CLEETHORPES TOWN VS STOCKTON TOWN PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division – Matchday 10
DATE: Saturday 20th September, 2025
KICK-OFF: 15:00
ENTRY: £12 Adults, £8 Concessions, £4 Under-18’s
GROUND: HPS Planthire Stadium, Clee Road, Grimsby, DN32 8QL
COACH TRAVEL: https://www.mdtravelcoachhire.co.uk/store/Cleeththorp-Town-FC-Saturday-20th-September-p272539179
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter/X
LIVE COMMENTARY: Anchors Radio (mixlr.com)
Stockton Town are set to hit the 25% mark on the season with a trip to Cleethorpes Town.
With a relentless performance on Tuesday evening, the Anchors took down Guiseley two goals to nil, with a goal either side of the half earning a very well-deserved three points.
Kevin Hayes struck his 6th goal of the season from the penalty spot, after a handball following a corner, before Josh Scott topped off a Man of the Match showing with his third goal of the campaign.
Hayes again sits atop of the NPL scorers standing – level with four other players – as the Anchors are unbeaten in five league games.
THE OPPOSITION
Cleethorpes Town are now led by Craig Rouse, who will be familiar to Anchors fans from his success with Pontefract Collieries.
Rouse took over at the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign, and immediately led the Owls to the NPL East division title, with an incredible 93 points to their name. Now, they already sit sixth in the standings with 14 points from their opening nine games.
Clee undoubtedly have one of the best strike forces in the division, with NPL-proven goal threats flooding the frontline, in the form of Adam Haw, Josh Walker, Nicky Walker and Ben Andreucci – among others.
Former Pontefract man Jack Vann captains the side, with the veteran midfielder playing a key role for his former leader at Pontefract.
The Owls recently unveiled the signing of a certain Harry Christy, who made four appearances for the Anchors in between the sticks.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The sides have met seven times in total across their three years aligned in the NPL East Division, and now meet for the first time in the Premier Division.
26 April 22 – Cleethorpes Town 1-2 Stockton Town – Northern Premier League East Division Playoff Semi-Final
17 Sep 22 – Stockton Town 1-0 Cleethorpes Town – Northern Premier League East Division
11 Feb 23 – Cleethorpes Town 0-2 Stockton Town – Northern Premier League East Division
10 Feb 24 – Stockton Town 4-3 Cleethorpes Town – Northern Premier League East Division
23 Mar 24 – Cleethorpes Town 0-0 Stockton Town – Northern Premier League East Division
FORM GUIDE
Cleethorpes Town (6th): L L L W W
Last match: Ilkeston Town 0-3 Cleethorpes Town
Stockton Town (5th): D W W D W
Last match: Stockton Town 2-0 Guiseley
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Stockton Town Manager Michael Dunwell spoke ahead of this clash following Tuesday night’s victory by saying:
“It’ll be a tough game. Craig Rouse has gone in there, got them promoted instantly and he has them organised and working hard for each other.
They’ve had a really good start, but we’ll go there in good spirits and with a strong squad hoping to get three points.”
Words by Jordan Clarke
