MATCH PREVIEW: The 5-0 defeat hurt

Even in a season of transition, losing league matches is no fun.  That is particularly so when you lose heavily but, thankfully, such setbacks have been few and far between.  The majority of our defeats have been by the odd goal and we have been competitive in most of the others.

That wasn’t quite the case back in October when a makeshift Reds team, including eight teenagers in the squad, crashed 5-0 at Stockton in what was the first NPL meeting between the clubs.

Although we squandered a golden chance at 0-0, we had no answer to a powerful Stockton performance and were soundly beaten.

In an ideal world, Reds would take to the field and avenge that defeat on Saturday – if only it was that simple!

Stockton, in their first season at Step 3, have continued to impress and remain play-off contenders.  They are currently in sixth position with their thirteen wins and four draws helping them obtain 43 points.

But if Reds can replicate the form which produced back-to-back wins against Matlock Town and Whitby Town, the outcome may be different.

Those two wins left us in fourteenth position with 33 points – equidistant from the top eight or the bottom four.

Manager Mark Fell will rely on a similar squad to last week as the three long-term absentees are not yet ready to return.

The Tony Hopper Bar will be open ninety minutes before the game for food and drink with other outlets serving hot (Derwent End) and cold (Town End) drinks.

The programme will include the usual features with considered comment from the manager, Mark Fell, and chairman, Phil Norman, four pages covering Stockton Town, an updated fixtures and results page, the Retro Reds feature reliving our 1934 appearance in the 4th Round of the FA Cup, NPL standings, tributes to the late Gary Messenger and Thex Johnston, a photograph of John Scott’s visit to the ground as well as the recent personnel changes and current squad list.

The A66 derby will kick-off at 3pm.