MATCH PREVIEW: Anchors away

No respite for non-league footballers in August and the Reds will be back in action on Tuesday when they make their way along the A66 for their first away game at Stockton Town (7.45pm).

At 108 miles the journey is one of the shortest this season but mid-week matches always present a challenge for players, some of whom will have to leave work early.

It will be good to get back on the pitch (3G) so quickly after Saturday’s disappointing result but it will be another testing ninety minutes for Darren Edmondson’s re-shaped squad against well-fancied Stockton.

Michael Dunwell’s side started with a goalless draw at Prescot Cables on Saturday and they will want to start their second season at Step 3 with a convincing performance on their own patch.

The club has been on the crest of a wave for the last few seasons and they finished a commendable 3rd last term after amassing 75 points from twenty-three wins and six draws.

Six of those points were obtained at our expense when they inflicted a league double upon us, a 5-0 thrashing at the Bishopton Road West complex followed by a straightforward 3-1 victory at Borough Park in the return.

The away game was particularly tough with Reds forced to name seven teenagers on the team-sheet, some of whom were tasting NPL football for the first time!

Stockton overcame Guiseley in the play-off semi-final but were subsequently denied a place in the final for fielding an ‘ineligible’ player.

Ceiran Casson scored our only goal against the Anchors last season and could return to the squad for the game after missing the opener at the weekend.

Steven Swinglehurst will also be available after completing his one-match suspension.

Injuries and a honeymoon will rule out three players, at least.

Stockton and Hednesford Town are expected to be amongst the Premier Division frontrunners this season and Reds will travel to play the latter on Saturday.

Venue: MAP Group Stadium, Bishopton Road West, Stockto-on-Tees

Postcode: TS19 0QD