STOCKTON TOWN VS WIDNES FC PREVIEW
COMPETITION: FA Cup First Qualifying Round
DATE: Saturday 31st August, 2024
KICK-OFF: 3:00pm
ENTRY: £11 Adult, £9 Concessions, £5 11-18 year olds, £3 under-11’s
Tickets available via this link – https://stocktontownfc.ktckts.com/event/stfcwidnesfacup/widnes-fc-fa-cup
GROUND: MAP Group UK Stadium, Bishopton Road West, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 0QD
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc Twitter/X
LIVE COMMENTARY: Anchors Radio (mixlr.com)
Stockton Town begin their FA Cup campaign on Saturday when they host Widnes in the First Qualifying Round.
The Anchors bounced back from Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Hyde United with a 2-0 victory over Whitby Town on Bank Holiday Monday.
1,307 fans packed into the MAP Group UK Stadium as a stunner from Stephen Thompson and Michael Sweet’s fourth goal of the season guided them to the win.
It continued a fabulous start to the league campaign by making it three from three on home turf.
Michael Dunwell is expected to have Glen Butterworth and Shane Henry back available for selection.
Stockton were knocked out of the FA Cup at this same stage last season as they fell to 1-0 defeat at Warrington Rylands.
THE OPPOSITION
Widnes currently compete at Step Four in the Northern Premier League West Division. Michael Ellison, who took charge in September 2022, has them currently in seventh after taking seven points from their first four games.
Last Saturday they suffered their first defeat of the season with a 1-0 loss at Trafford but quickly returned to winning ways with a 2-0 home win over City of Liverpool. Last season’s top scorer James Steele scored the opener to take his tally to three for the season, and defender Niall Battersby sealed the win with the second.
In the FA Cup they negotiated two away wins to reach the First Qualifying Round. In the Extra-Preliminary they won 1-0 at Ossett United with Steele scoring the winner. Then in the Preliminary Round they also won 1-0 this time at Stalybridge Celtic. Sharif Deans scored the winner.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This is the first-ever meeting between Stockton Town and Widnes.
FORM GUIDE
Stockton Town: W L L W W
Last Game: Stockton Town 2-0 Whitby Town
Guiseley: W L D W W
Last Game: Widnes 2-0 City of Liverpool
THE OPPOSITION VIEW
Speaking to Widnes media after the game, manager Michael Ellison looked ahead to the FA Cup game:
“It’s a tough one, they are the league above. Obviously they are favourites and it’s a long old way away.
“We’ve got loads of info on them and we’ve had them watched and a couple of managers we know have sent us info.
“We’ll put a plan together and try to get a positive result.”
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Focusing on the game in prospect, Coach Nathan Mulligan said:
“It’s a good home game and we’re looking forward to it.
“This club deserves a good cup run and I believe we will have one fingers crossed.”
