"Bucks looking for a big performance against the Daniels"

Match Date : December 2nd, 2023 3:00 pm
Competition : Southern League Premier Central
Ground : Zeeco Stadium
Kick Off : 15:00

After a weekend off, the Bucks return to action this Saturday with a trip to Stamford on the agenda.

The Lincolnshire club are known as “The Daniels” after Daniel Lambert, often cited as England’s heaviest-ever man, a Leicester resident who died in Stamford and is buried in the town. And Stamford certainly threw their weight around last season as they claimed the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands title last year, finishing nine points clear of 2nd-placed Halesowen. The Daniels started the current campaign in similarly impressive form too, going six unbeaten to open the season.

Stamford’s form since then, though, has been more inconsistent. A run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions was swiftly followed by four straight wins, while the Daniels have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six league games.

The man in charge at the Zeeco Stadium is Graham Drury, who is currently in his third spell in charge of the club. Drury first took the reins in Lincolnshire back in 2005 but left in 2008, spending four years in charge of Corby. Drury then briefly returned to the Daniels in 2012 before an even briefer spell in charge of Boston United followed. Drury finally returned back to the Zeeco in November 2015.

Drury has kept the bulk of his title-winning squad together, although 33-goal top scorer Jonny Margetts left to join Matlock Town. Notable summer additions include but seasoned goalgetters Ricky Miller, who is in his fifth spell with the club, and Lee Shaw. Miller has bagged five goals so far with Shaw finding the net six times. But it’s Jack Duffy who leads the way with 12 goals in all competitions.

The Daniels are currently 7th with 29 points from 18 games, but the Lincolnshire side have been noticeably better on the road this season. Stamford have the league’s best away record, amassing 20 points from ten games on their travels, but they’ve picked up a comparatively paltry nine points from eight home games. Last time out, Drury’s side threw away a two-goal lead as they went down 3-2 at Leiston.

The Bucks are five unbeaten away from home in the league, most recently picking up wins at Kettering and Berkhamsted. That form helped lift the Bucks into the playoff places, but after a week without a fixture Wilkin’s men now sit in 6th. With the sides both currently on 29 points, three points against Stamford would be a valuable boost as the Bucks look to climb back into the top five.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/stamfordafc

Ground Address: Zeeco Stadium, Ryhall Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1US