STOCKTON TOWN VS ILKESTON TOWN PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division – Matchday 36
DATE: Saturday 22 March, 2025
KICK-OFF: 15:00
ENTRY: £11 Adult, £9 Concessions, £5 11-18 year-olds, £3 U11
TICKETS: https://stocktontownfc.ktckts.com/event/ilkest2425/ilkeston-town
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://anchors-radio.mixlr.com/
CLUBHOUSE: Open from 8:30am, serving breakfast until 12pm
This year’s annual Non-League Day falls at a crucial time for Stockton Town, as a 5th vs 6th clash against Ilkeston Town awaits.
The Anchors come into the game following a massive victory at 4th-placed Ashton United last weekend, in front of an incredible travelling support.
Josh Baggs scored the lone goal of the goal in the 72nd minute after darting into the box to meet a Glen Butterworth cross with his head.
Michael Dunwell’s side are now unbeaten in four, with only seven games remaining in the 2024/25 season.
THE OPPOSITION
Ilkeston Town are a team on a drastic rise through the Non-League pyramid following their formation in 2017, after the folding of Ilkeston FC. They are now pushing for their fourth promotion in less than 10 years.
The Derbyshire-based side are currently in 6th position, four points away from the Anchoes in the final playoff spot after a disappointing run of form, which saw a 4-0 win over Lancaster City on Saturday end a six-game winless run.
The Robins have a few familiar names that won’t bring back nice memories for Anchors fans, managed by Ian Deakin, who coached a certain Long Eaton United to a penalties victory at the Map Group UK Stadium in the 2023 playoff final. He has a large number of that squad with him in Ilkeston, including standout winger Jamie Walker, however Walker will miss Saturday’s game through suspension.
Deakin’s side are still trying to replace the attacking prowess of Tom Cursons, who made a big money move to Harrogate Town in January, and remains the second top scorer in the league, even after departing two months ago.
19-year-old former Shrewsbury Town prodigy Harvey Kirby-Moore has three goals in his last two games, and will be a guy the Anchors will have to keep a close eye on.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The two sides met only a couple of weeks ago in Derbyshire, where the Anchors secured a massive three points under the lights.
18 Feb 2025 – Stockton Town 1-0 Matlock Town – Northern Premier League Premier Division
FORM GUIDE
Stockton Town: L W W D W
Last Game: Ashton United 0-1 Stockton Town
Ilkeston Town: L D D D W
Last Game: Ilkeston Town 4-0 Lancaster City
PRE-MATCH QUOTES
Stockton Town manager Michael Dunwell spoke ahead of this test following victory over Ashton United on Saturday by saying:
“Our home form in the early part of the season was excellent, but the last few games we have stuttered just a little bit, but we will of course be looking to put that right, and if we do, we will be in a fantastic position going into the final six games.”
Words by Jordan Clarke
