PREVIEW: Stamford AFC (A)
By Will Phillips
When: Monday 6th April (15:00 KO)
Where: The Zeeco Stadium, Borderville Sports Centre, Ryhall Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1US
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Quorn travel to Lincolnshire in this important fixture in the hunt for the playoffs.
Quorn’s Form:
The Reds snapped a two game winless streak in the league with a 1-0 win at home to AFC Sudbury on Good Friday, and are now out of the playoff spots on goal difference only. It was thanks to Simeon Cobourne’s early goal against the Suds that Quorn were able to secure the three points in the last game. This 1-0 win made it six straight clean sheets and victories for the Methodists at Farley Way, a testament to the increased support we’ve seen at home games this season. Quorn’s last loss came against Kettering Town, a 3-1 defeat away from home, in which they were reduced to ten men in the first half.
The Opposition:
Whilst Stamford sit just outside the relegation zone, they are not to be taken lightly, especially at the Zeeco Stadium, where they haven’t lost in nine straight matches, a run dating all the way back to early November when Worcester City beat the Daniels 3-0. Up to that match, Stamford hadn’t won a league match at home, now they can’t seem to stop, winning seven and drawing two in the league. That run includes victories against Kettering Town and Needham Market. However, they’ve actually lost four of the previous five games, with all of the reverses coming on the road. Defeats away to Alvechurch (0-2), Real Bedford (0-3), Stratford Town (2-4) and Halesowen Town (1-3) were interrupted by a 1-0 win at home to Bishop’s Stortford at the end of March.
Head-to-head:
Having not met competitively for 14 seasons, this is the second such match between the sides in a matter of months. Quorn made home advantage count as goals from Jacob Fenton and Silvio Bello secured the win for the Reds with a 2-0 victory in February, snapping a five game winning streak for the Daniels in the series. The last meeting between the sides in Lincolnshire was a 3-2 win for the home side fifteen years ago.
One-to-watch:
Kai Sanchez-Tonge is a name familiar to long time Quorn fans. He has played for the Methodists in 2019, scoring six times in 14 appearances for the Reds. He’s also appeared for bitter rivals Anstey Nomads. He now finds himself as Stamford’s top scorer with eleven goals in 39 appearances this season.
Travel:
Head out through Barrow in the direction of Six Hills. Pass the A46 bridge and turn right onto the A6006 in the direction of Shoby. Stay on the A6006 around the outskirts of Asfordby, turning left into Asfordby Hill and through into Melton Mowbray. Pass through the town, exiting on the Saxby Road (B676). Turn right towards Wymondham before you reach Saxby. Take the Melton Road through the village of Wymondham. At the T-junction, turn right onto Fosse Lane, and immediately left onto Mill Lane. Pass through the outskirts of South Witham, turning right onto the A1 South.
Leave the A1 at the B1081 exit signposted Stamford. Continue down slip road and into Great Casterton. Turn left (signposted Ryhall) for about 2.5 miles. At the end of the road turn right and immediately right again. Continue for about 1.5 miles and ground is on the right. There is parking in the ground for about 110 cars. Additional parking is available at Travis Perkins two minutes’ walk from the ground.
Ticket Prices:
Adult £13.00, Concessions (Over 60s/Blue Light Card/Student Card) £9.00, Child (12-17 Year Olds) £5.00, Child (11 & Under with paying 18+) Free.