Stockton Town welcome Consett to the Coverall Stadium tonight on the back of an excellent comeback point against West Auckland at the weekend. The three meetings between the two sides produced 19 goals last season, could it be another goalfest on Teesside tonight?
Stockton showed character in abundance at the weekend when they came back from a two goal deficit to earn a highly credible 3-3 draw with big spending West Auckland. Goals have slightly dried up for The Anchors’ attacking players over the last couple of games so top goalscorer Mikey Roberts will be looking to add to his five for the season so far on Wednesday night.
The forwards have been ably supported by their defenders in providing the goals for Michael Dunwell’s side. A first goal for the club for Jordan Robinson had given The Anchors an early lead on Saturday but goals from Chris Stockton and a third in two for captain Adam Nicholson brought them back level. Stockton’s defenders will once again have their hands full tonight when they face a team with a highly impressive array of attacking talent.
The Opposition
Consett are one of the division’s most consistent performers over recent seasons. They compounded four consecutive top ten finishes with a Durham Challenge Cup win last season and they have begun this year’s campaign in a similarly impressive manner. Consett are currently the only side in the division who maintain a 100% winning record but have played just five league games so far, less than half of the 11 played by second placed Shildon.
If The Anchors want to be the first team to take points off their visitors then they will have to contend with one of the more impressive strike forces in the division. Michael Sweet’s consistency is complimented by the dogged, tireless work rate of former Sunderland, Darlington and Spennymoor favourite David Dowson. They boast goals across the park with midfielder Danny Craggs having found the net seven times already this season.
Consett finally tasted defeat at the weekend when they exited the FA Cup with an away defeat at Bridlington Town. The Anchors will be looking to add to the misery and impose a first league defeat at the Coverall Stadium tonight.
One to watch – Michael Sweet
Fans of non-league football across Teesside will need little introduction to Michael Sweet. A former Northern League Young Player of the Year, Sweet enjoyed a highly prolific spell at Billingham Synthonia. During his time at Central Avenue, Sweet enjoyed a successful first season where he notched 32 goals. He continued this into his second season where he found the net 34 times but was unable to prevent relegation for Synners.
Sweet has made a successful move to Consett and continues to provide a consistent goal threat. The seven goals from midfield from Danny Craggs have been a bonus but Sweet already has four this term and, ultimately, it is likely to be his goals that will determine what level of success his side enjoy this season.
The tale of the tape
Last time out…
Stockton enjoyed a winning record over Consett last season. The visitors came away with all three points as they edged a seven goal thriller at the Coverall Stadium. Goals from Calvin Smith, Danny Craggs and Dan Hawkins had given Consett a 3-0 half time lead. A spirited fightback from Stockton saw Jamie Owens grab a brace and Chris Stockton find the net but a fourth Consett goal through Sweet sealed the points.
The Anchors did not have to wait long for revenge as Consett provided an early victim on the road to Wembley in the FA Vase. It was a second seven goal thriller in just a few short weeks at the Coverall Stadium. A Chris Stockton hat trick and a goal from Joe Carter this time saw Stockton edge it by the odd goal in seven.
Stockton was again on target as The Anchors edged the rubber match away from home. Goals from Kev Hayes and Sonni Coleman helped their side to a 3-2 victory and brought all three point back to Teesside.
League Performance – The Last Five Years
Stockton Town
2013/14 – Wearside League – Winners
2014/15 – Wearside League – Winners
2015/16 – Wearside League – Winners
2016/17 – Northern League Division Two – Winners
2017/18 – Northern League Division One – 6th (FA Vase Runners-Up)
Consett
2013/14 – Northern League Division One – 11th
2014/15 – Northern League Division One – 9th
2015/16 – Northern League Division One – 7th
2016/17 – Northern League Division One – 7th
2017/18 – Northern League Division One – 9th (Durham Challenge Cup winners)
Top Goalscorer
Stockton Town – Mikey Roberts 5
Consett – Daniel Craggs 7
Stockton Town vs Consett is a 7:45pm Kick Off at the Coverall Stadium
By Daniel List @DanList_
