THE GAME
- Stockton Town v Hednesford Town
- Northern Premier League Premier Division
- MAP Group UK Stadium, Bishopton Road West, Stockton-on-Tees, Teeside TS19 0QD
- Saturday 17th January 2026, kick off 3pm
THE HOME SIDE
The Anchors finished third in their first season at step 3 in 2024/25 with 75 points from 42 games. After beating Guiseley 1-0 in the play off semi final they found themselves kicked out of the competition for fielding an ineligible player- captain Adam Nicholson who had been sent off against Hyde United three days earlier in the final league game of the regular season. Manager Michael Dunwell joined Stockton in 2013 as player/coach, moving up to Manager in 2014 and along with his assistant JD Briggs signed a new three year deal at the start of this season to stay at the club until at least 2028. 2025/26 sees Stockton in fourth place in the table with 40 points from 23 matches. 21 of those points have been picked up at home from six wins, three draws and three defeats against Ashton United (1-2), Ilkeston (0-4) and Leek Town (1-2). Their leading scorers are Kevin Hayes with nine league goals and Josh Scott with seven. The 39 goals they have scored in the league is bettered only by Hebburn’s 47.
THE PITMEN
It’s another long journey for Hednesford Town when they undertake the 165 mile trip for their first ever visit to Stockton Town. Of their 12 away games this season Hednesford have won five, drawn three and lost four giving them 18 points compared to the 27 they have earned at home. Those 45 points see them in top spot in the league with FC United of Manchester a point behind in second after their late 2-2 draw with Workington on Tuesday. Hebburn slipped to third with 43 points from 23 games. The Pitmen’s injury list is shortening with Elliott Johnson and Jacob Gwilt getting closer to fitness.
THE GAFFER
Gavin Hurren was pleased with Tuesday’s Birmingham Senior Cup over Burton Albion and said “We need to take Tuesday’s performance into Saturday’s game and hopefully we can get a result. It’ll be really tough, Stockton are a strong outfit who finished third last season”.
FORM
From their last six games Stockton have 11 points and a GD of +5 while Hednesford have nine and a GD of +3.
- STFC: WWWDDL
- HTFC: LDDWDW
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS
The only other meeting between the two teams came in October 2025 when Stockton became the only team to win in the league at Keys Park so far this season. Chris Hussey opened the scoring for the Pitmen after four minutes before Adam Nicholson equalised on 24 minutes. Hednesford were reduced to ten men following Max Sheaf’s red card and the visitors’ numerical advantage showed when they took all three points thanks to Josh Scott’s 85th minute goal. The crowd was 1630.
MATCHDAY DETAILS
- Stockton Town play at Bishopton Road West, Stockton, Teeside TS19 0QD.
- Their average attendance last season was 935and this season is 719 with a high of 955 against Hebburn.
- Their home colours are yellow shirts and socks with blue shorts.
- There are a considerable number of car parking spaces at the ground but do not park on the paved or grassed areas around the club and under no circumstances should supporters use the residential streets for parking. There is also car parking in Stockton town centre, a 20 minute walk away.
- The seats in the main stand on the half way line are generally reserved but the smaller seated stand near to the turnstiles has very few reserved seats. The main clubhouse is outside the ground at the back right hand side of the car park and also houses the club shop.
- In the ground there is a cafe serving hot snacks, hot and cold drinks, sweets etc and a can bar serving cold alcoholic beverages.
- Admission is £13 adults, £10 concessions, £6 11-18, £4 U11 and tickets can be purchased in advance via the club website or by cash or card at the turnstiles on the day.
