DUNSTON UTS v STOCKTON TOWN
COMPETITION: Northern Premier League East Division
DATE: Saturday 18th February
KICK-OFF: 3:00PM
ENTRY: £9 Adult, £6 Concession, £3 Under-16
GROUND: UTS Stadium, Wellington Rd, Dunston, NE11 9JL
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter
Stockton Town head to Tyneside in a massive clash against fellow Play-Off pushers in North East rivals Dunston.
Stockton have already twice faced Dunston this season in the league and in the Durham Challenge Cup- both of which ended in defeat.
However the Anchors come into this game on good form, after a massive win last week at Cleethorpes. Stephen Thompson opened the scoring with an absolute rocket from 40-yards out caught the goalkeeper off guard.
Stockton doubled the lead in the second half when defender Louie Hall tapped in a cross from the left for his first senior Stockton Town goal, topping off a Man Of The Match performance from the young centre half.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Stockton and Dunston have faced off nine times previously, having spent two seasons in the Northern League promotion before Dunston were promoted, with Stockton following two years later.
Here are the results from the previous five matchups:
6th April 2019 – Stockton Town 0-2 Dunston – Northern League Division One
15th September 2021 – Stockton Town 3-0 Dunston – Northern Premier League East
19th February 2022 – Dunston 2-1 Stockton Town – Northern Premier League East
15th October 2022 – Stockton Town 1-2 Dunston – Northern Premier League East
21st December 2022 – Stockton Town 1-3 Dunston – Durham Challenge Cup Quarter Final
FORM GUIDE
Stockton Town:Â L D W D W
Last Game:Â Cleethorpes Town 0-2 Stockton Town
Dunston: W L L W L
Last Game:Â Dunston 0-2 Spennymoor Town (Durham Challenge Cup)
THE OPPOSITION
Dunston have been in and around the Play-Offs all season and currently occupy the final Play-Off position.
The Gateshead-based club are currently in their fourth season in the Northern Premier League East, after winning the Northern League in 2019.
Michael Fowler is the main man in a really strong and experienced Dunston squad. The former Burnley academy forward already has 13 goals to his name this season.
Dunston played their Durham Challenge Cup semi-final tie against Spennymoor Town in midweek, losing only 2-0 on the night against a strong Spennymoor side.
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Anchors manager Michael Dunwell spoke ahead of Saturday’s game and said:
“Another tough game against a play off rival similar to Saturdays. We are on a good run at the moment and go into the game full of confidence after a great win last week.
“We’ve only got 10 games left now and we’ve got to look at winning all of them to get this important 2nd spot in the league. Tom Coulthard and Stephen Thompson will need fitness tests on the day. Matty Tymon returns after missing last Saturdays win.â€
Words by Jordan Clarke
