Glen Butterworth’s headed goal was enough to secure three points at Stocksbridge Park Steels in a game played in testing conditions.
Michael Dunwell named the same starting XI that beat Hebburn Town last Saturday. Michael Sweet made his return to the squad. There were three Under-18 players on the bench in Ethan Jones, Jacob Johnson and Jack Spears.
Stocksbridge had the game’s first effort on goal when Luke Rawson laid the ball back to Kurtis Turner who drove his shot over.
Stockton had their first real opening when a cross from Kev Hayes arrived to Stephen Thompson who had his first effort blocked and his second was well saved by Ben Townsend.
Townsend was alert minutes later when he kept out a Mikey Roberts volley which deviated in the air.
The Anchors made the breakthrough on the half hour mark when Thompson’s cross was powered past Townsend by the head of Butterworth. It was near identical to his goal against Grantham Town.
Stockton saw out the remainder of the first half without much trouble on their goal. Rawson tried an effort which trickled wide.
Half Time: Stocksbridge Park Steels 0-1 Stockton Town
Early in the second half, Townsend was tested again and he was equal to it as he palmed away a Butterworth shot from the edge of the box.
The game was scrappy with intermittent openings. One came on 72 minutes when Townsend’s clearance hit the back of Michael Fowler he burled forward but had his strike well blocked.
The remainder of the game saw no significant chances. The last action saw the ball lay nicely into path of Fowler but could only blaze over.
Full Time: Stocksbridge Park Steels 0-1 Stockton Town
Stockton Town remain three points ahead at the summit. Next up is the huge Boxing Day home game against Consett.
Stocksbridge Park Steels: Townsend, Charlesworth, Tinker, Hogg (Davies 78′), Oglesby, Goodwin, Turner, Poole, Rawson, Reaney (O’Connor 58′), Zottos (Watson 57′)
Unused subs: Lemon, D’Sena
Stockton Town: C.Roberts, King, McWilliams, Henry, Nicholson, Coulthard, Hayes, Butterworth, Fowler, Thompson (Painter 66′), M.Roberts (Sweet 72′)
Unused subs: Jones, Spears, Johnson
Goals: 0-1, 30 min, Butterworth
Attendance: 162
Photo: Harry Cook
Words: James Cartwright
