Stockton Town moved one step closer to promotion after a wonder strike by Kevin Hayes against Guiseley in last night’s Playoff Semi-Final.
In front of an official club record attendance of 2,125 fans, Stockton Town were able to use their home advantage to good use after a sharply contested battle against Guiseley.
The first twenty minutes of the game were a tight affair with both teams trying to carve out an early chance, with the best chance being from a free kick in a dangerous area outside the box for Guiseley, which was taken by the number 11, Will Longbottom, who forced a save out of Stockton ‘keeper Nathan Harker.
Nothing of note would happen for the rest of the first half other than a yellow card for Guiseley’s John Lufundu in the 40th minute.
After a minute of added time was played, both teams would go into the changing rooms for halftime with the score 0-0, with both sides cancelling each other out from creating any clear-cut chances early.
The second half would commence for a place in the NPL Premier Division Playoff Final still to play for.
Stockton would win an early free kick a minute into the second half, with Kevin Hayes hitting the side netting with his free-kick attempt.
One of the biggest chances of the game came in the 58th minute when John Lufundu, who had arguably been Guiseley’s best player, was able to get past his defender. Lufundu used his pace to enter the box and put a cross in which found the head of Will Longbottom who headed the ball narrowly over the bar.
A small spell of pressure for Guiseley would occur with an off-the-line clearance from Stockton defender Josh Baggs, who denied a clear goal and kept The Anchors in the game.
After Guiseley fail to clear their lines, Stockton’s Kevin Hayes runs onto a loose ball just outside the box and fires a magnificent strike into the top right corner of the Guiseley goal.
Nathan Harker would make another big save for Stockton in the 73rd minute to deny Will Longbottom once again in this game.
The game would fizzle out as Guiseley couldn’t create a clear-cut chance to challenge the Stockton defence.
The game would reach the 90th minute, where the 4th official announced six minutes of added time to be played to the chagrin of Stockton Town fans.
To make matters worse for Guiseley, John Lufudu would get his second yellow of the game in the 95th minute and would be sent off, which meant The Lions would have to finish the game with 10 men trying to find an equaliser with seconds left on the clock.
The referee blew the final whistle, and the Stockton Town fans erupted in cheers for their boys on the pitch.
In what was the biggest game in the club’s young history, Michael Dunwell and his Stockton Town team were able to make it to the NPL Premier Division Playoff Final and are one win away from making it to the National League North, which would be the highest level the club have ever played.
The Anchors will play the Playoff Final against the other winner of the semi-finals, Worksop Town, who won their tie over Ashton United 2-1 and means that they will host the game at the Windsor Foodservice Stadium on Monday 5 April, where both teams will look to end their season with the taste of promotion.
