Stockton Town FC v Leek Town

Result
  • NPL Premier Division

    Wed, Jan 29, 2025,
    1
    Stockton Town FC
    0
    Leek Town

MATCH REPORT

Stockton Town FC v Leek Town

Tom Coulthard’s stoppage time winner secured a huge three points against Leek Town. 

The defender rifled the ball home from a corner to spark scenes in the MAP Group UK Stadium

The Anchors did end the game with ten-men after Captain Adam Nicholson was sent during the goal celebrations.

Michael Dunwell named two changes to his team from the side which lost to Gainsborough. Lewis Leech came in for the injured Glen Butterworth, and Arjun Purewal was in place of Owen Gallacher.

Leek Town, unbeaten since mid December, thought they had made the perfect start shortly after ten minutes when Louis Potts turned the ball in after Nathan Harker had made an initial save. Thankfully for Stockton, the assistant had raised his flag for offside.

Stockton then came close when a corner was headed wide by Josh Scott.

Cam Painter, donning the number eight shirt, went a whisker away when he caught the ball well with a thunderous effort which was turned away by a crucial block.

Towards the end of the half, Potts should have given Leek the lead when he was played through on goal but his effort went the wrong side of the post.

Half-Time: Stockton Town 0-0 Leek Town

Stockton began the second half on the front foot. Lewis King, operating in a midfield role, stung the palms of Dino Visser with a strike from the edge of the box.

Just before the hour mark, a huge block denied Leek the opener from a few yards out.

Stockton had their best chance of the game so far when Kev Hayes worked his way into the box before he released a curling effort which clipped the post.

Visser again had to be alert as he kept out substitute Michael Sweet’s half-volley on goal and gathered at the second time after it almost broke to Scott.

The Anchors went close again when the ball was threaded through for Gallacher but Visser was equal to his low strike.

Visser again had the ball in his hands when Sweet swiveled before his strike was down the throat of the goalkeeper.

After plugging away, Stockton were finally rewarded when a corner was headed across goal by Nicholson, brought down Scott and hammered in Coulthard.

In the aftermath of the goal, Stockton were reduced to ten-men when Nicholson was given his marching orders for an apparent collision during the celebrations.

Full-Time: Stockton Town 1-0 Leek Town

The win moves Stockton within two points of the Play-Off places ahead of Saturday’s trip to Workington.

Stockton Town: Harker, Purewal, Baggs, King, Nicholson, Coulthard, Leech (Gallacher 68’). Painter, Scott, Thompson (Sweet 67’), Hayes

Unused Subs: Roberts, Spears, Birtles

Leek Town: Visser, Buckley, Ndene, Edwards, Okome, Curl, Milner (Reeves 56’), Porter (Scully 85’), Potts, Hurst, Campbell

Unused Subs: Onyeka, Daniels, Shenton

Goals: 1-0, 90+4 min, Coulthard

Attendance: 567

Photo: Harry Cook

Words: James Cartwright

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