STOCKTON TOWN VS DUNSTON PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division Play-Off Final
DATE: Saturday 4th May, 2024
KICK-OFF: 3:00pm
ENTRY: £9 Adult, £7 Concession, £3 kids (Entry starts from 2pm with limited tickets on the gate)
GROUND: MAP Group UK Stadium, Bishopton Road West, Stockton-On-Tees, TS19 0QD
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter/X
LIVE COMMENTARY: Anchors FM- https://anchors-radio.mixlr.com/
Stockton Town host Dunston in an all N0rth East Play-Off Final.
It is a one-off game in which the winner will gain promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division- Step 3 of the National League System and the seventh tier of English football overall. They would become the second North East side to achieve that this season after Hebburn Town went us a Champions.
The Anchors reached their third successive Play-Off Final with a 2-0 win over Carlton Town. Glen Butterworth was among the goals as he netted a brace.
Stockton were left crestfallen by their lasting two Play-Off Final Finals. In their debut season in the league they made a remarkable run to the final but were narrowly beaten by local rivals Marske United.
Last season they suffered an agonising penalty shootout defeat to Long Eaton United.
Michael Dunwell once again has a full squad available for selection barring Stephen Thompson who remains out with injury.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Stockton and Dunston have faced off ten times previously, having spent two seasons in the Northern League promotion before Dunston were promoted, with Stockton following two years later.
Here are the results from the previous five matchups:
15 Oct 22- Stockton Town 1-2 Dunston -Northern Premier League East
21 Dec 22 Stockton Town 1-3 Dunston- Durham Challenge Cup Quarter Final
19 Feb 23 – Dunston 1-1 Stockton Town- Northern Premier League East
14 Oct 23 – Stockton Town 1-1 Dunston- Northern Premier League East
27 Jan 24- Dunston 0-0 Stockton Town- Northern Premier League East
FORM GUIDE
Stockton Town: W W W L W
Last Game: Stockton Town 2-0 Carlton Town
Dunston: W D W L W
Last Game: Dunston 2-0 Pontefract Collieries
THE OPPOSITION
After narrowly missing out on the Play-Offs in the previous two seasons, Dunston finished third this campaign and earned themselves a home Semi-Final tie.
It has been commendable first season in the hot seat for Jon McDonald who has had to handle playing eight ‘home’ games away from the UTS Stadium.
They took advantage of being back at the UTS Stadium in the Semi-Final with a 2-0 win over ten-man Pontefract Collieries. Dale Pearson and Richard Coulson were on both on target.
Pearson is one of two Dunston players who have hit over 20 goals this season. Jack Maskell signed from Northern League Division Two outfit Horden has been a revelation with 23 goals this season.
David Robinson has also been a superb signing from North Shields chipping in with 14 goals from midfield.
WHAT THE OPPOSITION ARE SAYING
Speaking to Dunston Media, Jon McDonald said:
“For the North East I think in my opinion two of the better footballing sides in the division so it will be a good game of football on a really good surface.
“I am not sure how many they had in tonight but you would imagine it will be 1500. It’s a big game for the North East.”
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Looking ahead to the game, Assistant Manager JD Briggs said:
“Dunston are a good footballing team. and they have got strengths in a lot of areas but so have we and I don’t fear anybody going into that game.”
“They have got to come here and there’s going to be 1800 in here. We’re totally ready for it.”
