Stratford Town boss expects a tough encounter at Stamford in Southern Central Premier

Stratford Town will be looking to make it three wins on the bounce when they travel to Stamford to face the Daniels tomorrow.

And they’ll do so in buoyant mood after another narrow but deserved 1-0 home victory over Worcester City at the Arden Garages Stadium on Tuesday night.

A late header from substitute Cyrus Bruce secured back-to-back victories and clean sheets for Paul Davis’s side, lifting the Bards into 11th place in the Southern League Premier Central table.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s trip to Stamford, Davis was quick to dismiss any suggestion that the game would be straightforward despite the Daniels’ slow start.

“They’re a really good side and one of the toughest places to go in the division," Davis said.

"I know Graham (Drury) well; he works tirelessly, and his teams always compete.

"They’ve had a good FA Cup run and only just went out to Macclesfield. We’ll have to be at our best again.”

Stratford were unchanged from Saturday’s success, with Dan Lafferty returning from suspension among the substitutes. Worcester included the experienced Dan Sweeney in their starting line-up.

The home side started brightly, immediately pinning Worcester back.

Within the opening five minutes, a flurry of chances came the Bards’ way, Owen James went close, Finn Brennan and Dan Ison combined to test visiting goalkeeper Adam Price, and Josh Roney headed narrowly wide from a corner.

Moments later, Jack Storer saw his shot blocked as Stratford dominated possession and territory.

As the first half wore on, the visitors gradually found some rhythm, but Stratford continued to look the likelier to score.

Just before the break, controversy struck when James twice went down in the box after good work from Storer, prompting loud penalty appeals from the home crowd.

Referee Daniel Ellis waved play on, much to Stratford’s frustration.

The second half was more evenly contested as both sides recognised that a single goal could prove decisive.

Stratford continued to probe, and on 58 minutes, a slick move involving Storer and James almost sent Harry Reilly clear.

The pressure grew, and ten minutes later, Reilly earned a corner from which Storer’s precise delivery found James, who unfortunately misfired from a promising position.

That would be James’s final involvement as he made way for Bruce and the substitute’s impact was instant.

Sweeping forward from deep, Henry Landers surged down the left and whipped in an inch-perfect cross.

Bruce, with his very first touch, met it firmly with his head to power home the decisive goal and send the home fans into raptures.

Stratford managed the closing stages with composure and control.

The introduction of Lafferty and Callum George helped shore up midfield, and Jake Weaver enjoyed what was arguably his quietest game of the season, untroubled throughout as Worcester failed to muster a single clear-cut chance.

After the match, a delighted Paul Davis praised his players’ discipline and teamwork, saying: “Clean sheets are always hard to come by, and we were close to another one last week,” he said.

“We kept a lot last year, so it’s pleasing to start doing that again. That’s one defeat in nine now, and while we didn’t create as much as Saturday, we controlled large parts of the game.”

Davis revealed he had challenged Bruce before bringing him on: “I said to Cyrus before he came on, ‘Tonight’s the night, mate, you’re going to score the winner' and he did! It was a brilliant header after a great ball from Henry (Landers).”

The Bards' boss also lauded his team’s defensive structure and composure:

“Jake Weaver barely had to make a save again tonight, which tells you how well the team’s defending.

Dan Vann and the back four were immense, blocking everything and dictating play from the back. Korey Roberts was outstanding again, a real leader.”

Stratford Town: Weaver, Vann (Morris 70), Brennan, Roberts, Landers (George 90+2), Ison, Storer (Lafferty 74), Masidi, Reilly, James (Bruce 76), Roney. Substitute not used: Dylan Thomas.

Star Man (Stratford): Korey Roberts.

Attendance: 772