Daniels Blow Away Bucks

By Richard Curtis

Stamford’s unbeaten 2016 continued with a stroll past Buxton in the Doodson Cup. Writes Gary Salisbury

Stamford could have been forgiven for being a bit sluggish from the start but they burst out the blocks with all guns blazing. With a strong wind behind them it took only 12 minutes before they took the lead Sam Hill played Hamilton in out wide his cross was missed by Chris Bacon and Myles Wright in the Buxton goal, Jack Wightwick picked up the loose ball cut inside and cooly rounded the keeper to smash the ball into the empty net. It was almost two when again Hamilton fired in a superb cross Bacon met it with a great header but Wright in the Buxton goal was well placed to tip the ball over the bar.

Buxton equalised in the 17th minute with a quick throw to Ash Burbeary his pull back to Alex Wiles was hit hard and low to Paul Bastock’s right.

This didn't stop the Daniels Jon Challinor’s cross field ball was inch perfect to Hamilton his first time volley flashed just wide. Stamford were back in front on 19 minutes Jake Duffy picked the ball up in the middle of the pitch and unleashed a tremendous strike from 35 yards that beat Wright all ends up with pace and swerve.

The third came in the 36th minute Jon Challinor’s free kick was flicked by Jordan Smith into the bottom corner of the net and it was four 3 minutes later when Smith and Wightwick exchanged passes on the edge of the box and Wightwick slotted the ball home from 10 yards out.

Turning round into the wind Stamford started the second half playing some neat passing football and a short corner to Wightwick who passed back to Sam Hill on the edge of the area his shot just skimmed the bar.

Buxton tried to get back into the game and Fabrice Bembo-Leta raced down the wing his cross found his brother Joel but he could only head over when well placed. Buxton had a number of corners but Stamford stood firm and cleared the danger each time.

A long clearance up field to Glenn Belezika should have been easily dealt with by the Buxton defender but Jordan Neil's pace fooled him and Neil charged down his clearance with a clear sight of goal Neil tried a cheeky lob but put a bit too much on it and the ball just cleared the bar.

Tom Mcgowan was next to try his luck, a quick throw to Wightwick who cut back and pulled the ball back to McGowan his superb curling effort was a lick of paint away from hitting the top corner.

The last chance of the game came to Buxton Burbeary picked the ball up on the edge of the area his shot was pushed wide by Bastock the corner was deep and met by Niall Doran but Bastock was well placed to deal with it.

Match highlights courtesy of SRSN: Buxton Highlights