STOCKTON TOWN VS GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division – Matchday 26
DATE: Saturday 25th January, 2025
KICK-OFF: 15:00
ENTRY: £11 Adult, £9 Concessions, £5 11-18-year-olds, £3 under-11’s
TICKETS: https://stocktontownfc.ktckts.com/event/gainsb2425/gainsborough-trinity
CLUBHOUSE: Open from 8:30am, serving hot breakfast with pool, darts and table football all available alongside live sports.
GROUND: Stockton Town FC, MAP Group UK Stadium, Bishopton Road West, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 0QD
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter/X
Stockton Town host Gainsborough Trinity in the third installment of their four-game home stand.
The Anchors have taken four points from the previous two home games. A solitary Josh Scott goal was enough for three points over Lancaster City. That was followed up with 2-2 draw against Bamber Bridge where they twice fell behind but goals from Kev Hayes and Scott from the penalty earned them a point.
It will be a special occasion on Saturday as Tom Coulthard marks his 500th appearance for the club. He will join his fellow defensive partner Adam Nicholson as the second member of Stockton’s 500 club.
Michael Dunwell will be without Michael Fowler who serves his ban for his red card against Bamber Bridge. Michael Sweet is also missing for the fixture. As a result youngsters Dan Dryden and Jack Spears will both come into the squad
THE OPPOSITION
Gainsborough Trinity are 17th in the Northern Premier League Premier Division and have had a season defined by their cups runs.
In the FA Cup the Holy Blues made it all the way to the Second Round where they were beaten by Harrogate Town in a televised Friday night tie.
They remain in the FA Trophy after defeating York City in the fourth round and face Woking at the Northholme next Saturday.
Captain Dylan Cogill is the important cog at the back, while Jordan Helliwell has become an established part of the midfield following his arrival from Wakefield in the summer.
Declan Howe is the focal point of their attack and has scored 23 goals this season. He has faced the Anchors before while playing at Cleethorpes Town.
Defender Ashley Simpson may be a recognisable face after he appeared on the seven series of Love Island.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The two sides met for the first time in the reverse fixture at the Northholme and played out a score draw.
21 Sep 24- Gainsborough Trinity 1-1 Stockton Town- Northern Premier League Premier Division
FORM GUIDE
Stockton Town: D W L W D
Last Game: Stockton Town 2-2 Bamber Bridge
Gainsborough Trinity: W D D L D
Last Game: Gainsborough Trinity 1-1 Matlock Town
THE OPPOSITION VIEW
Speaking after the draw with Matlock Town, Russ Wilcox looked ahead to the trip to Teesside:
“They (Stockton Town) have done really well in their first season. It’s 3G as well, so that will be challenging.
“We’ll have to freshen up and may have to make some changes.”
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Speaking ahead of the game, Michael Dunwell said:
“It’s another tough game against a Gainsborough side who are a couple of games behind due to their excellent cup run.
“We’re looking for another positive result to keep our unbeaten run going. We were not at our best last week but that was down to how good the opposition were.
“We have worked on what went wrong and how we need to improve in certain areas if we are going to get a result on Saturday.”
