MATCH PREVIEW | Hebburn Town v Stockton Town

HEBBURN TOWN v STOCKTON TOWN

COMPETITION: Northern Premier League East Division

DATE: Tuesday 15^th August, 2023

KICK-OFF: 7:45PM

ENTRY: £8 Adult, £6 Concession, £2 Under 16s

GROUND: Green Energy Sports Ground, South Drive, Hebburn, NE31 1UN

LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter

Stockton Town are on their travels for the first time this season when they make the journey to North East rivals Hebburn Town.

The Anchors opened the season with a 2-2 draw at home to Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday in a game where they twice came from behind.

The visitors lead through Charlie Oglesby’s headed opener before Mikey Roberts levelled in spite of missing a penalty earlier. Stocksbridge regained the lead through Luke Rawson but in stoppage time Stockton rescued a point when Michael Fowler scored on his debut.

Stockton had four debutants in the game as aforementioned Fowler, goalkeeper Niall Frampton and left-back Jonny Haase on loan from York City, all started the game. Striker Michael Sweet came off the bench.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Stockton and Hebburn have met twelve times in all competitions, with Anchors winning seven of those meetings. Here are the results from the last five fixtures between the two clubs:

14 Jan 2023- Hebburn Town 2-0 Stockton Town- Northern Premier League East Division

23 Sep 2022: Hebburn Town 3-1 Stockton Town – Isuzu FA Trophy

24 Aug 2022: Stockton Town 2-1 Hebburn Town – Northern Premier League East Division

14 Dec 2021: Hebburn Town 1-2 Stockton Town – Durham Challenge Cup

11 Dec 2021: Hebburn Town 1-4 Stockton Town – Northern Premier League East Division

FORM GUIDE

Stockton Town: D

Last Game: Stockton Town 2-2 Stocksbridge Park Steels – Northern Premier League East Division

Hebburn Town: W

Last Game:  Grantham Town 0-4 Hebburn Town – Northern Premier League East Division

THE OPPOSITION

Hebburn Town are in their second season under the management of Daniel Moore. The ex-Shildon manager had a positive first season in which he guided the club to the Northern Premier League East Division Play-Offs for the first time. They went the distance with Long Eaton United in a Semi-Final which they ended up losing on penalties.

They did their business early in the summer with four new faces through the door. Full-back Aidan Heywood and midfielder Chay Liddle have arrived from Shildon. Former Boro academy defender Matthew Elsdon has signed from Blyth Spartans. Dean Briggs has also came in from Ashington.

The Hornets started in fantastic fashion on Saturday with a 4-0 win at Grantham Town. All four goals came in the first half with Heywood on the scoresheet and the reliable Amar Purewal at the double.

VIEW FROM THE OPPOSITION 

Manager Daniel Moore looked ahead to a busy week:

“There will be changes over the next two games. We can’t expect the lads to go from Pre-Season to playing three games in less than a week.

“There will be a bit of rotation in the squad and that’s when lads have got to come in and do what we ask them.”

PRE-MATCH QUOTES

Looking ahead to the game, Manager Michael Dunwell said: “Hebburn always a tough place to go and they will be confident after their win today. If we are better with ball and keep it better we know we will create chances there.

“It should be another tough close game”