For the second week on the bounce, Stretford Paddock face opponents who also find themselves in the fight for promotion. After a good performance and well earned point against the league leaders last week, Paddock will be looking to get an important win against a side they have previously beaten.
Opponent Watch
Bollington currently sit in 3rd position in the division. Since the new year, Bollington have won 5/7 league games despite a disappointing draw last week away to West Didsbury & Chorlton. They are in good form therefore and will be looking to keep themselves in the top 3.
Should St Michaels DH win their two games in hand, they would go ahead of Bollington so a win this weekend against the Paddock would be a huge boost for their promotion pursuit.
Bollington’s main man this season has been Joshua Connolly. The forward has scored 10 goals in 10 appearances this season and will be keeping defenders James Oatt and Thomas MacFarlane on their toes should he start on Saturday.
Situational Preview
Paddock currently sit in 7th place in the league but could go as high as 5th should they win their 2 games in hand. That would put Bollington 3 points ahead of Paddock (both on 19 games), showing the importance of this Saturdays game.
Bollington have been more deadly in front of goal in contrast to Paddock this season. Bollington have scored 53 goals so far this season (played 2 more games), Paddock have scored 37. Interestingly, 6 of those 37 goals came in the first fixture between the two sides back in October.
Should Haydock lose and Paddock win convincingly beat Bollington, the club could jump up to 5th place by the end of the weekend and close the gap between the promotion zone to 7 points (Paddock with games in hand).
Bollington could go up into 2nd if they get a win.
Manager, Stephen Howson, shared his thoughts on this weekends fixtures:
“If we win this weekend then I think that promotion could be back on. If we don’t win this weekend, I think it looks unlikely”
Team News
Paddock’s availability for players this weekend is relatively strong in comparison to previous weeks. Omar Sinclair is now back from injury and on his way back to full match fitness and the club have new signings that are continuously impressing.
One man unavailable this weekend is forward, Ronaldo Brown.
🚨𝗙𝗜𝗫𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦🚨
After plating 𝟭𝘀𝘁 place last weekend, this week we take on 𝟯𝗿𝗱 place 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻.
📅 Sat 18 Mar
⏲️ 2:00PM
📍 All Hallows Catholoc College, SK11 8LB
🏆 @CheshireFL
🎫 FREE#UpThePaddock pic.twitter.com/MRldboxhCO— Stretford Paddock FC (@SPaddockFC) March 17, 2023
