Josh Baggs netted a brace as Stockton Town won their home Pre-Season opener against Guisborough Town.
The Anchors had gone down 2-1 at Newton Aycliffe in Saturday’s Pre-Season opener, and Northern League outfit Guisborough Town, now under Nathan Haslam, offered a stern test.
Michael Dunwell selected a strong Starting XI. Nathan Harker returned in goal, and there were starts for new signings Jamie Bramwell, Jake Petitjean and Amar Purewal.
Guisborough showed intent early on and had the game’s first chance when a free kick from the right narrowly missed the head of an oncoming attacker.
Another chance came when pressure from the Priorymen frontline ended with an effort from the edge of the box which curled wide.
Approaching the 20 minute mark, Stockton had two chances in quick succession. Josh Scott dragged a shot wide, and Amar Purewal was denied at close range by Robert Dean.
As the half wore on, Stockton began to assert their superiority. Amar Purewal had a strike saved after the Anchors had kept the ball alive.
In the final moments before the break, they went close on three occasions. A ball forward from Lewis King was latched onto by Cam Painter but his lob nestled on the roof of the net. A minute later Owen Gallacher drove down the left and struck the post. On the stroke of half-time Petitjean had an effort which was comfortable for Dean.
Half-Time: Stockton Town 0-0 Guisborough Town
Stockton continued strong in the second half. Baggs burst down the right but his low cross was narrowly missed by Scott.
Petitjean then was denied from point blank after he connected with Butterworth’s free kick.
From the resulting corner, Jamie Bramwell headed over.
Shortly after the hour mark, Stockton took the lead when Baggs was played in and he showed the composure of an accomplished striker.
Michael Sweet almost made a goalscoring return to action when he was played in by Lewis King but the goalkeeper was sharp to stop him.
A second was added soon after when a scuffed effort from Scott found its way into the path of Baggs who applied another assured finish.
Baggs was really fancying himself in front of goal and he had a long-range effort which forced a decent save from the goalkeeper.
Stockton Town held on for a solid win, although they did almost concede the clean sheet when Nathan Harker went on a journey before he was robbed of the ball. Thankfully the effort dipped wide of the post.
Full-Time: Stockton Town 2-0 Guisborough Town
