Three Stamford AFC players saw red as their wait for a first Evo-Stik League Premier Division win of the season continued yesterday (August 22).
The Daniels’ misery was compounded by conceding a stoppage-time winner as they went down 4-3 to Ashton United at the Zeeco Stadium – a third successive defeat in the opening week of the season.
They led 3-1 with 20 minutes to go courtesy of an Andy Hall equaliser from the penalty spot, a Greg Smith strike and a Jordan Smith effort . . . but then things turned sour as they were reduced to nine men.
Skipper Richard Jones was dismissed for conceding a penalty and striker Smith followed seconds later after collecting two yellow cards for dissent in the aftermath.
The spot-kick was successfully converted by an Ashton side who levelled 10 minutes later and then hit the front in the dying moments. Another Stamford player, Eddy Samba, was red-carded following the final whistle.
Spalding United have launched their Division One South campaign in considerably better fashion.
Josh Moreman hit a 77th minute winner as they claimed a 2-1 triumph over Tividale at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field yesterday.
Another summer signing, Neal Spafford, had given the Tulips a second-minute lead which was cancelled out early in the second period.
But Moreman came up trumps for the unbeaten Tulips when firing his second goal in as many games.