
It was a tragic ending to Stockton Town’s fairytale Isuzu FA Trophy run, as Rochdale secured a dramatic penalty shootout victory.
A goalless 90 minutes led to Stockton holding a 3-1 lead in the shootout, but three misses in a row for the Anchors led to Rochdale taking home victory.
One change was made to the side that won at Whitby last week, with Arjun Purewal coming in for the suspended Lewis King.
The ‘home side’ started the better team in the below freezing conditions, and found the net within the opening two minutes but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside.
Kairo Mitchell found a way in behind the Anchors backline, but his strike from a tight angle was very well kept out by the leg of Nathan Harker.
Leon Ayinde was next to see a shot saved by Harker in the 33rd minute, with the shot-stopper doing well to push his shot away from danger.
Stephen Thompson tried his luck from near the halfway line just before the break, but his shot bounced wide.
Half-time: Rochdale 0-0 Stockton Town
A very quiet second half was caused by impressive defending from the Anchors. All four of the backline shined in the matchup with their National League opponents.
Nathan Harker was once again called into action 65 minutes in, and provided another quality save to keep the scores level.
Josh Baggs shined in the game, and crucially intercepted a cross three minutes before the final whistle before it reached a blue shirt, and despite a spell of late Stockton pressure, the tie went to penalties.
End of 90: Rochdale 0-0 Stockton Town
Glen Butterworth, Josh Scott and Kevin Hayes all scored the opening three penalties for the Anchors, whilst a save from Harker a miss by Matthew Dennis gave Stockton a 3-1 lead after three penalties each.
But consecutive misses by Michael Fowler, Stephen Thomson and Nathan Harker were punished by goals from Sam Beckwith, Tarryn Allarakhia and Jill Buyabu, and Rochdale progress into the Fifth Round of the competition.
The Anchors now quickly reset before a league trip to Blyth Spartans on Saturday afternoon.
Rochdale: Waller, Gordon, Allarakhia, Gilmour, Mitchell (Dennis 79’), Rowling (Okeke 67’), Ayinde (Buyabu 67’), Ferguson, Burger (Barlow 55’), Beckwith, Weston (East 55’)
Unused Subs: Rodney, Hogan
Stockton Town: Harker, Purewal, Baggs, Painter, Nicholson, Coulthard, Sweet (Scott 56’), Butterworth, Fowler, Thompson, Hayes
Unused Subs: Roberts, Gallacher, Leech, Johnson, Birtles, Dryden
Goals: N/A
Attendance: 1,158
Words: Jordan Clarke
Photo: Harry Cook