Michael Fowler’s winner sends Anchors through to FA Trophy Second Round

Stockton Town are through to the FA Trophy Second Round for the first time thanks to Michael Fowler’s thunderous winner. 

Josh Scott gave the Anchors lead inside five minutes before Dean Thexton pulled Newton Aycliffe level with less than twenty minutes remaining. 

The game appeared as though it could be heading for penalties but Fowler unleashed a rifle to settle the tie. 

Stockton Town and Newton Aycliffe were both competing in the FA Trophy First Round for the first time. Stephen Thompson’s brace had helped the Anchors beat Blyth Spartans 2-0 win in the previous round, while Newton Ayclifffe had won at Whitby Town. 

Michael Dunwell again named an unchanged side as they looked to build on two excellent home wins over Mickleover and Workington. There was a notable addition to the bench as Kev Hayes was included in the squad for the first time this season following his injury in the final Pre-Season game at Whitby Town. 

As they had in their recent encounters, Stockton Town made the perfect start when Scott gave them the lead with his fifth goal in as many games. He controlled a long ball before he nonchalantly guided the ball over Newton Aycliffe Jim Pollard and stroked the ball into the empty net. 

The Anchors looked to be the whirlwind going forward as they had in recent games. Stephen Thompson tried the spectacular with an overhead kick which ended in the arms of Pollard. 

Then Mikey Roberts broke down the right wing before he played a dangerous ball which was met by the foot of Pollard before it could reach Michael Sweet who was primed to touch home. 

Lewis King then won the ball back and he drove forward before he fired over the bar. 

A rare foray for Newton Aycliffe in the first half ended with Liam Adamson’s cross clipping the top of the bar. 

Scott could have added the second. First he was released in on goal but Pollard won the battle on that occasion. He then had an effort towards goal which was deflected and wonderfully kept out by Pollard. 

Half Time: Stockton Town 1-0 Newton Aycliffe 

Scott came close again when he was released in on goal but he blazed over the bar in a rare moment of lapse. 

The Anchors went a whisker wide when Scott laid the ball back to Butterworth who powered an effort towards goal which whistled wide. 

After resisting a Stockton second, Newton Aycliffe equalised when Dean Thexton headed in from Liam Jarvie’s cross following a good spell of pressure. 

Immediately following the tying goal, Hayes was brought on for his first action of the season. 

But it was another fellow substitute in Fowler who would win it for Stockton. Moments after he had a penalty appeal turned away, Fowler picked up the ball in space and drove forward before he unleashed a cracker which Pollard was nowhere near. Cue pandemonium in the shed and across the MAP Group UK Stadium. 

In the end, Stockton were unlucky not to finish the game with a two-goal advantage. Fowler had a good chance to complete his brace when he was played in but he rushed his effort and lobbed the ball over the bar. 

Butterworth struck the post in the dying embers when he burst into the box. 

In the end, Stockton Town came away with the win. They will be in the Second Round Draw for the first time when it takes place on Monday afternoon. 

Full-Time: Stockton Town 2-1 Newton Aycliffe. 

Stockton Town: Harker, King, Baggs, Painter, Nicholson, Coulthard, Sweet (Hayes 72’), Butterworth, Scott (Fowler 69’), Thompson (Birtles 89’), Roberts (Gallacher 27’)

Unused Subs: Purewal

Newton Aycliffe: Pollard, Lincoln-Barrow (Whitfield 87’), Pascoe, Nelson, Elgie (Jackson 55’), Petitjean, Wood, Ferguson, Thexton, Jarvie (Kiernan 86’), Adamson (Clarkson 56’)

Unused Subs: N/A 

Goals: 1-0, 5 min, Scott; 1-1, 71 min, Thexton; 2-1, 85 min, Fowler 

Attendance: 857 

Photo: Harry Cook

Words: James Cartwright 

 

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