STOCKTON TOWN VS ASHTON UNITED PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division – Matchday 12
DATE: Saturday 18th October,, 2025
KICK-OFF: 15:00
ENTRY: £13 Adult, £10 Concessions, £6 11-18 year-olds, £4 U11
GROUND: Stockton Town FC, Map Group UK Stadium, Bishopton Road West, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 0QD
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter/X
LIVE COMMENTARY: https://anchors-radio.mixlr.com/
Stockton Town return to league action when they welcome Ashton United to the MAP Group UK Stadium.
The Anchors have been without a league game since September 27th when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Bamber Bridge.
Since then they have progressed in the FA Trophy with victory over Lower Breck, went all the way to Hednesford only for the game to be postponed and secured their passage in the Durham Challenge Cup with a triumph at Farringdon Detached.
Unfortunately the Anchors will be out Glen Butterworth for the rest of the season after his scan revealed a full rupture of his ACL.
Tom Birtles is also out due to a sprained ankle and it’s possibly a week too early for Tom Coulthard and Vinnie Steels.
THE OPPOSITION
Ashton United pushed themselves up to 12th with a morale boosting win over Hebburn Town in midweek. Alex Byrne and Luca Navarro were both on the scoresheet as the Robins recovered from Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Whitby Town.
Steve Cunningham’s men had a difficult period since knocking Scarborough Athletic out of the FA Cup. They have since exited that competition to Runcorn Linnets in a replay and also went out of the FA Trophy to Clitheroe, who Stockton have drawn in the next round.
It’s been a time blighted by injury and to address that midfielder Owen German has been brought in on loan from Altrincham until January as has forward Eric Yahaya who has arrived from Warrington Rylands. Both made their debut in the win over Hebburn Town.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Stockton Town and Ashton United met for the first time last season in the league.
9 Nov 24- Stockton Town 1-2 Ashton United- NPL Premier Division
15 Mar 25- Ashton United 0-1 Stockton Town- NPL Premier Division
FORM GUIDE
Stockton Town (3rd): W W D W W
Last match: Farringdon Detached 2-5 Stockton Town
Ashton United (12th): W L L L D
Last match: Ashton United 2-0 Hebburn Town
THE OPPOSITION VIEW
Speaking ahead of the manager, Ashton United manager Steve Cunningham said:
“It’s a tough environment there (Stockton) with the pitch. It’s quite tight with the astro turf inside the school. They get fantastic crowds and Mike (Michael Dunwell) and his team up there are doing wonders. The years of service he’s done at that football club I couldn’t believe it.
“They’re having a good go this season and they have started off well. We know what we’re expecting. It’s going to be a tough game.”
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Looking ahead to the game, Michael Dunwell said:
“Ashton made the play-offs last year, and we had two tough games against them last season. The league is so tight this year, so each game is just as difficult as the next. We’re on a good run of form, creating lots of chances — we just need to manage games better from winning positions. Looking forward to hopefully a big crowd and three points.”
