30/07/2022
2PM K.O.
Holmes Chapel Leisure Centre
If Ste wanted a perfect start, then he couldn’t have had many complaints with what his team did today. In their first competitive game under fan ownership, Stretford Paddock FC netted 7 past Holmes Chapel FC to kick-start their Cheshire League journey with 3 points.
Within the first minute of the game, Kieran Molloy found himself with a small bit of space outside the Holmes Chapel penalty area. A wonderful left footed strike rocketed past Holmes Chapel’s keeper who probably didn’t even have his gloves on yet, it was that early. The ball flew into the top corner and set the agenda for the rest of the match – dominance from Stretford Paddock.
You could tell players from both sides were eager to get the season going as the first 10 minutes of the game was played with great intensity. It was inevitable however, that the games tempo would eventually dwindle and a small pause after a foul on Jon Ogo, exposed some tiredness from the home team. The fruits of Paddock’s preseason were on show as they managed to continue to dominate as their opponents tired. Shortly after the foul, some good, on the floor football from Paddock was finished with a Joao de Andrade goal.
In the 19th minute, Joao completed his brace as a beautiful back heel from Tom Jones played him in behind the Holmes Chapel defence. A nice touch away from the keeper was followed by an easy finish. 3 goals in 20 minutes was the perfect start for the away team.
Despite Paddock dominating the rest of the first half, only a Kieron Molloy strike which rattled the cross bar was worth writing home about.
HT: Holmes Chapel 0-3 Stretford Paddock
Whatever was said in the Holmes Chapel dressing room certainly did something as the home side came out for the second half and tested the Stretford Paddock defence. A handful of key blocks and Vic Giminez saves kept the score line at 3-0.
This flurry from Holmes Chapel did not last long however, and in the 54th minute, a game of pinball in the box eventually came to an end as the ball fell to the feet of Ronaldo Brown. Brown easily slotted the ball home to make it 4-0 and Stretford Paddock went into cruise control.
The whole second half was played similarly to the latter phases of the first – Paddock dominating the ball against a tired looking Holmes Chapel. More goals were inevitable.
A ‘fox in the box’ style goal from Tom Jones made it 5-0 and not long later, a lazy foul by the Holmes Chapel defender saw midfielder Jon Ogo score from the spot.
Becoming the second player in the game to bag a brace, Tom Jones showed his ability as a striker as he made it 7-0 by bringing the ball into the box and easily finding the back of the net.
FT: Holmes Chapel 0-7 Stretford Paddock
Stretford Paddock FC: Victor Giminez, Will Hobson (61’ Michael Burke), Ryan Pickering (74’), Ezequiel Paulo Incaque (61’ Thomas McFarlane), James Oatt (C), Cameron Watters (80’), Jon Ono (61’ Aftab Jan), Nosa Iyamu (77’), Joao de Andrade (70’ Nicholai McCreath), Tom Jones (46’ Ronaldo Brown), Kieron Molloy (70’ Tom MacFarlane)
Goals: Joao de Andrade (12’,21’), Tom Jones (76’,87’), Kieron Molloy (1’), Ronaldo Brown (52’), Jon Ogo (70’)
