WHITBY TOWN VS STOCKTON TOWN PREVIEW
COMPETITION: Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division – Matchday 16
DATE: Saturday 31st October, 2026
KICK-OFF: 15:00
ENTRY: £13 Adult, £9 Conc., £5 U18, £2 U16 (with an accompanied adult)
GROUND: The Towbar Express Stadium at the Turnbull Ground, Upgang Lane, Whitby, YO21 3HZ
LIVE UPDATES: @stockton_townfc – Twitter/X
LIVE COMMENTARY: Click here to listen on Anchors TV
Stockton Town are back in league action for the first time in two weeks to visit Whitby Town on the spookiest day of the year.
Last time in the league, Stockton were well-beaten by Emley, losing 3-1 after three early goals all but sealed the game in the first-half.
Callum Young’s first senior goal did provide a positive talking point, but it was a poor result for the Anchors which saw them fall back into the relegation zone after 15 games.
However, that result was quickly corrected in the Durham Challenge Cup, where an impressive second-half display saw the Anchors take down Gateshead, 3-1, with goals from Stephen Thompson, Jacob Watson and Jake Petitjean.
Following that game, young defender Watson’s loan from Leeds United was extended by a further month after a string of impressive performances.
On Thursday, another loanee joined the squad, with talented winger Kian Foreman penning a three-month loan deal from Hartlepool United.
Kian’s addition will be crucial for the matchup with the Seasiders, with Josh Scott, Jake Petitjean and Stephen Thompson all suspended for the tie.
Kian is the third loanee currently in the Anchors squad, joining the aforementioned Watson, and former Whitby-man Harley Dawson, who impressed in their midfield last season.
Goalkeeper Reuben Egan will also be available to make his debut, after joining the Anchors permanently following time with National League’s Worthing.
Whitby have recently seen a change in leadership, with the reliable Graeme (Spike) Lee taking charge after the unfortunate resignation of Lee Bullock due to health reasons. Since taking over, Spike has overseen a draw and two strong wins against Workington and Curzon, but did taste defeat last time out against FC United of Manchester.
Late summer additions Stuart Rose and Callum Hickman have been revelations for the North Yorkshire side, with Rose sitting on six goals, and midfielder Hickman on an incredible nine in all competitions after both joining from Northern League’s Boro Rangers after their unfortunate folding.
The duo have helped Whitby into a solid 13th place so far in the standings, with 19 points from 15 games.
Looking ahead to the fixture following the Gateshead game 10 days ago, defender Ryan Barrett stated: “we need to reset and we need to get back to where we know we should be at, and hopefully we can use today [against Gateshead] to have a positive week and a bit of good faith into Whitby.”
Graeme Lee also spoke on the test from the other side of the dugout, stating: “Stockton have been a top team for many years. There’s no easy game in this league and we need to do our job, outwork the opposition and get back to what we’ve been doing to get that smile back onto our face”.
