STOCKTON TOWN VS FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division – Matchday 18
DATE: Saturday 23 November, 2024
KICK-OFF: 15:00
ENTRY: £11 Adult, £9 Concessions, £5 11-18-year-olds, £3 under-11’s
TICKETS: https://stocktontownfc.ktckts.com/event/fcunited2425/fc-united-of-manchester
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 Trophy victory over Scarborough Athletic last weekend, another huge tests awaits the Anchors in the league as FC United of Manchester make the visit to Teesside.
A brace from Michael Sweet alongside Kev Hayes’ first goal of the season saw the Anchors progress to the Third Round of the Isuzu FA Trophy last weekend, setting up a tie with ex-Premier League side Oldham Athletic at the MAP Group UK Stadium in December.
However last weekend’s hero, Michael Sweet, will be unavailable for selection for Michael Dunwell against the Reds due to a holiday.
THE OPPOSITION
FC United have had an impressive rise since their formation in 2005. They are a fan-owned club set up by a group of Manchester United fans to oppose the Glazers’ takeover.
The club managed to make it to the National League North in the 2015/16 season, but were relegated back to the NPL in 2019, playing their games in front of an average of 1,610 fans.
However Mark Beesley’s side have struggled to open the 2024/25 season, and currently sit second bottom of the standings on 15 points from their opening 16 games, but do boast one of the best defensive records in the division, with only 25 goals conceded so far – less than 4th placed Hebburn Town and 5th placed Ashton United.
The Reds are led by the goal-scoring prowess of long-term EFL veteran Adam Le Fondre, who joined in summer after spending time in Australia, India and more recently Hibernian. He has seven goals to his name already this season, tied for the team-high with fellow striker Jordan Buckley.
Alongside their league matches, FC United take part in a European competition, named the Fenix Trophy – set up for semi-professional and amateur sides, officially recognised by UEFA. On Monday evening, the side head to Czech Republic to face Prague Raptors, as they look to retain their trophy after winning it for the second time last season.
FORM GUIDE
Stockton Town: W L L L W
Last Game: Stockton Town 3-1 Scarborough Athletic
FC United of Manchester: L L D W D
Last Game: FC United of Manchester 2-2 Workington
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Following the weekend’s FA Trophy victory over Scarborough Athletic, Anchors’ manager Michael Dunwell spoke ahead of this weekend’s fixture by saying:
“I said to the players, this is why we want to play at this level, and in this league – for these big games, and play in front of big crowds. The players seem to be embracing it, we’re embracing it and enjoying it and I hope everyone else is.
“We’re doing well. We’ve just got to keep going, keep our feet on the floor, not get too far ahead of ourselves. I said that a few weeks ago when we won eight in a row, then we went and lost three in a row. We’ll build on today’s win with two training sessions in midweek, and we’re looking forward to another big game.”
Words by Jordan Clarke
