Stockton Town 2–2 Guiseley | FA Cup | 5 September 2026

A pulsating FA Cup encounter ended all square at the Bishopton Road West ground, as Stockton Town and Guiseley shared the spoils in a match that ebbed and flowed from the first half through to a dramatic late leveller.

Match Summary

The opening stages produced the first significant moment of the afternoon, with Stockton Town breaking the deadlock on 24 minutes through an unlisted scorer to give the home side an early foothold. However, the lead proved short-lived. Guiseley, under the guidance of Mark Bower, responded with real purpose and drew level just five minutes later, restoring parity before the half-hour mark.

The momentum had unmistakably shifted towards the visitors, and they capitalised swiftly. Jordan Thewlis put Guiseley ahead on 37 minutes, turning the game on its head with a composed finish that rewarded the away side's bright spell. Guiseley carried a well-earned one-goal advantage into the interval, and it appeared Mark Bower's men were well-positioned to progress.

Second Half Drama

For much of the second half, Guiseley defended their lead with apparent composure, and the clock ticked down towards what seemed a creditable FA Cup victory. Stockton Town, to their credit, refused to relent, and their persistence was ultimately rewarded.

Frank Nouble proved to be the difference-maker for the hosts, stepping up on 78 minutes to rifle home an equaliser that sent the home supporters into raptures. It was a moment of genuine quality at a crucial juncture, and it ensured that neither side would walk away with all three points on the day.

The final scoreline of 2–2 means the tie will require further resolution, with both clubs left to contest a replay or face the next stage determined by cup rules.

Prediction Review

Our pre-match analysis carried a low confidence rating of just 34/100, reflecting the genuine uncertainty surrounding this fixture. The model assigned a 40% probability to a Guiseley win, making the visitors marginal favourites, while a draw was given a 27% likelihood — the least favoured of the three outcomes.

Despite the unconventional route to it — with leads changing hands and the game appearing to favour Guiseley for a sustained period — the draw ultimately materialised, meaning our forecast landed correctly. This is a reminder that in cup football, particularly at this level, lower-league ties frequently produce unpredictable, competitive encounters that defy straightforward analysis.

Key Takeaways

• Guiseley showed genuine quality in turning around a deficit within 13 first-half minutes, with Jordan Thewlis's goal particularly noteworthy.
• Stockton Town's resilience was the defining narrative of the second half, refusing to accept defeat and earning their reward through Frank Nouble's late strike.
• Mark Bower's Guiseley will feel there is a degree of frustration to take from the result, having led for much of the contest.
• The tie remains alive, and a replay promises to be equally competitive between two sides who clearly possess the quality to trouble one another.
• Our model's low-confidence call proved vindicated, underlining that uncertain fixtures should not be approached with high conviction — the match data supported a close encounter, and that is precisely what unfolded.