STOCKTON Town will look to use the pain of setbacks over the course of a challenging 12 months as motivation when they take on Hednesford in the Northern Premier League Premier Division play-offs tonight.
The Anchors booked a spot in the play-offs thanks to an excellent 2-1 victory away at rivals Warrington Rylands, who finished a place above them in the table, on the final day.
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But they must raise their game again tonight away at Hednesford in a one-off semi-final.
Stockton are underdogs against a Hednesford side who finished second in the table, 14 points above the Anchors and just two behind champions Hebburn Town.
But Michael Dunwell’s side have upset the odds on countless occasions in recent seasons and the manager is urging his players to relish the occasion tonight, even more so after what they’ve been through in the last year.
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Twelve months ago, Stockton thought they were 90 minutes away from a place in National League North as they prepared for a play-off final against Worksop, only to be kicked out for fielding an ineligible player in the semi-final win over Guiseley.
They suffered a similar setback when they were deducted three points earlier this season for again fielding an ineligible player. But they bounced back from that blow, a string of injuries and some damaging defeats a few weeks ago to still secure a play-off place.
Boss Dunwell said: “I’m so pleased for the players. Everything they’d had thrown at them this season, they’ve bounced back.
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“We had a real setback a few weeks ago when we lost two league games and a cup final. I said to the players they’ve shown real character to come back from that.”
Hednesford are favourites tonight, but Dunwell said: “Once you’re in those play-offs anything can happen.
“It’s a tough game at Hednesford but we’ve been there before, we’ve beaten them in the league and they’ve beaten us.
“It will be a huge crowd but it’s something the players have to relish and enjoy. This is why we play football, for these moments, who knows what can happen.
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“This has been one of our toughest seasons because of injuries, the setback with the three points, but the lads keep coming back.
“It’s only our second season in this league and we’ve been in the play-offs twice. You have to enjoy these times. This is why you play and enjoy football for these days.”
