NEWTON AYCLIFFE VS STOCKTON TOWN PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Pre-Season Friendly
DATE: Saturday 5th July, 2025
KICK-OFF: 3:00pm
ENTRY: £10 Adults, £7 Concessions, £3 U16
GROUND: Ashcourt Stadium, Moore Lane, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 5AG
UPDATES: @stockton_townfc Twitter/X
Stockton Town begin their Pre-Season campaign when they make the short trip to Newton Aycliffe.
The Anchors enjoyed a hugely successful first season at Step 3 and qualified for the Play-Offs with a third place finish. The season ended on a sour note, however, when, despite defeating Guiseley 1-0 in the Semi-Final, a place in the final was denied due to the fielding of an ineligible player.
The disappointment from that has turned to optimism, with a positive off-season. Michael Dunwell and JD Briggs committed their future to the club by signing new three-year contracts.
Some key signings have been made in the form of the prolific Amar Purewal, who joined following a fruitful spell at Hebburn Town. He has been reunited with his brother Arjun.
Jake Petitjean has made a return to the club after he forged a strong reputation for himself – particularly against opponents Newton Aycliffe, whom he signed from.
Vinnie Steels has been brought in to bring some speed going forward, and has an impressive resume.
Defender Jamie Bramwell was recently brought in to soften the blow of losing Adam Nicholson through the early part of the season, and to overall bolster the defence.
THE OPPOSITION
Newton Aycliffe narrowly missed out on the Play-Offs in their second season in the NPL East Division as they ended the season two points behind 5th-place.
In the off-season, they have endured a mass exodus of their playing squad, with their full Starting XI against Ossett United on the final day having left.
They have started to make some new additions. Charlie Dawson has made a return after a spell in the Northern League with Esh Winning and Crook.
Brennan Fitzpatrick has also returned following two seasons at Darlington Town.
Jack Camarda has also joined after spending the latter part of the last season at Blyth Spartans.
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Looking ahead to the start of Pre-Season. Michael Dunwell said:
“All we look for in Pre-Season is to get ready for August 9th. To start playing the ball in the right areas and just get back to playing football as we were last year. Looking to kick on and improve on what we did last year.”
