WARRINGTON RYLANDS vs STOCKTON TOWN
COMPETITION: Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round
DATE: Saturday 2nd September, 2023
KICK-OFF: 3.00pm
ENTRY: Adult £10, Concession £7, Under-16s £2
GROUND: Gorsey Lane, Warrington WA2 7SH
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc
Stockton Town face a tough test as they travel to Warrington Rylands in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round.Â
The game marks a break from the league where they the Anchors have enjoyed a three-match winning streak.
They had a perfect Bank Holiday weekend with victories over Ossett United and Newton Aycliffe which included back-to-back clean sheets.
Summer signing Michael Fowler is settling in well and scored in both games to take his tally to four for the season.
Stockton Town are competing in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round for the fourth time in their history.
The Anchors will be without Tom Portas, Mikey Roberts and Pete Bulmer for the game.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This is the first meeting between the two clubs.
FORM GUIDE
Stockton Town: W W W W L
Last Game: Stockton Town 2-0 Newton Aycliffe
Warrington Rylands: D W W D WÂ
Last Game: Macclesfield 1-1 Warrington Rylands
THE OPPOSITION
Warrington Rylands currently compete in the Northern Premier League Premier Division- one step higher than the Anchors in the football pyramid.
They were promoted from Step 5 at the same time as Stockton Town and won the North Premier League West Division in their debut season to earn promotion to the Premier Division. In their first season in the Premier Division they finished 10th.
This season they are under the management of Michael Clegg who is assisted by former Premier League defender Nicky Hunt. It is their first full season in charge after they were appointed in February.
Rylands have made a good start to the season despite their opening day defeat to Radcliffe. Since then they have won 2-0 at Stafford Rangers and picked up back-to-back home wins over Ashton United and Morpeth Town. Most recently they played out a creditable 1-1 draw at much-fancied Macclesfield.
Among their squad they boast a South African international in Dean Furman. He has EFL experience having played at Bradford City, Oldham Athletic, Doncaster Rovers and Carlisle United.
They also have an ex-Wales Under-21 international in Momodou Touray. He joined from Marine in March following a successful loan spell with Rylands.
VIEW FROM THE OPPOSITIONÂ
Speaking after the 1-1 draw at Macclesfield, Manager Michael Clegg said:
“We’ll patch a few up this week, so hopefully we will have a full squad to pick from going into the FA Cup game and it’s a competition we want to do really well in.”
PRE MATCH QUOTES
Looking ahead to the game, Manager Michael Dunwell said:
“I am looking forward to the game we are on a good run and won’t be favourites to win the game so pressure is off a bit for us. We can go there and express ourselves and if we play how we have been I really fancy us to get a result.
“The players are full of confidence and we are creating plenty of chances. Hopefully we will be in the hat come Monday.”
