This Saturday marks the start of Stretford Paddock’s campaign in the Manchester Saturday Challenge Trophy. We face familiar opponents in this competition as Paddock host the same side that knocked them out of last year’s competition – Denton Town. After exiting at the quarter final stage last season, Stephen Howson’s men will be more motivated than ever to challenge for some silverware.
On a roll
Paddock netted five goals against Mersey Valley last weekend and just as importantly, kept a clean sheet. After a frustrating 2-2 draw against Mersey Valley earlier in the season, prior to the game, manager Stephen Howson expressed his desire to put things right – and that’s exactly what happened.
Paddock now head into the Manchester Saturday Challenge Trophy on the back of three consecutive league wins – there’s plenty of positivity around club.
Team News
Two men looking to return to the starting 11 this week are Nosa Iyamu and Dom Molloy.
After serving the suspension he received against Hartford, Iyamu will be looking to impress against his old club whether that is from the first whistle or from the bench. Last season, Iyamu had a short loan spell at Denton Town where he came off the bench to face Paddock in last year’s quarter final.
Dom Molloy also returns to the match day squad. Molloy was a late joiner to the club this season but has had a real impact. His physicality and passing ability have added a lot of stability to the Paddock midfield.
Ste was forced to change his starting 11 late on last weekend to a 4-2-4 formation and it worked wonders. It’ll be interesting to see whether the manager will stick to what worked last week or whether he will resort back to a 4-3-3.
16-year-old debutant, Callum Kilroe has also made Ste’s selection even more difficult. A man of the match performance in his first ever game of men’s football means his name must be in consideration for a spot in the starting 11.
Denton Town
It’ll be one hell of an achievement should Paddock beat their opponents on Saturday. Denton currently sit top of League 1 in the Cheshire League, the division above Paddock’s. They started their season remarkably by winning their first 7 games on the bounce. There’s no doubt that Denton are favourites going into Saturday’s fixture.
Despite this, Denton’s last two fixtures ended in a draw and a loss. Paddock might be facing the League 1 leaders at the perfect time.
🚨𝗙𝗜𝗫𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨
We’re back in action once again against 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 in the cup.
📅 Sat 1st Oct
📍 Manchester Enterprise Academy, M22 9RH
⏲️ 2:00PM
🏆 @Manchester_FA Saturday Challenge Trophy
🎟️ FREE#UpThePaddock pic.twitter.com/4ntBzWPfAR— Stretford Paddock FC (@SPaddockFC) September 30, 2022
This Saturday’s fixture kicks off at 2PM from the Manchester Enterprise Academy:
Simonsway
Wythenshawe
Manchester
M22 9RH
We’d love to see some fans down their cheering on the lads!
