STOCKTON TOWN VS STOCKSBRIDGE PARK STEELS
Competition:Â Northern Premier League East Division
Date: Saturday 8th April 2023
Kick-Off:Â 3:00pm
Entry: £9 Adult, £7 Concession, £3 Children
Ground:Â MAP Group UK Stadium, Bishopton Road West, Stockton-On-Tees, TS19 0QD
Live Updates:Â @stockton_townfc
Stockton Town begin the Easter Weekend with the visit of Stocksbridge Park Steels.Â
Last time out, the Anchors were 5-0 winners over Tadcaster Albion. It was the day of rare goalscorers as Tom Portas, Glen Butterworth and Dale Mulligan all scored their first goal of the season.
It was also marked the first time since November 19th that Stockton had secured back-to-back wins after a 2-0 triumph at Carlton Town the previous Saturday.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This is the fourth meeting between the two clubs. Here are the results of the previous three:
27 Aug 2022: Stocksbridge Park Steels 1-2 Stockton Town- Northern Premier League East Division
18 Dec 2021: Stockton Town 3-2 Stocksbridge Park Steels- Northern Premier League East Division
14 Aug 2021: Stocksbridge Park Steels 0-0 Stockton Town- Northern Premier League East Division
FORM GUIDE
Stockton Town: W W L L D
Last Game: Stockton Town 5-0 Tadcaster Albion
 Stocksbridge Park Steels: W W D D LÂ
Last Game: Stocksbridge Park Steels 1-0 Grantham Town
THE OPPOSITION
Stocksbridge Park Steels enter Saturday’s game in the 5th- the final Play-Off position. They are five points ahead of the next team in Dunston UTS who have a game in hand.
They have been unbeaten through their last four games- winning their last two. Last time out an own goal sealed all three points in a 1-0 win over Grantham Town.
The Steels have two players on double figures for the season in Ife Ofoegbu and Tomas Poole. Although Poole has not appeared since a goalless draw against Grimsby Borough on March 18th.
Young striker Luke Rawson is not far behind on eight goals for the campaign. The former Chesterfield academy player scored in the 2-0 win over Tadcaster Albion two weeks ago.
WHAT THE OPPOSITION ARE SAYINGÂ
Speaking after the 1-0 win over Grantham Town last week, Stocksbridge manager Ian Richards looked ahead to Stockton:
“Stockton are an excellent side, they have been in the top three all season. That’s thoroughly deserved they have huge ambition and are well supported in terms of their resources.
“It’s a very exciting game, it’s 2nd versus 5th and at this stage of the season you’re one of the elite teams on merit. It will be a really good spectacle and if we come home with three points then brilliant but if not then make sure we get one.”
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Looking ahead to the game in his programme notes, Manager Michael Dunwell said:
“We are feeling very confident after our last two wins and we are in a much better position now. Stocksbridge will be a tough task as they have really improved and they are looking to stay in the Play-Offs.”
