Daniels insist FA Cup adventure won’t end at Hartlepool United

Football - Historic achievement for Stamford

Stamford AFC insist their remarkable, history-making FA Cup journey isn’t going to end in Hartlepool. The Daniels reached the first roundproperforthefirsttime with a stunning 3-2 win in a fourthqualifyingroundreplay at National League Wrexham on Tuesday.

Their reward is a trip to League Two outfit Hartlepool United, probably on November 5.

Stamford hadearnedtheir replay by drawing 1-1 at the Zeeco Stadium courtesy of a second-half Lee Beeson penalty last weekend.

Beeson also netted from the spot in Wrexham andwhen Kern Miller made it 2-0 12minutesfromtimeitlooked like plain sailing for the underdogs until the home side struck twice in the last three minutes.

But up popped Jake Duffy to curl home direct from a free-kick in extra-time to secure a most unlikely win, one that has taken the club’s prize money from the competition up to almost £30,000.

“OfcoursewecanbeatHartlepool,” Stamford boss Graham Drury stated. “We will have to get in their faces and play ugly, but we can win that game. I’m 100 per cent sure of that.

“The lads showed incredible heart in the two games against Wrexham, especially in the replay.

“Wewentfromanamazing high to a crushing low when they scored two late goals so torecoverfromthatandpinch a wininextra-time wasastonishing.

“I am a very proud manager. The players refused to give up. It’s beenafantasticCupadventure and it isn’t over yet.”

Stamfordarebackdownto earth on Saturday when they hostChasetowninaNorthern Premier Division One South match. TheDanielsaretwooff the bottom of the table after falling well behind with their fixtures because of their cup exploits.

Spalding lost for the first time at this level last weekend when falling to a 1-0 home defeat to LeekTown. Theytravel to lowly Sheffield FC on Saturday.

Stamford AFC players celebrate their FA Cup win in Wrexham.