BELPER TOWN v STOCKTON TOWN
COMPETITION: Northern Premier League East
DATE: Saturday 27th April, 2024
KICK-OFF: 3:00PM
ENTRY: £11 Adult, £7 Concession, U11 FREE (with paying adult)
Tickets can be bought in advance via this link- https://belpertownfc.ktckts.com/event/bel270424/belper-town-v-stockton-town
GROUND: The Raygar Stadium, Christchurch Meadow, DE56 1BJ
LIVE UPDATES: Twitter/X- @stockton_townfc
LIVE COMMENTARY– Anchors FM- Anchors Radio (https://anchors-radio.mixlr.com/)
Stockton Town still have a chance of winning the league title when they make the trip to Belper Town for the final game of the season.
The door was opened for the Anchors on Tuesday night when Hebburn Town suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Ossett United which ended their 11-game winning streak.
Although the odds are still stacked against Stockton with Hebburn only needing victory to secure the title.
Stockton responded well to their dismal defeat at Winterton with a 3-0 triumph over Brighouse Town last Saturday. They did ride their luck in the first half as the visitors had a penalty ruled out for a double touch.
In the second half, Glen Butterworth got things rolling with a thunderbolt before goals from Kev Hayes and Michael Fowler wrapped up the win. They proved to be crucial goals too as they goal difference with Hebburn Town is level going into the decider.
Michael Dunwell only has one potential absentee with Stephen Thompson expected to be out. He could have a late fitness test ahead of the game.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The club’s met for the first time this season in the reverse fixture.
18 Nov 23- Stockton Town 7-1 Belper Town- Northern Premier League East Division
FORM GUIDE
Stockton Town: W L W D L
Last Game: Stockton Town 3-0 Brighouse Town
Belper Town: W L L L L
Last Game: Liversedge 0-2 Belper Town
THE OPPOSITION
Belper Town saw their Play-Off challenge fizzle out with a dismal run of form which saw them lose four straight games and win just once since the beginning of March.
During the run they suffered some majorly lopsided scorelines. They were beaten 5-0 by Cleethorpes Town in last home outing and last Saturday they were put to the sword 4-0 by Hebburn Town.
On Thursday, with nothing on the line, they returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory at Liversedge. Brodie Lichfield and James Cadman both struck in the final 20 minutes to take the points back to Derbyshire.
Kevin Bastos, who missed the game in November, is the club’s top scorer with 18 goals.
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Looking ahead to the game, Manager Michael Dunwell said:
“We are feeling really positive, we’ve had two good training sessions this week and players look relaxed and we know what we have to do. We know it’s not in our hands so we have just got to make sure we get our job done. Then see what happen”
Dunwell continued: “We know we have hundreds travelling down on Saturday and no matter what happens try and enjoy the occasion and I am sure you will. The club have never experienced anything like this before so it’s exciting as well as nervous at the same time! Sing your hearts out and fingers crossed we have something to celebrate come 5pm!”
