Stockton Town hit Penrith for six as they cruised into the Preliminary Round of the FA Youth Cup.Â
Jacob Johnson and Jaedon Faulkner put Stockton in a commanding lead and the situation before half time became even better for the Anchors when the Penrith goalkeeper Michael Skelton saw red.
Stockton made that man advantage count and added four further goals through Theo Hutchinson, Jacob Johnson and a quickfire brace from Joseph Kennedy.
Last season’s Under-18s team made history as they reached the Third Qualifying Round for the first time. From the start it was evident that the talent is there again.
The Anchors made an almost perfect start when a corner from the right found Ethan Vinter but he had his effort well saved by Skelton.
Inside ten minutes, Stockton had the lead when a ball over the top released Johnson who burst into the area before he emphatically finished past Skelton.
Johnson remained dangerous and he almost had a second when he had a drive from range but the Skelton was equal to it.
Skelton again had to be alert when stopped another low drive from Vinter.
In the 25th minute, Stockton doubled their lead when the youngest player on the pitch, Faulkner, was played through the middle and he rounded Skelton before coolly slotting home.
The game saw no real opportunity for Penrith but the one time they did come close to an effort on goal, Stockton goalkeeper George Scaife was straight at the feet of the attacker before they could even get a shot away.
With half-time looming Stockton got a big break when Skelton, who had performed admirably till that point, cynically brought down Daniel Dryden and was shown a red card.
Substitute outfielder Charlie Owens donned the gloves for the second half.
Four minutes into the second half, Stockton almost had a third but Dryden saw his effort cleared off the line.
Dryden was again played in by a smart ball from Hutchinson but the ball was nicked from his feet before he could get an effort away.
On the hour mark, Stockton had their third when neat play ended in Kennedy squaring the ball for Hutchinson who confidently finished.
Three minutes later and Stockton had a fourth goal when a low strike from Johnson went all the way in.
Despite their dominance, Stockton were still denied a few times by the stand-in goalkeeper Owens. He twice denied them in the same attack ultimately thwarting substitute Luca Ferguson.
Stockton were five up when Kennedy netted the first of his brace. First Owens denied him but he made no mistake at the second opportunity.
Minutes later Kennedy completed his brace when a quick freekick played him in and he lofted the ball over Owens.
In the final ten minutes, Owens again proved his adeptness in goal with three saves to avoid the score reaching double figures.
Stockton Town will host Pickering Town in the Preliminary Round after their penalty shootout win over Newcastle Benfield. The tie will be played the week commencing Monday 4th September.
Words: James Cartwright
