New signings galore on the local non-league scene, but frustration for Stamford, Bourne, Deeping and Blackstones
Stamford AFC led for 80 minutes of their crunch Southern Premier Division Central relegation battle against Stourbridge at the Zeeco Stadium before settling for a disappointing draw.
Jordan Cooke fired ‘The Daniels in front after just six minutes in front of an expectant home crowd, but the visitors eventually hit back with an 86th minute equaliser. Home ‘keeper Nick Jackson made two fine late stops to preserve a draw that moved Stamford to within four points of safety.
Stamford welcomed Jake Duffy back to the club before the game and he came on as a 61st minute substitute.
Leaders Spalding United did their neighbours a favour by beating Alvechurch, who are just outside the drop zone, 3-0 at the Sir Halley Stewart Field. Bart Cybulski, Maniche Sani and Yusifu Ceesay scored for ‘The Tulips’ who have let midfielder Dan Lawlor join divisional rivals St Ives on loan. Stamford host St Ives on Tuesday (February 17, 7.45pm).
Spalding introduced three new signings into their own squad and all started on the substitutes’ bench today. Midfielder Tom Pugh is on loan from National League side Halifax Town, full-back Josh Taroni is on loan from League One side Burton Albion and forward Saleem Akanbi has transferred from fellow Southern Premier Division Central club Bishop Stortford.
Spalding are four points clear at the top, but second-placed Harborough Town have four games in hand.
Bourne Town gave a debut to former Stamford player Connor Bartle in their Northern Premier Midlands Division clash with AFC Rushden & Diamonds at the Abbey Lawan. Tom Siddons shot ‘The Wakes’ into a 1-0 lead, but the visitors hit back to win 3-1. Next-to-bottom Bourne remain four points from safety ahead of a daunting trip to the all-star Anstey Nomads side on Tuesday.
Out-of-form Blackstones have slipped into the bottom two of the United Counties Premier Division North after a 1-0 half-time lead through an Ed Thorpe goal turned into a 2-1 defeat at AFC Mansfield. The winning goal arrived in the 89th minute.
And Deeping Rangers conceded an even later winner at Grantham Town. That game also finished 2-1 with Harvey Thorne scoring for Deeping who are just three points better off than Stones.
David Yisah, Ollie Desborough and Vitor Vaz scored the FC Peterborough goals in a 3-1 Thurlow Nunn Division One win at Diss Town, but Whittlesey Athletic and Holbeach United suffered single goal defeats. FC Peterborough are fourth.
Stanway Pegasus had a men sent off after 15 minutes and another dismissed midway through the second-half and still beat Holbeach 2-1.
Peterborough Sports lost their National League North game 3-1 against Spennymoor Town at PIMS Park.
RESULTS
National League North: Peterborough Sports 1 (Miller), Spennymoor Town 3.
Southern Premier Division Central: Spalding Utd 3 (Sani, Ceesay, Cybulski), Alvechurch 0; Stamford AFC 1 (Cooke), Stourbridge 1.
Northern Premier Midlands Division: Bourne Town 1 (Siddorns), AFC Rushden & Diamonds 3.
United Counties Premier Division North: AFC Mansfield 2, Blackstones 1 (Thorpe), Grantham Town 2, Deeping Rangers 1 (Thorne); POSTPONED: Wisbech Town v Ashby Ivanhoe.
United Counties Premier Division South: POSTPONED: March Town v Coventry Utd.
Thurlow Nunn Division One North: Diss Town 1, FC Peterborough 3 (Vaz, Yishah, Desborough); Holbeach Utd 1, Stanway Pegasus 2; Wivenhoe 1, Whittlesey Athletic 0. POSTPONED: FC Parson Drove v Wroxham Res.