STOCKTON TOWN VS GRANTHAM TOWN PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division – Matchday 31
DATE: Saturday 16th March, 2024
KICK-OFF: 15:00pm
ENTRY: £9 Adult, £7 Concession, £3 kids
GROUND: MAP Group UK Stadium, Bishopton Road West, Stockton-On-Tees, TS19 0QD
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter/X
Stockton Town return home after a spell of three consecutive away games as Gratham Town make the visit from Lincolnshire.
The Anchors wasted no time in returning to form at Carlton Town last weekend after Newton Aycliffe put an end to Stockton’s incredible unbeaten run in the game prior.
Stephen Thompson opened the scoring after only two minutes of action in Nottinghamshire before Carlton equalised after the same amount of time had ticked in the second half.
Tom Coulthard put the Anchors ahead soon after and Stockton held strong, with the help of a KyhleSargeant red card for the hosts, to secure a huge three points in the title race.
Michael Dunwell’s side remain top of the table on 66 points with only eight games now remaining.
Stockton Town will be without Tom Coulthard who is away for the game.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Stockton and Grantham Town have met three times since the Gingerbreads’ relegation from the Premier Division in the 2021/22 season, with the Anchors managing to pick up their first win against them earlier this campaign.
Here are the results from those three games:
08 Oct 22 – Grantham Town 1-1 Stockton Town – Northern Premier League East Division
25 Feb 23 – Stockton Town 1-1 Grantham Town – Northern Premier League East Division
9 Dec 23 – Grantham Town 0-4 Stockton Town – Northern Premier League East Division
FORM GUIDE
Stockton Town: W W W L W
Last Game: Carlton Town 1-2 Stockton Town
Grantham Town: D L L D L
Last Game: Grantham Town 2-4 North Ferriby
THE OPPOSITION
The Gingerbreads are in the midst of a relegation battle as the season draws to a close. They currently sit in 19th place, six points adrift of safety.
Grantham come into this game on a win-less run dating back to the 6th January, but will be fighting more than ever to pick up some important wins in the hopes of staying in the Northern Premier League East Division.
Talented midfielder Harry Wood is a man to watch for Louis Bland’s side. Wood joined Grantham on loan from Doncaster Rovers back in January and has made a strong impact, starting in all but one game since his arrival.
The 17-year-old Doncaster prospect managed to get on the scoresheet for the first time last weekend against North Ferriby.
Experienced winger Curtis Morrison is also a threat for the Gingerbreads. He’s got double figures in assists already this season and causes constant problems for defenders with his speed and skillset.
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Anchors gaffer Michael Dunwell spoke to Anchors TV ahead of the encounter after last week’s victory at Carlton Town by saying:
“It’s another tough game. Whoever you play at this stage of the season is tough because they’re always fighting for something, Grantham are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the league so we know it’s going to be tough.”
“We’re in really good form, barring that loss on Tuesday [against Newton Aycliffe]. We’ve been excellent for the last four/five months and hopefully we can continue that form into the end of the season.”
Words by Jordan Clarke.
