season netted nine times in 48 appearances for the Daniels.
Always popular with the club’s supporters for his tricky wing play, Kirk won two of the club’s end of season awards, the Supporters Player of the Year prize and the trophy for the most man of the match awards.
Kirk, 23, left the Vic Couzens Stadium at the end of the 2008-09 season to pursue opportunities in higher grade football and had looked set to sign for Boston United but the Pilgrims agreed to give the player until August 8 to find himself a full time club.
After training and playing trial matches with Sheffield United the wing wizard failed to win a place with the Blades but after performing well in matches against Huddersfield and Northwich he was signed on by Macclesfield.
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Source: Rutland Mercury: 6th August 2009
Daniels edge past their neighbours
A healthy Lincoln Road crowd saw status narrowly prevail as the UniBond League Daniels pipped UCL Blackstones in a closely contested derby.
After three successive defeats Stamford assistant manager Kieran Scarff, in charge in the absence of holidaying boss Tuncay Korkmaz, would have been pleased with the victory and clean sheet, while Stones’ chief Dave Bird could be delighted with his side’s display as they matched their higher grade visitors.
Stones started brightly with Kevin Ainslie and Jon Stead combining well on the left, with their clearest early chance falling to Andy Boome whose well timed run in behind the Stamford defence to meet a Carl Bird pass ended with a shot hooked just wide of the far post.
The Daniels replied with a well struck effort by Ben Sedgemore, before they took a 24th minute lead.
Danny Matson, making a surprise run out, drew a fine save from Ian Flavell with a fierce shot, and from the resulting David Cobb corner Sam Bettinson rose highest to head home.
Stamford had the better of the first half thereafter and just before the break Phil Stebbing had a chance, controlling well but shooting over from a good position.
After the interval Stones enjoyed most of the ball while the Daniels threatened on the counter attack.
Cobb put a snap shot wide for Stamford while Lee Beeson’s inviting cross gave Dan Cotton a chance but he miskicked with the goal at his mercy.
Richard Jones, impressive for the home side at both ends of the pitch, almost levelled for Blackstones with a header from a corner but found Chris Wright in the Daniels goal equal to his effort.
Lively Stones substitute Elton Holmes was narrowly wide after taking a return pass while at the other end Stebbing created a chance for himself with a mazy dribble, only to finish wildly.
The home side were unlucky not to equalise seven minutes from time when Richard Thompson’s diving header bounced to safety off the foot of the post.
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Source: Stamford Mercury (Friday 31st July 2009, Back Page)
Rivals to clash in derby duel
THE Daniels continue their countdown to the new season tomorrow with a trip across town to play Blackstones (3pm).
It is Stamford’s first visit to Lincoln Road since they clinched promotion to the Southern League there with a 2-0 victory on Easter Monday 1998.
The game will be Stamford’s sixth game of a busy pre-season while Stones will see actin for the only he third time in the build-up ot the big kick off on Saturday week
Stamford trio Ross Watson, Dan Cotton and Phil Stebbing will all be in action against their former club, while in the Stones squad Robbie Blowers, Kevin Ainslie, Elton Holmes and Richard Thomson are former Daniels.
Latest addition to Tuncay Korkmaz’s new-look squad is midfielder Michael Stevenson. He was with Holwell Sports last season and in 2007-08 scored 25 goals for Depping from the middle of the park.
Stamford are reporting improved season tickets sales this summer and application forms for these (£105 adults and £65 concessions) and ember-ship can be obtained from Jermery Biggs at Saturday’s match at Lincoln Road.
The Daniel have recived Unibond League approval to switch two of their Tuesday matches in the new season to Wednesday to avoid a fixture clash with Peterborough United.
The first he league game of the new season against Lincoln United will now take place on Wednesday, August 19 with the fixture against Carlton Town now scheduled for September 30.
The match with Quorn on August Bank Holiday (31st) will kick off at 2pm to avoid a clash with POSH’s live televised match against Crystal Palace.
