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Reaction from Stamford AFC manager Graham Drury after their draw with Kettering Town




Manager Graham Drury felt his Stamford side went from being boring to brave in order to salvage a point in their home clash with Kettering Town on Saturday.

The Daniels boss was disappointed with his side's first half showing against their promotion rivals in the Southern League Premier Division Central clash.

They trailed to Aaron Powell's 14th minute opener before responding well after the break and eventually equalising deep into stoppage time through Jordon Cooke's first goal of the season.

Jordon Cooke equalises for Stamford. Photo: Rob O'Brien
Jordon Cooke equalises for Stamford. Photo: Rob O'Brien
Jordon Cooke celebrates his equaliser. Photo: Rob O'Brien
Jordon Cooke celebrates his equaliser. Photo: Rob O'Brien

Drury said: "I felt it was an awful and boring first half from us.

"We were too direct. We had removed the big man out of the middle to try and play some passing football but we didn't do it.

"I said to the players at half-time that I was absolutely bored of watching that football.

Stamford fans. Photo: Rob O'Brien
Stamford fans. Photo: Rob O'Brien
Ben Isaacson. Photo: Rob O'Brien
Ben Isaacson. Photo: Rob O'Brien

"I was hearing fans in the first half quite rightly saying 'keep the ball' or to stop 'lumping it.'

"We didn't play anywhere near what we are capable of in the first half which was frustrating.

"I didn't want to be watching head tennis because it isn't us.

Jordon Cooke. Photo: Rob O'Brien
Jordon Cooke. Photo: Rob O'Brien
Graham Drury. Photo: Rob O'Brien
Graham Drury. Photo: Rob O'Brien

"Maybe I am doing the lads a bit of an injustice because it might have been easier to play going into the wind in the second half but, for me, it's about getting your body shape right when you receive a pass.

"We had to be a lot braver in possession of the football. We had to find six, seven or eight passes to look for a way through.

"We had to be brave in our movements and I thought they were absolutely outstanding in the second half.

Stamford fans. Photo: Rob O'Brien
Stamford fans. Photo: Rob O'Brien
Jordon Cooke. Photo: Rob O'Brien
Jordon Cooke. Photo: Rob O'Brien

"We threw bravery into everything that I asked and the lads deserve massive credit for their response."

Stamford had gone into the game looking to shrug off the effects of a four-goal away loss at Bedford Town last weekend.

They were also looking to break their hoodoo of failing to take any points of the top four sides this season which Cooke's late leveller finally shattered.

Jordon Cooke heads the equaliser. Photo: Rob O'Brien
Jordon Cooke heads the equaliser. Photo: Rob O'Brien

Drury added: "These lads keep bouncing back, even from the jaws of defeat at times, and there was no better way of scoring because it feels like a victory.

"It will feel like a defeat for Kettering and it's a good point for us considering we haven't scored many goals against the top sides this season.

"We deserved it in our second half performance because we were the better team and there's no doubt about that.

Jordon Cooke. Photo: Rob O'Brien
Jordon Cooke. Photo: Rob O'Brien

"We have conceded a lot of goals in that injury-time period this season so it was nice to have one the other way.

"Our dressing room has got to use it as a springboard now though because we're a better footballing side than we are a battling one."

A crowd of 1,237 - Stamford's biggest of the season - turned out to watch the match with the visiting Poppies bringing a large number of travelling support.

Drury said: "It was a fantastic attendance and you've got to give credit to Kettering because they travel in big numbers.

"Our fans battled against it and sang their hearts out and they helped suck that ball into the back of the net at the end."

Stamford are back in action at the Zeeco Stadium on Saturday when they host Bishop's Stortford.



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