Pitchero

Stamford

Basford United

L Marshall (20'), C Hartley (62')

Full time

J Reid (14'), C Grantham (22'), A Grayson (26')

Sat 8 Apr 15:00 - The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier - First Division South Attendance 276

Report

Highlights

Selection

League round up

Daniels Run Play-off Contenders Close

By Richard Curtis

Superior finishing sees Basford beat The Daniels in an even game. Writes Stephen Breden

The home side should have taken the lead with the first chance of the game, just 14 minutes in, as Jake Duffy played Grant Ryan in on goal. As he approached the edge of the area visiting keeper Saul Denney left his line and made himself large denying Grant not once but twice. Two minutes later it was the away side taking the lead as referee Richie Watkins awarded a free kick to Basford 25 yards out from goal. James Reid stood over the ball for Basford and fired a rocket past Sam Donkin.

Five minutes later The Daniels equalized as Rogan Mcgeorge flicked on a long ball. Jordan Smith chased the ball and just as it was about to go out hooked a cross into the box where Grant Ryan was lurking at the back post, he headed the ball into the centre of the goal to John King who delayed and then laid the ball back to Liam Marshall who finished into the top corner.

Following this leveller Basford really turned up the pressure leading to a quick-fire brace in the following ten minutes. The first of these came on the 25th minute where a quick one-two undid the Stamford defence giving Courey Grantham a chance to finish and he did so. Four minutes later Ashley Grayson also had the ball in the back of the net winning a header at the far post following a cross from the left. On the 33rd minute Laurie Wilson went close when a ball dropped to him from a corner which he struck on the volley, the ball going just wide to the keeper’s right.

Basford United - 8th April. Photo's courtesy of Geoff Atton

46 photos

Match photos

He had a similar opportunity six minutes later and despite getting this one on target it didn’t result in the desired goal as the keeper saved comfortably. Up the other end Basford should have scored their fourth as a mistake from Jon Challinor allowed Courey Grantham a clear run at goal, he delayed his shot for too long allowing Sam Donkin to make an easy save. They had another chance a few minutes later but this was again an easy save for Donkin as Courey Grantham put a free-kick straight to him. John King had the last chance of the half as he latched on to a long ball but could only put his volleyed effort just wide.

At half time Graham Drury brought on Mahmoud Juma to replace Jake Duffy in the centre of the pitch. 20 minutes later Drury made another change as he replaced Jon Challinor with Curtis Hartley. His impact was almost immediately felt as two minutes later a corner came in from the left and Hartley rose above the keeper to head home.

With 15 minutes to go Sam Osbourne had a chance to finish the game off as he struck from the edge of the area but he didn’t place his shot to either side of Sam Donkin allowing him an easy save. Stamford came very close to having an equalizer late on as Laurie Wilson won a header just outside the area, Mahmoud Juma flicked the ball through to Jordan Smith who controlled and volleyed from close range but the keeper saved comfortably. The last chance of the game fell to the visitors as Kieran Wells beat the last defender but his shot was saved by Sam Donkin.

Star Player

Laurie Wilson