STOCKTON TOWN VS GUISELEY PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division – Playoff Semi-Final
DATE: Tuesday 29 April, 2025
KICK-OFF: 19:45
ENTRY: £11 Adult, £9 Concessions, £5 11-18 year-olds, £3 U11 (ALL TICKET) Season Ticket holders to show their card on entry & pay on the gate via cash or card.
GROUND: Stockton Town FC, Map Group UK Stadium, Bishopton Road West, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 0QD
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter/X
LIVE COMMENTARY: https://thereduk.com/
For the fourth consecutive season, it’s time for some Anchors playoff football.
Michael Dunwell’s side clinched a third place finish in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon, with a win over Hyde United, whilst Guiseley dropped points at FC United of Manchester.
Kev Hayes scored the lone goal of the game in the 82nd minute, with an unforgettable strike from the halfway line.
Despite his red card on Saturday, Adam Nicholson will be available for the game, due to ruling surrounding red cards taking a week to kick in.
THE OPPOSITION
The Lions will be frustrated with their fourth place finish, having been challenging for second for a large chunk of the season. They closed the season with only four wins from their final 15 games, leading to them having to make the away trip to Stockton for this game.
Mark Bower’s side are hoping to get back into the National League North after their relegation in 2022, and despite a reasonably disappointing end to the season, Guiseley have still secured their best finish to an NPL season since they were relegated.
Guiseley enjoyed a very successful FA Cup campaign this season, agonisingly losing on penalties at League One’s Stevenage live on BBC. They got the better of Ashton United, 1874 Northwich, Scunthorpe United and Kidderminster Harriers on route to the first round.
The West Yorkshire-based side are led by the goal-scoring prowess of 26-year-old winger Will Longbottom, who has 25 goals to his name in all competitions this season.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The two sides have faced off three times before, with Guiseley emerging victorious in an FA Cup meeting in 2019, but failing to get the better of the Anchors twice this season.
21 Sep 2019 – Guiseley 1-0 Stockton Town – FA Cup Sec0nd Qualifying Round
14 Aug 2024 – Stockton Town 3-1 Guiseley – Northern Premier League Premier Division
21 Dec 2024 – Guiseley 1-1 Stockton Town – Northern Premier League Premier Division
FORM GUIDE
Stockton Town: W W D L W
Last Game: Stockton Town 1-0 Hyde United
Guiseley: D L W L D
Last Game: FC United of Manchester 1-1 Guiseley
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Stockton Town manager Michael Dunwell spoke ahead of this test following victory over Hyde United on Saturday by saying:
“The game will be a sell out, and make no mistake about it, I know we beat them here and drew away, but in a one-off game that means absolutely nothing. We’ve been in these playoff games for the last three years and we know what it’s all about, they’ve had experience of it as well.”
“We know what we’ve got to do, we will prepare properly for it and we’ll come in on Monday for a light session to go through a few things, and then we’ll see what happens on Tuesday. Anything can happen in a one-off game, mistakes, nerves… But we will be ready for it, we’re going into it in good form – only losing once in our last 10 games, so we’re in high spirits.”
Words by Jordan Clarke
