Stamford AFC lose to Halesowen Town in the Southern League Premier Division Central

Stamford faded after a bright start as they went down to a two-goal defeat at Halesowen Town on Tuesday night.

The Daniels made the early running in the Southern League Premier Division Central clash but then fell behind to Josh Smile's 34th minute opener for the Yeltz.

Conor Tee doubled the home side's lead from the penalty spot five minutes into the second half to send Stamford to defeat.

It was the second successive long midweek trip for Graham Drury's side following their visit to Lowestoft Town last Tuesday.

Richard Gregory and James Blunden both returned from injury and were named on the substitutes' bench alongside new signing Josh Burniston.

Stamford started the stronger of the two teams and home goalkeeper Daniel Platt had to be alert early on to clear his lines as Tobias Liversidge looked to latch onto Charlie Marzano's through ball.

Cosmos Matwasa then just failed to convert a Liversidge corner at the back post before Rob Morgan shot wide from Tendai Chitiza's pass.

Chitiza saw another effort deflected past the home goal while a vital block from Ryan Wollacott thwarted Morgan when in full flight.

Halesowen started to creep into the contest and Joe Burgess blocked a shot from Smile before the Yeltz made the vital breakthrough.

Tee's corner was turned into the path of Smile by Ryan Winter who curled home a fine finish beyond Stamford goalkeeper Tom Jackson.

The opening goal gave Halesowen a grip on the contest that they never relinquished as Stamford struggled to impose themselves on proceedings from then on.

Tee struck another effort over the Stamford crossbar while Kieran Donnelly also went close as Halesowen finished the first half in the ascendency.

The Yeltz picked up where they left off at the start of the second half by doubling their lead within five minutes of the restart.

Donnelly latched onto a through ball and was brought down by George Hobbins with Tee converting the resultant spot kick.

Stamford rang the changes with Blunden, Connor Bartle and Gregory all coming on, the latter facing up to his former club.

But it was Halesowen who looked the more likely to add to their tally with Jordon Cooke making a crucial clearance to deny Donnelly with Ben Cassidy's follow-up also being blocked.

Home debutant Kacy Butterfield fizzed another effort just wide while McKauley Manning twice went close in the latter stages as Halesowen finished the stronger of the two sides.

The defeat leaves Stamford in seventh spot, still only a point outside the play-off places, ahead of Saturday's trip to third-placed AFC Telford.