Stamford AFC are beaten by Alvechurch in the Southern League Premier Division Central

The Daniels lost out in a seven-goal thriller at Lye Meadow as they went down to a 4-3 defeat at Alvechurch on Saturday.

Their hosts had raced into a three-goal lead by the 49th minute mark of the Southern League Premier Division Central clash.

However, quick-fire goals from Lee Shaw and Rob Morgan brought Stamford back into the match, Nick Clayton-Phillips scored a fourth Alvechurch goal with two minutes remaining.

Although Tom Siddons pulled a goal back shortly after, Stamford were unable to find an equaliser.

They started with the same starting eleven that drew with AFC Sudbury the previous week and began brightly as Shaw crossed early on, but he could not find a Daniels team-mate.

It was the home side who opened the scoring after 15 minutes when Ben Cassidy found Dylan Allen-Hadley on the left.

He got clear of the Daniels back line and, although Dan Wallis came out to smother the ball, it became loose and the Alvechurch number seven was able to tap into an empty net.

Stamford looked for a response and a long throw from Connor Bartle was met by Ashton Offler, but the defender’s header was over the bar.

The home side were getting a lot of joy down their left and almost had a second when a cross came in from the right and Allen-Hadley turned but his effort which was blocked by Will Glennon.

Cassidy assisted with Alvechurch’s second goal just before half-time when he cut in from the left and fired a shot at goal. Unfortunately, Wallis was not able to hold and DJ Campton-Sturridge was able to tap in from close range.

Stamford fell further behind after four minutes of the second half when Jaanai Gordon picked up the ball and cut inside before unleashing a shot from 25 yards which flew past Wallis.

This was the first of three goals in as many minutes.

From the re-start, Tendai Chitiza crossed from the right and he found Shaw to score from close range.

A minute later, Stamford reduced the arrears again when Jack Duffy got down the left and he crossed for Rob Morgan to score from close range.

With the weather deteriorating, both sides looked dangerous and Stamford came close to grabbing an equaliser when Duffy got down the left and fired a shot which the Alvechurch keeper was able to push away.

With time running out, Alvechurch grabbed a fourth.

With players committed upfield, a cross from the right evaded the Daniels defence and goalkeeper and substitute Clayton-Phillips was able to score at the far post.

There was still time for Stamford to get a goal back as from the restart the ball went out to Joe Burgess and his cross found its way to fellow substitute Siddons to head home.

Stamford are back in action at the Zeeco Stadium on Tuesday night when AFC Telford are the visitors.