Match Preview: Hartford vs Stretford Paddock

After a domineering 3-0 win against West Didsbury & Chorlton Reserves, Stretford Paddock will be hoping that they can string a nice run together to get them back into the upper realms of the table. This weeks opponents, Hartford FC, sit just one point behind Stretford Paddock but have played a game less. A Paddock win would extend that lead to 4 points and certainly send a message of intent to the rest of the division.

 

Opposition

With 4 matches played, Hartford FC find themselves with 6 points: 2 wins and 2 losses. Despite this mixed start, the 2 losses came against undefeated league leaders, Bollington Town as well as undefeated title challengers, Upton JFC (played 2 games less than Bollington). Only losing 2-1 to Bollington is actually quite impressive and Hartford are therefore a side Paddock must face taking nothing for granted.

It’s hard to predict how opponents will look when you’ve never faced them before. Hartford’s respectable start and mid-table finish last season suggests that they will be tough opponents. Having played 3 full seasons already in League 2, Hartford are experienced.

Hartford FC
Position: 10th
Goals For: 17
Goals Against: 12

 

Training

This week in training, the coaching staff challenged their squad with a ‘Shark Tank’ style session. The Shark Tank method is used within combat sports where a fighter preparing for a fight spars for a number of rounds. What makes it more challenging however, is that each round, a new opponent is brought in. They played half a match against Stretford Paddock’s Development side and then a half against the Reserves.

Manager, Stephen Howson was impressed with the way his side quite convincingly dealt with their opponents.

 

Team News

Ins:

James Oatt – Stretford Paddock’s captain has arguably been player of the season thus far. Oatt’s leadership skills, calmness in possession and pin point tackling skills have been vital for Paddock so far this season. He missed Saturday’s win against West Didsbury and Chorlton Reserves but is back in the squad this weekend.

Keiron Molloy – Molloy was a serious doubt last week due to an ankle injury. He made the match day squad and after a late substitute appearance, bagged himself a goal. Molloy’s injury is in a much better place now and he will be hoping to be in the starting 11 at the weekend.

 

Outs:

Cameron Watters – Watters played a key role in Paddock’s win last Saturday. He’s unavailable this week.

Aftab Jan – Jan was voted Man of the Match away against West Didsbury and Chorlton. He changed the tempo of the game after coming on at half time. An injury picked up at the weekend makes him a strong doubt for Saturday.

 

Talking Point

Kayode Adewale – Due to a lack of availability, Adewale filled in at Centre Half last weekend and he really impressed. Where will he feature this weekend?

 

This weeks game kicks off at 13:45 from Moss Farm Leisure Complex:

Moss Lane

Northwich

CW8 4BG

 

Let’s see some of you down there, entry is free! Up the Paddock!

By Andre La Barbera

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