STOCKTON TOWN VS STOCKSBRIDGE PARK STEELS PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division – Matchday 6
DATE: Saturday 6th September, 2025
KICK-OFF: 15:00
ENTRY: £13 Adult, £10 Concessions, £6 11-18 year-olds, £4 U11
GROUND: Stockton Town FC, Map Group UK Stadium, Bishopton Road West, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 0QD
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter/X
Stockton Town return to league action when they welcome Stocksbridge Park Steels to the MAP Group UK Stadium.
The Anchors disappointingly exited the FA Cup at the First Qualifying Round after they were beaten by a late goal at Trafford.
In the league they enjoyed a good Bank Holiday weekend last time out where they picked up four points from a possible four to leave three points off the current pacesetters FC United of Manchester.
Nathan Harker will make his return after being out for the last four games, Tom Coulthard returns from his suspension and Jake Petitjean will be pushing for a starting berth.
THE OPPOSITION
Stocksbridge Park Steels need no introduction having been the first side Stockton Town ever faced in the Northern Premier League back in August 2021.
The Steels made their return to Step Three following relegation in 2014 in the same way the Anchors gained promotion by defeating Dunston UTS on penalties in the NPL East Play-Off Final.
Manager Ian Richards has almost been in charge for four years to the day, and he has done an excellent job at the helm. After stabliising the club to a midtable finish in his debut season, he led them to the Play-Offs in his first full season where they fell to the Anchors on penalties after coming from 2-0 down in the game. There was a slight down year 2023/24 where they finished 15th, but last season he led them to the Play-Offs again where this time they emerged victorious.
From their first five games this season in the league they are yet to taste victory, but they have recorded two credible clean sheets against Whitby Town and Warrington Rylands. Last Saturday they secured their first win of the season against NCEL outfit Wombell Town in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round. Former Pontefract midfielder Connor Smythe found the net as did ex-Grimsby Town defender Jaz Goundry and forward Jack Watson.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Stockton Town and Stocksbridge Park Steels have met on seven occasions. Here are the last five meetings between the clubs.
23 Dec 23- Stocksbridge Park Steels 0-1 Stockton Town- NPL East Division
12 Aug 23- Stockton Town 2-2 Stocksbridge Park Steels- NPL East Division
25 Apr 23- Stockton Town 2-2 Stocksbridge Park Steels- NPL East Division Play-Off Semi-Final
08 Apr 23- Stockton Town 1-0 Stocksbridge Park Steels- NPL East Division
27 Aug 22- Stocksbridge Park Steels 1-2 Stockton Town- NPL East Division
FORM GUIDE
Stockton Town (9th) L W D L D
Last match: Trafford FC 2-1 Stockton Town
Stocksbridge Park Steels: W D D L L
Last match: Wombwell Town 1-3 Stocksbridge Park Steels
THE OPPOSITiON VIEW
Speaking to Stocksbridge’s YouTube Channel, Manager Ian Richards said:
“It’s two teams who know each other well. I’ve got a lot of respect for the management team of Stockton and the players there. He’s (Michael Dunwell) kept the core group of players there who have three Play-Off finals in the NPL East and then got them to this level and the Play-Offs here. He’s added quality along the way from the NPL East, so we know a lot of their players. They (Stockton) get a really good following, so it’ll be a really good atmosphere there and you can only be excited by it.
Hopefully we give a good account of ourselves and come back with one or three points.”
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Looking ahead to the game, Michael Dunwell said:
“Stocksbridge will be no different to the times we have played them before. Ian (Richards) will have them hard working, organised and they are normally quite direct. So, it will be a more physical game as well.”
“Hopefully we can have another big crowd on Saturday to get another three points in the league closer to those Play-Off places near the top of the league which is where we want to be.”
