ASHTON UNITED VS STOCKTON TOWN PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Northern Premier League Premier Division- Matchday 29
DATE: Saturday 21st February, 2026
KICK-OFF: 15:00
ENTRY: £14 Adults, £10 Concessions, £8 (12-15), Accompanied U12 £1
GROUND: Hurst Cross Stadium, Surrey Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, OL6 8DY
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter/X
LIVE COMMENTARY: Anchors Radio (mixlr.com)
Stockton Town are back on their travels as they make the trip to Greater Manchester to face Ashton United.
The Anchors come fresh off booking their place in the Durham Challenge Cup Final with an emphatic 5-0 win over Horden CW. Kev Hayes continued his blistering form with a brace, while Josh Scott extended his scoring streak to three games with a stunning freekick at the death. Jake Petitjean netted his second of the month and Michael Sweet returned to the scoresheet for the first time since November.
Michael Dunwell will be without Owen Gallacher who misses through suspension following his red card at Bamber Bridge. Amar Purewal continues to be out with a thigh injury.
THE OPPOSITION
Ashton United are currently 10th and are aiming to keep their Play-Off hopes alive. The Robins head into the game fresh after their trip to Whitby Town last Saturday was postponed. Prior to that they had beaten Warrington Town 1-0 at Hurst Cross, which was a solid response to a 3-0 defeat to Gainsborough Trinity also at home.
Steve Cunningham’s side has plenty of experience in it. Sean Newton, best known for his time at York City, provides an assured head as both a player and a First Team coach. Striker Jason Gilchrist continues to enjoy success at NPL level. His latest goal came in the aforementioned win over Warrington Town.
It’s been a season plagued with inconsistency for Ashton. Although they did pick up one of their best results in the reverse fixture with a 2-1 win.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This will be the fourth meeting Ashton United and Stockton Town.
9 Nov 24- Stockton Town 1-2 Ashton United- NPL Premier Division
15 Mar 25- Ashton United 0-1 Stockton Town- NPL Premier Division
18 Oct 25- Stockton Town 1-2 Ashton United- NPL Premier Division
FORM GUIDE
Ashton United (10th): L W L L W
Last match: Ashton United 1-0 Warrington Town
Stockton Town (5th): D W D W W
Last match: Stockton Town 5-0 Horden CW
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Looking ahead to the game, Michael Dunwell said:
“It’s the start of a tough run of 3 away games. Ashton are a strong, physical and direct team who beat us at home earlier in the season.
“We are in a confident mood though after only one defeat in the last 12 and will be looking for maximum points to keep us in touch with the leaders.”
