Stockton Town FC v Chester Le Street Town

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Stockton Town rounded off their pre-season programme with a 5-1 win over Chester Le Street Town, newly promoted the EBAC Northern League Division 1. In 5 games against 1^st Division opposition, Stockton have won 4 and lost 1, scoring 14 goals and conceding 7. All set now for the start of the league next Saturday at home to Willington.

Stockton's squad was depleted in number due to holiday, work and cricket commitments but there was no difference in  quality as Stockton were in control of this game from the kick off and raced into a two goal lead. First on the score sheet was Joe Carter, who finished off a cross from Kallum Hannah after 10 minutes with a fine header into the top corner. Then provider turned into scorer as Kallum Hannah who won the ball and composed himself before firing a low shot into the net on 27 minutes from 18 yards.

Chester Le Street struck back straight away after a mistake allowed Lee Mole to fire from the edge of the box into the bottom corner to give Liam Jordan no chance.

The second half saw Stockton score 3 more goals, first Chris Dunwell turned the ball into the net from close range after 64 minutes following a Tom Coulthard header from a right wing corner.

It was Stockton's goalkeeper Liam Jordan next in action when he tipped a goal bound shot over his crossbar at full length to maintain Stockton's advantage.

Then it was Chris Stockton who raced into the box after 80 minutes, held off the defenders challenge, cut back onto his right and curled an unstoppable shot into the far corner.

However the best goal of the game was left till the end and on 82 minutes Ben Priestley smashed the ball into the far top corner from the corner of the box after a fantastic team move involving Sonni Coleman and Mark Stonehouse.

So onto what will be an historic game for the Club and the town with the Club's first ever Northern League game and the return of football at this level to the town by a team carrying the town's name.

Saturday 6th August against Willington AFC, kick off 3pm.