Welcome to the first issue of The Paddock Roundup! This midweek release aims to give you guys an insight into what’s going on amongst our other teams within the club. As most of you will be aware, as well as our first team, we are very proud to also have 3 other teams wearing the Stretford Paddock badge.
Our Amateur side play their football in the Premier Division of the Lancashire and Cheshire AFL, our Development side play in the same league but in Division 2 and our Under 21’s are part of Championship A of the North West U21 Development League.
Let’s delve into how our boys got on last weekend!
U21s
Stretford Paddock U21’s 3-7 Warrington Rylands U21’s
Paddock’s U21 side remain in 7th spot in Championship A of the North West U21 Dev League after a 7-3 loss to Warrington Rylands.
Going into the fixture, Paddock and Warrington Rylands both sat on 4 points. A great opportunity presented itself for one side to create some breathing space over the other. It was Warrington however, who took the opportunity with both hands.
Despite Paddock registering 3 goals via Daniel Bakare (2 goals) and Sean Colbert, the visitors managed to impressively bag 7 goals to subsequently take all three points with ease.
This coming weekend, our U21’s will be looking to bounce back with 3 points against promotion challengers, Hyde United. It will certainly be a tough game but even a point would give the boys a huge confidence boost going into the heart of the season.
Amateurs
Stretford Paddock Amateurs 0-2 North Walkden Open Age
It’s been a tough start to life in the Premier Division of the Lancashire and Cheshire AFL for Paddock’s Amateurs. The side were handed a sixth straight loss last weekend against title challengers, North Walkden.
There were however, plenty of positives to take from the game for Stretford Paddock. Despite North Walkden being 14 points ahead of Paddock, all that separated the sides was a North Walkden goal from the spot and another goal which was aided goalward by a wicked deflection.
There was a long list of absentees this week which allowed a great opportunity for Aram and Brandon to step up from the U21’s and get some minutes. First team keeper, Victor Gimenez, also featured for the Amateurs last weekend; imposing some of his experience and quality amongst the whole squad.
This weekend, the Amateurs will be hoping to play up in the cup. They face Mill Hill, in the North West Inter League Cup. Let’s hope we can take last week’s positives and build on them in the cup!
Development
Kartel Sports First 4-1 Stretford Paddock Development
It was top vs bottom last weekend in Division 2 of the Lancashire and Cheshire AFL. Paddock’s Development side have struggled so far this season and were dealt another blow with a 4-1 away defeat to Kartel Sports First Team. It was always going to be a challenge to defeat the league leaders and they showed Paddock just what they were capable of doing.
Just like the Amateurs, the Development side were depleted due to injuries and other commitments from players – the reality of grassroots football.
Despite the loss, Paddock were pleased to see the return of their goalkeeper, Jay Phillips and were impressed, yet again, by U21’s star, Sean Colbert.
The Dev’s face AFC Oldham 2005 this weekend. AFC Oldham are only 3 points ahead of Paddock so one hell of a game should be in store. It feels like it could be a great opportunity for Stretford Paddock’s Development side to get off the mark this year in the League.
