DUNWELL HAILS OWENS’ BRACE
STOCKTON TOWN are into the quarter-finals of the FA Vase for the first time in only their second season in the competition.
A brace from the impressive Jamie Owens saw off the challenge of Midland League outfit Stourport Swifts.
The Swifts’ first visit to the North-East for a cup tie was always going to be a difficult one.
The Worcestershire-based club had not played for three weeks, recently lost their 18goal top scorer Aaron Lloyd to Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One South club Alvechurch and had to contend with a plastic pitch at Bishopton Road West.
Stourport, one of the oldest clubs in England, fell behind to one of the youngest after Stockton made a timely breakthrough.
The Swifts looked to be going into half-time level after an evenly fought first period, only for Anchors winger Kevin Hayes to break the deadlock.
Owens then scored twice late in the second half to seal the fledgling Teesiders’ passage into the next round.
“It took us a while to settle into the game, we were a bit nervous, and it was a great time to get the first goal,” Stockton boss Michael Dunwell told The NLP.
“It was a good goal and once we got the second we could have gone on to score more goals.
“The four attacking players all did well and Owens marked an excellent display with a couple of goals.
“We’re enjoying the ride. It’s great to be in the quarter-final of the FA Vase and we’ll now take what Monday’s draw brings.”
Hayes almost gave the Anchors an early lead, but his 12-yard shot was parried by Swifts goalkeeper Dominic Richards. A great ball into the box from Harry Higginson just deceived Dan Sweeney as Stourport hit back.
Home goalkeeper Liam Jordan was then required to tip over an effort from Miles Newman.
Sweeney’s 34th minute freekick had to be turned over the bar by Jordan, before Hayes scored the opener in first half injury time.
Owens broke into the box after a one-two with Hayes, with the latter getting on the end of the former’s cross to score at the back post.
After Nick McPherson’s 71st minute header from Alex Perry’s free-kick was saved by Town keeper Jordan, Owens made it two after Chris Stockton’s shot was parried.
It was then all over when Hayes found Fred Woodhouse eight minutes from time, whose pull-back saw Owens fire past Richards.
Stockton join Northern League rivals Marske United in the last eight after their 2-0 victory over Bradford and Dunwell added: “It’s good that there are two Northern League sides in the last eight.
“It will be even better if we manage to avoid each other in the draw.”