STOCKTON TOWN v CHESTER FC PREVIEW
COMPETITION: FA Cup Third Qualifying Round
DATE: Saturday 28h September, 2024
KICK-OFF: 3:00pm
ENTRY: £11 Adult, £9 Concessions, £5 11-18 year olds, £3 under-11’s
Tickets available via this link – https://stocktontownfc.ktckts.com/event/stfcchesterfa/chester-fa-cup-third-qualifying-round
GROUND: MAP Group UK Stadium, Bishopton Road West, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 0QD
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc Twitter/X
LIVE COMMENTARY: Anchors Radio- https://anchors-radio.mixlr.com/
Stockton Town return to FA Cup action this Saturday when they host National League North outfit Chester FC in the Third Qualifying Round.
The Anchors are making their first appearance in the Third Qualifying Round after defeating another National North side in Marine in the Second Qualifying Round.
Glen Butterworth’s freekick opened the scoring before Marine equalised through Owen Robinson shortly before halftime.
Stockton opened up a two-goal lead when Tom Coulthard and Michael Fowler both scored. Marine pulled a goal back through Chanka Zimba but the Anchors held on.
Since their previous FA Cup exploits, Stockton have endured a demoralising 3-0 home defeat to Blyth Spatans. That was followed by a more encouraging 1-1 draw at Gainsborough Trinity in which Lewis Leech scored his first for the club with a corker.
For the Chester game, Michael Dunwell will be without Elliott Beddow and Adam Nicholson who are both away. Jacob Johnson is also missing with an ankle injury. There will be an opportunity for the U18s to feature again as they did against Marine.
THE OPPOSITION
Chester, who are managed by their former Academy manager Calum McIntyre, are currently second in the National League North and are heavily tipped to gain promotion to the National League.
Last Saturday they earned an important road win at Rushall Olympic. They reversed a halftime deficit with an own goal and a strike from Charlie Caton.
In their previous FA Cup outing they beat fellow North East side Hebburn Town 3-0. Tom Peers scored a brace and George Glendon wrapped up the scoring.
Players to watch include striker Kurt Willougby who has returned to Chester on loan from Oldham Athletic. Willougby played for the Seals in 2022-23 where he scored 27 goals in 52 appearances.
The aforementioned Caton has been good goalscoring form this season with seven to his name already.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This is the first-ever meeting between Stockton Town and Chester FC.
FORM GUIDE
Stockton Town: D L W L L
Last Game: Gainsborough Trinity 1-1 Stockton Town
Chester: W W W D W
Last Game: Rushall Olympic 1-2 Chester FC
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Looking ahead to the Chester game, Michael Duwnell said:
“Nobody gave us a chance against Marine but we put in an excellent performance. We have to do the same against Chester, if not better if we want to get through to the next round.”
