ROCHDALE AFC VS STOCKTON TOWN PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Isuzu FA Trophy Fourth Round Proper
DATE: Wednesday 8th January, 2025
KICK-OFF: 19:45
ENTRY: Adult £11, Concession £9, 11-18 £5, U11 £3
Tickets can be purchased online here- https://stocktontownfc.ktckts.com/event/stfcrochdalefat/stockton-town-fc-v-rochdale-fa-trophy
GROUND: MAP Group UK Stadium, Bishopton Road West, Stockton-On-Tees, TS19 0QD
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter/X
LIVE COMMENTARY: The Red Radio –https://thereduk.com/
It’s take two at the MAP Group UK Stadium as Rochdale ‘host’ Stockton Town in the FA Trophy Fourth Round.
The tie was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday but a waterlogged Spotland pitch put paid to that.
The Anchors produced a historic result in the previous round with victory over ex-Premier League side Oldham Athletic. Goals from Adam Nicholson and Michael Sweet steered through in what was a dominant second half performance.
On New Year’s Day Stockton returned to winning ways with a 2-0 triumph at Whitby Town. It was another game played in testing elements, and again Sweet and Nicholson were on the scoresheet.
THE OPPOSITION
Rochdale are in their second season in Non-League football after suffering relegation from League Two in 2023 which ended their 102-year stay in the EFL.
Former Dale defender Jimmy McNulty was made permanent manager shortly following relegation and guided the club to an 11th-place finish in their debut season in the National League.
This season they are aiming for a Play-Off spot and are currently in the final place by sitting in 7th. They are in a positive position too with games in hand on those around them.
Being relatively new to Non-League, this will be only the third FA Trophy game they have competed in. Last season they were dumped out at the first hurdle with a 5-1 defeat to Gateshead. This season they won their first-ever FA Trophy game with a 2-0 win at National League North side Leamington.
Striker Kairo Mitchell is one to watch in the Rochdale attack. The Grenada international has 14 goals in 20 games this season. Former Hartlepool United striker Devante Rodney is another to watch with seven goals this campaign.
Dale legend Ian Henderson is still at the club having returned from Salford City in 2022. He has four goals from his 23 games played.
FORM GUIDE
Rochdale AFC: W W L W W
Last Game: Fylde 1-3 Rochdale AFC
Stockton Town: W L D D W
Last Game: Whitby Town 0-2 Stockton Town
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This is the first-ever meeting between Rochdale and Stockton Town.
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Looking ahead to the game, JD Briggs told Anchors TV:
“We are relishing it, we have got nothing to lose for the game.
“They (Rochdale) have got bigger things to worry about and are in a similar position to Oldham looking to get back into the Football League.
“We just want this roll to continue, we have got nothing to lose and we just want to go out to try to win the game.”
