Stockton Town fell victim to a clinical attacking display from Hyde United.

Michael Dunwell named three changes to the side that lost 2-1 at Morpeth Town on Tuesday evening, bringing in Shane Henry and Arjun Purewal for their first starts of the season, as well as bringing Stephen Thompson back into the starting XI.

The Anchors started the game positively, having their first chance of the game in the ninth minute when Stephen Thompson attempted to loop a strike over the goalkeeper but his outside of the boot connection didn’t curl as intended. 

But in their first opportunity of the game, the hosts took the lead when a long throw bounced around the box before being bundled in by Drew Baker. 

Following the home side’s opener, Stockton frequently pushed towards goal to force an equaliser, and came agonisingly close when Lewis Leech’s sliced half-volley bounced off the top of the crossbar.

The Anchors continued to have a flurry of opportunities before the break, but none were enough to trouble Callum Hiddlestone in between the sticks.

But just as Stockton looked the better side, the firepower of Hyde showed when caption Jack Redshaw cut inside from the left-wing and fired low past Harker to extend the Tigers’ advantage mere minutes before the break.

Half-time: Hyde United 2-0 Stockton Town

The hosts further stretched their advantage 13 minutes after the restart when Jordan Scanlon’s close ball control found a way past Arjun Purewal before the winger fired a strike into the top corner. 

Michael Fowler had a major chance to pull one back for Stockton in the 66th minute when he was played through on goal, but the striker fired wide whilst under pressure from a trailing defender.

Michael Dunwell’s side did manage to get a goal back in the 78th minute when substitute Jacob Johnson’s corner was headed home by the debutant Arjun Purewal to give Stockton some life.

But despite a spell of intense pressure from Stockton, a quick counter attack from the Tigers further confirmed their three points in added time when striker Connor Heath finished inside the box after great work from substitute Ayo Quadri.

Full-time: Hyde United 4-1 Stockton Town

A harsh result for the Anchors on the road, but there’s no time to dwell as it’s less than 48 hours until they’re back in action, at home on Monday afternoon when Whitby Town make the visit. 

Hyde United: Hiddleston, Ditchfield (Vaughan 69’), Amado, Maltby (Whittingham 82’), Baker, Hall, Bunn (Jones-Griffiths 82’), Kershaw, Heath, Redshaw (Fearnley 75’), Scanlon (Quadri 59’)

Unused Subs: N/A

Stockton Town: Harker, Purewal, Baggs, Henry (Johnson 75’), Nicholson (Spears 78’), Coulthard, King, Painter, Sweet (Fowler 61’), Leech (Roberts 61’)

Unused Subs: N/A

Goals: Baker, 1-0, 13 min; Redshaw, 2-0, 41 min; Scanlon, 3-0, 58 min; Purewal, 3-1, 78 min; Heath, 4-1, 90+4 min. 

Attendance: 440

Words: Jordan Clarke

Photo: Harry Cook