Stamford AFC manager Graham Drury aims to keep his side in shape following the suspension of the football season
Manager Graham Drury has set a plan of attack to keep his Stamford side in shape following the suspension of the football season.
The Daniels’ Northern Premier League South East Division campaign has been put on hold for at least 28 days due to the increased national lockdown measures.
Stamford will also be unable to train during this time so the Daniels boss is preparing a fitness routine ahead of his side’s hopeful return when the national lockdown ends on December 2.
He explained: “The players have been set runs for Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday each week.
“We will also have a Zoom meeting on Monday about a plan of attack to work on different fitness routines. It will also give us the chance to introduce new signing Cameron Johnson into the group.
"We will be putting together a programme to make sure the players are keeping themselves ticking over by doing what they can when they can.
"We will make sure that we also have some fun in between with some quizzes to try and keep the atmosphere going and do the best we can with it.
“We’re in a healthy position at the moment and we will just have to see what happens.”
Stamford – who are currently unbeaten in 12 games over 90 minutes this season – are next due to be action on Saturday, December 5, when Market Drayton Town are scheduled to visit the Zeeco Stadium.
Their last outing at the weekend saw them enter lockdown in style with a superb 3-0 away triumph at higher level Stourbridge in the FA Trophy.
First half strikes from Tom Siddons and Tendai Chitiza were followed by Rob Morgan’s late penalty to defeat their Southern League Premier Division Central hosts in the third qualifying round clash.
Drury described the performances of his charges as ‘fantastic’ after they responded in style to last weekend’s draw at Chasetown where they conceded a two-goal half-time lead.
He said: “It was a fantastic performance. The boys were class. They were brilliant.
“They were disappointed with their second half performance against Chasetown last week and they wanted to put the wrongs right.
“It was just the way to do it and it is great when you have a group of players who are disappointed to only get a point when they’re playing away from home. It just shows the mentality of the group.
“We had a different approach at half-time and I told the lads that they would have a couple of minutes to themselves but, when I came into the changing rooms, I didn’t want them moving around or getting up.
“It was all about sitting down, focusing and concentrating because I was disappointed with the attitudes going into the second half at Chasetown.
“To be fair to them, they were adamant that they were going to put it right and what a game to do it in.
“They were right at it from the beginning. Every player just wanted to go and perform and there were some outstanding performances as well as what we did as a group.
“Jordon Cooke was immense. It was the best that I have seen him play since he’s been with the club because his all-round game was so good.”
The Daniels will now travel to face Northern Premier League South East Division rivals Kidsgrove Athletic in the first round proper.
Drury added: “The draw could have been a lot worse because we have got someone at our level who we know that we can compete against.
“Kidsgrove are having a good season and have started really well, but it’s not a bad draw. It’s just a shame that it is away from home but it is a win-able game.”
On-loan defender AJ Adelekan has returned to National League North side Alfreton Town after the completion of his spell with the Daniels.
