FA Cup Preview: Stockton Town v Chester FC

Chester FC's Emirates FA Cup journey continues this weekend, as they make the trip to Teeside, to face Stockton Town in the Third Qualifying Round.

The Seals booked their spot in this round by comfortably dispatching of seventh tier Hebburn Town at the Deva Stadium nearly a fortnight ago and manager Calum McIntyre will be hoping his players can conjure up a similar performance.

Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit Stockton Town advanced into this stage of the competition for the first time in their history by defeating National League North side Marine 3-2 down Bishopton Road West.

Victory on Saturday will not only see us progress into the fourth qualifying round of the prestigious competition, but will also mean our unbeaten run in all competitions extends to nine matches.

THE OPPOSITION

Stockton Town currently occupy twelfth position in the Northern Premier Division and they compete in the same division that our opponents from the previous round, Hebburn Town, play in.

After an irrepressible start to the campaign with three consecutive league victories, that early season momentum has fizzled away as the Anchors have only won once in their last seven league encounters.

The club reached the FA Vase final in the 2017/18 season but finished as runners-up after being narrowly defeated by Thatcham Town.

The North-East based club will be leaning on their club motto ” Fortitudo et Spes” (Strength and Honour) to help inspire them to a potential upset against superior opposition.

THE GAFFER

Stockton Town’s fairytale rise through the English football pyramid is parallel to Michael Dunwell’s appointment as manager in 2014.

Over the past decade, the former Hartlepool United forward has revamped and revolutionised a club that was languishing in the tenth tier to competing three tiers higher.

Born and bred in Stockton-on-Tees, Dunwell appeared for the likes of Bishop Auckland, Billingham Town and Durham City during his playing career before joining his local club as a player in 2013 before subsequently becoming their manager less than a year later.

ONE TO WATCH

Cameron Painter was the recipient of the Player of the Match award for his display against Marine in the last round of the FA Cup and Stockton will be hoping he can repeat that valiant performance against Chester.

The defender, who is equally adept in a defensive midfield role, came through the ranks at Grimsby Town before moving to Blyth Spartans in the summer of 2021.

Painter does have experience of playing National League North football whilst with the Spartans but he left to join Stockton back in 2022 and the 22-year-old has become a key member of Michael Dunwell’s squad since then.

Meanwhile, Michael Sweet is their biggest offensive threat, with the 30-year-old already netting five league goals in ten matches.

FORM GUIDE

Stockton Town | W4 D1 L5 | F14 A16 GD: -2 | Pos: 12th (Northern Premier Division)

Last Three

Marine (H) | W 3-2 (FA Cup) | Scorers: Glen Butterworth, Michael Fowler and Tom Coulthard

Blyth Spartans (A) | L 3-0 | Scorers: N/A

Gainsborough (A) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Lewis Leech

Chester FC | W5 D2 L2 | F14 A10 GD+4 | Pos: 2nd

Last Three

South Shields (H) | W 1-0 | Scorers: Tom Peers

Hebburn Town (H) | W 3-0 (FA Cup) | Scorers: Tom Peers x2 & George Glendon

Rushall Olympic (A) | W 2-1 | Scorers: Charlie Caton & Nathan Cameron (O.G)

Match Preview By Jude Deedigan.

MATCH DETAILS

The game kicks off at 3pm at the MAP Group UK Stadium on Saturday.

The address for the stadium is: 

Stockton Town Football Club, Bishopton Road West, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 0QD.

Stockton Town sit 12th in the Northern Premier Division, having advanced in the FA Cup in the last round with a 3-2 home victory over another National League North side in Marine.

Winners of ties at the 3QR stage get £5,625 in prize money, with the losers pot standing at £1,875.