Stockton Town progressed to the Fourth Round of the Isuzu FA Trophy with an unforgettable 2-0 victory over National League title challengers Oldham Athletic.
Adam Nicholson’s fairytale career gained another chapter when he fired the Anchors in front just after the break, before Michael Sweet solidified the result in stoppage time.
Michael Dunwell named a single change to the side that was defeated at Worksop Town last weekend, with Michael Sweet replacing Michael Fowler on the right-wing.
1545 spectators made their way through the gates at the MAP Group UK Stadium to see Stockton take on their highest ever ranked opponents in the Third Round of the competition for the first time in club history.
The game started slowly as both sides looked to get to grips with the atrocious wind caused by Storm Darragh.
Josh Scott had the first attempt of the game after 13 minutes with a low effort that trickled across the face of goal.
Scott then set-up Michael Sweet inside the box with a downwards header which the Anchors’ top goalscorer got too much behind with a strike
Just before the break, the visitors nearly scored with their first big chance of the game when EFL-veteran Joe Garner struck the crossbar following a corner.
Half-time: Stockton Town 0-0 Oldham Athletic
The Anchors started the second-half emphatically, using the wind to their advantage, and had a handful of good chances within the first five minutes of the restart.
Many around the ground thought the Teessiders had taken the lead when Michael Sweet was played through on goal, but his effort was very well saved by Scott Moloney.
From the following corner, Glen Butterworth’s deep ball found Adam Nicholson at the back stick who powered home from a mere few yards out to give the Anchors the lead in the 53rd minute.
Michael Sweet found the net five minutes later from a rebounded chance, but the linesman’s flag was raised to rule it out.
Stephen Thompson had a few chances from long range which didn’t miss the target by much, the best of the which came in the 65th minute when a weak clearance fell to him 40-yards away from goal, and his dipped effort bounced narrowly wide.
Stockton closed the game the better side, and had a handful of chances to see the game off as the game came to a close, and they nearly made to pay for their missed chances when Joe Garner found himself through on goal, but Adam Nicholson reacted brilliantly to get a foot in and win the ball back.
Then a mere seconds later, Michael Sweet was unleashed on the right-hand side, he drove towards goal and prodded an effort through the goalkeeper which trickled over the line to secure a giant-killing, booking Stockton Town’s spot in the Fourth Round.
Full-time: Stockton Town 2-0 Oldham Athletic
Following Monday’s exciting cup draw, the Anchors will prepare for another massive clash, with a trip to league-leaders Macclesfield coming up next weekend.
Stockton Town: Harker, King, Baggs, Painter, Nicholson, Coulthard, Sweet, Butterworth, Scott (Fowler 34’), Thompson, Hayes
Unused Subs: Roberts, Gallacher, Leech, Johnson, Purewal, Stephenson
Oldham Athletic: Moloney, Kitching, Garner, Raglan, Ucheghulam (Muhammed 73’), Caprice, Sutton, Stone, Hammond, Charsley, Khan
Unused Subs: Monthe, Fondop, Norwood, Hudson, Ogle
Goals: Nicholson, 1-0, 53 min. Sweet, 2-0, 90+5 min
Attendance: 1,545
Words: Jordan Clarke
Photo: Jordan Clarke
