Stamford AFC manager Graham Drury reflects on the super statistics behind his side's start to the Northern Premier League South East Division campaign

Stamford manager Graham Drury believes the toughness of the Northern Premier League South East Division has been highlighted by his side’s league position despite an amazing sequence of statistics.

The Daniels are currently in eighth spot, six points behind league leaders Leek Town with a game in hand, with the season suspended due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Stamford are the only side in the division with an unbeaten record and have yet to lose during 90 minutes this season.

They have also netted 63 goals in 19 games between the two lockdowns which is an average of 3.3 strikes per match and boast the best defensive record in the division.

They have conceded just six goals in the South East Division – four of which have been penalties and, if they are taken out of the equation, they are letting in a paltry 0.28 goals per game.

Drury said: “They are some statistics and it’s no mean feat what we have achieved.

"We haven't conceded two goals in a game in open play this season, but then you look at the league table and it shows we're sat there in eighth place.

"They are some amazing stats and it just shows what a tough league it is.”

Stamford are scheduled to return to league action on Saturday, December 5, if the lockdown is ended when bottom-of-the-table Market Drayton Town are the visitors to the Zeeco Stadium.

The Daniels have so far won three and drawn four of their seven league games with three of their last South East Division outings all ending in stalemates after sharing the spoils away at Chasetown and Carlton while playing out a goalless home clash with title-chasing Worksop.

Drury added: “The draws in the league have hurt us a little bit.

“We were unfortunate with the penalty decisions at both Ilkeston and Carlton but, at the end of the day, the league table says that Stamford have drawn four games.

"The Worksop game was a fair result, but Leek have beaten the likes of Chasetown, Carlton and Ilkeston so they have set the bar again.

"I was disappointed with the referees in the Carlton and Ilkeston games and then disappointed in ourselves at Chasetown, but that was the only time that this group has really let me down.

"They responded in an unbelievable way in the FA Trophy win at Stourbridge and that is just what this group is about because they are all top players to work with and are such a pleasure to manage.”

Stamford are due to host table-topping Leek in their second match post-lockdown on Saturday, December 12.