Reaction from Stamford AFC manager Graham Drury as they take top spot in the Southern League Premier Division Central

Graham Drury has challenged his table-topping Stamford players to keep out-performing their own manager in pursuit of glory this season.

The Daniels moved back to the top of the Southern League Premier Division Central table on Tuesday night with an impressive 3-1 home win over Barwell.

After just missing out of the play-offs on the final day of last season, Drury is determined to improve this term and wants high standards from his players.

He commented: "I am pleased to be top even if it's after only seven games and I want to stay there.

"I believe we can do that and I think we're as good as anybody in the league on our day.

"We just have to carry on producing the goods at the right times.

"We pushed it all the way last season but we can't leave it to chance this year.

"I've got to be better and the players have got to be better because, to go one step further to where we want to be, I've got to up my game and the players have to understand that.

"After seven league games and an FA Cup defeat, I still feel my standard has been eight out of 10.

"I have identified good areas where we can affect teams and nullified sides but some performances have dropped below that eight.

"If I can stay there then players must be consistent to stay in the team. There were a lot of nines and nine-and-halves on Tuesday night so they've outdone me."

It was an excellent all-round performance in the midweek win as three goals inside the opening 36 minutes paved the way for Stamford's victory.

Jack Duffy bagged a brace with Tobias Liversidge also scoring from the penalty spot before Barwell pulled a goal after the break through former Football League marksman Leroy Lita.

Drury added: "I was over the moon with the win because I felt we played some scintillating stuff.

"We moved the ball quickly, got overloads into good areas and looked sharp. We trusted each other with the ball.

"Fair play to Barwell because they changed their shape in the second half and we've had to adapt to it to see the result though.

"They got the goal which made it a bit nervy but I think the lads went back up the other end and showed what they were all about.

"It was a bit more of an open game in the second half than I would have liked but I still think we controlled it."

Stamford have tightened up at the back this season as they went into Tuesday's match having conceded just four goals in their opening six games.

That had brought a return of 13 points from the six games which is one better than the same stage last season where they shipped nine goals.

Drury commented: "It was the goals against column that was hurting us last season and we were conceding far too many goals.

"I am determined to make sure that we nullify the threats of the opposition this season and that we're also causing problems for them all over the pitch.

"You have to be careful that, when you keep the back door shut, you are still affecting the top end of the pitch enough.

"The boys have taken it on board and they've accepted that I'm going to be ruthless in how we get results this season."

Stamford face a rearranged league trip to AFC Sudbury on Saturday following both sides' early exit from the FA Cup.