STOCKTON TOWN VS BLYTH SPARTANS PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division – Matchday 9
DATE: Wednesday 18 September, 2024
KICK-OFF: 19:45
ENTRY: £11 Adult, £9 Concessions, £5 11-18-year-olds, £3 under-11’s
GROUND: Stockton Town FC, MAP Group UK Stadium, Bishopton Road West, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 0QD
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter/X
LIVE COMMENTARY: Anchors Radio (mixlr.com)
Following the club’s historic FA Cup victory over Marine on Saturday, Stockton Town now look to return to winning ways in the league as recently relegated Blyth Spartans make the short visit to Teesside.
Goals from Glen Butterworth, Tom Coulthard and Michael Fowler were enough to see the Anchors take down National League North side Marine on Saturday, with a scoreline of 3-2.
Progression to the third qualifying round for the first time in the club’s short history invites a visit from National League North high-flyers Chester on Saturday 28th September.
THE OPPOSITION
The Spartans find themselves in the Northern Premier League for the first time since 2017 following their relegation from the National League North last season.
Former Newcastle United star Nolberto Solano took charge ahead of the season, but his tenure ended just six games into the season after failing to pick up a victory to open the campaign, losing three.
Solano was replaced at the helm by long-term EFL goalkeeper David Stockdale on an interim basis, but after a successful stint overseeing wins against Campion and Workington, he has since been appointed as manager on a permanent basis.
The Northumberland-based side boast a strong squad of players, mixed with experienced stars, such as former Hartlepool United standouts Michael Woods and Nicky Deverdics – who captains the Spartans, and young prodigies such as midfielder Billy Gordon, central defender Ben Milburn – who shined against Stockton whilst playing for Consett across his prior two seasons – and striker Harry Gardiner who recently returned to Blyth from Sunderland after impressing during a loan stint last season.
David Stockdale’s side currently sit second bottom of the standings on six points, but will be keen to build on their strong victory over Workington last Tuesday.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This encounter marks the first time Blyth have visited the MAP Group UK Stadium, but the Spartans did taste victory in the first meeting between the two sides prior to the 2021/22 season.
7 Aug 2021 – Blyth Spartans 5-1 Stockton Town – Pre-Season Friendly
FORM GUIDE
Stockton Town: W W L L W
Last Game: Stockton Town 3-2 Marine
Blyth Spartans: D D L W L
Last Game: Blyth Spartans 0-3 Bury
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Following the weekend’s FA Cup victory over Marine, Anchors’ manager Michael Dunwell spoke ahead of the Blyth Spartans fixture by saying:
“We’re confident… I know we’ve lost the last two league games but one was against Macclesfield where we put in an excellent performance and one mistake was the difference between the two sides. I think last Tuesday [against Lancaster City] we just gave the ball away unopposed quite a lot.”
“We’ll enjoy the win [over Marine] and hopefully it stands in good stead for the game on Wednesday.”
Words by Jordan Clarke
