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Non-league: Stamford 4, Sheffield FC 3 - Stamford storm to stunning success
EVO-STIK LEAGUE, Division One South: Stamford is fast becoming the entertainment capital of the non-league scene.
If this Friday night feast (settled by a dramatic winning goal with the last kick of the game) is anything to go by, football thrill-seekers should pencil a visit to the Premier Kitchens Arena to watch Tommy Brookbanks’ troops into their diaries as a priority.
The Daniels burst back into action by delivering four high-class goals – a haul including Danny Brooks’ last-gasp clincher in the sixth minute of stoppage time which prompted Brookbanks to dust down his best Barry Fry impression to charge onto the pitch to celebrate with his players.
Stamford also conceded an own goal (from debutant defender Dean Whiley), a controversial late equaliser after a refereeing gaffe from Sian Massey (remember her from the Sky Sports sexism scandal of last year?) and caused their followers more than a few palpitations with an all-out attacking approach, but crucially they emerged in possession of three precious points
“I don’t make a habit of celebrating like that,” said Brookbanks. “But it was just the emotion of winning the game after it had looked like a shocking decision from the referee had cost us two points.
“She has officiated a few games involving my teams and always gets the big decisions wrong, so it was no surprise she gave Sheffield a corner when everyone in the ground could see it was our goal-kick.
“It was a sickener to see them score from it but the lads were terrific to keep going and score again.”
And the similarities between Brookbanks and Fry don’t end at outpourings of joy. The Stamford boss also preaches from the same managerial parable as Posh’s director of football used to.
He has long since given up concerning himself with trivialities such as clean sheets. Stamford’s preferred method is simply out-scoring the opposition.
“I don’t care whether it is 1-0, 4-3 or 7-6,” added Brookbanks. “I have always sent my teams out to attack and entertain.”
Stamford fell behind after 19 minutes when larger-than-life goalkeeper Ross Whalin was unable to get down to a bouncing Steven Woolley shot from 20 yards, but they responded well.
The hosts levelled through a fine Kieren Watson strike three minutes before the break and hit the front 10 minutes after it thanks to a cleverly clipped effort from Joe Pheasant.
Star striker Bruno Holden slammed in a fine third with a little under 20 minutes remaining and that should have had Stamford home and hosed.
But a mis-timed swipe by Whiley’s boot handed Sheffield a lifeline and referee Massey’s error led to a leveller in the third minute of stoppage time.
But there was still one last twist to come as Ms Massey atoned for her previous poor judgement when awarding the Daniels a free-kick inside the ‘D’ and Brooks did the rest with a good old thwack of the left boot.
It also ensured the Daniels leapfrogged their victims in the race for a play-off spot.
Stamford: Whalin, Garton, Pheasant, Diuk, Whiley, N. Watson, K. Watson (Ghislanzoni), Staff, Brooks, Holden, Mooney (Holmes). Unused: Hewitt, Gibson, Harvey.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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ppheasant
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 04:39 PMExcellent report, Mark, thanks. I think that game will stay in the memory of all who attended for a long time.
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