It was a thrilling engagement this Saturday afternoon at the MAP Group UK Stadium as Stockton Town hosted Stocksbridge Park Steels in a dramatic five-goal encounter.
Words by Elle-Mai Keightley
Photo by Harry Cook
Stockton Town 3-2 Stocksbridge Park Steels | 6th September 2025
Goals: James Morris, 0-1, 1 min; James Morris, 0-2-, 34 min; Adam Nicholson, 1-2, 54 min; Michael Sweet, 2-2, 69 min; Kevin Hayes, 3-2, 90+2 min
Nathan Harker made his return to the starting lineup after a missing the last four games with a slight knock.
But Harker was quickly beaten, as Stocksbridge made a lightning start, taking the lead within seconds through James Morris, who prodded in a loose ball to stun the home crowd.
Stockton responded with early pressure as Kevin Hayes tested goalkeeper Ben Townsend twice, before Josh Scott’s powerful header was also safely gathered by the Stocksbridge stopper.
Josh Scott came close again after rounding the keeper, only to be denied by a superb recovery challenge from Jaz Goundry. Minutes later Amar Purewal’s left-footed strike narrowly missed the top corner.
The Anchors were then punished as Morris doubled his tally with a composed finish from the edge of the area. Just before half-time, Morris almost completed his hat-trick, but Stockton keeper Nathan Harker pulled off a brilliant diving save to keep his side in the game. A deflected Hayes free-kick was the final action of the half, leaving Stockton with it all to do in the second-half.
Half-time: Stockton Town 0-2 Stocksbridge Park Steels
Three half-time changes immediately lifted the Anchors. Petitjean came close with a dipping strike over the bar, before Stockton did manage to pull one back as Michael Sweet lofted a ball into the box for Adam Nicholson to power home, igniting hopes of a comeback.
The pressure mounted as Purewal struck the inside of the post, and from the next corner, Petitjean’s ball was headed down by Nicholson who hits the other post.
Stockton’s persistence finally paid off when Nicholson turned provider, delivering a cross towards back-post for Sweet to head in the equaliser, exhilarating hopes among the home supporters to find a winner.
As both sides pushed for a late goal, excitement grew as Amar Purewal on the edge of the area in the dying minutes – and in replica fashion of his strike against Morpeth, Hayes curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner, completing the turnaround and sealing a memorable 3–2 victory for the Michael Dunwell’s side.
Full-time: Stockton Town 3-2 Stocksbridge Park Steels