MICKLEOVER VS STOCKTON TOWN PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Northern Premier League Premier Division- Matchday 31
DATE: Saturday 15th February, 2025
KICK-OFF: 15:00
ENTRY: Adults: £13.00, Concessions: £9.00, 12-16’s: £3.00, Under 12’s (with an adult): FREE
GROUND: Don Amott Arena, Station Road, Mickelover, Derby DE3 9FB
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter/X
LIVE COMMENTARY: Anchors Radio (mixlr.com)
Stockton Town are back on their travels with the first of three trips to Derbyshire.
The Anchors had their winning run halted at three when they went down 3-1 at home to Warrington Rylands last Saturday.
The game started positively for Michael Dunwell’s men with Michael Fowler sweeping home the opener within seven minutes. However, a brace from George Waring and a late sealer by substitute Taylor Bowen turned the result in Rylands favour.
Thankfully for Stockton, the midweek results were kind. Defeat for Ilkeston Town at Hyde United means they still occupy the final Play-Off place heading into Saturday’s game.
Captain Adam Nicholson is serving the second game of his four-match ban, while Kev Hayes involvement will be subject to a fitness test. Under-18 player Jaedon Faulkner is in included in the squad after impressing in training.
THE OPPOSITION
Mickleover are occupying the penultimate place in the league and are nine points adrift of safety. It has been a chastening return to the Northern Premier League following a two-year hiatus playing in the Southern League. Last season, in the Southern Premier Central, they lost in the Play-Off Semi-Final at Telford United in a bid for promotion to Step Two. This season relegation and a return to Step Four for the first time since 2015 appears more than a distinct possibility.
In the summer they lost their manager of eight years in John McGrath, and last season’s top scorer Ollie Greaves moved on to EFL outfit Newport County.
This season Dylan Edwards, signed from Step 4 Loughborough University, is the club’s top scorer with 11 goals.
Former Wycombe striker Stuart Beavon also remains at the club and has three goals for the term.
Despite all their setbacks this season, they do hold the distinction as one of only three sides to beat Macclesfield this season. They ensured it would not be the perfect season for Macc with a 2-1 win back in November.
FORM GUIDE
Mickleover FC: L L L L L
Last Game: Mickleover FC 0-1 Bamber Bridge
Stockton Town: L W W W L
Last Game: Stockton Town 1-3 Warrington Rylands
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This is only the second-ever meeting between the two clubs.
19 Oct 24- Stockton Town 3-0 Mickleover FC- Northern Premier League Premier Division
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Looking ahead to the game, Michael Dunwell said:
“It’s the start of three tough away games and with others around us playing each other we will be looking to get all three points.
“Mickleover will be another difficult game as they’re fighting to stay in the division.
“We’ve worked this week on improving on last week’s performance and go into the game confident.”
