Preview: Stretford Paddock VS Ashton Town Reserves

 

This Saturday, Stretford Paddock take on Ashton Town Reserves in the Cheshire League for the second weekend on the bounce. It was only 6 days ago when goals from Tom Jones, Omar Sinclair and Abdullah Saeed helped Paddock add another away win to their impressive campaign so far. This week, Paddock will be the hosts.

 

Opponent Watch

 

Ashton Town Reserves were a team that made things difficult for Paddock last Saturday. They defended hard and also built sustained attacks from the back. Even when Paddock netted their third goal and the game seemed to be out of Ashton’s reach, the home side continued to apply phases of pressure onto Paddock.

Perhaps losing to Paddock will ignite even more fire into Ashton Town’s bellies?

 

Situational Preview

 

A loss last week for Ashton means that a win for them this week is vital. They sit 4th from bottom in the league (12th) however, West Didsbury & Chorlton, who are sit in 13th, have 3 games in hand on Ashton.

A loss tomorrow could see Ashton Town drop as far down as 14th (second from bottom) – Ashton are going to be up for it; they need a win. Paddock are going to be in for a tough game.

Things are more positive for Paddock. A win could see Paddock go level on points with Bollington who are currently in 3rd place – Bollington’s goal difference is far superior to Paddock’s, however. Stretford Paddock are 4 points off of 2nd place with 3 games in hand on F.C. St Helens who currently occupy that spot.

As of now, Upton JFC seem set to finish top but Paddock have every chance of finishing in the other promotion place, should they continue their current form.

 

Team News

 

Back in the squad this weekend is Tom MacFarlane. A back injury meant that MacFarlane was sidelined last weekend. Despite forming a great partnership with James Oatt over the past few weeks, a place back in the starting 11 for Tommy is not guaranteed. This is due to the impressive performance last week at centre half from youngster, Callum Kilroe.

Also back up for selection is Dom Molloy. Dom has been out with an elbow injury for a number of weeks now. Dom is a man who had an immediate positive impact at the club after his arrival and his return from injury is therefore a huge positive.

 

 

 

By Andre La Barbera

Match Report: Ashton Town Reserves vs Stretford Paddock

 

A solid performance away from home saw Stretford Paddock collect all 3 points in a triumph over Ashton Town Reserves. Paddock, who not long ago saw the end of a 6 game win streak, are beginning to rebuild another.

 

The game was one of little chances, and Paddock had to work hard to break down a robust Ashton defence in the first half.

 

Paddock’s attacking quality prevailed and in the 29th minute, Joao swept the ball to the back post for Tom Jones to tuck it away; the third time those two have combined for a goal in the last two games.

 

Paddock went into the halftime break with the lead intact, however the opening minutes of the second half played host to an Ashton goal that levelled up the scoring.

 

In spite of the setback, Paddock grew into the game, and a couple of minutes after the opposition’s equaliser, Paddock found themselves back in front.

 

Man-of-the-match Omar Sinclair rose at the back post from a whipped corner to revitalise the Stretford Paddock 11 as they searched for all 3 points.

 

The second half saw an eagerly awaited return for Ronaldo Brown after his trip to Qatar, and Paddock prevailed in defence to keep their lead intact.

 

As the Ashton legs grew tired, a counter attack in the 86th minute saw Kieron Molloy tee up the ball for Abdullah Saeed to score Paddock’s third of the game, and ensure that the victory was secured.

 

A big win on the road keeps Paddock’s promotion hopes well and truly alive as we head into the Christmas period!

 

By Billy Powis

Match Preview: Ashton Town Reserves VS Stretford Paddock

Stretford Paddock are back in action this weekend in the Cheshire League with their first fixture this season against Ashton Town Reserves. After advancing into the next round of the J A Walton Challenge Cup last weekend, Paddock need to keep wining in the league if they want promotion come the end of the season.

 

Opponent Watch

 

Ashton Town Reserves are currently sat in the lower half of the table – in 12th place.

The side with a Wigan postcode currently have 12 points to their name, made up from 4 wins and 9 losses.

Despite being in the bottom half, Ashton Town are a side who can score goals. They have only failed to score in a game twice in 13 games this season – not bad for a side not doing so too well according to the table.

Ashton Town have netted 31 goals this season and will be no doubt planning on bagging some more this weekend. Their goals are nicely split amongst their squad with there top goalscorer, Stuart McDonald, only having 3 of those 31 goals.

This suggests that Paddock are going to be facing a tough team oriented side in Ashton Town Reserves.

 

Situational Preview

 

Stretford Paddock still have games in hand on all but 3 teams in the Cheshire League Division 2. As manager, Stephen Howson, has said in previous interviews, Paddock will be looking at one game at a time rather than thinking about promotion or a title challenge.

A win for Paddock and a loss for St Michaels DH would see Paddock move up into 4th spot – just 2 places off the promotion spots.

Should teams below Paddock win however, and Paddock lose, Ste’s boys could drop down as far as 9th place. This shows us how close things seem to be down in mid-table.

Ashton Town will have their eye’s on a win only. A loss tomorrow could see them drop down to 14th place (second bottom) should Pilkington U23’s and West Didsbury & Chorlton Reserves both obtain victories.

 

Team News

 

It’ll be interesting to see what team, Director of Football, Bill Prendergast, decides to go with.

Since Ste’s absence, Bill has made some interesting and effective call’s which have seen Paddock obtain 2 victories.

Bill has taken striker, Abdullah Saeed (AB) from the Development side and into the 1st team where he has been effective as a striker as well as moving Tom Jones into a wider position.

With the return of Ronaldo Brown from Qatar, it will be interesting to see how this forward dynamic changes.

 


By Andre La Barbera

The Paddock Roundup #4: First Point for Our Devs!

 

U21’s

 

This week saw Paddocks U21’s take on Hartford U21’s in what proved to be a closer affair than the score line presented.

The game was evenly poised going into the latter stages of the first half and then, madness began to unfold – 3 goals in the space of 8 minutes to be precise! Hartford netted twice and then, a great cross into the box via Toby Schwab found the unmarked Marcel Kinsi who slotted home right on half time.

The second half started at a fast pace with both teams netting again, thanks to Sean Colbert. He made the game 3-2 going into the last 35 minutes.

A mistake from the Paddock keeper meant that Hartford went 4-2 up however, a great cross in from Tiago BaΓ§o was met by Alan Kay who managed to score on consecutive days this weekend. Kay had now scored for Paddock’s Development side and U21’s, making the scoreline on the day 4-3.

Paddock, pressing for an equaliser, then fell short as a breakaway goal was scored by our opponents to seal our fate as we came out on the wrong end of a 5-3 loss.

It was certainly Paddock’s best performance in the month of November and it’s definitely something to build upon. We play Hartford away in a couple of weeks where we are confident we can return the favour.

 

Stretford Paddock U21’s FC 3-5 Hartford FC

Paddock Goals: Marcel Kinsi, Sean Colbert, Alan Kay

MOTM – Marcel Kinsi

 

 

Development

 

Last Saturday, Stretford Paddock Devs earned their first point of the season away at Manchester South 1st’s.

Stretford Paddock started the game with relentless work focusing in particular on diamonds and triangles in their build up phase. Paddock played some of their best football this season with free flowing 1 and 2 touch passing.

The excellent, Charles Frapwell scored a long range effort and had the opportunity to put Paddock 2 up after forcing a great save from the South Manchester goalkeeper from another sweeping move.

In the 2nd half, South Manchester 1st’s seemed to be more up for it and attacked Paddock relentlessly. Paddock kept to their defensive principles and shape to frustrate the opposition. Unfortunately for Paddock, the home side’s pressure eventually paid off with South Manchester socirng 2 goals in relatively quick succession. Paddock equalised with minutes remaining and Alan Kay’s goal sealed Paddock their first point of the season.

Our Devs face Moston Brook on Saturday where they will look to get even more points on the board.

 

South Manchester 1st 2-2 Stretford Paddock Development

Paddock Goals: Charles Frapwell (9′), Alan Kay (85′)

 

 

Amateurs

 

Last weekend, Stretford Paddock Amateurs were hoping to turn recent improvements into some points on the board. Milton 1st’s were this weeks opposition.

They were faced however, with an uphill battle straight from the start as they played the match with 10 players due to some late changes in circumstances for players due to be involved.

While trying to adjust to playing with a player less, the opposition capitalised and scored an early goal. Paddock responded well however and worked tirelessly to keep out Milton, reducing them mostly to balls into wide areas and dealing with crosses into the box.

The team managed to break forward a few times and thought they had earned a penalty when Richie Adjei was tripped up in the box with the score still 1-0. The referee waved play on.

Despite their best efforts, the Amateurs conceded two more goals before half time. The first of these was an excellent shot from distance flying into the top corner while the second was a quick shot off a loose ball following an initial block.

Paddock started the second half positively, holding their shape well and forcing mistakes out of the opposition. As knocks and fatigue crept in though, Paddock started to concede more chances requiring some last ditch tackles and excellent saves by keeper Victor Gimenez. Vic was given plenty of praise from the opposition. Milton would go on to score two more goals during the second half, making the score 5-0 at full-time.

A disappointing outcome for Paddock that overshadows a committed performance over 90 minutes.

 

Stretford Paddock Amateurs 0 – 5 Milton 1st’s

 

 

1st’s

 

Match preparation was again challenging with traffic chaos forcing changes to the starting line up against Moore United in the Cup.

The messages were clear though and a positive front foot approach saw a swift exchange with Paddock going close early on. An immediate response from the home side however, saw them go in front when we failed to clear a hopeful ball into our box. Moore United clinically capitalised on Paddock’s failed clearance. 1-0 to Moore United.

Following the early set-back, Paddock equalised smartly following an attack down the right hand side with Tom Jones supplying a terrific ball to the far post. Joao De Andrade was in the right place at the right time to knock the ball into the back of the net.

Paddock then went in front following further good pressure with Tom Jones providing the final ball for Joao De Andrade to finish excellently – very similarly to the first goal.

Stretford Paddock really looked assured and were able to make several tactical changes which continued to creating an array of chances. Paddock however, failed to convert any of them, the best of which was from Abdullah Saeed who received the ball on the half way line. He took on the whole of Moore United’s defence only to see his effort hit the post and come back out.

Moore United equalised on the 69th minute converting excellently from a free kick. Yet, within minutes, Paddock were back in front with Nosa Iyamu converting a penalty award with aplomb, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Moore United again equalised from a free kick again hitting the target with power.

Our winner came late following an intelligent first time ball into a dangerous area from Mikey Burke. With our two centre half’s combining, Tommy MacFarlane converted clinically, showing our front foot approach mindset was still evident right to the end.

 

Moore United 3-4 Stretford Paddock

Paddock Goals: De Andrade (11′, 21′), Iyamu (72′), MacFarlane (87′)

Paddock head into the next round of the J A Walton Challenge Cup!

OFFICIAL PARTNERS