Stockton Town moved to within 8 points of retaining the Wearside League Championship, with a 2-0 win at Richmond Town.

Michael Dunwell gave a debut to 17 year old goalkeeper Liam Jordan from the Under 18’s squad, who did everything he was asked to do, this was mostly catching the ball from crosses.

After Saturday’s Shipowners Cup final win, it was back to league action and Stockton started really brightly with  James Ward almost opening the scoring after 5 minutes but his shot rebounded off the post.

The opening goal came after 15 minutes, hesitation between goalkeeper Karl Latcham and defender Michael Elliott, allowed the lively Macaulay Langstaff to nip between them and put the ball into the net for his 4th goal of the season.

Stockton were content to keep the ball in the Richmond half of the field but with a strong defence Richmond kept the score at 1-0 at the break.

The second half was a more open affair as Richmond looked to get back on level terms, this allowed more room for the Stockton strikers, Max Craggs shot was tipped onto the post by goalkeeper Latcham after 57 minutes, before the crucial second goal came in the 61st minute. Just like the first goal it was a mix up between Latcham and Elliott, Kallum Hannah raced into the box and slid the ball past Latcham, but in an attempt to stop the ball going in Michael Elliott turned the ball past his own goalkeeper.

Kallum Hannah looking for his 50th goal of the season, thought he had scored after 69 minutes his shot was going into the top corner of the net, but somehow Latcham got a hand to the ball and turn it over the bar.

Another solid performance from Stockton to keep their remarkable league record going.