Michael Sweet: Stockton's 'pressure-free' approach paying off after dream start to life at Step 3

The 2023/24 NPL East Division winners have performed admirably to date at the top table of Northern Premier League football and currently occupy a play-off berth after their opening 14 games.

The club also enjoyed a run to the third qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history, before falling to National League North heavyweights Chester.

However, Sweet insists the Anchors' squad aren’t allowing themselves to getting too carried away as confidence and momentum continues to grow. 

The 30-year-old told the NPL: “We’re just taking each game as it comes and we’re enjoying it.

“We went into this season trying to establish ourselves in the league and play good football. I think it’s doing us alright at the minute.”

The Step 3 new boys are keeping pace with some of the league’s more established outfits, as well as sides who were playing Step 2 football not too long ago.

Sweet believes that Stockton’s newly-promoted status has given them an unknown quality amongst the rest of the division, enabling them to concentrate on their own game. 

“Being a new team to the league is good for us as teams don’t know how we play, whereas last season sides were coming to our place to make it hard for us to break them down," he admitted.

“I think we’ve fared really well against top teams, but we’ve done that for the last few seasons too.

“There’s definitely no pressure on us, and you play with more freedom when you have no pressure.”

Sweet is definitely someone benefiting from the ‘no pressure’ mindset which the club has adopted at the start of the season.

The forward has netted nine league goals already this season, hitting double figures in all competitions, and has already exceeded last season’s tally of eight.

Sweet began this season in a more central role, having spent much of last season operating further wide.

Whilst admitting he feels more comfortable as the number nine, Sweet has still been prolific in front of goal despite playing further wide in recent games.

On his rich vein of scoring form, Sweet said: “It gives me loads of confidence. At the minute, it feels like every chance I get I’m putting away.

“Things are falling for me in places where they didn’t last season. I know that if I keep working hard, then the rewards will come.”

Photo credit: Stockton Town