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Reaction from Stamford AFC manager Graham Drury after his side's FA Trophy victory over Lincoln United




Stamford manager Graham Drury praised the character and strength in depth of his squad after they made FA Trophy progress on Saturday.

The Daniels defeated Northern Premier League South East Division rivals Lincoln United 2-1 at the Zeeco Stadium thanks to goals from Tom Siddons and Jon Challinor.

Challinor's winning goal came just four minutes after Lincoln had levelled from the penalty spot to ensure a place in the third qualifying round for a depleted Stamford side.

Manager Graham Drury with match-winner Jon Challinor. Photo: Peter Short (42743526)
Manager Graham Drury with match-winner Jon Challinor. Photo: Peter Short (42743526)

In-form wingers Cosmos Matwasa and Tendai Chitiza were both only fit enough for a place on the substitutes bench while Stamford were without Rob Morgan, James Blunden, Jack McGovern and AJ Adelekan for the derby duel with their county rivals.

Boss Drury said: "We have got injuries and we're patching people up all over the place so it's a good job that I've got a big squad and have recruited well enough to make sure that we've got quality in numbers.

"That's being proved at the moment because any side who are missing five top players at any level would struggle.

"We have got good strength in depth and that is just showing now.

"We had to make sure we bounced back after they equalised and we've proved at 1-1 that we're resilient and we've got the qualities to carry on winning games."

Stamford had ran out 5-1 winners against the Whites in a league meeting between the two sides earlier this month.

Tom Siddons attempts to block a clearance. Photo: Peter Short (42743534)
Tom Siddons attempts to block a clearance. Photo: Peter Short (42743534)

It was part of three successive five-goal home wins and Drury felt his side's early opener on Saturday spurred on the visitors rather than his side.

He added: "Lincoln deserve a lot of credit because they worked really hard and perhaps the early goal didn't suit the game for us.

"We perhaps thought mentally that here goes two, three, four and five, but that just doesn't happen. You have work for it and fair play to Lincoln.

"I thought they out-worked us but we showed a lot of character.

"We're not going to score five goals every week and perhaps the fans do sometimes enjoy a tight encounter where we have to scrap to win every battle.

"The lads have really had to dig in against a side who came here with nothing to lose. They had an expectation of not wanting to repeat the scoreline from last time and they worked really hard.

Harry Limb puts in a challenge. Photo: Peter Short (42743538)
Harry Limb puts in a challenge. Photo: Peter Short (42743538)

"Teams are recognising what a good side we are so they're sitting behind the ball and making it hard for us.

"They pressed us all over the pitch and tried not to give us time on the ball because otherwise we do bop teams about.

"We are our own worst enemy at the moment because, when we give the ball away cheaply, teams are counter-attacking us and we have got to make sure that we don't do that in silly areas.

"They should have gone in at half-time with something on the board, but it doesn't matter how you play in a cup tie.

"It's all about the result so I am proud of the boys because they have ground it out to get the win."

Stamford return to Northern Premier League South East Division action on Tuesday night when title rivals Worksop Town visit the Zeeco Stadium.

Jack Duffy wins a header. Photo: Peter Short (42743532)
Jack Duffy wins a header. Photo: Peter Short (42743532)

MATCH REPORT: STAMFORD AFC 2 LINCOLN UNITED 1



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