Stockton M1 vs Stokesley M1 (A) - 8-1 (L)

Date: Saturday 22nd August 2026

MOM: -

Goals: -

Stokesley began a new era with their first match under captain Dawson Clark and with Phil Welsh taking charge as coach. A changing of the guard is underway, and while the final scoreline made for difficult reading, there were enough early signs to suggest that the foundations for the season ahead are beginning to take shape.

The opposition provided a stern examination. Stockton have consistently proved to be one of Stokesley’s toughest pre-season tests in recent years, and this encounter was no different. Stokesley lined up in a retrograde 4-3-3 system, with several players asked to adapt to new roles as the team began to explore a different approach ahead of the new campaign.

The initial signs were encouraging. Stokesley competed well throughout the opening ten minutes and matched their opponents for effort and intensity. However, they eventually fell behind late in the first quarter, with a moment of individual quality breaking the deadlock.

The second and third quarters proved more difficult. A combination of hard, effective dribbling from Stockton and a number of individual errors from Stokesley allowed the hosts to open up a significant lead. Stockton's striker, bringing recent National League experience, was particularly effective as he capitalised on the space Stokesley allowed him in midfield.

Despite the scoreline, Stokesley's rudimentary patterns of play were often effective, offering glimpses of what the side may become once the players have had more time to settle into their new system and roles. However, there is clearly plenty of rust to knock off in the coming weeks.

The final quarter brought a more positive response. Stokesley improved the effectiveness of their press, forcing mistakes from the Stockton defence and creating more opportunities from turnovers. Their perseverance was eventually rewarded when Jude Crack forced a turnover and fed Josh Alexander on the left wing. Alexander delivered a hard, flat ball across goal, where captain Dawson Clark arrived at the back post to deflect the ball into the net.

That goal provided a deserved moment of reward for Stokesley and their new captain, even if it did little to alter the final outcome.

The match finished Stockton 8–1 Stokesley, and there is no escaping the fact that much work lies ahead. With the season opener away at City of York only a few weeks away, Dawson Clark will know that adjustments are needed.

But this was, above all, a pre-season test against strong opposition. The new leadership group has made its first steps, the players have begun adapting to a new shape and new responsibilities, and there were flashes of encouragement amid the inevitable rust. The coming weeks will now be about turning those initial signs into a team ready to compete when the season begins.

Next game: County Cup