[rev_slider slider16]
Stockton Town couldn’t have got off to a better start than with this thumping 6-0 opening day win over Willington.
It was fitting that Tony Johnson scored the opening goal, with it he claimed his place in the club’s history books with the 1st goal in the Northern League and his 100th for the Club.
Stockton were without Chris Stockton, Chris Dunwell and Michael Arthur, but without the trio, Stockton dominated this encounter to send Stockton Town to the top of the Ebac Northern League Division 2.
Matthew Garbutt was a thorn in Willington’s side all afternoon and after 20 minutes Garbutt sent a corner into the box that Adam Nicholson headed on, found Kallum Hannah whose shot was cleared off the line by defender Bailey Hunter.
It was only a minute later when Stockton went ahead, Garbutt sent a perfect free kick over for Tony Johnson to head the ball past Luke Cowie in the Willington goal.
Stockton were now flying and Garbutt again put in a fine cross for Stephen Roberts to send a diving header past Cowie.
It was Garbutt again the provider for Stockton’s third goal, his 38th minute crossfield pass caused havoc in the Willington penalty area where Fred Woodhouse drilled the ball into the far corner from 15 yards.
Stockton started the second half on the front foot, and deservedly went 4-0 up with a spectacular overhead kick from Kallum Hannah that gave Cowie no chance.
In the 59th minute Willington were awarded a free kick just outside the box, Adam Comby took the kick but Liam Jordon tipped the ball over the bar with the first real thing he had to do.
After 63 minutes it was all over for Willington, another Matthew Garbutt free kick was met by a bullet header from Adam Nicholson which hit the underside of the bar and bounced into the net.
Stockton were enjoying this run out in the sun, with a 6th goal after 66 minutes, Joe Scaife Wheatley got on the end of Matthew Garbutts ball, a deft back heel released Joe Carter who raced into the box, before sending a low shot past the advancing Cowie, to round off a fine team performance.
F-T Stockton Town 6 Willington 0
Tony Johnson 21
Stephen Roberts 31
Fred Woodhouse 38
Kallum Hannah 57
Adam Nicholson 63
Joe Carter 66