Anchors make winning start to 2024

Stockton Town made it nine wins on the bounce with a victory over Ossett United.

Michael Dunwell named another unchanged squad for the fifth consecutive game.

It was Stockton who were on top straight from the off, and had a good chance to take the lead after 10 minutes when Michael Fowler’s impressive control inside the box led to a dipping shot which just didn’t quite fall under the crossbar. 

But the Anchors took managed to find a lead after 19 minutes when a high-press led to Mikey Roberts’ shot being parried away for Kevin Hayes to acrobatically finish. 

Ossett goalkeeper Darryl Ombang, who was playing his last game for the Ramicorns following the expiration of his loan from Leeds United, was equal to a number of Stockton chances after the opener.

Before the close of the half, Stephen Thompson found the goalkeeper in no man’s land but his dinked effort from distance bounced wide.

Half-time: Stockton Town 1-0 Ossett United

After the break, Ossett appeared fired up, and after a mix-up at the back, Rafa Ferriera found an opening towards Callum Roberts and after taking it around the Anchors’ number one, he was met by a heroic tackle from Tom Coulthard to deny a certain goal.

Roberts was called into action a few minutes later to keep out a shot from Alex Peterson after he was left in space inside the box but the shot-stopper did well to push his attempt over the bar.

Adam Nicholson had a good chance to extend the lead from a corner but his powered header flew past the wrong side of the crossbar.

But the Anchors advantage was doubled 88 minutes into the game when the league’s lone top scorer, Kevin Hayes, cut inside from the right-wing and powered home for his second of the afternoon, despite being denied by the Ossett number one mere seconds beforehand.

The three points were finalised a minute later when a corner was headed around the box, before eventually being thundered into the net by the boot of defender Tom Coulthard. 

Stockton Town: C. Roberts, King, Coulthard, Nicholson, McWilliams, Henry, Butterworth, Hayes, Thompson (Painter 70’), M. Roberts (Spears 89’), Fowler (Sweet 75’)

Unused subs: D. Mulligan, Johnson 

Ossett United: Ombang, Ibrahim, Milambo, Claisse, Killock, McLoughlin, Robson, Lipka, Peterson (Swales 75’), Dawson (Lindley 88’), Ferreira (Castro 84’)

Unused subs: Plater, Amponsah

Attendance: 555

Words: Jordan Clarke

Photo: Harry Cook

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