Grantham completed a league double over near neighbours Stamford after 3-1 win on Monday 28th December.
Grantham reverted to the central defensive partnership of Purcicoe and Storey with Emmott back at left back. Gorman dropped to the bench and new signing Collingshaw was also named amongst the Grantham substitutes.
Grantham won the toss and kicked into the now familiar wind in the first half. Grantham got off to the perfect start with a goal after 4 minutes. Ben Saunders got onto the end of a deep cross to the far post and when be headed back across goal Rhys Lewis finished things off with a heard from close range. Stamford pushed for an equaliser with tom Magowan firing over from 30 yards and on 8 minutes Jake Turner was called into action to tip over a header from Jordan Smith. A move involving Lee Shaw, Danny Meadows and finally Michael Hollingsworth saw the latter put his shot wide on 12 minutes. Stamford keeper Ashley Timms came out to clear as McGhee burst through on 16 minutes and came to Stamford’s rescue again a minute later with a smart block at his near post when Lee Shaw burst through. #he wasn’t able to save Stamford on 22 minutes when Shaw burst through again following a McGhee through ball and this time checked back before firing past Timms to put Grantham two up. Jake Turner made a couple of late saves from headers from Greg Smith and then from Jordan smith but the half ended with Grantham remaining two up.
Stamford made a double substitution at the beginning of the half with Lee Beeson and Chris Hamilton replacing Jon Challinor and Jason Field. Jordon Smith saw his 30 yard shot go over after 49 minutes and on 52 minutes Elliott Hodge saw his cross cleared by Ellis Storey at the expense of a corner. Jack Beckett Carried the ball from deep in his own half following the corner but his final ball to McGhee saw the latter narrowly offside. Stamford were on top as Grantham seemed content to sit back on their lead. Greg Smith headed back across goal on 61 minutes but Jordan Smith couldn’t finish putting his header over the bar. Stamford made their final substitution on 69 minutes with Lewis Carr replacing Tom McGowan and on 72 minutes Grantham brought on new signing James Cullingworth for the injured Jamie McGhee. Grantham were defending but Stamford could not break through despite Grantham conceding a number of free kicks. When Grantham did break first Lee Shaw and then Ben Saunders were caught offside. Elliott Hodge shot straight at Turner on 80 minutes. A minute later Grantham made a second substitution with Stefan Bilyk replacing Ben Saunders. Elliott Hodge saw another shot saved by Turner on 86 minutes and a minute later Greg Smith pulled a goal back for Stamford when he put a looping header over Turner into the far corner of the net. Grantham introduced Gorman for Shaw as Stamford push players forward in search of an equaliser but deep into added time it was Grantham that broke away. Both Hollingsworth and Bilyk ran from their own half onto and it was Bilyk who took responsibility calmly putting the ball past Timms to seal the victory and the 3 points for Grantham.

Grantham
J Turner, D Meadows, M Emmott, M Hollingsworth, S Purcicoe, E Storey, J McGhee (J Collingworth 72), R Lewis, L Shaw (L Gorman 90), B Saunders (S Bilyk 80), J Beckett.
Subs not used Jake Towers, Nick Eatough

Stamford
A Timms, E Myles, J Field (L Beeson 46), J Challinor (C Hamilton 46), T Batchelor, B Gasgoine, J Smith, T McGowan (L Carr 72), G Smith, J Duffy, E Hodge
Subs not used L Jackson, A Johnson

Referee N Smith
Yellow Cards – Grantham 4 Stamford 2
Red Cards – Nil

Free Kicks Conceded – Grantham 18 Stamford 8

Corner Count – Grantham 4 Stamford 5

Offsides – Grantham 6 Stamford 1

Crowd 457