MATCH PREVIEW | Stockton Town v Whickham FC

|STOCKTON TOWN VS WHICKHAM FC

COMPETITION: ‘Frank Pattison’ Durham Challenge Cup – Quarter-Final

DATE: Wednesday 13th December, 2023

KICK-OFF: 19:45

ENTRY: £5 Adult, £3 Concession, £3 kids (tickets available online or at the gate)

GROUND: MAP Group UK Stadium, Bishopton Road West, Stockton-On-Tees, TS19 0QD

LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter/X

Stockton Town welcome Northern League Division One side Whickham to the MAP Group UK Stadium in the hopes of advancing to the semi-finals of the Frank Pattison Durham Challenge Cup.

The Anchors head into the game on the back of a six-game winning streak, following a 4-0 victory in Grantham on Saturday afternoon.

Kevin Hayes converted a penalty in the first-half and second-half goals from Glen Butterworth, Michael Fowler and Mikey Roberts sealed the three points in what was a flawless performance on both ends of the pitch for Michael Dunwell’s squad.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Stockton and Whickham shared many years together in the Northern League Division One and Division Two, as well as meeting in the first round of the Anchors’ historic FA Vase run in 2017/18. Here are the previous five results between the two sides: 

19 January 2019 – Whickham 1-2 Stockton Town – Northern League Division One

2 March 2019 – Stockton Town 4-2 Whickham – Northern League Division One

21 August 2019 – Stockton Town 2-0 Whickham – Northern League Division One

14 December 2019 – Whickham 0-4 Stockton Town – Northern League Division One

31 October 2020 – Whickham 0-5 Stockton Town – Northern League Division One

FORM GUIDE

Stockton Town: W W W W W

Last Game: Grantham Town 0-4 Stockton Town

Whickham: L W W W L

Last Game: West Auckland Town 2-1 Whickham

THE OPPOSITION

Despite sitting 15th in the Northern League Division One so far this season, The Lang Jacks boast an impressive squad, and have succeeded in cup competitions this season. 

As well as being in the Durham Challenge Cup quarter-final, Lee Haldane’s side are still alive and fighting in the FA Vase, where they will welcome Irlam in the third round.

The Tyneside-based team announced the signing of four new players a few weeks ago, who have yet to make their debuts for the Lang Jacks due to postponements. All of which joined the club from higher-league sides, with one being former Newcastle United and multi-year EFL midfielder Conor Newton.

The danger-man for Whickham is forward Scott Robson, who has an incredible 24 goals to his name in his opening 21 games of the season. 

PRE-MATCH QUOTES

Assistant manager JD Briggs spoke after the Anchors’ victory at Grantham ahead of the Whickham game by saying:

“The big games keep coming. The quarter-final is huge for us, if we can win that we’re one away from the final which is exactly what we’re looking for.”

Captain Adam Nicholson also spoke ahead of the Whickham game, as well as Saturday’s huge game against Hebburn Town, which supporters can also buy tickets for now, by saying:

“The support of the fans will be huge this week. We have had a few away games recently but the last couple of home games the atmosphere has been good. Hopefully we will see the ground full for these next two games.”

“They are two tough games but they’re best ones to play in. We can’t wait. We’re playing well and we’ve just got to keep doing what we have been doing over the last month or two.”

“The mood is really good at the moment. The lads are buzzing and everyone is playing well which breeds confidence.”

Words by Jordan Clarke.