Match report: Stamford AFC beat Alvechurch in the Southern League Premier Division Central

Stamford stretched their unbeaten run in the Southern League to seven games to move into the Premier Division Central play-off places after victory over Alvechurch on Saturday.

Elliott Durrell marked his Daniels debut by giving Stamford a first half lead which they then defended superbly to secure back-to-back one-goal victories.

It allowed them to leapfrog Stratford Town into the all-important fifth place after the Bards were beaten by play-off chasing Harborough Town.

Stamford included new signings Durrell and Pa Suley Njie in their squad with the former making his first start in the only change to last week's win at Barwell by replacing the suspended George Hobbins.

The Daniels came into the game on the back of a six-match unbeaten run and they started like a side high on confidence.

Kai Tonge saw a dangerous cross cleared by Ammar Dyer and, from the resultant corner, Ashton Offler saw his header drop just wide of the Alvechurch goal.

However, it only took Stamford eight minutes to break the deadlock as Durrell marked his debut with a goal.

Tonge burst past his marker before biding his time before playing his pass into the path of Durrell who slotted Stamford into the lead.

Tobias Liversidge was inches away from doubling the advantage shortly after as his well-struck shot whistled just past the post.

However, as the first half wore on, the game turned into more of a battle for supremacy with neither side being able to assert their authority on proceedings.

James Blunden made a vital block from a shot by Alvechurch dangerman Dan Sweeney while both Tonge and Lee Shaw threatened the visiting goal but were unable to test visiting custodian Ronnie Hollingshead.

The second half started in the same vein with clear-cut chances at a premium despite both sides forcing a couple of corners each.

The two teams are both among the sides with the best defensive records in the division and this was illustrated as the game moved into the latter stages.

Callum Sullivan flashed a rare shot over the home crossbar as Stamford continued to defend well while only threatening the visiting goal from set pieces as the game entered the final 20 minutes.

Alvechurch substitute Jonny Ngandu was way off target with another effort as the visitors started to run out of ideas on how to breach the well-organised Stamford rearguard.

The visitors started to push more men forward in search of an equaliser but Stamford's central defensive trio of Blunden, Stacey Freeman and Jordon Cooke were equal to everything thrown at them.in an outstanding performance.

Blunden saw a header at the other end grabbed by Hollingshead while substitute Billy Bennett lifted a late effort wide as Stamford finished on the offensive to prevent any late Alvechurch pressure.

Stamford: Jackson, Varela (Chitiza), Freeman, Offler, Cooke, Blunden, Tonge (Bennett), Liversidge, Duffy, Durrell (Challinor), Shaw. Subs not used: Bartle, Njie.

Attendance: 409.