Stockton Town finished their Pre-Season with victory over Middlesbrough U21.
Goals from Tom Coulthard, Josh Scott and Max Naylor were enough to round off the programme with a win.
The Anchors were without Nathan Harker, Adam Nicholson and Frank Nouble due to work and holiday commitments. While Kev Hayes, Owen Gallacher, Ryan Barrett and Michael Sweet remain sidelined with injury.
Chris Henderson was given the start in goal. There was also a return to the line-up for Aaron Brown, Tom Coulthard, Jaedon Faulkner, Cam Painter and Jake Petitjean.
Stockton started the game brightly and took the lead just after the ten minute mark when Layton Watts’s freekick was flicked on by Scott to Coulthard who sent a looping header past the goalkeeper.
Stockton continued to be promising from set pieces as Jaedon Faulkner struck the post with a header.
A lovely set-piece invention saw Stockton go close again. Layton Watts’ clipped ball was volleyed over by Scott.
Half-Time: Stockton Town 1-0 Middlesbrough U21
Early in the second half, Middlesbrough had their first meaningful strike on goal when Lucca Kakai fizzed an effort which was turned over by Henderson.
At the other end, Tom Birtles fired a volley over after another Anchors set-piece caused issues for Boro.
Then Jaedon Faulkner had a shot which just dipped over the crossbar.
Stockton doubled their advantage just over twenty minutes from time when Scott drove forward and played in Jayden Pinnegar who saw his effort saved, Faulkner jumped on the rebound and played back to Scott who rifled home.
Boro had more chances as the second half wore on. Isaac Greenup had a header that went narrowly over, and later substitute Frankie Coulson had a shot saved by Henderson.
Boro had their goal when Cayden Cole fired in from an angle at close range.
Stockton restored their two-goal lead in the dying moments after Jay Tablot’s strike was saved by Foster, Max Naylor turned in the rebound from an awkward angle.
But Boro reduced the deficit again when Coulson was found straight from kick-off and he converted.
Full-Time: Stockton Town 3-2 Middlesbrough U21
Stockton Towns’ Pre-Season is now over, all eyes are firmly on next week’s season opener on the road at Ilkeston Town.
