NON-LEAGUE: Daniels look doomed after Darlo defeat

Stamford AFC's survival hopes in the Evo Stik Northern Premier Division are hanging by a thread after an agonising 2-1 defeat at table-topping Darlington 1883 today (April 17).
Callum Madigan of Peterborough Northern Star hurdles a challenge in the game at AFC Kempston Rovers. Photo: Tim Gates.Callum Madigan of Peterborough Northern Star hurdles a challenge in the game at AFC Kempston Rovers. Photo: Tim Gates.
Callum Madigan of Peterborough Northern Star hurdles a challenge in the game at AFC Kempston Rovers. Photo: Tim Gates.

The Daniels could be relegated on Tuesday (April 19) if they fail to win at Skelmersdale in their penultimate fixture. Even three points might not be enough as they are four points adrift of safety and the team they are chasing, Whitby Town, have a game in hand, although it is against Darlington.

Stamford actually took the lead midwauy through the first-half of a game played at Spennymoor United today (it was delayed 24 hours because of a waterlogged pitch) with a header from a corner from Sam Hill, but Darlo equalised on the stroke of half-time before scoring the winner direct from a corner 15 minutes from time.

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Stamford missed a sitter in the final stages to leave them requiring a football miracle this week. Their final fixture is at home to Mickleover Sports on Saturday (April 23).

Bourne moved into the top four of United Counties Division One with a 2-1 home win over Rushden & Higham yesterday (April 16).

A third-minute penalty from Craig Rook and a 39th-minute strike from Sam Wilson saw Bourne 2-0 up at the break and they cruised home in the second-half despite a consolation goal 10 minutes from time for the visitors.

And Blackstones closed in on a top-half place after winning 2-1 at sixth-placed Long Buckby. Top scorer Addie Staffieri made it 17 goals for the season with a first-half brace.

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Champions Peterborough Sports face a long midweek trip after their scheduled fixture at Bugbrooke St Michaels today was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

In the Premier Division, a hectic run of games continues to catch up with Holbeach United who dropped to sixth place after losing 3-1 at home to fourth-placed Eynesbury Rovers.

Ollie Gale equalised an early visiting goal on the half-hour mark for ‘The Tigers’, but Eynesbury were back in front just before the break and sealed the points with a third goal seven minutes from time.

The euphoria of reaching a major cup final in midweek (April 12) didn’t help Peterborough Northern Star gain a surprise result at title-chasing AFC Kempston Rovers. Star won at Deeping to reach the final of the Hinchingbroke Cup Final for the second season in a row, but Kempston beat the city side 4-0 today with four goals in the last 30 minutes. Star are languishing in 16th place.

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Spalding United won for the first time in nine Evo Stik Division One South matches, 1-0 at Newcastle Town thanks to a last-minute goal from Neal Spafford.

Stamford AFC’s Premier Division match at Darlington 1883 was postponed today and the teams are due to try again tomorrow (April 17) at Spennymoor FC (3pm).

Other results went relegation-haunted Stamford’s way today and a win at Darlo would move them to within a point of safety with two matches to play. Easier said than done though as Darlington will go back to the top of the table with a point.

A typically-classy curler from Dan Woods couldn’t save March Town United from a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Diss Town in Division One of the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League today.

RESULTS

Sunday, April 17

EVO-STIK LEAGUE

Northern Premier Division

Darlington 1883 2

Stamford AFC 1 (Hill)

Saturday, April 16

EVO-STIK LEAGUE

Division One South

Newcastle Town 0

Spalding 1 (Spafford)

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division

AFC Kempston Rovers 4

Peterborough Northern Star 0

Holbeach United 1 (Gale)

Eynesbury Rovers 3

Division One

Bourne 2 (Rook, Wilson) 2

Rushden & Higham 1

Long Buckby AFC 1

Blackstones 2 (Staffieri 2)

Postponed: Bugbrooke St Michaels v Peterborough Sports.

THURLOW NUNN EASTERN COUNTIES LEAGUE

Division One

March Town United 1 (Woods)

Diss Town 3