Preview: Fully fit Daniels ready for Curzon Ashton test

Stamford AFC have another big task ahead of them tonight (Tuesday) when they welcome promotion chasing Curzon Ashton to Borderville.

The Daniels held top the Evo-Stik NPL FC United of Manchester to a 1-1 draw on Saturday in one of their best performances of 2015 however their failure to get all three points means they remain in a scrap to avoid the relegation zone.

Curzon Ashton beat Stamford 3-1 on the road in January and are currently sixth in the league.

Stamford manager David Staff said: “I think it’s safe to say Curzon will finish in the play-offs and they play some good football, It’s tight at the top so they are looking to win but it’s tight at the bottom as well. The other teams around us have some very winnable games tonight as well.”

Again just five points separate 16th place Matlock Town and 21st placed Frickley Athletic, with 19th place Stamford sandwiched in between on 43 points. Ramsbottom (17th -45 points) play Barwell tonight (9th - 56 points), Witton Albion (18th - 45 points) host Rushall Olympic (10th - 56 points) and Frickley Athletic (21st - 40 points) host King’s Lynn (14th - 48 points).

Staff said it’s a big ask to say that tonight is a must win game, especially against a side of their quality, but they need to start picking up points.

The unwanted record which continues to grow is that Stamford have still not won in the league at their new Zeeco Stadium since moving in back in December.

Staff said tonight is about getting the performance right. He said: “We know it will be difficult because Curzon have got some good footballers in their side.

“I just want the same level of performance and application and if we get that we won’t be too far away.”

The good news for Daniels fans is Staff has a fully fit squad available to select from tonight, with just Ryan Robbins missing having made his international debut for St Kitts and Nevis in a World Cup qualifier last night against Turks and Caicos Islands.

He started in the national side’s 6-2 victory.

Stamford kick off at 7.45pm tonight.