Putman stunner separates the Daniels and Poppies.

Stamford victorious against higher league opposition, beating Kettering 1-0

Five minutes in and Stamford had the first chance of the game as Stan Mugisha cut inside from the wing before striking but it was comfortably saved by Paul White in the Kettering goal. Kettering had their first chance of the game two minutes later as Gary Stoher had a long range effort but his strike went well wide. A quarter of an hour in Danny Haystead had to be alert to foil The Poppies twice, first he pushed a dangerous looking cross away from goal before saving Mason Rhiney’s follow-up. A minute later at the other end James Gillard controlled well before volleying forcing a great save out of White in the Kettering goal. Three minutes later Stan Mugisha did well to beat his man but had his shot blocked. Two minutes later Gary Stoher had another chance, this time as he was played in by a long ball from defence but he could not beat Danny Haystead. Two minutes later two good blocks denied Kettering scoring opportunities, the first from Jon Challinor and the second by Eliot Putman. On the half an hour mark, Ryan Robbins received the ball from a throw-in before turning but his volleyed effort was well saved by Danny Haystead. From the resulting corner Ben Toseland put a shot well over the bar.

The first chance of the second half came to Liam Adams as he shot from twenty yards but his effort went well over. Four minutes later Eliot Putman forced a great save out of Kettering’s goalkeeper with a clever free-kick under the wall. Five minutes later Putman forced another great save out of the Kettering keeper as a wide free-kick dropped to him on the edge of the box, he controlled well but could not beat the Paul White. Two minutes later and it was the third time luck for Eliot Putman, this time a corner dropped to Putman on the edge of the box, and following one touch to turn towards goal he smashed in an excellent volley. A minutes later and Gary Stoher had another good chance but his curling effort went well wide. The last chances of the game fell in added time, the first to Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson as he ran through on goal but his effort was a simple save for Paul White. The final chance came three minutes onto added time as a clever free-kick by Craig Westcarr was flicked on by Orrin Pendley and sub keeper Dan George had to be alert to save Mason Rhiney’s effort.

After the game the Daniels’ manager Graham Drury commented that ‘I was pleased with another clean sheet, some of our play was pleasing and again with many players missing with others playing out of position. We did really well against a strong outfit a level above ourselves. Winning is a habit and clean sheets also become habits so to play Gainsborough and Kettering and keep 2 of them is really good. With us having low numbers of players the lads had a tough seven days so credit to all of them for 3 wins and 1 defeat and a few goals and clean sheets have been good’