Captain Adam Nicholson believes the MAP Group UK Stadium will be an ‘absolute fortress’ for Tuesday night’s Play-Off Semi-Final with Guiseley.
Stockton Town are extremely familiar with the Play-Offs, with this being their fourth straight campaign.
“We have got some good experience of beating teams in those one-off occasions, and in recent seasons we have been fortunate enough to have home ties. But there’s a lot of pressure on us to win. They have been tight, but we have found a way to win,” Nicholson said.
“I think this place is going to be an absolute fortress on Tuesday.”
Despite the overbearing pressure of previous Play-Off campaigns, particularly last season’s successful attempt in the NPL East Division, Stockton Town find themselves in a position no one would have dared dream of at the beginning of the season.
“There’s no pressure on us. We just have to go, play our game, frustrate and be hard to beat. We’ll try to create some great memories, because we’ve had some brilliant ones over the years.”
“Nine years ago we were in the Wearside League, and 15 years ago we were in the Teesside League. To think we are now two wins from the National League is phenomenal.”
During those three previous campaigns, Stockton experienced some real lows — none more so than the 2023 Play-Off Final defeat to Long Eaton United.
Despite gaining a late lead in the game, the Anchors conceded an equaliser before slipping to defeat on penalties.
To recover from that and be in the position the club is now is remarkable.
“I am lost for words when you think about it. We have just been rolling game to game without really thinking back or taking a step back to see where we are. To think we have just finished third in the Northern Premier League is just phenomenal and a credit to the club.”
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