Marine Gun Down Daniels - Stamford vs. Marine

Churches surround Kettering Road

I'd been meaning to visit Stamford for a long time and as this was their last season at Kettering Road I was running out of time. I didn't want to go to the very last game and I didn't fancy the crowd at the FC United game so the Northern Premier League match up with Marine was my last chance. The last time I saw Marine play was also in Lincolnshire at in my first ever non league game at Gainsborough Trinity in the old Unibond League. This was an important game for both sides as they needed the points to pull away from the relegation zone. The home side were five points away from danger while the visitors were only one point ahead of the final relegation spot. In the reverse fixture, Stamford claimed a three one win at The Arriva Stadium.

The two captains contest the toss

Stamford give away an early free kick much to the managers disgust and they are made to pay for the indiscretion as the Marine player powers the ball in to the top corner. Stamford come close to equalising with a long range of their own but the ball sails over. Marine almost add a second as they hit the bar but the offside flag had already gone up. The visitors do make it two nil with a header following a fantastic cross in to the box. They almost go further ahead but a great saving tackle by the Stamford defender keeps his side in touch. Stamford then have a good spell and a long throw causes panic in the Marine defence before the keeper is able to claim the ball. The Stamford forward is then able to round the keeper but he puts the ball over the bar. In the closing stages of the half a Marine defender almost puts the ball through his own but his side go in two up.

Stamford attack The Hedge End in the first half

Stamford almost create an opening at the start of the second half but the Marine keeper makes a great block. The Stamford winger then gets to the byline but his pull is just behind his fellow attackers. After the fast paced start to the half the game enters a short lull but it isn't long until Stamford get themselves back in the game. The Stamford man is left unmarked at the back post at a corner and he makes no mistake. Marine soon regain their two goal lead as the forward goes straight through the middle to put his side three one up. Remarkably, Stamford score a third goal of a crazy ten minutes when a penalty is slammed straight down the middle. Marine almost grab a fourth as the forward goes past the keeper but his pass is cut out by a defender. Both sides have further chances as a Stamford glancing header goes just wide and Marine hit a post. Marine do get the clinching fourth goal to claim a memorable away victory. 

Pin ball in the box

Stamford is absolutely one of the most scenic towns I have had the pleasure of visiting. The town is defiantly worth an explore before a game. There are also a lot of pubs. Before the game I visited The Lord Burghley and The Golden Fleece and both had Sky Sports and plenty of outside seating for sunny days. There are no direct trains from London to Stamford. You have to take a train to Peterborough and change there for a Stamford train. This unfortunately includes a long wait at Peterborough as there is only one train an hour. The journey in total takes around an hour and three quarters. The ground is a five minute walk from the station although the station is in between the town centre and the ground. The clubhouse did the job and a couple of bottled ales as well as the club's own ale produced by The Oakham Brewery. After the game I popped in to St Marys Vault which was a good Sam Smiths pub.

For a second week in a row, a brilliant full colour programme was produced. There was a lot of reading for the trip back including quite a few looking back at the club's history.

Kettering Road will be very sadly missed.